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IIIM    122 

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1.25      1.4 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

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CIHM/ICIVIH 
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microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IVIicroreproductions 


Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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4, 


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I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


D 


n 


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ni° 


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illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

THE  WOHIvS 


OF 


HUBERT  HOWE  BANCROFT. 


THE  AVOJiJvS 


OF 


HTTBERT  HOWE  BANCROFT 


VOLUME   XXII. 


HISTOKY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

Vol.  y,     J 840-1848. 


SAN   PRAXCISCO: 
THE   HISTORY  COMPANY,  PUBLISHERS 

1880. 


KiitiTui]  acconliiijr  ),,    y^.^  ,,f 


(■iinKn.>s  ill  tlic  Voar  18S(l 


IIUKKKT    11.  lUXCKdFT. 


In  the  Office  ofthe  Li  hnaiun  .,f  c 


<"iKro.sji,  at  Wa.sliingl, 


All  J,';,//>/.^  l!i.-<,'rir,l 


CONTEI^TS  OF  THIS  VOLUME. 


CHAPTER  I. 

OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT   AND  OILLESPIfi. 

January- May,  1846. 
Explorers  in  the  Tulares-Fr.rnont  at  New  Helvetia.  Verba  Buena.  a^.l""" 

fhe  rrot~.     P  •'^"  ""'  '''"*'"  ""'  Monterey-Explanations  to 

the  rrcfect-Perm.ssion  to  Recruit  his  Men  on  the  Frontier-The 

Valker.Talbot.Kern  Party-In  Can,p  at  Fisher's  llaneho-F^.n.ont 

Prn^M  .  •"■''T^'r^'""'''"^'^''''^''^  l'"«l'eco-Over  the  Santa 
Cruz  Mounta,ns-In  Cun,p  at  Alisai-Ordered  to  Depart-Defiance- 
The  Stars  and  Stripes  on  (iavilan  Peak- Larkin's  Efforts-Castro's 
Military  1  reparations-Falsity  of  Current  ^^ersio„s-Fr6mont  Runs 
Away-IIis  Blunder-Proclamations  and  Reports-In  the  Sacra- 
mento yalley-Letter  to  Clyman-To  the  Oregon  Border-A  Night 
Attack  by  Indians-Back  to  California-Gillespio's  Arrival  and  In- 
8tructions-Lp  the  River  by  Boat-Suttcr's  Warning  to  Castro  1 


CHAPTER  11. 

POLITICAL   AKD   MILITARY. 

January-June,  1846, 

Fruitless  Controyersy-Alvarndo  as  Congressman-Castafiares  and 
Tellez-Covarrubias  as  Pico's  Agent-Mission  of  Castillero-Affairs 
Zlc'7  vT"'  f  •^■l-'l'^-"-Tenez  and  Morales-Cambuston 
and  Ca  tro-Vallc  an.l  Treasury  Troubles-Assenibly-Guerra  Sent 
lor  MtT  f  "■"  "'  '•  ^-  ^'-""^-I'-o  as  Constitutional  Gov 
ernor-Mihtary  Junta  at  Monterey-Adhesion  to  President  Paredes 

7lTr  ^r ''^'^''^-^''^'^  rrotests-Vallojo's  Position-Guerra 
Sent  to  Ange  es-Consejo  General  de  Pueblos  Unidos  at  Santa  Bdr- 
bara-Castro's  Protests-Martial  Law-The  Assembly  Deposes  Cas- 
tro-Pico  and  h.s  Army  March  North  against  Castro-Warlike 
Preparations  for  Defence  of  Angeles-Cooperation  of  Foreigners- 

Bandini  and  Castro- Affairs  in  the  North . 

(vil) 


30 


viU 


CONTEXTS. 


CHAPTER  ni. 

FOREIGN    RELATIONS— UMTEl>  STATES  AND   ENGLAND 

Jaiiuaiy-Juiie,  184G. 

PAOK 

Larkiii  an  U.  S.  Coiifulontittl  Agent — His  Iiistruution.s — Correspondence — 
Fears  of  Invasion — Trcatnant  of  Foreigners — Fr(;'mont'8  Operations 
in  Marcli— Larkin's  EtForti*  and  Hopes— Monterey  Junta — Imaginary 
Spocolies  for  England,  France,  and  tlio  U.  S. — Stearns,  Lccso,  and 
Warner— Sutter's  Policy— Consejo  General  at  Santa  IWrlmra,  and  its 
Bearing  on  Foreign  Suliemes — Views  of  Stearns  and  Larkin — I'ico's 
Intrigues — Exaggerations  on  EDglish  Interference  —  Testimony  of 
(iillespie  and  Minor — Position  of  Forbes  and  Spence— Stearns  as  Sub- 
agent  of  the  U.  S. — Condition  of  Aflfairs  in  June — General  Conclu- 
sions        r>4 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CACSE3  OF  THE  SETTLERS*   REVOLT. 

June,  1846. 

An  Unexpected  Outbreak — Its  Alleged  Motives — Self-defence  and  Re- 
sistance to  Oppression — Mere  Pretexts — Current  Rumors — The  In- 
surgents Classified— Adventurers— American  Enthusiasts— Ambitious 
Politicians — Real  Motives  of  the  Leaders — Frtimont'a  Policy — Gilles- 
pie's Mission — Ambition  and  Revenge — A  Bold  Resolution — Over- 
much Caution — Nature  of  Fr(5mont's  Cooperation — Ide's  Theories 
and  Statements — A  Filibustering  Scheme — Needless,  Unjustifiable, 
Productive  of  No  Good — Not  a  Part  of  the  Conquest — Serious  Re- 
sponsibilities of  the  Insurgent  Leaders — A  Fortunate  Ending 7/ 


CHAPTER  V. 

BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT — TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 

June,  184G. 

Fn^mont'a  Return  from  Oregon — Hensley's  Mission — A  Summons  to  Re- 
volt— Friimont  Cautious — All  Ready — Camp  Moved  to  Bear  River — 
Castro  at  Santa  Clara — His  Visit  to  Sonoma — Arcc'a  Caballada — 
Merritt  Sent  by  Frt5mont  to  Begin  Hostilities — Seizure  of  Horses  on 
tlie  Cosumncs — Tiie  Filibusters  Reiinforced  in  Napa  Valley — Names 
— Occupation  of  Sonoma — Vallejo  a  Prisoner  of  War — Negotiations 
— Written  Guaranties — Broken  before  the  Ink  was  Dry — Incidents 
(if  tho  Morning — The  Insurgents  Unmanageable — Aguardiente — A 
Controversy — John  Grigsby  Declines  the  Command — William  B.  Ido 
Chosen — Journey  of  the  Prisoners  to  FrtJmont's  Camp — Locked  up  in 
Sutter's  Fort 101 


CONTKNTS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

BKAR  FLAO  liEVOLT,   CON'TINUED — AFFAIRH   AT  SUTTEU'     FORT  AND  800TII   OK 

THE  BAT. 


FAOa 


June-July,  184C. 

iSdttei'a  Position — The  rrisoncrs— Their  Treatment — Correspondence  of 
the  Captives — Events  at  New  Helvetia — South  of  the  Iky— Rosa 
Sent  by  Vallejo  to  Montgomery — Misroon's  Mission — Olficiul  and 
Private  Correspondence— Castro's  Proclamations — Military  Prepara- 
tions— Tiirco  Divisions  to  Retake  Sonoma — Torre  Sent  across  tho 
Bay — Manuel  Castro's  Mission — Insurgents  at  San  Francisco- 
Weber's  Arrest — Montgomery's  Policy — Pico  at  Santa  Bi'uoara — 
The  Angelinos  not  Warlike — Foreigners  Offended — The  Assembly — 
Pico  and  Larkin — Pico  Marches  North— Meets  Castro— Embrace  of 
Governor  and  General 1  -- 


II 


CHAPTER  VII. 

BEAR  FLAO  REVOLT — AFFAIRS   AT  SONOMA. 

June- July,  184G. 

Ide  in  Command — Banner  for  the  New  Republic — Star  and  Grizzly — 
Raising  of  the  Bear  Flag — The  Flags  as  Relics — Ide's  Proclamation 
— Falsehood  and  Bombast — Further  Organization — Minor  Happen- 
ings— Ido'a  Version — Treaty  with  Alcalde — Todd's  Missii  n  to  Mont- 
gomery— Misroon  at  Sonoma — Mormonism — A  New  Proclumation — 
Killing  of  Cowie  and  Fowler  by  the  Californians — Pa<Ulla  and  Car-" 
rillo — Sortie  by  Ide — Other  Captives — Gibson's  Expedition  to  Santa 
Rosa  —  Insurgents  Reiinforccd — Land  Laws— Grigsby'a  Return — 
Ford's  Campaign — Padilla  Joined  by  Torro— A  Surprise — Fight  at 
Olompali — Torre  Defeated  by  the  '  Bears. ' 145 


m 


CHAPTER  Vlir. 

BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT — FRK.MONT's  CAMPAIGN. 
1S4G. 

Complaints  at  Sonoma — Ford's  Letter — Fri5mont  on  the  Sacramento — 
Forced  to  Act — March  to  Sonoma — The  San  Rafael  Campaign — Mur- 
der of  Berreyesa  and  the  Ilaro  Brotliers — A  Dastardly  Act  by  Frii- 
mont  and  his  Men — Torre's  Ruse— The  Insurgents  Sent  to  Sonoma — 
A  False  Alarm — Spiking  the  Guns  of  San  Francisco— Capture  of 
Robert  Ridley — Fourtii  of  July  at  Sonoma — Military  Reorganization 
— Change  of  Administration — Frdniont  Assumes  the  Chief  Command 
— Ide's  Version — Tiio  liattalion  Organized — Fremont's  Designs — 
News  from  Monterey — Bibliography  of  the  Bear  Flag  Revolt 169 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

rUELIMINAKIES   (IF  TUE  CciNQCEST. 

1846. 


FAOK 


Tiio  War  with  Mexico— Beginning  of  Hostilities— Feeling  in  the  United 
States  respecting  California — Policy  of  I'reaidcut  Polk's  Administra- 
tion— Instructions  to  Commodore  Sloat  in  1S45  and  1S4C — Plans  for 
Permanent  Occuiiation — Tiio  Pacific  Squadron  at  Mazatlan — Rumors 
of  War— Services  of  Dr  Wood  and  John  Parrott— The  Portsiiwuth 
and  Cyanc  Sent  to  Monterey — News  from  tlie  Rio  Grande — Sloat's 
Plans — His  'Unwarranted  Inactivity' — Cijangcs  his  Mind — Starts 
for  California  in  the  Savannah — English  Designs — The  Rival  Fleets 
— A  Race  in  American  Imagination — A  Protectorate — An  Unfounded 
Conjecture — Tlio  McNamara  Colonization  Project — Ten  Thousand 
Irishmen  for  San  Joaquin 191 


CHAPTER  X. 

CONQUEST  BY  THE  CKITED  STATES— SLOAX's   RULE. 

July,  184G. 
Arrival  of  Sloat  in  the  Savannah — Events  of  a  Week— More  Hesita« 
tion — FriSmont's  Claim — Larkin's  Influence — Dcsjiatches  from  Mont- 
gomery— Resolution  —  Occupation  of  Monterey — Sloat's  Proclama- 
tion— The  Stars  and  Strine&  at  San  Francisco — Documentary  Record 
— The  Bear  Flag  Lowered  at  Sonoma — At  Sutter's  Fort — The  Change 
at  San  Jos6 — Frdmontand  his  Battalion  March  Southward— Occupa- 
tion of  San  Juan — Tlio  Bears  at  Monterey — Fr<;montand  Sloat— The 
Commodore's  Disappointment — Tho  Filibuster's  Dilemma — Comfort 
from  a  New  Commodore — Stockton  Arrives  in  the  Comjress — And 
Assumes  Command  —  The  Battalion  Mustered  in  —  And  Sent  to  tlio 
South— Departure  of  Sloat 224 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  CONQUEST— Stockton's  kule — occupation  op  tue  south. 
August,  184G. 
Stockton's  Proclamation — A  Pronunciamiento  Filibustero  —  Castro  Re- 
treats Southward — Pico's  Proclamation — Action  of  tho  Assembly — 
Vain  Efforts  of  Governor  and  General  for  Defence — No  Enthusiasm 
or  Resources — Castro  at  the  Mesa — FrtSmont  at  San  Diego — Stockton 
at  San  Pedro — The  Commodore  Refuses  to  Negotiate  for  Fear  his 
Terms  may  bo  Accepted — His  Weak  Excuses — Larkin's  Efforts — 
Castro  and  Pico  Resolve  to  Quit  California — Flight  and  Farewell 
Addresses — Pico's  Land  Grants — Stockton  Enters  Angeles — Submis- 
sion of  the  People — Proclamations  and  Oi-ders — News  from  Washing- 
ton— Election  Ordered — Plans  for  a  Civil  Goverament — Garrisons  at 
the  Southern  Towns — Stockton  and  Fremont  Return  to  the  North. . 


2o5 


CONTEXTS. 


xl 


rAOK 


191 


PAUK 


CHArTEK  XII. 

THE  COXQrEST — AFFAIRS   IN   MIE   NOUTll  — IIKVOI.T  OF  FI.ORKS   IN   THE  SOrTIC, 

August-October,  1840. 

At  Monterey — Colton's  Diaries— The  First  Newspaper — Fauntlcroy  and 
Snyilcr  at  San  Juim — San  .Tobi5  under  Hyde,  Watmougli,  and  Weber 
— San  Francisco  Affairs— Reception  to  .Stockton — Kevcre  at  Sonoma 
— Meeting  of  ]5car  Flag  Men— Ivclcase  of  Prisoners  —  Tiio  Walla 
Walla  Invasion— Stockton's  Grand  I'lans — Juan  Flaco's  Hide — Prep- 
arations to  Quell  the  Revolt — (lillesino  at  Angeles — Varcla's  Attack 
— Jo86  Maria  Flores — I'ronunciamier.to — Fight  at  Chino  Rancho — 
Gillespie's  Capitulation — Talbot  Driven  from  Santa  Kirbara — Mer- 
ritt  from  San  Diego — Mervinc's  Defeat — Meeting  of  the  Assembly — 
Stockton  at  San  Tedro- San  Diego  Reoccupied "JSS 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  CONQUEST — THE  FLOKES  KEVOMTION — PIOIIT   AT  SAN    1     SCCAL, 

Xovcmbcr-Dccend)cr,  18IG. 
Stockton  at  San  Diego — Petty  Hostilities — Preparatioi'.  Intorrnpted — 
U.  S.  Troops  Coming  from  the  Fast — Atlairs  at  .'Liigclcs — Orilti.i 
and  Correspondence — Revolt  against  the  Governor — Corom  I'b  Ad- 
V.  i',  ,3 — The  Dalton  Financial  Scheme — The  Chino  I'rHomrs  — 
Flores  Imprisoned  and  Released — Alarming  News — Koainy'b  Instruc- 
tions— His  Marcii  from  New  Mexico — Meeting  Kit  Carson— Capture 
of  Horses  and  a  Courier  on  the  Colorado — Across  tlic  Desert  to 
Warner's  and  Santa  Maria— Recnforccd  by  Gillespie — Fight  at  San 
Pascual — Defeat  of  Kearny  by  the  Californians  under  Pico — Thirty- 
seven  Men  Killed  and  Wounded — In  Camp  at  San  Bernardino — Rc- 
enforcemcnts  under  Gray — March  to  San  Diego — Stockton  and 
Kearny  March  on  Angeles ;V_'6 


IS 


ill 


255 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

AFFAIR-S   IN   THE   NOKTU— NATIVIDAO   AND  SANTA  CLAKA. 

November,  ]S-1()-January,  1847. 
Fr(5mont'a  California  Battalion — Oflicial  Plunder  of  the  Ranchcros— Suc- 
cessful Recruiting — Indian  Allies — Oi'ganization  ami  List  of  Oflicers 
—Manuel  Castro  and  Other  Oflicers  Break  Paroles  and  Join  Flores — 
F\'om  San  Luis  to  the  Salinas — Burroughs  and  Thompson  at  San 
Juan — Capture  of  Larkin — Americans  at  Los  Vcrjclcs — Approacli  of 
tlic  Californians — Fight  at  Encinalito — Foster  Killed — Battle  of  Na- 
tividad — Death  of  Burroughs— Losses— Castro's  Retreat — March  of 
FrtJmont's  Battalion  from  San  Juan  to  Santa  B;irbara— Condennia- 
tion  and  Pardon  of  Jesus  Pico — Disastrous  Crossing  of  tiic  Cucsta  dc 
Santa  luds — More  Forced  Contributions— Sanchez's  Revolt — Alarm 
at  the  Pueblo — Marston's  Expedition — Campaign  of  Santa  Clara — 
End  of  War  in  North — Loss  of  the  W^rreii's  Launch — Wreck  or 
Murder 3'>T 


xii 


COXTKXT>;. 


PAQI 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE   COXQIKST  COMPLKTEU  BY   STOCKTON   AND'    Ut.MONT. 

January,  1847. 

Stockton's  Army — The  Advauco  from  San  Bernardo  to  Los  Coyotes — 
Propositions  from  Flores — A  Proclamation — Sand-storm — Forster's 
Services — Change  of  Route  to  Avoitl  Ambusli — Preparations  of  tlie 
Californians — From  La  Jaboneria  to  Paso  de  Bartolo — The  liattle  of 
the  San  Gabriel— Stockton's  Report — Defeat  of  the  Californians— 
Fight  of  tlio  Mesa — Entry  into  Loa  Angeles — Frt5mont'8  March  from 
Santa  Barbara  to  San  Fernando — Tlie  Californians  at  Los  Verdugos 
— Efforts  of  Jesus  Pico — Flores  Transfers  Connnand  to  Andres  Pico — 
Armistice— Treaty  of  Cahuenga — Tiie  War  at  an  End — Fremont  at 
Angeles — Flight  of  Flores  ami  Manuel  Castro  to  Sonora 385 


CHAPTEll  XVI. 

Stockton's  controversy  with  kearny. 

January-February,  1847. 

Policy  of  Sloat  and  Stockton — A  Resume  of  the  Conquest — Kearny's  In- 
structions from  Washington — Later  Orders — State  of  Affairs  on  the 
General's  Arrival — Discussion  at  San  Diego— The  Campaign — The 
Commodore  as  Commander-in-chief — At  l^os  Angeles — Kearny  anil 
Frt^'mont — The  Controversy  Begun — The  General's  Authority  not 
Recognized— He  Goes  to  San  Diego  and  Monterey — Arrival  of  Com- 
modore Shubrick— A  Policy  of  Peace — Stockton's  Insist  Acts  as  (iov- 
evnor — General  Conclusions—  Kearny  in  the  Right — Stockton  in  the 
Wrong — Fremont's  Action  Justified — Rule  of  Frt^mont  as  (Jovernor 
■ — Lei-islative  Council— Proclamation— Financial  Troubles 411 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

mfolONr's  CONTUOVEKSV    WITH    KEARNY. 

Marcli-May,  1847. 

New  Instiiictious — Circular  of  Shubrick  nnd  Kearny — The  Latter  Assumes 
the  Governorship— I'roclamation  and  Report — Commodore  Biddle — 
Orders  to  Frumont,  Gillespie,  and  Cooke — Turner  in  the  South — 
Fri5niont's  Disobedience,  Excuses,  and  his  Famous  Ride  to  Monterey 
— Quarrel  witli  Kearny — Cooke  at  Los  Angeles — Mason  and  FrtS- 
mont — A  Challenge — Rumors  of  Mexican  Invasion— Kearny  in  the 
South— Stevenson  Succeeds  Cooke  Journey  of  Kearny,  Frt'mont, 
and  Cooke  Overland  to  tlie  States — Stockton  Goes  East — Petition  on 
the  Governorship — Fretiumt'.s  Tiial  l)y  Cotii't-martial — Found  Guilty 
and  Pardoned— The  Popuhir  Verdict — Benton's  Tirade  in  the  Senate 
— The  California  Claims— Exiienscs  of  the  Conquest 436 


CONTEXTS. 


Xlll 


PAQI 


385 


411 


FAOK 


436 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE     MORMON     BATTALION. 

1S4G-1848. 

Westward  Migration  of  tlic  Mormons  by  Sea  and  Land — The  Plan  to 
Occupy  California — Elder  Little  Applies  to  the  Government  for  Aid 
— Timely  War — Polk's  Promises — Kearny's  Instructions — Colonel 
Allen's  Call — Theory  of  tlic  Saints— A  Test  of  Loyalty  and  a  Sacri- 
Hce — Recruiting  the  Battalion — List  of  Ofliccrs — Tyler's  History  and 
Bigler's  Diary— Marcli  to  Santa  F(5— Death  of  Colonel  Allen— Smith 
in  Command — Doctor  Sanderson — Calomel  and  Arsenic — Cooke  in 
Command — His  Journal — March  across  the  Continent — Fight  with 
Wild  Cattle — Arrival  at  San  Diego — In  Garrison  at  San  Luis  Rty 
and  Lns  Angeles — Mustered  out — IJeenlistnient  of  One  ('ompany — 
Homeward  March  to  Salt  I^ake  in  Several  Detachments  and  by  Dif- 
ferent Routes — A  Festival  of  ]Sr>,j— A  Ram  in  the  Thicket 469 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

NEW    YORK  VOLCNIEERS   AND  ARTILLERY  COMPANY. 

•  184U-1848. 
Congress  Calls  for  Volunteers— Letter  to  Stevenson— Policy  of  the  Gov- 
ernment Revealed — Recruiting  in  New  York — In  Ctinp  at  Gover- 
nor's Island  —  Clark's  History  and  Mnrray's  Narrative  —  First  or 
Seventh — List  of  Officers — Cliaracter  of  tlic  Men— Camp  Life  and 
Drill — Popular  Ridicule — Discontent  and  Desertion- Habeas  Corpus 
— Instructions — Stevenson's  TrouVdes — Resisting  Arrest — A  Battled 
Sheriff— Newspaper  Comment — Voyage  of  the  Prrkivi^,  Loo  Choo, 
and  Drew — I^ater  Vessels  and  Recruits — Tiie  Colonel's  Valor^At 
Rio — Arrival  at  San  Francisco — Distribution  of  the  Companies — 
(Jarrison  Life — Disbandment — Company  F,  M  U.  S.  Artillery — In 
•  Jarrison  at  Monterey— Deserting  for  tlie  Mines — Sherman's  Memoirs 
— Burton's  Company — The  Dragoons 499 

CHAPTER  ::x. 

PIONEERS — CONNER   PARTY— THE   MORMONS. 

184G-1848. 
Statistics  of  Population — Pioneers  of  1840 -Classification — Discontented 
Immigi'ants— The  Oregon  Company — Clyman  and  Hastings  Bound 
for  the  States — Overland  Westward — Bryant  and  Thornton — Many 
I'artics  —  Tedious,  Uiu'veiitful  .Toiirmys  —  Hastings'  fnt-ofT — Tiio 
Donncr  Party — List  of  Names— A  New  Cut-ofT- Fatal  Delay— Dis- 
sensions—Starvation  in  the  Sierra— Breen's  Diary — Itccord  of  Deatiis 
—Authorities — Tiie  Forlorn  Hope — Tiie  Four  Relief  Parties — (Jcn- 
rral  Remarks — Tiie  Mormon  Immigrants— Plans  of  U\v  Sal. its— List 
of  Names — Brannan  and  his  Contract— A'oyago  of  tlic  Bronlhjii  — 
Arrival  at  Honolulu  and  Verba  Buena— An  Industrious  Peopli — 
Dissensions— New  Hope  on  the  San  .loiiipiin — Ciiange  df  Plans  and 
a  Disappointed  Colony— Pioneers  and  Ininiigration  of  1847-8 5-4 


xlv 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

MISSIONS— INDIAN   AFFAIRS— COUMERCE. 

1846-1848. 


PAOE 


Sale  of  Mission  Estates — Act  of  the  Assembly  in  April — The  Montes- 
deoca  Order— Pico's  Sales  from  May  to  July — Purchasers  and  Terms 
— The  Tomel  Order — Evidences  of  Fraud — Action  of  Flores' Govern- 
ment— Decision  of  the  Courts — Policy  of  Keamy  and  Mason,  1847-8 
— Ecclesiastical  Afifairs — Bishop  and  Friars— Vicars — Indian  Aflfairs 
— Sutter,  Yallejo,  and  Hunter  as  Sub-Indian  Agents — Local  Items — 
Commerce  and  Maritime  Affairs — Meagre  D;>ta  for  1846 — Statistics 
—  Mason's  Communications — Collectors- — FOemoval  of  Burdens — 
Free-trade — New  Tariff  from  Washington — War  Contributions — 
Modifications  by  Mason  and  Shubrick — Gold-dust  for  Duties — U.  S. 
Revenue  Laws  Introduced  with  the  Treaty — The  First  Steamer  in 
California  Waters — List  of  Vessels,  1846-8 558 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE    RI7LE  OF  GOVERNOR    MASOy. 

1847-1848. 
Mason's  Proclamation  and  Reports — Fears  of  Revolt — Visits  to  the  South 
and  North — Return  of  Josi  Castro— The  CaQon  Perdido  at  Santa 
Bdrbara — Return  of  Pio  Pico — His  Claims  for  the  Governorship — 
Imprisonment  and  Release — Treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo — Mason's 
Proclamation — California  in  Congress,  1846-9 — Causes  and  Effects  of 
the  War — Slavery  in  the  Territories — Opposition  to  the  Acquisition 
of  California — Debates  on  Territorial  Government — Final  Unsuccess- 
ful Efforts — Military  Rule — Rights  of  Conquerors — Views  of  Con- 
gress and  Administration — Policy  of  Sloat,  Stockton,  Fremont,  and 
Kearny — Mason's  Theory  and  Practice — Items — Alcalde  Nasli  at 
Sonoma — Trial  of  Armijo — Barrus  and  Foxen — De  Facto  Govern- 
ment after  the  Treaty ^  582 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

LOCAL  ANNALS — SAN   DIEGO  TO   MOMTEREV. 

1846-1848. 
San  Diego  Events — Fremont,  Stockton,  and  Kearny — Massacre  at  Paum* 
— Mormons  and  New  York  Volunteers — Municipal  Affairs — Ranchos 
— Revenue— San  Diego  Mission — San  Luis  Rey— Padre  Zalvidea — San 
Juan  Capistrauo — Los  Angeles  District — Index  of  Occurrences — Sub- 
prefect  and  Alcaldes — Mormons,  Dragoons,  and  Volunteers — Ranchos 
— San  Gabriel— Padre  Estiinega — San  Fernando  Mission — Santa  Bdr- 
bara— Pueblo  Government— Laud  Grants — Mission — Bisiiop  Garcia 
Diego — President  baran — San  Buenaventura — Santa  Inds — Purisima 
— Monterey  District — Sunnnary — Town  Affairs — San  Cdrlos — San 
Luis  Obispo — San  Miguel— Murder  of  Reed  Family — San  Ajconio — 
San  Juan  Bautista—Solcdad— Santa  Cruz  and  Branciforte 616 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


ites- 
erms 
'ern- 
47-8 
Fairs 
ns — 
sties 
IS — 
IS— 

',  S. 
r  in 


J>AOB 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

LOCAL  ANXALS  OF  THE   NORTH. 

1846-1848. 


PAOt 


Population  of  Califomia-San  Francisco-Events-The  Nn.me  Yerba 
Buena-Desciiptionsand  Statistics-Plan,  and  Notes  on  Buildin<rs_ 
Municipal  Official  List-Controversies  of  Alcalde  and  Council-Town 
i^ots-burvey,  Streets,  and  Improvements-School  and  Church- 
Newspapers -Military  and  Revenue-Ranchos  and  Ex-mission- 
Annals  of  San  Jos^-Local  Occurrences-Indian  Troubles-Muni- 
cipal  Affairs  and  Lands-The  Contra  Costa-Santa  Clara-Mission 
ban  Jos6-Sonomaand  the  Northern  Frontier-San  Rafael-Bodega 
-Napa-Benicia-Original  Correspondence  of  Semple  and  Larkia- 
Stock  on  and  New  Hope-New  Helvetia  in  1846-7-Plan  of  San 
Francisco-Early  Buildings /     x-  an  oi  san 


PI0NEJ3R  Register  and  Index.    'R ' 


to  'Zurita' gg" 


uth 
nta 

?— 
in's 
I  of 
ion 
ss- 
)n- 
nd 
at 
•n- 


582 


.  G16 


HISTORY  OF  CALIFORISriA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

OPERATIONS  OP  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 
J.\NrARY-MAy,  1S46. 

ExPLORKrs  IX  THK  TtLAUKS-FRKMOVT  AT  NkW  HkLVEHA,  YeRBA  BhKNA, 
AM)  .SAX  Jo.SE-\lSIT  TO  LaRKIN  AND  CaSTRO  AT  MoXTEREV-ExPL  v! 
XATIOXS     TO   THK    PrEFECT-PerM.SSIOX    TO  RKCRt'IT  IHS   Mkn    OV    TMK 

JR0XT,ER-IHE  Walker-Talbot-Kerx  Partv-Ix  Camp  at  Fisher's 
Rancho-Fremo.nt    Breaks    his    Agreemkxt-Ixsclt    to    Alcaldk 

1 ACHECO-OVKR  THE  SaXTA    CrIZ   MorXTAIXS-Ix    CaMP   AT  AUSAL-' 

Oroereu  to  Dkpart-Dekiaxce-Thk  STA.S  AND  Stripes  ox  Gavii  .v 
1  eak-Larkix  s Lfforts-Castro's  Militarv  Prkparatioxs-Falshv 
OF  CrRRENTVERsioxs-FR^MoxT  Ruxs  AwAV-His  Kluxoer-Pro,.- 

-LVM?rV"  ^r''"''"^-"  ^"'-  ■^^«"-^»^^-^-  Vali.:v-1.ettkr  to 
vMMAN-lo  the  Orkgox  Border_A  N.ght  Attack  by  Ixd.avs-  - 
Back  to  Califorxia-Gillespie-s  Arrival  axd  Ixstrcctioxs-Upthe 
RwER  Bv  Boat- Sitter's  Warning  to  Castro. 

THEj^resent  volume' is  devoted  to  the  annals  of 
1840-^includnig  also  1848  in  all  matters  not  directly 
connected  with  the  gr(>at  event  of  that  vear,  the  dis- 
covery o   gold.      The  period  is  Uy  far  the  n.ost  event- 
ul  HI  Cal.torman  hi.story.     The  volmne  may  he  ternR.l 
a  Mist--   oi  the   Conquest.     It  includes,   however, 
besides  developments  pertaining  to  the  change  of  flau' 
and  Mexican  war,  the  earlier  operations  of  American 
hlibusters  constituting  what  is  known  as  the   Bear 
J^  lag  revolt,  and   the  later  interregnum   of  military 
lule.     Here  I  record  the  last  petty  rpiarrels   under 
Mexican  auspices  of  north  and  south,  of  the  military 
and  c.v.l  a;,  horities,  of  Castro  and  Pico.     Here   t 


2  Ol'KRATIOXS  OK  Flil^MOXT  A\D  GILLKSPIK. 

(.•liivjniclc  the  foolish  intcrloroncc  of  Vi'cinont  aiul 
liis  ex[)lorer8,  tho  diplomatic  elForts  of  Larkin  iiinl 
Stcaniw  to  sccui'o  a  ohange  of  sovereignty  hy  pacific 
iiieth<j(ls,  the  levoliitiouai'v  hluiulers  of  Ide  and  his 
associate  settlers,  and  the  raising  of  the  stars  and 
strij)es  by  Sloat  and  Montgomery  of  the  navy.  Next 
aie  presented  the  achievements  of  the  California 
battalion,  Stockton's  rnle,  the  connnodore's  unwise 
policy  and  eiuirgetie  struggles  to  i)ut  down  the  result- 
ing revolt,  tliii  iinal  efforts  of  the  Californians  under 
]<'ioies  and  Andres  Pico  to  shake  off  the  foreign 
yoke,  the  coming  of  Kearny  and  liis  tlragoons  across 
the  continent,  their  disaster  at  San  Pascual,  and  the 
closing  cam|)aigns  of  the  war  ending  in  the  occupa- 
tion of  Los  Angeles  and  the  treaty  of  Cahuenga. 
Then  follow  [tolitico-military  ccMitroversies  of  Stock- 
ton, Kearny,  and  Fremont  untler  the  new  regime, 
rt.'enforoements  by  land  and  sea  for  garrison  service, 
Cooke  and  his  Mormon  battalion,  Tompkins,  Sher- 
man, Ord,  and  Hallock  with  the  artillery  company, 
Stevenson  and  the  New  York  volunteers,  the  [)eace- 
ful  rule  of  Mason  as  military  governor,  and  news  of 
a  national  treaty  nwiking  California  a  permanent  pos- 
session of  the  United  States.  In  this  volume  are 
given  also  institutional  annals  of  184G-8,  a  commer- 
cial and  maritime  reet)rd,  mission  and  ecclesiastical 
affairs  under  new  conditions,  the  inmiigration  of  three 
years,  with  the  tragic  experiences  of  the  Donner 
pai'ty,  and  several  chaptei-s  of  local  annals.  Finally, 
J.  here  comph>te  the  ali)hMl)etical  Pioneer  liegisiei- 
and  Index  of  all  who  came  to  the  country  before 
IS  ID.  All  is  brought  down  to  the  dawn  of  a  new 
era,  that  <»f  gold  and  'flush  times,'  to  be  treated  in 
the  following  volume. 

At  the  beginning  of  184G  Fremont's  exploring  expe- 
dition was  encamped  in  the  region  now  known  as 
Fresno  and  Kern  counties.  Fremont  with  fifteen  men 
had  entered  California  by  tho  Truckeo  route,  and  had 


)cace- 
ws  of 

t  pos- 

0  ill'C 

mnicr- 
astical 
three 
)onner 
inally, 
"s^isLer 
befori! 

1  new 
:e»l  in 


)X|)e- 
Ivu  as 
n  moil 
Id  had 


WAITIXC  KOIl  WAI.KKR.  3 

hastened  IVoni  Sutter's  Fort  southward  with  fresh 
su|)[iIit!S  for  tlie  rehef  of  his  eoinpanloiis,  whom  hf 
cxiucted  to  i\\u\  on  Kings  Kiver.  M(\inwhile  the 
main  hody  of  about  lifty,  under  Talbot,  Kern,  an<l 
Walkt'r,  had  entered  the  eountry  by  Owens  Kiver  and 
Waliier  Pass,  and  were  waitinj^  for  the  ('a)>tain  on 
Kern  l*iver.  The  double  error  in  h)eatiniij  the  rendez- 
vous lias  })een  alnnidy  explained.'  At  this  time  thi! 
explorers  had  no  intention  of  nuuldlinii^  with  i)olitieal 
or  military  alfairs;  nor  (li<l  the  Californian  authorities 
know  anythin<>'  of  their  presence  in  the  eountry,  beyond 
the  hare  fact  that  the  smaller  party  had  anived  at 
New  Helvetia  in  Deeeniber. 

His  sup|>lies  beino"  neaily  exhausted,  and  Walker's 
men  not  makinjjf  their  appearance,  l^-emont  left  his 
«'am[)  January  7th  anil  letuined  to  Sutter's  Fort, 
where  he  arriv(;d  on  the  1.0th,  after  havinj^  had,  ])(!r- 
haps,  jsome  trouble  with  I  ndians  on  tlu^  w;iy."  1  le  was 
again  waiinly  weleomeil  by  Sutter,  who  gave  a  grand 
dinner  ft»r  his  injtertainnuMit  and  that  of  Vice-consul 
Jjcidesdorir  and  Captain  Hinckley,  who  had  lately 
come  up  the  liver;  and  altera  stay  of  four  days,  with 
I'ight  of  his  own  men  Fi'emont  sailed  on  Suttisi's 
launch  tor  the  bay.''  From  Verba  Huena  he  saihul 
with  Hinckley  on  a  visit  to  San  dose  and  the  newly 
discovered  mine  of  Almaden;'  but  he  was  back  again 
het'ore  January  'J4th,  on  which  date  he  wrote  to  his 
wife  of  past  hardships  and  of  the  'good  timi;  coming,' 
when   his  ex})lorations    would   be   completed   and    he 


'See  HiKt,.  Cat.,  vol.  iv.,  cluip.  xxiv.,  tliis  .serii-s.  Inn  IiittiT  of  Liii'lviii  — 
tliat  of  Miirch  '27tli,  to  ))o  nolctl  later — ii  'hoooikI  ])liU'o  of  vt'iiilozvoiis '  is 
iiii'iitioiied,  but  it  was  jii-ohahly  N'cw  ili'lvctia. 

''  /■'irmonCii  (I'coij.  Mem.,  ID,  .'tO;  .Ian.  "JOtli,  Larkiu  to  Sutter.  WouM  lio 
glad  toseoFrt^inontat  Monterey.  Ltirkiii'sOff.  (.'nrirK/).,  MS.,  i.  7.'$.  Tho  Ind- 
ian tri)ublc3  rest  on  Carsoii'a  statement  in  I'flcrs  Ijij'e  of  Kit.  (Uir.ion,  '2.">0-l, 
not  ii  good  authority. 

';V^.  Helvetia  Dinn/,  MS.,  30-1;  Siittrr'fi  Diarn,  ti  7. 

*  /,ancey\i  Cruine  of  the  '  Dule',  ;}.")-(5.  Tliia  author  aays  that  at  S.  .Fo.se  Vvi':- 
niont  learned  that  Walker'.s  party  were  encamped  on  the  S.  .Joaipiin,  and  sent 
Carson  to  guide  them  to  S.  .losc^;  but  this,  as  wo  shall  see,  eannot  have  been 
so  at  this  time,  tliouch  he  may  have  sent  a  man  to  searcii  for  them.  In  J'rio-K' 
Life  of  ('arson,  '251--,  Carson  is  faid  to  have  gone  out  in  seai'eli  of  the  other 
party,  whom  ho  found  and  brought  back— which  is  not  true. 


OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 


might  return.^  On  the  same  day  lie  set  out  with 
LeidcsdorfF  by  land  for  San  Josd  and  Monterey, 
where  they  were  received  by  Consul  Larkin  on  the 
27th.« 

It  is  fair  to  suppose  that  Fremont's  business  with 
Larkin  and  Leidesdorff  was  not  only  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  obtaining  fresh  supplies,  but  to  talk  over 
the  political  situation  and  prospects  in  their  relation 
to  the  policy  of  the  United  States;  but  while  we  know 
nothing  of  the  conferences  in  this  respect,  it  is  certain 
that  no  hostility  or  annoyance  to  the  Californians  was 
proposed,  because  Larkin,  as  we  shall  see  later,  was 
engaged,  in  accordance  with  instructions  from  Wash- 
ington, and  with  much  hope  of  success,  in  efforts  tt> 
conciliate  the  people  and  prepare  the  way  for  a  peace- 
able annexation.  At  any  rate,  the  explorer  became 
acquainted  with  the  exact  state  of  affairs.  On  the 
2i)th,  Prefect  Castro,  as  was  his  duty,  addressed  to 
Larkin  a  note,  asking  to  be  informed  respecting  the 
purpose  for  which  United  States  troops  had  entered 
the  department,  and  their  leader  had  come  to  Monte- 
rey. Fremont's  explanation,  transmitted  on  the  same 
day  through  the  consul,  was  that  he  had  come  by 
order  of  his  government  to  survey  a  practicable  route 
to  the  Pacific;  that  he  had  left  his  company  of  fifty 
hired  men,  not  soldiers,  on  the  frontier  of  the  depart- 
ment to  rest  themselves  and  their  animals;'  that  he 
had  come  to  Monterey  to  obtain  clothing,  and  funds 
for  the  purchase  of  animals  and  provisions;  and  that 
when  his  men  were  recruited,  he  intended  to  continue 

"Jan.  24th,  Fremont's  letter,  in  Nile^'  Reg.,  Ixx.  16L  He  is  now  going  to 
see  some  gentlemen  on  the  coast — on  business;  and  then  will  complete  his 
survey  as  soon  as  possible. 

•  Jan.  '24th,  Sub-prefect  Guerrero  to  prefect.  Announces  departure  of  ¥v6- 
mont  and  Leidesdortf.  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  Sl\.  Arrival  on  Jan.  27th.  Dor. 
Hist.  Cal.,  iii.  8C.  Lancey  tells  us  that  they  spent  the  tliree  nights  of  the 
journey  at  tlie  ranchos  of  Francisco  Sanchez.  Antonio  M.  Suftol,  and  Joaquin 
Gomez.  \Vm  F.  Swasey  says  that  Frdmont's  men,  Godey  and  others,  were 
left  at  Ycrba  Buena,  and  ^-cnt  wihli  the  writer  a  little  later  to  8.  Jos(5  by 
water.  Sirasey's  Cal.  in  lS4o-G,  MS.,  4. 

'  As  a  matter  of  fact,  Friimont  had  at  this  time  no  knowledge  of  his  com- 
pany's whereabouts;  for  all  he  know,  they  might  have  perished  in  the  moun- 
tains; but  it  was  safe  enough  to  say  he  had  left  them  'on  the  frontier.' 


m 


CASTRO'S  LICENSE. 


;er,  was 


4 


liis  journey  to  Oregon.  This  explanation — repeated 
at  a  personal  interview  between  the  parties  named,  in 
presence  of  the  alcalde,  Colonel  Alvarado,  and  Gen- 
eral Castro,  and  also  duly  forwarded  to  Governor  Pico 
and  the  supreme  government — was  satisfactory,  at 
least  to  such  an  extent  that  no  objection  was  made; 
and  Fremont  was  thus  tacitly  permitted  to  carry  out 
his  plans.  Pico  made  no  objection,  but  directed  that 
a  close  watch  be  kept  on  the  explorer's  movements, 
with  a  view  to  learn  if  he  had  any  other  design  than 
tliat  of  preparing  for  a  trip  to  Oregon.^ 

It  should  be  noted  particularly  here  that  the  only 
license  given  to  Fremont  at  this  time  was  a  tacit,  or 
implied,  permission  to  recruit  his  men  on  the  frontiers, 
away  from  the  settlements,  after  obtaining  the  neces- 
sary funds  at  Monterey.  That  is,  Castio  did  not 
order  Fremont  to  quit  the  country  at  once,  thus  in- 
directly authorizing  him  to  remain.  This  re^ts  not 
on  the  statements  of  Castro,  but  of  Larkin  and  Fre- 
mont.®     The  current  version  given  by  Tuthill,  Lan- 

^  In  one  instance  Fremont,  Court- Martial,  .372,  claimed  that  his  plan  (and 
Castro's  license)  was  to  explore  southward  to  the  Gila;  but  there  is  no  other 
evidence  in  this  direction,  and  the  difference  has  no  important  bearing  on 
what  followed.  Jan.  29th,  prefect  to  Larkin.  The  date  in  the  original  blot- 
ters being  Jan.  28th,  but  changed  to  29th;  L.  to  prefect  in  reply.  Originals 
iu  Doc.  Hist.  Gal.,  MS.,  ii.  86,  89;  Castro,  Doc.,  MS.,  i.  31G;  oiiicial  copies 
ill  Lnrkin's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  7(5;  ii.  14G;  copies  in  i^lawi/er's  Doc,  MS.,  1- 
2;  and  printed  in  Niks'  Reg.,  Ixxi.  188.  Same  date,  prefect  to  gov.  Doc. 
Ilifit.  Col.,  MS.,  iii.  90,  121.  Same  date,  Id.  to  sup.  govt.  Dept.  St.  Pap., 
MS.,  vi.  107.     Feb.  18th,  Pico's  reply.  Caatro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  15. 

*  L.  mentions  the  interview  in  his  letter  of  March  4th.  Frdmont'it  Cut. 
Claims  1S4S,  in  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  30th  cong.  1st  sess.,  Sen.  Repts,  no.  75,  p. 
04;  Niles'  Reg.,  Ixxi.  188-9.  Also  in  the  letter  of  March  9th,  iu  which  lie 
says  that  F.  'informed  them  of  his  business;  and  there  was  no  objection 
made.'  Frt'mont's  dil.  Claims,  Go;  Larkiii's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  44-5.  To 
his  office  copy  of  the  letter  of  Jan.  29th,  he  appends  this  note:  '  The  gen- 
eral was  at  his  own  request  officially  informed  by  Capt.  Fremont  of  his 
motives  in  coming  here;  which  motives  were  accepted  by  Gen.  Castro  in  not 
answering  the  letter.'  Id.,  i.  70.  Benton,  in  his  letter  of  Nov.  9th,  Niks' 
Reg.,  Ixxi.  173,  and  in  his  Thirty  Years  in  U.  S.  Senate,  ii.  688,  states  that 
F.  asked  and  I'eceived  verbal  permission  to  recruit  his  men  'in  the  valley  of 
the  San  Joaquin, '  or  '  in  the  uninhabited  parts  of  the  valley  of  the  S.  Joa- 
quin.' This  is  also  the  version  given  by  the  sec.  of  war  in  his  report  of  Dec. 
.5th,  29th  cong.  2d  sess.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  4,  p.  50;  and  Cuffs'  Conq.  of  Cal.,  143- 
4.  Fremont  himself.  Court- Martial,  372,  says:  'I  explained  to  Gen.  Castro 
tlie  object  of  my  coming  into  Cal.  and  my  desire  to  obtain  permission  to  win- 
ter in  the  valley  of  the  S.  Joaquin, . . .  where  there  was  plenty  of  game, . .  .aud 
no  inhabitants  to  be  molested  bi/  our  presence.     Leave  was  granteil,'  etc. 


If:  I 
ii  I 


6  OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AST)  GILLESPIE. 

coy,  Phelps,  aiul  others,  that  Castro  gave  his  word  of 
lionor,  and  on  being  urged  to  put  his  permission  in 
writing  indulged  in  some  bluster  about  the  'word  of 
a  Mexican  officer,'  is  pure  invention.  All  agree,  how- 
ever, that  it  was  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley  that  the 
foreigners  were  to  recuperate  their  strength.  Natu- 
rally anxious  about  the  fate  of  his  companions,  Fre- 
mont left  Moiiterey  a  few  days  later.  Larkin  says 
it  was  "well  known  that  he  was  to  return  when  ho 
collected  his  men;"^"  but  it  is  doubtful  that  this  was 
known  to  the  authorities,  and  certain  that  he  was  not 
expected  to  bring  his  men  with  him.  His  route  lay 
over  the  mountains  to  the  Santa  Clara  Valley." 

Walker,  Talbot,  and  Kern,  with  the  main  body  of 
explorers,  remained  on  Kern  River,  waiting  for  Fre- 
mont, until  January  18th,  when  they  broke  camp  and 
started  northward.  On  the  26th  they  reached  Kings. 
River,  mistaking  it  for  the  San  Joaquin;  and  in 
attempting  a  cut-off  across  a  supposed  'big  bend'  of 
this  stream,  they  floundered  for  a  day  or  two  in  the 
tule  marshes,  but  reached  the  real  San  Joaquin  on  the 
30th,  and  February  Gth  camped  on  the  Calaveras. 
From  this  point  Walker  with  one  companion  started 
out  in  quest  of  tidings  from  Fremont,  and  met  'Lo 
Gros'  Fallon,  the  old  mountaineer,  who  reported  the 
captain  to  be  at  San  Josd.  Thereupon  Walker  went 
to  the  pueblo,  while  the  company  returned  to  the  San 
Joaquin  ford  to  await  orders,  hunting  grizzly  bears 
with  much  success  in  the  mean  time.  On  the  11th 
they  were  joined  by  Carson  and  Owens;  and  on  the 
15th,  having  met  a  party  with  fresh  horses,  they 
passed  through  the  town,  and  at  noon  rejoined  their 
captain  and  companions  at  the  Laguna  farm,  or 
Alvirezs'  rancho,  or  Fisher's — near  the  historic  battle- 


'" Letter  of  March  27th.     Larkin' s  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  45-fl, 
"  Feb.  5th  ho  was  in  the  mountains;  and  Feb.  I3th  in  the  valley,  proba- 
bly at  Fisher's  rancho.  Frdmont's  Oeog.  Man.,  36. 


FREMONT  FORFEITS  UIS  LICENSE. 


i^eras. 
arted 
Le 
the 
went 
San 
bears 
11th 
the 
they 
their 
or 
.ttle- 


fiolfl  of  Santa  Teresa.     Tlie  united  force  amounted  to 
abiHit  .sixty  nien.''^ 

After  remaining  about  a  week  in  camp,  Frt5mont 
started  with  his  whole  company  across  the  valley 
and  up  into  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains  by  way  of  Los 
Gates,  that  of  the  modern  railroad — not  tiie  most 
dii'ect  route  to  Oregon,  as  it  seemed  to  the  Califor- 
nians.  His  trip  across  the  mountains,  past  the  big 
trees,  took  four  days;  and  then,  on  February  25th, 
he  descended  to  the  coast  at  a  point  near  Santa  Cruz; 
was  delayed  for  some  days  by  the  prevalent  rains  and 
fogs;  but  finally  resumed  his  march  on  March  1st, 
following  the  bay-coast  southward,  thence  turning 
inland  up  the  Salinas  Valley,  and  encamping  on  the 
3d  at  Hartnell's  rancho,  or  Alisal.^^  By  the  very 
act  of  permitting  his  men  to  enter  the  Santa  Clara 
Valley,  Frdmont  had  broken  his  agreement  with  the 
authorities,  and  had  forfeited  every  right  conferred 
by  Castro's  promise,  even  if  that  promise  had  been 
as  direct  and  definite  as  any  one  has  ever  claimed. 
His  march  to  the  coast  without  receiving  or  even 
asking  permission  was,  under  the  circumstances,  an 
insult  and  a  menace  to  the  Californian  authorities, 
who,  in  view  of  prevalent  rumors  and  fears  of  war  ant! 
foreign  invasion,  would  have  been  justified  in  mani- 
festing a  greater  degree  of  alarm  and  anger  than  they 
did  at  seeing  an  armed  force  of  sixty  men  marching 

■'^  Kent' 8  Journal,  484-6;  Fremont's  Oeog.  Mem.,  19,  30-1;  Martin's  Narr., 
MS.,  10-11.  Feb.  liitli,  Marsli  writes  from  Alvirezs' rancho,  where  he  h.ad 
come  to  see  Fremont.  Larkin's  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  39. 

^^  FHmonfa  Geog.  Mem.,  .'{0-7;  Larkin's  letter  of  March  27th.  Id.,  C'ul. 
Claims,  07.  In  his  letter  of  March  4tli,  Id.,  04,  Larkin  says  of  F.:  'He  !.s 
now  in  this  vicinity  surveying,  and  will  be  again  at  this  consular  house 
during  this  month.  He  then  proceeds  for  the  Oregon,  returns  here  in  May, 
and  expects  to  be  in  Washington  about  September.'  It  should  be  noted 
that  F.'s  movements  were  but  slightly  more  consistent  with  a  plan  of  explor- 
ing southward  to  the  Colorado  and  (Jila,  as  he  claimed  was  his  plan  in  (jnc 
document  only — FrimonVs  Court- Martial,  37"2 — than  with  the  trip  to  0reg(jn; 
Yet  ho  says.  Id.,  'I  commenced  the  march  south,  crossing  into  the  valley  of 
the  Salinas,'  and  was  soon  ordered  to  quit!  In  his  Memoir,  Fr<5niont  gives 
considerable  attention  to  the  big  trees — the  largest  seen  by  him  being  14 
feet  in  diameter.  The  big-tree  grove  is  now  a  popular  pleasure  resort,  aiid 
one  of  its  standard  traditions  is  to  the  effect  that  Frdmont  spent  a  niglit  in 
the  hollow  tree  still  shown  to  every  visitor — as  indeed  he  may  have  done, 
though  he  does  not  mention  it. 


OrKRATIONS  OF  FRftMONT  AND  fJILLESPIK. 


thnujgli  the  fountry  under  the  coininaml  of  a  Unitod 
States  officer. 

Besides  Fremont's  return  to  the  coast,  a  step  that 
seemed  utterly  inconsistent  with  his  previously  an- 
nounced desijriis,  there  were  two  other  matters,  not  im- 
portant in  themselves,  but  which  nevertheless  tended 
to  foment  the  prevalent  alarm  and  feeling  against 
tlie  strangers.  While  the  explorers  were  encamped 
in  the  San  Josd  Valley,  Sebastian  Peralta  claimed 
some  of  their  horses  as  ids  own.  Fremont  refused  to 
give  them  up,  and  ordered  Peralta  rather  unceremo- 
niously out  of  camp.  Complaint  was  made  to  Alcalde 
I'aeheco  of  San  Jose,  who  sent  Fremont  an  official 
comumnication  on  February  20th.  The  captain's  re- 
l>ly  of  the  next  day  is  extant.  In  it  he  explained  that 
all  liis  animals,  with  the  exception  of  four  obtained 
from  the  Tulares  Indians,  had  been  purchased  and  paid 
i'or;  and  that  the  one  claimed  had  been  brought  from 
ilie  states.  "The  insult  of  which  he  complains,"  Fre- 
mont continues,  "and  which  was  authorized  by  myself, 
consisted  in  his  being  ordered  immediately  to  leave 
the  camp.  After  having  been  detected  in  endeavoring 
to  obtain  animals  under  false  pretences,  he  should  have 
been  well  satisfied  to  escape  without  a  severe  horse- 
whipping. .  .Any  further  connnunications  on  this  sub- 
ject will  not,  therefore,  receive  attention.  You  will 
leadily  understand  that  my  duties  will  not  permit  me 
to  appear  before  the  magistrates  of  your  towns  on 
the  complaint  of  every  straggling  vagabond  who  may 
chance  to  visit  my  camp.  You  inform  me  that  unless 
satisfaction  be  inuuediately  made  by  '"he  delivery  of 
the  animals  in  que  tion,  the  complaint  will  be  for- 
warded to  tliL  *xo\'{  nor.  I  would  beo;  vou  at  the 
.same  time  to  enclosi  ,o  his  Excellency  a  copy  of  this 
note."'*  Alcalde  Pt  heco  simply  forwarded  the  cor- 
lespondence  to  the  pi   Sect,  with  a  recommendation  of 

'*Feb.  '21st,  Fi(?mont  to  Pacli  30,  f rom  ' camp  near  road  to  Sta Cruz,' printeil 
from  original  then  in  iiossessioi  >f  Manuel  Castro,  in  .S'.  Francisco  Alfa,  Juno 
15,  18(56.  Original  Spanish  translation  by  Hartnell,  in  Cnxtro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii. 
28.     The  letter  has  been  frequently  reprinted  from  the  Alta. 


IN.SUI/rs— ORDKKH  TO  QUIT  THK  COUNTRY.  0 

Peralta  as  nii  homhrc  dc  hien.^''  Wluitovoi-  may  Imvr 
l)oen  the  MU'ritofPoralta'solaiiu,  it  is  evidontthat  Fiv- 
iiiont's  ivt'usal  to  olu;}'  tho  suininoiis  «»t'  tlio  lojjjal  au- 
thorities was  altogether  uujustitiable,  and  the  tone  of 
his  refusal  most  insolent. 

From  tlu^  southern  cam])  in  tlie  early  days  of  March 
three  of  Frenxtnt's  men  visited  the  rancho  of  Anjjfel 
( 'astro.  One  of  the  men  under  the  intluenee  of  licjuor 
hehaved  rudely  to  Don  Angel's  daujjfhter,  insisting  on 
her  drinking  with  him,  and  was  ordered  out  of  the 
house  by  the  angry  father.  Ho  was  ejected  hy  his 
companions,  though  n:aking  resistance  and  drawing  a 
j>iatol.  A  fine  often  dollars  was  paid  for  the  oftence. 
This  is  the  version  given  by  Larkin,  and  tiiere  is  no 
reason  to  doubt  its  accuracy.  The  affair  reflects  no 
discredit  upon  Frdmont;  but  naturally  exaggerated 
reports  were  circulated,  by  no  means  favorable  to  the 
Americans.'" 

From  his  camp  at  Hartnell's  rancho,  Fremont  wrote 
to  Larkin  the  5th  of  March,  thanking  him  for  news, 
declining  his  invitation  to  visit  Monterey  at  present, 
amiouncing  his  hope  of  passing  the  spring  pleasantly 
among  the  Californian  flowers  before  proceeding  north- 
v>ard,  and  stating  that  he  would  that  niufht  n)ove  his 
camp  to  the  banks  of  the  Salinas  River.*'  Before 
night,  however,  a  Californian  officer  arrived  with  the 
following  order  from  General  Castro:  "This  morning 
at  seven,  information  readied  tliis  office  that  you  and 
your  party  have  entered  the  settlements  of  this  de- 
partment; and  this  being  [)rohibited  by  our  laws,  1 
find  myself  obliged  to  notify  you  tliat  on  the  receipt 


'U^'b.  '2.'W,  Piichcco  to  prefect,  iti  J>or.  Jflsf.  Col.,  >rs.,  iii.  120. 

'"Larkin's  letter  of  March  '2~t\i,  in  Larkiii'.i  Of.  Cnnrsp.,  MS.,  ii.  40. 
Tiiispart  of  tlio  letter  is  oinittctl  in /Vr'wo«<'.i  (  V.  CVofwv,  (>H.  Osio,  J/isf. 
Cal.,  MS.,  4.18-9,  makes  the  insult  oftered  a  niuclnnoro  serious  one,  present- 
ing a  vivitl  picture  of  tlie  old  man  Castro  defending  his  daugliter  from  out- 
rage. 

"  March  .Ith,  V.  to  L..  in  Larkin'.'*  Dor.,  MS.,  iv.  01.  larkin's  letter,  not 
extant,  is  said  to  h.ive  awakened  some  memories  which  made  Fremont's  occu- 
I)ations  less  interesting,  but  the  allusion  is  not  intelligible. 


10 


OPERATIONS  OF  I'RfiMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 


) 


i» 


of  this  you  must  immediately  retire  beyond  the  limits 
of  the  department,  such  being  the  orders  of  the  su- 
])reme  government,  which  the  undersigned  is  under 
the  obligation  of  enforcing."  A  similar  order  was  is- 
sued by  the  prefect  in  behalf  of  the  civil  authority. 
Both  orders  were  communicated  to  the  supreme  gov- 
ernment, to  Larkin,  and  by  the  latter  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States. ^^  It  was  understood  by 
Larkin  at  the  time  that  Castro  claimed  to  have  just 
received  special  orders  from  Mexico  not  to  permit 
Fremont's  entry;  and  certain  Californians  have  con- 
firmed this  view  of  the  matter;  but  it  is  nearly  certain 
that  Castro  neither  received  nor  pretended  to  have 
received  any  such  instructions.  General  orders,  with 
which  the  reader  is  familiar,  were  more  than  pufficient 
to  justify  Castro's  measures  in  the  eyes  of  the  national 
government;  w  ..le  Fremont's  actions  afforded  ample 
justification  from  a  legal  and  equitable  point  of  view. 

Fremont  not  only  did  not  obey  the  orders  of  the 
authorities,  but  he  did  not  even  vouchsafe  a  written 
reply  in  explanation  of  his  past  action  or  present  deter- 
mination.    Ho  merely  sent  back  a  verbal  refusal  to 

'*  March  5, 1845,  Jos6  Castro  to  Frtimont;  Prefect  Castro  to  Fremont,  both 
transcribed  to  Larkin;  L.  to  U.  S.  sec.  state,  with  copies — all  English  trans- 
lations not  agreeing  verbally  with  each  other — in  Larkin'sOff.  C'orresp.,  MS.,ii- 
42-4,  147;  Niles'  Keg.,  Ixxi.  189.  Later  correct  translation  by  Hittell  of  the 
]irefect's  order  in  S.  F.  Alia,  Jnne  15,  186G,  and  from  that  source  copied  in 
Laucey's  Cruise,  38;  Yolo  Co.  Hist.,  14;  and  various  newspapers.  Castro's 
original  blotter  I  have  in  Hittell,  Papeles  //isldricos  de  1S4G,  MS.,  no.  2. 
This  is  ft  collection  of  half  a  dozen  originals  pertainini;  to  the  Frdmont  affair, 
presented  to  my  Library  by  John  S.  Hittell,  a  most  important  contribution. 
The  order  in  question  is  as  follows:  'I  have  learned  with  much  displeasure 
that  you  in  disregard  of  the  laws  and  authorities  of  the  Mex.  repub.  have  en- 
tered the  pueblos  of  this  district  under  my  charge,  with  an  armed  force,  on  a 
commission  which  the  govt  of  your  nation  must  have  given  you  to  survey 
solely  its  own  territory.  Therefore,  this  prefecture  orders  you  as  soon  as  you 
receive  this  communication,  without  any  excuse,  to  retire  with  your  men  be- 
yond the  limits  of  this  department;  it  being  understood  that  if  you  do  not  do 
it,  this  prefecture  will  adopt  the  necessary  measures  to  make  you  respect  this 
determination.'  This  was  also  sent  to  Jerkin,  with  the  following  note  on  the 
same  sheet:  'On  this  date  I  say  to  Capt.  Fr<''mout,  etc.  [as  above];  and  I 
have  the  honor  to  transcribe  it  to  your  honor  for  your  knowledge,  and  in  or- 
der that  so  far  as  it  may  pertain  to  you,  you  may  demand  of  Capt.  Frcfmont 
I'ompliance  with  what  is  ordered  in  the  said  note.'     Yours,  etc. 

'*In  Lancey'a  Cruise,  38;  <S'.  Jos^  Pioneer,  March  24,  1877,  a  rumor  is  men- 
tioned that  a  man  named  Green  .varncd  Castro  that  F.  was  plotting  to  unite 
with  the  foreigners  and  take  the  country;  but  this  has  no  support. 


I  i 


A  CHALLKNGE  TO  THE  CALIFOKNIANS. 


11 


SfOV- 


obey,  which  was  virtually  a  challenj^e.  Then  he  moved 
his  camp  to  the  summit  of  the  Gavilan  Peak,  hastily 
erected  fortifications,  and  raised  over  his  fort  the  flag 
of  the  United  States.  It  was  a  hasty,  foolish,  and 
altogether  unjustifiable  step.^°  On  March  6th,  the 
same  day  that  Fremont  began  the  construction  of  his 
log  fort.  General  Castro  stated  the  case  very  fairly  in 
a  report  to  the  minister  of  war,  as  follows:  "This  man 
presented  himself  at  my  headquarters  some  days  ago, 
with  the  object  of  asking  permission  to  procure  pro- 
visions for  his  men,  whom  he  had  left  in  the  moun- 
tains— which  was  given  him.  But  two  days  ago  I  was 
much  surprised  at  being  informed  that  he  was  only 
two  days'  journey  from  this  place.  Consequently  I  at 
once  sent  him  a  communication,  ordering  him,  on  the 
instant  of  its  receipt,  to  put  himself  on  the  march  and 
leave  the  department.  But  I  have  received  no  answer, 
and  in  order  to  make  him  obey  in  case  of  resistance, 
I  sent  a  force  to  observe  his  operations,  and  to-dav  I 
march  in  person  to  join  it  and  to  see  that  the  object 
is  attained."^^  On  the  sanie  day  Larkin  wrote  to  the 
general  and  prefect,  not  criticising  their  orders,  but 
urging  caution  in  selecting  an  officer  to  command  tlu; 
force  to  be  sent  to  Gavilan,  so  as  to  avoid  a  possibly 
needless  conflict  growing  out  of  false  rumors  and  de- 
ceptive appearances.     Evidently  the  consul  did  not 


lavc  en- 
e,  on  a 
survey 
as  you 
nc-rt  bc- 
iiot  do 
3ct  this 
'.  on  tlie 
and  I 
iu  or- 
<;!nont 

|a  men- 
unite 


™  The  only  possible  excuse  for  the  step — one  never  made,  so  far  as  I  know, 
by  Fremont  or  any  of  his  friends — might  be  found  in  a  statement  of  Alvarado, 
llkt.  Cat.,  MS..  V.  1.59,  ete  that  Lieut  Chavez,  who  was  sent  by  Castro  to 
the  camp,  did  not  deliver  the  written  order,  but  a  verlial  one  instead,  in  very 
violent  and  insulting  terms.  This  statement  is  not,  however,  supported  by 
any  other  testimony. 

'■"  Marcli  6th,  Castro  to  min.  of  war.  Translation  in  Lnncei/'s  Criiiie,  3!l; 
Yolo  Co.  Hint..  14-15.  There  are  added  to  what  I  have  quoted  the  usual 
assurances  of  patriotic  determination,  etc.,  ct  lo  Mejicano.  This  communica- 
tion is  referred  to  in  a  lateione  r>f  April  1st,  in  Monitor  Rfpublkano,  May  10, 
1846;  Nilefi^  HfQ-,  Ixxi.  187-8,  in  wliich  (.'aMtro  says:  'This  officer,  failing  in 
the  respect  duo  to  the  laws  of  the  republic  iuid  the  autliorities  of  the  country, 
i".troduced  himself  into  the  midst  of  the  population  of  the  department,  with 
a  respectable  force,  under  the  pretext  of  coming  with  a  scientific  commission 
from  his  govt;  and  treating  with  contempt  the  notice  refeiTcd  to,  he  took 
possession  of  the  heights  of  the  sierra,  liaving  made  only  a  verbal  reply . .  . 
that  he  would  remain  on  that  spot  prepared  to  resist  any  force  that  should 
attack  Ihem.' 


■    ! 


12 


OPERATIONS  OP  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 


quite  comprehend  Frt^mont's  movements,  but  tliouglit 
either  that  Castro's  orders  had  not  been  clearly  under- 
stood, since  he  now  sent  copies  and  translations  of 
those  orders,  or  that  the  captain  had  secret  instruc- 
tions from  his  government. '*- 

On  the  7th  there  was  no  correspondence  to  be  noted 
except  an  unimportant  note  from  the  general  to  the 
j)refect.*^  Next  day  the  prefect,  in  a  reply  to  Larkin, 
maintained  that  his  orders  to  Fremont  had  not  been 
founded  on  'false  reports  or  appearances,'  as  implied, 
but  on  the  laws  and  oft-repeated  instructions  from 
Mexico;  complained  that  the  consul,  instead  of  order- 
ing Frdmont  to  depart,  had  to  a  certain  extent  de- 
fended his  entry;  and  urged  him  to  impress  on  the 
captain  the  necessity  of  submitting  at  once  if  he  would 
avert  the  consequences  of  his  illegal  entry — whether 
it  had  been  from  malice  or  error. '^^  Larkin  enclosed 
this  letter  to  Fremont  with  one  of  his  own  in  which 
he  warned  that  officer,  without  venturing  to  criticise 
his  policy,  that  Castro  would  soon  have  at  least  200 
men  in  arms  against  him.  "It  is  not  for  me  to  point 
out  to  you  your  line  of  conduct,"  he  wrote;  "you  have 
vour  instructions  from  the  government;  mv  knowl- 
edge  of  your  character  obliges  me  to  believe  you  will 
follow  them;  you  are  of  course  taking  every  care 
and  safeguard  to  protect  your  men,  but  not  knowing 
your  actual  situation  and  the  people  who  surround  you, 

'^^ March  Oth,  Liukiu  to  the  Castros.  Castro,  7>>oc.,  MS.,  i.  151;  ii.  32-,3; 
larkhis  Off.  Cor  re. ■<!>.,  MS.,  i.  70;  HillM,  Pap.  IIM.,  MS.,  no.  4;  Mien' 
y<V.7.,  Ixxi.  188;  Sawi/er's  Doc,  MS.,  4-r».  Same  date,  L.  to  Fr6inoiit,  witli 
copiea  of  the  orders.  Id.,  4. 

'■"Mar.  7th,  Jt.stS to  Manuel  Castro  from  Tucho  ranchc  'Capt.  Fremont 
came  down  tliis  morning  with  40  men  in  searoli  of  La  Torre  j  T»arty,  advising 
Honie  ranciieros  not  to  join  cither  side.  It  is  a  declaration.  It  you  can  move 
.some  force,  take  the  IVijaro  road  to  S.  Juan.  If  not,  join  Narvaez,  to  whom 
1  send  an  order  to  (juarter  all  the  men  he  can  in  the  govt  house,  securing  the 
artillery.'    Yours,  etc.     Original  in ///<^'//, /*<»/>.  ///s^,  MS.,  no.  .3. 

-*Mar.  8th,  V.  to  L.  Doc.  Ilixt.  Cat.,  MS.,  iii.  '28();  LarkhCn  Off.  Correxp., 
MS.,ii.  148;  HittcU,  I'ap.  Hist.,  MS.,  4;  Sawyer's  Doc,  MS.,  5-7;  Niks' 
lieg.,  Ixxi.  188.  On  an  original  translation.  Larkin  notes  tha*'  Castro  has  niis- 
interprcted  his  note.  In  Sawi/cra  Doc,  MS.,  '2n,  there  is  a  copy  of  a  jjrocl. 
by  (ien.  Castro  on  Mar.  8th.  The  first  part  is  almost  literally  the  same  as 
that  of  Mar.  LSth,  to  be  noted  later,  and  with  which  Sawyer  confounds  it. 
Tiie  last  part  is  a  call  to  arms  witii  a  view  to  'lance  the  ulcer,'  etc.  Its  gen- 
uineness may  l)e  doubted. 


LAKKIN'S  ADVICE. 


13 


your  care  may  prove  insufficient .  .  .  Your  encauipinj^ 
so  near  town  has  caused  much  excitement.  The  na- 
tives are  firm  in  the  belief  that  they  will  break  you 
up,  and  that  you  can  be  entirely  destroyed  by  their 
power.  In  all  probability  they  will  attack  you;  the 
result  either  way  may  cause  trouble  hereafter  to  resi- 
dent Americans.  .  .Should  it  be  impossible  or  incon- 
yenient  for  you  to  leave  California  at  present,  I  think, 
in  a  proper  representation  to  the  general  and  prefecto, 
an  arrangement  could  be  made  for  your  camp  to  be 
continued, but  at  some  greater  distance;  which  arrange- 
ment I  should  advise  if  vou  can  offer  it.'"^'  This  letter 
was  not  forw.'irded  till  the  9th,  when  one  copy  was  in- 
trusted to  a  Californian  and  another  to  an  American 
courier. ^^  On  the  same  day  Larkin  wrote  to  John 
Parrott  at  Mazatlan,  enclosing  with  copies  of  past 
correspondence  an  explanation  of  the  critical  situation 
of  affairs,  and  a  request  that  a  man-of-war  be  sent  to 
California  with  the  least  possible  delay.  These  de- 
spatches, with  another  to  the  secretary  of  state,  were 
sent  to  Santa  Bilrbara  to  overtake  the  Hannah,  which 
had  a  few  days  before  left  Monterey  for  Mazatlan. 
The  result  was  to  hasten  the  coming  of  the  Portsmouth^ 
which  arrived  in  April. ^' 

Larkin's  communications  to  Fremont,  sent  by  an 
American  whose  name  does  not  appear,  were  inter- 


''■'  Marcli  8tli,  L.  to  F.  Lnr/cin's  Of.  Correxp.,  MS.,  i.  80;  Sawijer\t  Dor., 
Ms.,  8-11;  jVi'W  /iV;/.,  Ixxi.  188.     L.  oft'crs  to  visit  tho  camp. 

■■"'L.'s  letter  of  Miu-cli  'J7th,  in  Fremont'"  Cnl.  t'lrniiiK,  (»7,  and  elsewhere. 
Marcli  8tli,  L. 'a  instructions  to  the  couriers.  They  wore  to  show  their  de- 
spatches to  any  official  who  might  denmnd  to  sec  tlieni;  but  if  forcil)ly  de- 
prived of  their  papers,  to  note  who  took  them  and  tell  Fri'mont  of  what  had 
occurred,  warning  him  also  to  beware  of  treachery  or  attack  by  night,  and 
not  to  expect  regular  warfare.  Tlie  couriers  were  to  start  th<>  next  day  (.Mon- 
day).   //ar^/»'s(>//!  C'on'cs;).,  MS.,  i.  7-;  Snwi/er\'<  J)oc.,  MS.,  7-8. 

'^'Marcli  !lth,  L.  to  sec.  state.  Liirl,'iii\f  Off.  I'orrc'i).,  MS.,  ii.  44;  XlUn' 
Jiiij.,  Ixxi.  189;  FirmonVK  t'al.  Clnim.)*,  Vut.  In  this  despatch,  L.  complains: 
'Having  had  over  half  of  my  iiospital  expenses  of  1844  cut  off,  and  know  not 
why,  and  even  my  bill  for  a  Hag,  1  do  not  feel  dispo.sed  to  iia^ard  nmch  for 
govt,  though  the  life  of  Cant.  Fremont  and  party  may  need  it.  I  liardly 
know  how  to  act.'  March  Htli,  L.  to  the  conunander  of  any  V.  S.  ship-of-war 
at  Mazatlan  or  S.  Bias.  Larhiiin  Ojf'.  Conm/).,  MS.,  i.  82-3;  Sawyer'-^  />«<•., 
MS.,  1;{-IG.  March  9th,  L.  to  I'arrott.  FriinoiU'x  Cal.  Cluinm,  65;  Laiu-fy's 
Cruise,  39-40. 


14 


OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 


cepted  by  Castro,  and  a  little  later  sent  to  Mexico.-' 
Prudencio  Espinosa,  however,  succeeded  in  reaching 
the  explorers'  camp  with  the  duplicates;  and  he  came 
back  at  8  p.  m.  on  the  9th  with  a  note  in  pencil  from 
Fremont — his  only  comnmnication  from  the  camp  on 
the  Cerro  del  Gavilan — which  was  as  follows:  "I 
this  moment  received  your  letters,  and  without  wait- 
ing to  read  them,  acknowledge  the  receipt,  which  the 
courier  requires  instantly,  I  am  making  myself  as 
strong  as  possible,  in  the  intention  that  if  we  are  un- 
*justly  attacked  we  will  fight  to  extremity  and  refuse 
quarter  (!),  trusting  to  our  country  to  avenge  our 
death.  No  one  has  reached  my  camp,  and  from  the 
heiglits  we  are  able  to  see  troops — with  the  glass — 
mustering  at  St  John's  and  preparing  cannon.  I 
thardc  you  for  your  kindness  and  good  wishes,  and 
would  write  more  at  length  as  to  my  intentions  did  I 
not  fear  that  my  letter  would  be  intercepted.  We 
have  in  no  wise  dong  wrong  to  the  people,  or  the  au- 
thorities of  the  country,  and  if  we  are  hemmed  in  and 
assaulted  here,  we  will  die,  every  man  of  us,  under 
the  Hag  of  our  country.  P.  S. — I  am  encamped  on 
the  top  of  the  sierra,  at  the  head  waters  of  a  stream 
which  strikes  the  road  to  Monterey  at  the  house  of 
Don  Joaquin  Gomez."'^'' 

'■''April  4tli,  Prefect  Castro  to  inin.  of  rel. ,  enclosing  the  captured  letters. 
Dor.  Hist.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  lo7.  He  sends  them  aa  proof  of  bad  faith  on  the 
part  of  both  Larkin  and  Fremont. 

'-"•*  March  !)th  (the  original  bears  no  date,  and  most  of  the  printed  copies 
are  dated  on  the  10th,  but  on  an  original  translation  in  Jlittell,  Pap.  Hist., 
MS.,  t»,  Larkin  certifies  that  tlie  note  was  received  'last  night  at  8  o'clock,' 
and  tliat  he  has  allowed  a  translation  to  bo  made  at  request  of  Alcalde  Diaz, 
to  prove  that  he,  the  consul,  liad  no  improper  correspondence  with  Fr(5mont. 
and  also  in  hopes  to  'mitigar  la  scnsacion  actual'),  F.  to  L.,  in  Liirkiii's  Off. 
Vorresp.,  MS.,  i.  Gi-.l;  iV/ZtN'  AV;;.,  Ix.xi.  188;  Fremont's  Cal.  Claims,  Qit-l'i; 
Cutis'  Conq.,  14l)-50;  Sawyer's  Doc,  MS.,  11-12;  Lancejfs  Cruise,  40;  Yol.> 
Co.  Ilist.,  15,  etc.  March  10th,  receipt  of  Espinosa  for  $27.50  for  carrying 
the  despatches.  Mouterey,  Consulate  Arch., 'S\'^.,'u.  14.  March  10th,  Alcalde 
Diaz  to  Manuel  Castro.  Espinosa  was  told  by  us  to  present  himself  to  you 
before  carrying  the  despatches.  All  of  us  think  that  by  means  of  a  confoi-- 
enco  all  ditferences  with  Fr(5mont  might  be  settled.  Castro,  Doc.  Hist.  Cal., 
MS.,  ii.  37.  The  phrase  'refuse  quarter' in  Frtimont's  note  was  translated 
by  IfartncU  'will  not  give  quarter'  (sin  dar  cuartel),  and  was  naturally  not 
ploa.sing  to  the  Californians.  March  19th,  Larkin  asks  Stearns  to  correct  the 
alleged  error  in  the  governor '.s  cony,  the  true  meaning  being  'will  not  acrept 
quarter.'  LarLin's  Off'.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  00. 


2< 


CASTRO'S  HOSTILE  PREPARATIONS. 


18 


letters, 
on  the 

copies 
11  inf., 
clock,' 
o  Diaz, 
'<5nioiit, 
u's  Otf. 
05-0; 

Vol:, 

()  you 
ionfi'i'- 
CuL, 
slated 
ly  not 
;t  the 
ccept 


Espinosa  liad  carried  the  despatches  under  a  pass- 
port from  Alcalde  Diaz,  and  on  his  return,  at  the  re- 
quest of  that  official,  Larkin  furnished  translations  of 
those  despatches  and  of  Fremont's  reply,  taking  occa- 
sion to  suggest  to  the  authorities  the  importance  of 
holding  a  conference  with  Fremont  hefore  resorting 
to  force."''  Meanwhile  Castro  had  continued  his  mili- 
tary preparations,  about  which  we  know  little  beyond 
the  fact  that  he  <.'ollected  about  two  hundred  men  at 
San  Juan.  I  have  statements  from  several  Califor- 
nianswho  were  with  the  army;  but  except  some  petty 
details  and  personal  incidents— more  interesting  than 
accurate  as  a  rule — they  add  nothing  to  our  knowl- 
edge of  the  campaign.  Most  of  them  agree  that 
Castro  was  less  eager  for  an  attack  than  some  of  his 
subordinates,  for  which  he  was  unfavorably  criti- 
cised."*    As  a  matter  of  course.  General  Castro  did 

'"March  10th,  Alcalde  Diaz  to  Larkin,  asking  for  a  translation  of  Freniont'a 
letter,  hoping  it  may  contribute  to  allay  the  present  excitement.  Sawi/(;r'i< 
Col.  Doc,  10.  Same  tlate  Larkin  to  Diaz  with  the  translation  (already  re- 
ferred to  as  in  my  possession),  and  suggesting  an  hour's  conversation  between 
Castro  and  Fremont.  Larkin'a  Off.  Correnp.,  MS.,  i.  SO;  Vallcjo,  Poc,  M.S., 
xii.  188;  Saivyer'n  Doc,  MS.,  17-18;  N'llcs' liffi.,  Ixxi.  11)0.  L.  says  lie  knows 
not  if  F.  will  approve  his  act  in  giving  up  the  letter,  and  that  he  has  no  .iu- 
tliority  over  that  officer,  but  is  anxious  to  prevent  a  useless  shedding  of  blood. 
Same  date  (llth  by  error),  Diaz  to  Caatro,  forwarding  the  note  obtained  from 
Larkin.  Doc  Ilixf.  CaL,  MS.,  iii.  1.34.  Also  a  private  note  from  Dia;;  to  Cas- 
tro, urging  that  a  conference  could  do  no  harm,  all  at  Monterey  thinking  it 
might  prevent  hostilities.  Ilittell,  Pap.  Ilisl.,  MS.,  5.  Same  date,  L.  to  F. , 
with  information  of  what  he  had  tlone.  'My  native  courier  said  he  was  well 
treated  by  you — that  2,000  men  could  not  drive  you.  In  all  cases  of  couriers, 
order  your  men  to  have  no  hints  or  words  with  them,  as  it  is  magnified;  this 
one  said  a  man  pointed  to  a  tree  and  said,  "There's  your  life."  He  expected  to 
be  led  to  you  blindfolded;  says  you  have  G'2  men,'  etc.  Lark-iii''.i  Off.  Corrc^p., 
MS.,  i.  84;  Xiles'  Ueij.,  Ixxi.  190.  According  to  Phelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  '270- 
SO,  Godey,  one  of  Fremont's  men,  had  conio  in  to  Monterey;  and  if  tliis  was 
so,  ho  doubtless  was  the  messenger  who  took  Larkin's  letter.  Phelps  was 
there  at  the  time,  and  says  he  also  wrote  to  Fremont,  ofTering  any  assistance  in 
his  power,  and  telling  him  that  if  driven  to  any  point  on  the  coast  bo  would 
take  him  and  his  i)arty  on  board  his  vessel.  It  is  .strange,  however,  that 
ttodey,  if  ho  was  at  Monterey  on  the  10th,  had  nothing  to  say  about  Fremont's 
retreat. 

^^Alvarado,  Hut.  Cat.,  MS.,  v.  l.')9-71;  liko,  Mem.,  MS.,  17-19;  Torre, 
neiniii.,  MS.,  137-44;  Cattro,  Rel.,  MS.,  165-72;  Eicobar,  Camp.,  MS.,  p.  2-7; 
Grrmaii,  Sucesox,  MS.,  6-9,  17-18.  Also  narratives  by  Californians  not  per- 
sonally engaged  in  the  campaign,  in  Vallijo,  Hist.  Cat.,  MS.,  v.  07-106;  Fer- 
nandez, Gosas,  MS.,  123-7;  Carrdlo,Nan:,  MS.,  9-10;  Os/o,  IliM.  Cut.,  MS., 
4.")7-00;  Ord,  Ocurrenciux,  MS.,  1.38-9;  Guerrn.m  Doc.  llUt.  ('ft/.,  MS.,  iv. 
1003-4;  Pinto,  Apunt.,  MS.,  99-100;  Botello,  Analex,  MS.,  130-1;  Lariox, 
Coiindsioncs,  MS.,  '24;   Fzqiier,  .Urm.,  MS.,  21;  Gomez,  Lo  Que  Sabe,  MS., 


IG 


OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 


not  wish  to  attack  Frdniont.  A  much  braver  man 
than  he  would  have  hesitated  to  load  his  men  u[)  the 
steep  sides  of  the  Gavilan  Peak  against  a  force  of 
sixty  expert  riflemen,  protected  by  a  barricade  of 
logs — especially  when  there  was  no  necessity  for  such 
a  foolhardy  movement.  Castro  had  ordered  Frdmont 
to  quit  the  country,  and  he  hoped  that  a  show  of  mili- 
tary preparation,  together  with  Larkin's  influence,, 
would  induce  him  to  obey.  His  cause  was  a  just  one, 
his  policy  was  prudent,  his  orders — up  to  this  point 
at  least — were  moderate  and  dignified  in  style,  and 
his  plans  were  successful.  He  was  not  very  brave 
himself,  nor  were  his  men  efficient  soldiers ;  but  it  was 
their  good  fortune  not  to  have  their  valor  and  effi- 
ciency put  to  the  test  on  this  occasion.  Revere, 
Phelps,  Tuthill,  Lancey,  and  to  greater  or  less  extent 
most  others  whose  writings  on  the  subject  have  ap- 
peared in  print,  have  exhausted  their  vocabulary  ^' 
ridicule  and  abuse  in  picturing  the  treachery  and 
cowardice  and  braggadocio  of  Castro's  actions  in  this 
affair.  Their  versions  are  amusing  from  a  dime-novel 
standpoint;  but  Castro's  brilliant  evolutions  in  the 
plain,  his  boastful  challenges  to  combat,  his  desperate 
charges  up  the  hill  just  out  of  rifle-range,  like  the  pa- 
tient waiting  of  Fremont's  gallant  band  day  after  day 
in  the  vain  hope  of  an  attack  by  the  foe — have  no 
foundation  more  substantial  than  the  lively  and  patri- 
otic imagination  of  the  writers  cited.^-  Of  the  two, 
Fremont  made  by  far  the  greater  fool  of  himself 


270-80;  Garnica,  Necuerdofi,MS.,  10-11;  Amador,  Mem.,  MS.,  I6'y.  Thougli 
the  Californian  narratives  adil  nothing  to  what  we  learn  from  contemporary 
corresp.  on  tlie  events  of  March  184G,  yet  many  of  them  give  a  very  fair  antl 
nnprejudiced  version  of  those  events. 

Marthi,  one  of  Frdmont's  men,  Narrative,  MS.,  11-12,  gives  a  very  inac- 
curate account  of  the  operations  around  Gavilan.  Wm  F.  Swasey,  Cat. 
'4^-G,  MS.,  5-7,  tells  us  that  from  S.  Jose  John  Daubenbiss  was  sent  by 
Weber  to  the  north  for  aid,  while  the  writer  was  sent  to  Fr(;'mont's  camp  to 
tell  him  what  was  being  done  for  him.  Swasey  and  Julius  Martin  were, 
however,  captured  by  Castro  near  S.  Juan,  and  were  unable  to  carry  out  their 
mission.  Ho  learned  at  Gomez  ranclio  that  F.  had  left  his  camp.  Mention 
of  the  Gavilan  affair  in  likhpeWx  Cal.  1841-S,  MS.,  p.  155-0;  lieldeii'x  Hut. 
Statement,  MS..  45-0.     Bidwell  disapproves  Fremont's  actions. 

*' Revere'a    Tour,   46-8;   Pheliis'  Fore  and  Aft,  277-84;    TuthUis  Hist. 


<  i 


THK  GAVILAN  CAMP  ABANDONED. 


17 


er  man 
I  u[)  the 
force  of 
icade  of 
for  such 
^'r^mont 
of  mili- 
ifluence,. 
ust  one, 
is  point 
yle,  and 
y  brave 
lit  it  was 
and  effi- 
Revere, 
is  extent 
lave  ap- 
lulary  ^' 
lery  and 
s  in  this 
le-novel 

in  the 
asperate 

the  pa- 
'ter  day 
lave  no 
id  patri- 
|he  two, 
keif. 


Though 
li  temporary 
Iry  fair  ami 

very  iiiac- 
'asey,  Val. 
Jia  Bent  by 
I's  camp  to 
Irtin  were, 
ly  out  their 
Mention 
|[/f/('.s  Hint. 

\\ll'6  Hist. 


Early  on  tlic  1 0th,  Prefect  Castro  sent  out  a  sum- 
mons to  the  peo})le  of  the  north,  calling  uju)!!  them  to 
join  the  force  at  San  Juan,  and  aid  in  the  work  of  rc~ 
pellin<^  invasion  and  vindicating  the  national  honor. ^^ 
The  response  did  not  come  until  the  occasion  for 
alarm  was  past,  which  was  indeed  but  a  few  hours 
later;  for  before  noon  of  the  same  day,  Castro  learned 
throuoh  his  scouts  that  the  camp  on  the  Gavilan  had 


Cal.,  103-5;  Lancey 


'ti  Cruixe,  39-4.3.     Of  each  of  these 


rks  tl 


icre  IS  inucli 
they 


_  )  will  be  seen  elsewliere;   but  in  this  matter 

have  given  themselves  up  entirely  to  patriotism,  prejudice,  and  burlesque. 
Thomas  H.  Benton,  in  his  letter  of  Nov.  {»,  184G,  AiVcs' AV;/. ,  Ixxi.  173-4, 
struck  the  key-note  of  the  abuse  showered  upon  Castro  ever  since.  Benton, 
liowever,  niaclc  an  absurd  blunder,  tliongh  excusable  at  the  time,  through  his 
ignorance  of  Californian  geography.  Castro,  according  to  tiiis  writer,  ga\  e 
Fremont  permission  to  winter  with  his  troops  in  the  S.  Joaquin  Valley,  but 
no  sooner  had  F.  brought  his  men  '  to  that  beautiful  valley  '  than  Castro  pre- 
pared to  attack  him  on  the  pretext  that  he  was  exciting  Americana  to  revolt! 
The  sec.  of  war  in  his  report  of  Dec.  oth  takes  a  similar  view  briefly.  7/. 
Ex.  Doc.  no.  4,  p.  .">0,  '2!)th  cong.  2d  sess. 

Other  printed  accounts  of  Fremont's  operations — besides  the  documentary 
ones  so  often  cited  in  A'ites' 7iVf/.,  Ixxi.  188-90,  and  Fnhnoiit'x  Cnl.  Claims, 
IS.'/S — are  found  in  Ciitts'  Conq.,  14'J-52,  with  some  documents;  Soulc'n  An- 
iials,  91;  Biiielow'n  Memoirs  of  Frfmout,  136;  Ujifiam'n  Life  of  Fremont,  211- 
10;  JIall's  Hint.  S.  Jos,',  142-3;  J{ii)lei/\i  War  with  Mcx.,  i.  280-92;  Mdll- 
Jiauscii,  TcK/ebuch,  289-90;  Walpole's  Four  Yearn,  ii.  200-7;  Honolulu  Friend, 
iv.  l.")3-4;  Frill  net,  Cal.,  08. 

''•'  March  lOtii,  prefect  to  sub-prefect  of  Yerba  Buena.  and  by  him  tran- 
scribed to  the  com.  of  the  northern  line.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,xii.  189;  Castro, 
Doc,  MS.,  ii.  39.  Marelj  lOth,  Alcalde  Diaz  to  prefect.  All  tranquil  at 
Monterey.  Citizens  anxiously  awaiting  news.  Iil.,\\.'M.  March  11th,  same 
to  same.  No  signs  of  outbreak  among  the  foreigners.  Id.,  ii.  47.  March 
1 1th,  Andres  (^'astillero  at  |Sta  Clara  to  Vallejo.  The  writer  will  at  once  join 
Castro.  Lancey's  Cruise,  40.  March  12th,  Sub-prefect  Guerrero  at  Yerba 
Buena  to  the  receptor,  asking  for  funds  to  buy  war  material  for  the  men  who 
march  to  the  defence  of  country  and  laws,  '  sufocados  por  una  fuerza  armada 
estrangera.'  Pinto,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  227.  March  14th,  a  courier  sent  by  Marsii 
announced  Frt^mont's  position  at  Sutter's  Fort.  N.  Helc.  i>«»/7/,  MS. ,  .39;  but 
17th  according  to  Sutter's  Diary,  7.  ^[arch  14th,  (Juerrero  from  Sierra  Mo- 
rena  to  prefect,  narrating  the  preparations  under  his  orders.  He  had  raised 
Wl  men,  including  some  naturalized  foreigners  and  Emjlishmen;  Kstudillo  had 
raised  38  men  (in  Contra  Costa?),  and  they  had  marched  to  S.  Jo8(5.  Now 
that  Fremont  had  retreated,  the  men  would  like  at  least  to  go  to  the  Alto  del 
(•avilan  to  raise  the  Mexican  flag.  All  were  ready  in  case  of  new  alarms. 
Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  49.  March  14th,  Com.  Sanchez  to  corporal  in  command 
at  S.  Kafael.  He  must  come  with  all  his  men  to  join  the  force  at  S.  .Juan. 
Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  193.  March  14th,  l.'ith,  Vallejo  at  Sonoma  to  au- 
thorities of  S.  Kafael,  and  to  the  people  of  the  nortli.  A  stirring  appeal  to 
rally  for  the  defence  of  Mexican  sovereignty.  I'ldhjo,  Doc,  M.S.,  xii.  18."), 
188-9,  195-0.  March  15th,  Alcalde  I'aclif'co  of  S.  Jose  to  Castro,  on  the  pa- 
triotism and  warlike  spirit  of  the  people  of  his  town,  who  now  have  been  per- 
mitted to  retire  to  their  farms,  etc.  Hittell,  Pap.  Hist.,  M.'<.,  ",.  March 
17th-2l8t.  Clyman,  Diary  and  Xote-Book,  encaniped  at  the  liead  of  Napa 
Valley,  heard  of  the  Fremont  affair  and  of  the  call  upon  all  citizens  to  assem- 
ble at  Sonoma  for  defence.  On  tlic  22(1  he  heard  of  Frt-inont's  flight. 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    2 


I        I 


OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 

been  abandoned  in  the  night — that  of  March  9th- 
10th;  and  still  later  in  the  day  it  was  ascertained  that 
Fremont  had  moved  off  eastward  and  fortified  another 
camp.  Next  morning,  John  Gilroy  is  said  to  have 
been  sent  by  Castro  with  a  message,  but  to  have 
i'ound  the  second  camp  also  deserted,  its  occupants 
having  continued  their  retreat  to  the  San  Joaquin.^ 
Naturally  the  Californian  chiefs  were  jubilant  at  Fre- 
mont's flight,  which  they,  somewhat  pardonably  under 
the  circumstances,  regarded  as  a  great  victory  for 
themselves.  The  citizen  soldiers  were  dismissed  to 
their  homes,  with  instructions  to  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  for  action  should  the  attempted  invasion  be 
renewed;  and  the  leaders,  in  their  proclamations  to 
the  people  and  reports  to  their  superiors  announcing 
results,  indulged  rather  freely  in  the  gasconade  deemed 
an  essential  part  of  such  documents.  It  is  fair  to 
state,  however,  that  this  feature  of  the  documents  in 
question  has  been  most  grossly  exaggerated,  writers 
having  gone  so  far  even  as  to  print  imaginary  de- 
spatches— some  of  them  "signed  with  gunpowder  on 
the  field  of  battle."  The  purport  of  the  genuine  doc- 
uments— of  which  I  translate  in  a  note  the  one  that 

*•  March  10th,  Prefect  Castro  to  Alcalde  Diaz,  acknowledging  receipt  of 
letter  of  same  date  with  copy  of  Fremont's  note,  and  announcing  that  the  fort 
had  been  abandoned.  Doc.  Hist.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  l.'J2.  Larkin  in  his  report  of 
March  27th,  Niks'  lieg.,  Ixxi.  189,  etc.,  states  that  in  a  postscript  to  a  letter 
written  on  the  evening  of  the  10th,  Gen.  Castro  said  '  that  Cant.  Fremont  had 
crossed  a  small  river,  and  was  then  about  tiiree  miles  distant  from  them. '  L. 
also  mentioned  Gilroy's  mission.  In  later  years  a  rumor  has  gained  ciHTency 
that  Gilroy  was  sent  to  suggest  an  arrangement  by  which  the  forces  of  Frt5- 
mont  and  Castro  were  to  unite,  declare  Cal.  independent,  and  march  against 
Pico!  It  would  require  tlie  strongest  of  confirmatory  proofs — and  there  exists 
not  the  slightest  evidence — to  outweigh  the  inherent  absurdity  of  this  rumor, 
though  it  has  been  advanced  as  a  fact  by  Lancey  and  others.  Gilroy  was  sent 
to  F.,  if  at  all,  either  in  accordance  with  Larkin's  recommendation  in  favor  of 
a  conference  (see  note  .SO),  or  merely  as  a  spy  to  learn  P.'s  position  and  inten- 
tions. Another  current  rumor  among  tlio  Californians,  which  seems  to  have 
but  little  foundation  in  fact  or  probability,  is  to  the  effec*^  that  Capistrano 
Lopez,  Castro's  scout,  revealed  to  F.  the  preparations  that  were  being  made 
against  him,  receiving  gold  for  the  information.  The  exact  locality  of  F.'s 
second  camp — somewhere  in  the  hills  east  of  S.  Juan — is  not  known  to  me. 
In  his  map,  with  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  31st  cong.  1st  sess.,  H.  Ex.  Doc,  17,  two 
crossings  are  indicated,  one  by  the  Pacheco  Pass,  and  another  by  the  S. 
Juan  Pass  farther  south.  Pinto,  Ai>nnt.,  MS.,  99,  says  the  route  was  by  Trea 
Pinos  and  Carrizalito;  he  adds  that  many  foolish  people  have  tried  to  find  the 
a  large  aum  of  money  which  Fremont  by  tradition  had  been  forced  to  bary. 


FREMONT  RUNS  AWAY. 


19 


gave  most  offence — was  that  certain  audacious  adven- 
turers, wilt)  had  dared  to  raise  a  foreign  flag  on  Cali- 
fornian  soil,  had  been  induced  to  flee  ignominiously  at 
the  sight  of  two  hundred  patriots  resolved  to  defend 
their  country,  leaving  behind  a  part  of  their  cainj) 
equipage — for  Fremont  had  abandoned  in  one  of  his 
camps  a  few  worn-out  articles  not  worth  removing. 


3.-. 


'5  March  l'2t\\,  Gen.  Castro  to  alcalde  of  S.  JosC-.  Fr«5mont  lias  fled.  Men 
to  be  disbanded  witli  thanks.  S.  Joni,  Arch.,  Loose  PapevH,  35.  Prefect  Cas- 
tro to  same  effect.  /(/.,  25.  Mai-ch  14th,  similar  communication.  Id.,  30. 
March  13th,  Gen.  Castro's  proclamation  to  the  people  (see  below),  in  Valkjo, 
Dor.,  MS.,  x.xxiv.  18(i.  This  was  posted  in  the  billiard-saloon,  and  Larkin 
tried  witiiont  success  to  get  a  copy  of  it.  Larkin'n  Off.  Corretip.,  MS.,  i.  87; 
iViVc.'-'  Ite;/.,  Ixxi.  190;  Sawi/er's  J)oc.,  MS.,  i25-C.  Sawyer  copies  a  transla- 
tion of  an  earlier  proclamation  as  the  one  posted  in  the  billiard-room. 
Marcii  14th,  Prefect  Castro  to  Gov.  Pico.  A  report  of  the  whole  affair,  enclos- 
ing past  corresp.,  etc.  Doc.  Uiiit.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  150;  Dcpl.  St.  P«p.,  Ben. 
Pro/.  1/  Jiizij.,  MS.,  ii.  88-90.  March  14tli,  Sub- prefect  Guerrero  to  Vallejo, 
announcing  Vrc^niont's  flight  '  en  virtud  do  haber  visto  <d  entusiasnio  de  los 
hijos  del  pais.'  ra//(;yo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  194.  March  19th,  Leidesdorff  to  Lar- 
kin. The  news  is  that  F.  has  nin  away,  leaving  a  green  cloak,  3  or  4  axes, 
some  cash(!),  and  cooking  utensils.  Larkiii's  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  72.  No  date, 
Rico  to  Castro.  Rumor  tliat  F.  was  coming  back  to  renew  the  struggle  He 
had  told  the  rancheros  to  remain  neutral  or  the  devil  would  carry  them  off. 
Castro,  Doc.,  MS.,  i.  129. 

Later  communications,  in  which  events  of  the  Gavilan  are  narrated,  and 
which  I  have  had  occasion  to  quote  already,  are  as  follows:  March  27th,  Lar- 
kin to  sec.  state,  in  Larkin's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  45-7;  iVi/cff'  Reg.,  Ixxi. 
189;  Fremont' A  Cal.  Claims,  6(5-8;  Ciitts'  Conq.,  145-6.  The  writer  takes 
some  pains  in  this  and  other  letters  to  show  that  F.  moved  away  leisurely,  and 
not  from  fear  of  Castro.  April  1st,  Gen.  Castro  to  min.  of  war,  from  Monitor 
Eepiiblicano,  May  10th,  in  N ties'  lieij.,  Ixxi.  187-8,  criticised  by  Benton  in  hi., 
Ixxi.  Castro  writes:  'Having  organized  a  force  of  150  men,  I  went  to  the  vicinity 
of  the  sierra  where  Frdniont  had  intrenched  himself  under  the  American  flag.  I 
was  prepared  to  attack  him  in  the  niglitof  the  10th,  when  he,  taking  advantage 
of  the  darkness,  abandoned  the  fortification,  doubtless  precipitately,  as  we 
found  there  tlie  next  day  some  iron  instruments  and  other  things;  and  in  trying 
to  find  the  trail  to  know  what  direction  they  took,  it  was  impossible  on  account 
of  their  having  withdrawn  in  complete  dispersion.  This  obliged  me  to  stay 
for  sonic  days,  until  by  some  persons  from  the  Tularcs  I  was  informed  tiiat 
the  adventurers  were  taking  the  road  i)y  the  river  to  the  north.'  April  2d, 
I^arkin  to  sec.  state.  Similar  in  purport  to  that  of  March  27th.  Thinks  that 
F. ,  who  had  been  in  no  real  danger,  has  gone  to  Sta  Rdrbara.  Larkin's  Off. 
Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  48-9;  Niles'  Jierj.,  Ixxi.  189-90.  April  4th,  Prefect  Castro 
to  min.  of  rel.  Doc.  Hist.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  157.  April  18th,  L.  to  sec.  state. 
Castro  and  the  rest  state,  and  writer  is  inclined  to  believe,  that  the  Cali- 
fornians  had  no  intention  of  attacking  F.,  but  acted  solely  for  effect  in  Mexico! 
Larkin's  Off.  Corresp,,  MS.,  ii.  51. 

Castro's  proclamation  of  March  13th,  the  original  of  which  is  in  my  pos- 
session, may  bo  literally  translated  as  follows:  'Fellow-citizens— a  party  of 
highwaymen  who,  without  respecting  the  laws  or  authorities  of  the  department, 
boldly  entered  the  country  under  the  leadership  of  Don  J.  C.  Frdmont,  captain 
in  the  U.  S.  army,  have  disobeyed  the  orders  of  this  comandaucia  general 
and  of  the  prefecture  of  tho  2d  district,  by  which  said  leader  was  notified  im- 
'iiediately  to  march  beyond  tlie  bounds  of  our  territory;  and  without  replying 


'JO 


Ol'KllATlOXS  VV  FUtMONT  AND  (JILLKSPIE. 


Fremont's  act  in  dofyiiitif  thoCalifornian  authorities 
and  raising  the  stars  and  stripes  o\x'r  liis  (Javilan  eanip 
had  been,  as  we  liave  seen,  a  most  unwise  and  unjust- 
ifiable one.  He  had  taken  the  step  under  a  lasli  im- 
pulse of  the  moment,  strengthened  by  the  adviee  of 
irres[)onsible  followers.  As  a  United  States  officer, 
he  had  put  himself  in  a  false  and  eom[>romising  [)osi- 
tion— and  this  even  if  it  be  admitted  that  he  had  been 
unfairly  treated  by  Castro,  which  was  by  no  means 
true.  A  little  reflection  made  clear  to  him  the  error 
he  had  committed.  Having  once  taken  the  ste)>, 
nothing  remained  but  to  retreat,  or  to  raise  the  stand- 
ard of  revolt  in  favor  of  independence,  and  call  on 
resident  foreigners  to  support  him.  What  he  saw 
with  his  field-glass  at  San  Juan  indicated  that  he  must 
decide  promptly ;  and  Larkin's  communication  threw 
additional  light  on  the  real  state  of  affairs.  Fremont 
was  not  yet  prei)ared  to  declare  himself  openly  a  fili- 
buster; and  though  it  was  a  severe  blow  to  his  pride, 
he  was  obliged  to  run  away.  Larkin's  letter  arrive<l 
late  in  the  afternoon  of  March  9th,  and  in  the  dark- 
ness of  the  same  night  the  brave  exi)lorers — for  their 
bravery  is  unquestionable,  despite  their  retreat  and 
the  absurd  fame  of  dime-novel  heroes  accorded  them 
by  many  writers — left  their  famous  camp  on  the  Ga- 
vilan.'*"  Fremont's  method  of  excusing  his  blunder 
was  to  say  very  little  about  it  in  detail,  to  allude  to 

to  the  said  notes  in  writing,  tlic  said  captain  merely  sent  a  verbal  niessago 
that  on  the  SieiTa  tlel  (lavilan  he  was  prepared  to  resist  tiic  forces  whicli  the 
authorities  might  send  to  attack  him.  Tlic  following  measures  of  this  com- 
mand and  of  the  prefecture,  putting  in  action  all  possible  elements,  produced 
as  a  result  that  he  at  the  sight  of  200  patriots  abandoned  tin;  camp  which  he 
occupied,  leaving  in  it  some  clotliing  and  other  war  material,  and  according 
to  the  scouts  took  the  route  to  the  Tulares.  Compatriots,  the  act  of  unfurling 
the  American  flag  on  the  hills,  the  insults  and  threats  offered  to  the  author- 
ities, are  worthy  of  execration  and  hatred  from  Mexicans;  prepare,  then,  to 
tlcfend  our  independence  in  order  that  united  we  nuiy  repel  with  a  strong 
liand  the  audacity  of  men  who,  receiving  every  mark  of  true  liospitality  in 
our  country,  repay  witli  sucli  ingr<atituilc  the  faxors  obtained  from  our  cor- 
diality and  benevolence.  Headquarters  at  San  Juan  Bivutista,  March  13, 
1846.*^ 

^^Martin,  A'^arc,  ^IS.,  1*2,  tells  us  that  they  left  the  fort  on  receipt  of  or- 
ders from  Larkin.  This  suggests  the  idea  that  Frc^mont  may  very  likely  have 
put  tiio  matter  in  that  light  before  his  men,  who  were  naturally  not  pleased 
'vith  the  retreat,  and  who  knew  little  of  a  consul's  powers. 


I  ! 


THE  CAPTAIN'S  DEFKNCK. 


21 


Castro's  hrokon  promiso,  and  to  imply  ratljor  than 
state  (liroetly — tlio  rest  being  left  to  tnithusiastic! 
iViencls — that  he  acted  in  self-defence,  Castro  having 
raised  tlie  whole  country  in  arms  against  him.  Tiio 
reader  knows,  however,  not  only  that  Castro  broke 
no  promise,  but  that  he  made  no  threats  of  attack  ex- 
i-ept  in  case  his  order  to  quit  the  district  should  be 
disobeyed— an  order  which  Fremont  could  have 
obeyed  (juite  as  well  on  the  6th  as  on  the  1 0th  of 
March.  In  a  letter  to  Mrs  Fremont,  written  a  little 
later,  the  captain  says:  "About  the  middle  of  next 
month,  at  latest,  1  will  start  for  home.  The  Spaniards 
were  somewliat  rude  and  inhospitable  below,  and  or- 
dered us  out  of  the  country  after  having  given  me 
permission  to  winter  there.  My  sense  of  duty  did  not 
j)erniit  me  to  tight  them,  but  we  retired  slowly  and 
growlingly  before  a  force  of  three  or  four  hundred  men 
and  three  |)ieces  of  artillery.  Without  a  shadow  of  a 
cause,  the  governor  suddenly  raised  the  whole  country 
against  us,  issuing  a  false  and  scandalous  proclamation. 
Of  course  I  did  not  dare  to  comproniise  the  United 
States,  against  whicli  ap[)earances  would  have  been 
.strong;  but  though  it  was  in  my  power  to  increase 
my  l)arty  by  many  Americans,  I  refrained  from  com- 
mitting a  solitary  act  of  hostility  or  impro[)riety.  For 
my  own  part,  I  have  become  disgusted  with  everything 
belonging  to  the  Mexicans.  Our  government  will 
not  require  me  to  return  by  the  southern  route  sigainst 
the  will  of  this  government;  I  shall  therefore  return 
by  the  heads  of  the  Missouri."^'  To  what  extent  tliose 
statements  are  true  or  false,  the  reader  can  judge. 

Descending  into  the  great  valley,  j)erhaps  l)y  the 
Pacheco  Pass,  on  March  11th,  Fremont  crossed  the 
San  Joaquin  in  boats  on  the  i;jih,  reached  the  Stan- 

*' April  1st,  P.  on  tlK^lvacramentotoMrsF.  ^V/Zcv' /iV</.,  Ixxi.  190.  Ilittell, 
I /inf.  S.  /'.,  99,  etc.,  gives  briefly  a  correct  view  of  Fremont'.i  operations.  He 
soeiiis  to  1)0  the  only  prominent  writer  who  lias  not  beeu  led  astray  in  this 
matter,  (rilbert,  iu  Yolo  Co.  Hist.,  also  taUes  a  coiTect  view  of  the  matter, 
as  do  a  few  other  writers  in  similar  publications. 


22  OPKRATIOXS  OP  FREMOXT  AND  fJII.LKSI'iK. 

iislaUH  tlie  lOtli,  aiul  nrrivcil  at  Now  Helvetia  tho  21st, 
pitchinjif  liis  camp  just  across  the  American  lliver. 
Three  days  hiter  he  moved  on  up  the  valley,  visiting' 
Keyser's  rancho  on  Bear  River,  Cordua's  on  the  Yuba, 
and  Neal's  on  Butte  Creek,  and  arrivinjif  at  Lassen's 
on  Deer  Creek  the  30th  of  March.  The  company 
remained  here  until  April  5th;  and  after  a  week's  trip 
up  the  valley  to  Cow  Creek  and  back,  they  encamped 
again  at  Lassen's  on  April  llth-i4th.* 

While  in  the  Sacramento  Valley,  Fremont  sent 
Talbot  down  the  river  to  obtain  supplies  at  Yerba 
Buena.^  He  also  sent  out  men  in  various  directions 
to  buy  horses  from  the  Indians,  a  transaction  that 
appears  not  to  have  given  entire  satisfaction  to  tho 
former  owners  of  the  stolen  animals.  Testimony  on 
this  subject  is,  however,  not  of  the  best.*"  Carson  and 
Martin  relate  that  while  at  Lassen's,  the  explorers 
were  called  upon  by  the  settlers  for  aid  against  tho 
Indians,  who  were  threatening  a  general  attack.  The 
result  was  a  raid  in  which  the  Indians  were  defeated 
at  their  village,  a  large  number  being  slain  in  the 
battle.*^ 

Yet  another  episode  of  the  stay  in  this  region  was  a 

^''Fremont's  Geog.  Mem.,  20-7,  57;  Sutter's Dia)-y,  7;  Mar/in s^iarr.,  MS., 
12;  Laiicey's  Cruise,  43-5.  One  of  F. 'a  men  arrived  at  Sutter's  on  tho  20tli. 
A'.  Jleli:  Diary,  MS.,  39.  Sutter,  Personal  Jiemiii.,  MS.,  I.'IS,  etc.,  describes 
Fremont's  actions  at  this  time  as  having  been  very  inysterious  and  sus- 
picious. 

^*  Phelps'  Fore  ami  Aft,  283.  Talbot  left  Sutter's  on  the  launch  on  March 
26th.  iV.  lleh.  Diary,  MS.  He  returned  April  9th.  Id.  April  16th,  Lcides- 
doril' writes  that  he  is  daily  expecting  a  draft  from  Froniout  on  account  of 
money  and  supplies  furnished  since  ho  left  S.  Juan.  Doc.  Hist.  Col.,  MS., 
iii.  172.      . 

^"Martin,  iVarr.,  MS.,  12-13,  tells  us  tl./it  Godcy  and  himself  were  sent 
to  tho  Tulares,  and  purchased  187  animals  yry  :;li;ap.  Sutter,  Person.  Remin., 
MS.,  145-8,  mentions  the  purchase  of  horsrs  in  the  valley,  and  says  he  wrote 
to  F.  at  Lassen's,  urging  him  to  leave  tl  .'  ^-i;olen  animals  behind,  a  letter 
which  was  not  answered,  and  the  writitig  of  which  F.  never  forgave.  This 
Btory  is  probably  true,  as  Sutter  made  a  similar  statement,  and  enclosed  a  copy 
of  his  letter  in  u  conmiuuication  to  Castro  of  May  31st.  21  horses  that  had 
been  stolen  from  settlers  had  been  taken  away  to  Oregon.  Castro,  Doc,  MS., 
ii.  41. 

*^  Peters'  Life  of  Kit  Carson,  254;  Martin's  Xarr.,  MS.,  13-14.  Carson 
tells  us  that  the  Ind.  were  preparing  to  attack  the  rancheros,  '  probably  at  the 
instigation  of  tho  Mexicans'!  Martin  says  that  more  than  175  Ind.  wereslain 
in  less  than  three  hours,  they  having  been  attacked  while  engaged  in  a  war- 
dance.     Lancey,  Cruise,  44,  locates  the  fight  on  Reading's  rancho. 


IN  THK  SA(  r.AMKNTO  VALLEY. 


•j:j 


^11  was  a 


{^rand  fiesta,  or  barbocuo,  ^Mvon  by  Fremont's  men  to  a 
party  of  immigrants  who  were  encamped  in  the  valley, 
having  come  from  Oregon  the  year  before,  and  being 
now  engaged  in  preparations  for  a  return  trip,  .some  to 
Oregon,  others  to  the  States.  The  feasting  and  danc- 
iiijy — there  were  women  in  the  immigrant  company, 
though  border  men  could  dance  without  female  part- 
ners upon  occasion — lasted  two  days;  and  an  Indian 
servant  who  was  present  carried  south  the  sensational 
report  that  the  assemblage  was  one  of  two  hundred 
armed  foreigners,  whose  purpose  was  to  fall  upon  Mon- 
terey as  soon  as  Indian  reenforcements  could  be  ob- 
tained from  Oregon  1"  Clyman,  one  of  the  immigrants 
who  proposed  to  quit  the  country,  though  nf)t  appar- 
ently one  of  those  present  at  the  barbecue,  desired  to 
unite  his  company  to  that  of  Fremont  for  the  return 
trip — or,  as  he  cl.iims,  for  a  movement  against  the  Cal- 
ifornians — but  his  proposition  was  declined." 

Leaving  Lassen's  on  or  about  April  14th,  Fremont 
proceeded    northward   to    Oregon."      On   May  8th, 

'-May  6th,  sub-prefect  to  prefect.  Ctistro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  70;  Dept.  St. 
Pap.,  Ben.  Pre/,  y  Jiizij.,  MS.,  ii.  85.  May  ."Jlst,  Sutter  to  Castro.  Castro, 
Doc,  MS.,  ii.  41.  See  also  Martlii's  Narr,,  14-15.  The  Indian  was  an  ox- 
neophytc  of  S.  Jo8(5  named  Antolino,  wlio  was  at  work  for  Francis  Day. 

*'■'  Clymivi's  A'otc  Hook;  MS.,  18,  i2C-7.  A  letter  from  Fri'mont  is  copied 
from  the  original  in  Clyman's  possession.  In  the  copy  it  is  dated,  'Camp  oa 
Feather  River,  Dec.  I'J,  1845,' but  this  of  course  is  all  wrong.  The  letter,  if 
genuine,  which  there  is  no  other  reason  to  doubt,  must  have  Imeu  written  in 
March  or  April  1840.  Clyman  and  party  stiii-ted  for  the  states  at  the  end  of 
April  from  Johnson's  rancho.  I  quote  tlic  letter  as  showing,  in  connection 
with  that  of  April  1st  to  Mrs  Fremont,  tho  captain's  feelings  and  plans. 
'Your  favor  of  the  21st  ult.  has  been  received  through  tho  kindness  of  Mr 
Flint. .  .1  am  placed  in  a  peculiar  position.  Having  carried  out  to  tho  best 
of  my  ability  my  instructions  to  explore  the  far  west,  I  see  myself  on  the  eve 
of  my  departure  for  homo  confronted  by  the  most  perplexing  complications. 
I  have  received  information  to  the  effect  that  a  declaration  of  war  between 
our  government  and  Mexico  is  probable,  but  s«>  far  tins  news  has  not  been 
confirmed.  The  Califomian  authorities  object  to  my  presence  here,  and 
threaten  to  overwhelm  me.  If  peace  is  preserved,  I  have  no  right  r>i-  business 
here;  if  war  ensues,  I  shall  bo  outnumbered  ten  to  one,  and  bo  compelle<l 
to  make  good  my  retreat,  pressed  by  a  pursuing  enemy.  It  seems  that  tho 
only  way  open  to  me  is  to  make  my  way  back  eastward,  and  as  a  military 
man  you  must  perceive  at  once  that  an  increase  of  my  connnand  would  only 
encumber  and  not  assist  my  retreat  through  a  region  where  wild  game  is  the 
only  thing  procurable  in  the  way  of  food.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  must 
make  my  way  back  alone,  and  gratefully  decline  your  offer  of  a  company  of 
hardy  warriors.' 

** Fremont's  Oeo(j.  Mem.,  31-2,  57-8;  Fremont's  map  in  C.  .S'.  Govt  Doc, 


24 


OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 


\   i 


liaving  passed  up  by  the  western  shore  of  Klamath 
Lake,  lie  encaaiped  near  the  north  end  of  that  body 
(  f  water.  Late  that  evening  two  horsemen,  Samuel 
Neal  and  William  Sigler,  rode  into  camp  with  the 
news  that  a  United  States  oflSeer  was  two  days  be- 
hind with  despatches,  protected  by  a  small  escort  and 
jirobubly  in  great  danger.  Next  morning  Frdmont 
took  nine  of  his  men,  Carson,  Maxwell,  Godey, 
Owens,  Lajeunesse,  and  four  Delawares,  hastened 
back  with  Xeal  and  Sigler,  and  after  a  ride  of  some 
twenty-five  miles — not  sixty  miles  as  was  claimed  at 
the  time  and  has  been  often  repeated — he  met  at 
nightfall  Lieutenant  Archibald  H.  Gillespie.  This 
officer,  of  whose  arrival  I  shall  have  more  to  say 
])resently,  had  reached  Sutter's  April  28th,  and  Las- 
sen's the  1st  of  May.  From  that  point,  with  only 
live  companions,  Lassen,  Neal,  Sigler,  Stepp,  and  a 
negro  servant  named  Ben,  he  started  May  2d  on 
Fremont's  trail.  On  the  7th  the  two  men  were  sent 
in  advance,  and  the  others  encamped  at  the  outlet  of 
Klamath  Lake,  unable  to  ford  the  river,  and  having 
nothing  to  eat  for  forty  hours.  On  the  morning  of 
the  9th,  a  party  of  Indians  made  their  ap])earance, 
who  in  great  apparent  kindness  gave  the  travellers  a 
fresh  salmon  for  food,  and  ferried  them  over  the 
water  in  canoes.  After  a  day's  journey  of  some 
thirty  miles,  Gillespie  met  Fremont  at  sunset,  as  re- 
lated, at  a  stream  named  from  the  events  of  that 
night  Ambuscade  Creek.** 


I 


Slstcong.  latsess.,  H.  Ex.  no.  17.  The  route  i;*  indioated  by  the  following 
stations:  Deer  Creek,  April  14th;  MillCr.,  Antelope  Cr. ,  No/jih  Cr.  (opposite 
Cottonwood  Cr.),  April  2.")th;  liraiif.s  Cr.,  *2Gth;  (^'ainphell's  Cr.,  27th;  Uppei* 
Sacramento  (Pit  River)  above  Fall  River,  '2!)tli;  same,  upper  end  of  Round 
Valley,  30tli;  Rhett  Lake,  eastern  sliore,  May  lat;  MeCrady'.s  River,  4th; 
Denny's  hrauoh,  Gth;  Amhnscadc  <'r. ,  7th;  iio-.-th  end  of  Klamath  I^ake,  8th, 
flth — and  retnrning — Corral  Cr.,  Torrey  River,  Wetowah  Cr.  (all  running 
into  tlie  east  side  of  Klamath  Lake),  11th,  12tli,  14th;  Russell's  biancli,  litth; 
Poinsett's  River,  20th;  Myers'  branch,  21st;  and  Deer  Cr.,  or  Lassen's,  May 
24tii. 

*' Fr(5mont'.s  testimony  in  Fremont's  Cat.  ('lain>s,  12;  Gillespie  in /(/.,  30- 
1;  (Jillespie  to  Larkiit  from  Lassen's  May  24tii,  in  JAirkin's  Doc,  MS.,  iv. 
i:)4;  May  24th,  FrOmont  to  llenton.  A'(■,V.^'  /.V;/.,  Ixxi.  190;  Sutter'.t  Dlnnj,  7; 
Yolo  Co.  Hist.,  iri-lO;  151-2;  Lunoy's  Crtihe,  45-8;  liidifelVn  Cat.  IS-'fl-S, 


ATTACKED  BY  INDIANS. 


25 


The  sixteen  tired  travellers  retired  early  after  the 
two  parties  were  united  on  May  9th,  and  were  soon 
sleeping  soundly — Fremont  sitting  up  later  than  the 
i-est  to  read  his  despatches  and  letters  from  home. 
The  Indians  were  deemed  friendly,  and  no  watch  was 
kept.  Just  before  midnight  the  camp  was  attacked 
by  savages.  Basil  Lajeunesse  and  a  l)elaware  were 
killed  as  they  slept,  by  blows  from  axes.  The  sound 
of  thest  blows  arousetl  Carson  and  Owens,  who  gave 
the  alarm;  when  the  Indians  fled,  after  killing  with 
tlieir  arrows  a  Delaware  named  Crane,  and  leaving 
(lead  a  chief  of  their  number,  who  proved  to  be  the 
very  man  from  whom  Gilles[)ie  had  that  morning 
been  furnished  with  food  and  aid  farther  south.  Next 
morning  they  started  northward  to  join  the  main 
body,  burying  the  bodies  of  their  slain  comrades  on 
the  way.  The  whole  party  started  on  the  11th  down 
the  eastern  side  of  the  lake,  wreaking  terrible  ven- 
geance on  the  innocent  natives  along  the  route,  if  we 
may  credit  the  statement  of  Kit  Carson,  who  played 
a  leading  part  in  the  butcheric's.  They  reached  Lassen's 
rancho  on  their  return  the  24th,  and  a  few  days  later 
moved  their  camp  down  to  the  Buttes.*"  Gillespie's 
arrival  had  little  to  do  with  the  alleged  motive  of  Fre- 
mont's return  from  the  north,  which  motive  was  the 


MS.,  157-60.  Sutter,  in  liis  Personal  Rcmin.,  MS.,  complains  that  Gillespio 
borrowe<l  his  favorite  .?.S00  mule  and  brought  it  baok  wiml-broken.  In  X. 
Jlch:  Diary,  M.S.,  40,  G.'s  arrival  at  8uttni-'s  is  recorded,  and  it  is  stated 
that  Stepp  and  Downing  went  on  witii  hi?'   next  day. 

'•■See,  l)esides  most  of  the  citations  of  t' c  precfimg  note,  Pctir.i'  Lii':  nf 
Kit  Cnrnoii,  'J.w-G'J;  Ahbott'n  Kit  Cirrsoii,  2t'J-,")."i.  t'arson  goes  \ery  fully 
into  details  of  Indian  fights  on  the  ret  rii  flip,  noting  the  burning  of  one  largi- 
village  after  many  of  its  people  had  been  slain;  also  the  gallant  manner  in 
wiiicli  his  (Carson's)  life  was  saved  on  one  occasion  by  Ficniont.  Several 
writers  speak  of  a  curious  wooden  coat-of-'uail  worn  l>y  one  of  tiie  Ind.  wai- 
riors;  and  all  speak  of  the  ))ravery  shown  by  tliese  natives.  Accounts  or 
mentions  of  the  affair  also  in  Martin's  Xtirr.,  iO-Jl ;  .Tune  1st,  Larkin  to  sec. 
state.  Larkiii's  Of.  CojTf--;).,  MS.,  ii.  "lU;  ,S';;(((./r;-'.-( /,/>;■  rniii'iit,'2;i-i.\;  Tut- 
fiil/'ri  Hint.  Ciil,  l(i()-7;  Jlonoliila  J'riind,  iv.  bj4;  Vidliju,  Ifi.it.  Cal.  .MS., 
V.  100;  Osio,  IJiM.  Cal.,  MS.,  4(!l-3.  Several  mention  the  absunl  .suspicion 
that  the  Kh'-  '  s  were  instigated  to  attack  P'rcmont  by  Ca.stro's  agent.s  1 
Sutter,  ]>iar,i,  ,,  also  X.  J/'lr.  Diarif,  MS.,  4y-.")0,  notes  NeaTs  arrival  from 
the  north  on  May  '2">tii,  and  (iillespie's  on  May  :K)tIi.  ('apt.  I'lieips,  For'  m  f( 
Alt,  'JS.")-G,  succeeds  in  I'oudcn.sing  many  errors  into  a  small  sj)ace.  See  also 
Mdllhuiisci;  'faijihmh,  "JSS-!);   l-'ri'jiut.  '"'«/(/■(«•,//(',  (iS-9. 


'2<i 


OrERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AND  GILLESPIE. 


difficulty  of  crossing  the  mountains  into  Oregon  on 
account  of  the  snow.  The  captain  had  nearly  deter- 
mined— so  he  said — to  change  his  route  before  ho 
heard  of  Gillespie's  approach ;  and  he  still  announced, 
late  in  May,  h's  intention  to  return  homeward  by  a 
southern  route.*^  I  shall  have  more  to  say  on  certain 
phases  of  this  topic  in  another  chapter. 


A  letter  from  Buchanan  to  Larkin  dated  October 
17,  1845,  has  already  been  quoted  in  this  history,  be- 
ing a  most  important  document,  never  before  made 
public.*^  It  contained  a  clear  statement  of  the  policy 
of  the  United  States  respecting  California;  appointed 
Larkin  a  confidential  agent  of  the  government  to  aid 
in  carrying  out  that  policy;  and  contained  also  the 
following  passage:  "Lieutenant  Archibald  H.  Gilles- 
pie of  the  marine  corps  will  immediately  proceed  to 
Monterey,  and  will  probably  reach  you  before  this  de- 
spatch, lie  is  a  gentleman  in  whom  the  president 
reposes  entire  confidence.  He  has  seen  these  instruc- 
tions, and  will  cooperate  as  a  confidential  agent  with 
you  in  carrying  them  into  execution."  Gillespie  left 
Washington  early  in  November  1845.     He  carried 

"  May  24tli,  F.  to  Benton.  '  I  have  but  a  faint  hope  that  this  note  will 
reach  you  before  I  do. .  .1  shall  now  proceed  directly  homewards  by  the  Col- 
orado.' Nilfs'  Ue<j.,  Ixxi.  191.  In  his  letter  of  July 'i.5th,  he  says:  'Snow  was 
falling  steadily  and  heavily  in  the  mountains,  which  entirely  surrounded  and 
dominated  the  elevated  valley  region  into  which  wo  had  penetrated.  In  the 
east  and  north  and  west,  barriers  absolutely  impassable  barred  our  road;  we 
had  no  pi-ovisiouM;  our  aniniuls  were  already  feeble,  and  while  any  other  way 
was  open,  I  could  not  bring  myself  to  attempt  such  a  doubtful  enterprise  as  a 
passage  of  these  unknown  mountains  in  the  dead  of  winter.  Every  day  the 
snow  was  falling;  and  in  tJie  face  of  the  depressing  influence  exercised  on  the 
people  by  the  loss  of  our  men,  and  the  inijiromising  appearance  of  things,  I 
judged  it  inexpedient  to  pursue  our  journey  farther  in  this  direction,  and  de- 
termined to  retrace  my  steps  and  carry  out  tiie  \iews  of  the  govt  by  reaching; 
the  frontier  on  the  line  of  the  Colorado  River.'  /(/.,  Ixxi.  lUl.  Lark'n  wrote 
on  Juno  1st,  '  Friiniont  now  starts  for  the  States.'  LurkI ii'/i  Ojf'.  Corresp.,  MS., 
ii.  50.  May  24th,  Gillespie  wrote:  'There  was  too  much  snow  upon  the 
mountains  to  cross.  Ho  now  goes  home  from  here.'  Id.,  Dot:,  MS.,  iv.  134. 
In  his  testimony  of  1848  FriJmont  say.s  that  'his  progress  farther  north  waa 
then  baned  by  hostile  Indians  and  impassable  snowy  mountains,  and  ho  was 
meditating  some  change  in  his  route  when  Gillespie  came,  etc.  IWun -t's 
f'al.  Claiiiifi,  1'2.  It  was  the  idea  of  Carson  and  others  of  the  men  that  it  was 
Gillespie's  despatches  which  prompted  the  return. 

*^  JJiic/iaimii's  Instrttc,  MS.     Sec  long  quotiition  in  chap.  xxv.  of  vol.   v. 


C 


GILLESPIE'S  MISSION. 


3gon  on 
y^  deter- 
tfore  lie 
louncetl, 
rd  by  a 
certain 


October 
ory,  be- 
•e  made 
e  policy 
►pointed 
t  to  aid 
dso  the 
.  Gilles- 
ceed  to 
this  de- 
resident 
instruo- 
nt  with 
pie  left 
carried 


note  will 
)y  the  Col- 
Snow  was 
mdcd  and 
In  the 
road;  we 
other  way 
prise  as  a 
y  day  the 
led  on  the 
things,  I 
and  de- 
reaching 
n  v.ioto 
«p.,MS., 
upon  the 
iv.  134. 
lorth  was 
I  ho  was 
V('7?i(  '.i'a 
at  h  was 

vol.    V. 


■a, 


with  luni  a  duplicate  copy  of  the  document  just  cited, 
which  he  destroyed  on  the  way,  after  having  committed 
its  contents  to  memory,  in  fear  that  it  might  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  Mexicans.''^  He  carried  also  letters 
of  introduction  from  Buchanan  to  Larkin  and  to  Fre- 
mont;'''' and  a  packet  containing  private  correspond- 
ence from  Senator  Thomas  H.  Benton  addressed  to 
Fremont,  his  son-in-law.'^*  The  exact  purport  of  Ben- 
ton's letters  has  never  been  made  public;  whether,  as 
supplemented  by  Gillespie's  oral  communications,  they 
went  further  in  their  political  significance  than  the  of- 
ficial written  instructions,  is  a  question  thsit  has  always 
been  wrapped  in  mystery,  and  one  that  may  be  more 
'itelligibly  and  profitably  considered  a  little  later, 
V    en  I  come  to  narrate  Fremont's  subsequent  acts. 

orillespie  went  under  his  true  name,  but  in  the  as- 
hamed character  of  an  invalid  merchant  travelling  for 
his  health.  He  was  delayed  for  a  time  at  the  city  of 
Mexico  in  consetpience  of  the  Paredes  revolution ;  but 
tinallv  reached  Mazatlan  and  sailed  on  tlie  U.  S.  man- 
of-war  Cyane,  Mervine  commander,  via  Honolulu  for 
AFonterey,  where  he  arrived  April  17th,  a  month  later 
than  he  had  anticipated  at  his  departure  from  the 
States,  Entering  at  once  into  communication  with 
Larkin,  lie  remained  at  Monterey  two  days,  as  did  the 
Cyane  also  to  take  back  the  consul's  despatches.^'^ 

^-Gillosi)'.  V  (esT'inoiiy  of  184iS,  in  Fremonl'n  (Jul.  Clainw,  30.  He  states: 
'Karly  in  >■  v.  !H4;>,  I  received  orders  from  the  president  and  secretary  of 
thf  navy,  Mv  I'ri!.  loft,  to  proceed  to  Cal.  by  way  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  tho 
shoitcst  ro'.-tc  tii;unt;li  Mexico  to  Mazatlan,  with  instructions  to  watch  over 
the  ii;tt'  'sr  f  i'p  V.  S.  in  Cal.,  and  to  counteract  the  influence  of  any  foreign 
or  Euri,;iiuh  ,.,;  '-uts  wiio  might  l>e  in  that  country  with  objects  prejudicial  to 
the  U.  S.  ■  Gil'  ?pie'»  \»  ritten  iiistructions,  if  they  were  put  in  writing,  are 
not  extant,  buii. "  ■  jUiSC  they  were  substantially  the  same  as  those  to  Lar- 
kin. 

*''Nov.  1,  1845.  '  I  faiko  pleasure  in  introducing  to  you  tho  bearer  hereof, 
Mr  Archibald  H.  Gillespie,  us  a  gentleman  of  respectability  and  woi'th.  Ho 
is  about  t^  visit  the  north-west  coast  of  America  on  business,  and  should  ho 
stop  on  his  way  at  Monterej%  allow  mo  to  bespeak  for  him  your  kind  atten- 
tion. You  will  find  him  to  bo  in  every  respect  worthy  of  your  regard.  Yours 
very  respectfully,  James  Buchanan.  To  Thomas  0.  Larkin,  Esq.'  Original 
in  Larkin'n  Doc,  MS.,  iii.  3()2.  This  letter  in  not  mentionicl  in  Gillespie's 
testimi   V.     That  addressed  to  Fr(!niont  was  doubtless  of  the  same  purport. 

^'  (  -r  "pie's  testimony;  also  Fremont's  deposition  in  Fn'moiil')!  Val.  (Unimi, 
1-2. 

-'^Ai.w!    7  1\,  (i.  on  board  the  C//a(i<' to  L.     'Confidential.     Enclosed  I  send 


28 


OPERATIONS  OF  FREMONT  AN!  CILLESPIE. 


Gillespiu's  true  character  as  an  officer — if  not  as  a 
confidential  agent,  or  'spy'  as  the  Mexicans  would 
somewhat  plausibly  have  termed  him — was  suspected 
from  the  first  by  the  Californians;  but  he  was  not  hin- 
dered from  starting"  on  the  19th  for  Yerba  Buena  on 
his  way  to  find  Frt^mont,  after  having  been  entertained 
at  a  grand  ball  given  by  Ex-governor  Alvarado,  or  at 
least  at  his  house.  It  is  stated,  however,  that  the 
lieutenant  had  to  depart  secretly  in  the  night  while 
the  ball  was  in  progress,  so  great  was  the  suspicion 
of  the  authorities,  strengthened  as  some  say  by  a 
warning  which  David  Spence  had  received  from  Maza- 
tlan.'^  He  left  Sa  -^"^vcisco  April  25th  in  a  boat 
furnished  by  Leidesvi  "^o  whom  he  seems  to  have 

announced  the  certaint)  t  war  with  Mexico,  repre- 
senting that  to  be  the  nature  of  his  message  to  Fre- 
mont/* 


1        w 


you  a  letter  of  introduction,  wliieh  I  doubt  not  you  will  understand,  and  as  I 
have  an  important  despatch  for  you,  as  also  otlier  sealed  packages,  I  will  be 
obliged  by  your  coming  on  board  as  early  as  possible.'  Ltirkin's  Doc,  MS., 
iv.  91.  April  17th,  L.  to  Mervine,  reciuesting  him  to  remain  until  the  19tli 
for  despatches.  Same  date,  Mervine  consents.  Id.,  iv.  J)2;  /(/. ,  Of.  Corre.-<j>., 
MS.,  i.  1)2. 

"^  April  lOth,  Capt.  Mervine  and  his  officers  cannot  attend  the  dance.  Lar- 
kill \'  J)oc. ,  MS. ,  iv.  94.  Same  date,  Larkin  to  Leidesdorff,  introducing  Gillesi)ie 
as  a  frieiul  in  ill  health,  who  '  wialies  to  travel  tln-ough  your  part  of  the  coun- 
try to  enjoy  tlie  climate,'  etc.  'I  believe  he  lias  some  personal  ac(iuaiutance 
with  Capt.  Fremont,  and  may  wish  to  see  him  if  the  trouble  and  expense  is 
not  too  much.'  Furnish  all  needed  aid,  etc.  /(/.,  Off.  ('onri<p.,  MS.,  i.  93. 
June  1st,  L.  writes  toaec.  state,  'Mr  (i.  was  at  once  known  here  as  an  officer, 
or  fully  supposed  to  be  so,  and  could  not  pass  for  a  merchant. .  .  In  fact,  so  long 
as  it  is  not  correctly  known,  I  prefer  that  he  should  be  supposed  to  be  « liat 
he  actually  is.'  /(/.,  ii.  ,">0,  50. 

Vallejo,  /list.  Cal.,  MS.,  v.  100-9,  says  that  Speuco  received  by  the  Cj/ane 
a  box  of  <iuinine,  which  under  a  false  bottom  contained  a  letter  of  warning 
against  (Jillespie.  The  same  letter  or  one  of  similar  purport  was  addressed  to 
\'.i  other  men  in  the  north.  Castro  tried  to  make  him  drunk  at  tlie  ball,  but  lie 
kept  his  head,  and  left  al>out  midnight  witli  horses  and  guides  furnished  by  Lar- 
kin. Vallejo  was  in  Monterey  at  the  time,  and  was  not  in  favor  of  allowing 
(iillespie  to  depart;  liut  no  jiroofs  could  be  Ijroiiglit  against  him.  Alvarado, 
J  list.  CnL,  M.S.,  v.  17--8,  tells  a  similar  story,  but  says  Spence  ilid  not  re- 
veal his  secret,  except  perhaps  that  his  wife,  an  old  llanie  of  tlie  general,  may 
have  dropped  a  hint  to  liini.  .Vlvarado  says  that  ( iillespie  pretended  to  speak 
Spanish  very  badly,  tliough  able  to  speak  it  llucntly.  See  also  Onl,  Ociirreiicki", 
MS.,  140-1;'  y'ocn'v,  I'lripinw,  MS.,  40-8. 

^*  April  l!,")th,  Leidesdorff  t;)  Larkin.  (iillespie  to  start  in  a  few  hours, 
'(tlorious  news  for  Fremont !  I  think  I  see  liini  smile.  By  your  letters  it 
api)ears  that  this  ne\Vs  was  not  j,'enerally  known;  however,  they  must  have 
some  news  here,  as  the  sub-prefect  is  busily  desi)atching  couriers,'  etc.  Lar- 
kin'sDoc,  M.S.,  iv.  104.    On  April'JiW,  Larkin  sent  tJillespie  a  letter  on  arrival 


lot  as  a 
s  would 
ispected 
not  hin- 
uena  on 
ertained 
lo,  or  at 
hat  the 
it  while 
uspicion 
ly  by  a 
n  Maza- 
i  a  boat 
to  have 
0,  repre- 
I  to  Fre- 


lid,  and  as  I 
js,  I  will  be 
Doc,  MS., 
til  the  19tli 
^ff.  Correxp., 

lance.  Lar- 

ugdillespie 

if  the  coun- 

L'(|uaintance 

expeuae  ia 

MS.,  i.  m. 

Is  an  otticer, 

|act,  HO  long 

So  bo  what 

tiie  Ci/ane 
of  wcrning 
Idresseil  to 
l)all,  but  he 
lied  by  Lar- 
If  allowing 
1  Alvarado, 
lid  not  re- 
lieral,  iiiav 
Id  to  siieak 
htrreiieias, 

few  hours, 
letters  it 
liiust  have 
letc.  Lar- 
Ion  arrival 


SUTTEir.s  W.MiNIXO. 


20 


Arriving  at  Xow  Helvetia  on  the  28th,  the  confi- 
dential ag'ent  hurried  on  up  the  valley,  overtook  Fre- 
mont, antl  returned  with  him,  as  I  have  already  related, 
at  the  end  of  May.  Before  I  proceed  with  the  i"ecord 
of  the  two  officers'  subsequent  operations  in  .Fune, 
there  are  other  important  matters  to  be  disposed  of. 
I  may  note  here,  however,  that  Sutter  Warned  Castro 
that,  despite  Gillespie's  pretence  of  being  an  invalid 
with  j)rivate  letters  for  Fremont,  he  was  really,  as 
Sutter  suspected,  an  officer  of  the  U.  S.  army  and  the 
bearer  of  important  despatches — indeed,  he  had  ad- 
mitted himself  to  be  an  officer,  though  claiming  to  be 
on  the  retired  list/'^ 

of  the  Portsmouth,  etc.  It  was  not  received  until  G.  had  returned  from  the 
north.  Laucci/aVruiw,  41.  April  30th,  Thomas  Cole  gets  §140  from  Laikin 
for  carrying  the  said  lett  n*.    Moiiterr;/,  ('oiixn/att'  Arch.,  MS.,  ii.  14. 

"May  SIst,  Sutter  to  Castro.  Original  in  ('axtro,  JJor.,  MS.,  ii.  41,  98.  Of 
course  it  was  Sutter's  duiy  as  a  Mexican  otticial  to  give  this  warning;  but  the 
act  does  not  exactly  accord  with  some  of  the  captain's  later  pretensions  of 
favor  to  the  U.  S.  On  Gillespie's  mission — including  his  supposed  secret 
in> tractions,  to  be  noticed  later — see  also /V(«fo/i/','<  ('«/.  Claimx,  /Report,  817 
(.'JOth  cong.  1st  .sess.,  H.  Iteport);  I'ookr'di  Coiiqiitxt,  203-.");  Sirfixci/'xCal.,  MS., 
4">-6;  Jmj'aMcx.  War,  li>0-4;  GliCiion\i  Hint.  Valh.  Church,  n.  159-00;  Clark's 
Speech  on  Cat.  Claims;  U.  S.  ilort  Doc,  30tli  conj;.  1st  sess.,  H.  Kept.  Court 
of  Claims,  no.  229,  vol.  iv.;  Price,  in  Cal.  Ass.  Pioneers,  AS7J,  p.  18-19;  TiU- 
hill's  Hist.  Cal.,  166-8;  Dunbar's  Ji'omance,  31-2. 


CHAPTER  II. 

POLITICAL    AXD    MILITARY. 

jAXrARY-JUNK,    184<5. 

A  Fruitless  CoNTROVEiiSY — Alvarado  as  (."onciressman— CastaSares  and 

TeLLEZ — COVARRUBIAS     AS     PiCO's    AOEST — MfSSION    OF    CaSTILLERO — 

Affairs  i\  Mexico — IxiEsTitA's  Expedition — Tellez  and  Morales — 
Ca.mbuston  and  Castro — Valle  and  Treasury  Troubles — Assembly 
— GuERRA  Sent  to  Monterey — Return  of  J.  A.  Carrillo — Pico  as 
Constitutional  Goveunoi; — Military  Junta  at  Monterey — Adhe- 
sion TO  President  Paredes — Measures  for  Defence — Pico's  Protests 
— Vallfjo's  Posn.  )n— GiKRRA  Sent  to  Anoeles— Consejo  General 
DE  Pueblos  Unidos  at  Santa  Barbara— Castro's  Protests — Martial 
Law — The  Assembly  Deposes  Castro — Pico  and  his  Army  March 
North  ao  vinst  Castuo  -Warlike  Preparations  for  Defence  ok 
Angeles — Cooperation  of  Foreigners — Bandini  and  Castro  — 
Affairs  in  the  North. 


The  topics  that  make  up  the  political  annals  of  1846 
are  bound  together  b;^  two  ])arallel  or  intertwined 
threads.  One  is  the  fear  of  foreign  invasion;  the 
other,  with  the  disentanglement  of  which  I  have 
chiefly  to  do  in  this  chapter,  is  the  controversy  be- 
tween Castro  and  Pico;  between  the  military  and 
civil  authorities;  between  the  north  and  south;  be- 
tween oomandante  general  with  custom-house  and 
treasury,  at  Monterey,  and  governor  with  the  assem- 
bly, at  Los  Angeles.  The  quarrel  was  continuous,  un- 
dignified, and  fruitless.  All  admitted  the  deplorable 
condition  of  California,  and  attributed  it  largely  to 
internal  dissensions,  as  well  as  to  Mexican  neglect. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  nothing  that  was  being  done  or 
left  undone,  had  upon  the  future  of  the  country  any 

(30) 


PICO  AND  CASTRO. 


31 


paSares  and 
Iastillero — 
1  Morales — 
} — Assembly 
.LO — Pico  as 
;rey— Adiik- 
o's  Protests 
;,TO  General 
s— Martial 
RMY  March 
Defence  ok 
Castro — 


of  1846 

jrtwined 

[on ;    the 

I   have 

[ersy  be- 

|ary  and 

ith;  be- 

ise   and 

assoni- 

lous,  un- 

morable 

[gely  to 

neglect. 

lone  or 

try  any 


other  cftcct  than  the  indirect  one  of  so  disgusting  a 
part  of  the  people  that  they  were  ready  to  welcome 
any  change.  Yet  each  faction  pretended  to  believe 
that  with  the  cooperation — that  is,  the  entire  sub- 
mission— of  the  other  faction,  the  country  might  be 
saved.  Pio  Pico  had  little  doubt  that  from  the  patri- 
otic wisdom  of  himself  and  the  southern  assemblymen, 
the  true  representatives  of  the  popular  will,  a  plan 
n)io-ht  be  evolved  for  salvation — would  General  Castro 
but  recognize  that  wisdom,  let  the  revenues  alone, 
keep  the  Indians  in  check,  and  use  his  military  force 
exclusively  to  carry  out  measures  dictated  by  the  po- 
litical authorities.  Job6  Castro,  on  the  other  hand, 
maintained  that  the  protection  of  the  country  was 
purely  a  military  duty,  since  the  chief  danger  was 
that  of  invasion,  and  that  until  the  danger  should  be 
past,  it  behooved  the  governor  and  the  assembly  not 
to  interfere  with  the  general's  prerogatives,  but  hum- 
bly to  furnish  such  aid  as  might  be  asked  for.  Each 
entertained,  personally,  feelings  of  jealousy,  distrust, 
and  hostility  toward  the  other;  and  each  exaggerated 
the  other's  hostility.  Each  thought  at  times  of  using 
force  to  overthrow  the  other,  doubting  not  the  other 
was  devoting  his  constant  energies  to  similar  ends. 
Each  appealed  sometimes  to  the  other  to  forget  past 
dissensions  for  the  country's  sake;  mutual  friends  in- 
terfered more  or  less  injudiciously'  and  unsuccessfully  ; 
and  the  foolish  quarrel  dragged  its  slow  length  along. 
I  have  to  note  the  controversy  in  some  of  its  petty 
phases  and  results;  but  I  have  no  historic  lens  s© 
powerful,  no  balance  so  nicelj'  adjusted,  as  to  assign 
to  either  side  a  preponderencc  of  blame. 

Alvarado,  diputado-elect  to  congress  for  184G-7, 
did  not  go  to  IMexico  to  take  his  seat,  because  there 
were  no  funds  for  his  expenses,  much  as  Pico  desired 
his  absence.  Alvarado  no  Ioniser  had  charije  of  the 
custom-house,  but  he  was  regarded  by  the  abajenos 
as  being  at   the  bottom  of  all  Castro's  political  in- 


82 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


triguos.^  Though  Don  Juan  Bautista  dkl  no  go  to 
Mexico,  Cahiornia  was  still  represented  there  by  the 
brothers  Castanares;'^  and  two  other  coniisionados 
were  sent  early  this  year.  The  first  was  the  gover- 
nor's secretary,  Jose  Maria  Covarrubias,  who  was  de- 
spatched by  Pico,  and  sailed  from  San  Pedro  Febru- 
ary 14th  on  the  Juanita.  His  mission,  fulfilled  in 
Mexico  in  April,  was  the  old  one  of  explaining  Cali- 
fornia's peril  and  absolute  lack  of  resources,  and  of 
suggesting  methods  of  relief.  Whether  an  attempt 
was  made  to  strike  a  blow  at  Castro  is  not  known,  as 
Covarrubias'  instructions  are  not  extant.  Some  of  his 
special  suggestions,  such  as  the  acquisition  of  Sutter's 
Fort  and  of  Stephen  Smith's  lands  at  Bodega,  and  the 
appointment  of  a  diplomatic  agent  at  the  Hawaiian 
Islands,  were  deferred  for  additional  investigation;  but 
Pico  was  assured  that  the  government  hail  already 
taken  steps  to  secure  the  safety  of  the  department, 
counting  on  the  patriotic  zeal  of  all  Californians  to 
aid   in   the   good    cause.^     The   second   was    Andres 

*Feb.  18,  184(),  Pico  to  Alvarado,  urging  liim  to  start  soon  for  Mexico. 
Jhj>l.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vi.  71.  ^larch  1st,  A.  to  1*.  Is  rcaily  to  start  as  soon 
as  means  shall  be  supplied.  Needs  §4,000  at  least.  His  iicaltli  is  not  good. 
Thinks  this  may  be  the  last  service  he  can  render  Cal.  /'/.,  vii.  117.  Astriinge 
I'omniuniciJtion  from  A.  appears  in  /(/.,  viii.  06-7,  in  which  he  announces  his 
return  from  Mexico  after  performing  his  duties  as  deputy,  and  asks  payment 
of  his  expenses! 

-  Tliey  took  part  in  the  junta  of  Jan.  .'{d,  voting  for  a  president  ad.  int. 
Mexico,  Mem.  h'tlaciotus,  1847,  p.  8(»-8;  liustdnwiilc,  Nuero  liernnl  D'lnz,  i. 
100.  Aug.  8th,  Col.  Tellez  wrote  to  Castro:  'Unfortunately  tlierc  are  among 
us  some  selfish  people,  who,  being  unworthy  of  the  trust  reposed  in  tliem, 
only  seek  their  own  atlvantage;  for  example,  the  Messrs  Castiiiiares,  repre- 
sentatives of  the  Californias.  The.se  two  personages  have  only  endeavored  to 
t^-aw  private  advantages  from  the  commission  intrusted  to  them;  and  jier- 
haps  they  would  have  already  gone  to  that  tlepartment  to  collect  the  fruits 
of  their  pertidious  machinations,  if  I  who  know  them  and  feel  mi  interest  in 
that  country  had  not  prevented  them  as  mucii  ay  possible,  as  I  shall  continue 
tc  do;  and  I  assure  yon  that  if  the  revolution  in  which  1  iind  myself  plungeil 
triumphs,  the  Californians  can  trust  they  will  not  have  the  sorrow  again  to 
see  on  their  siiores  tiiose  wicked  men,  or  any  others  that  may  resemble  them.' 
('.  '5.  G'lvt  Dec,  ;Ust  cong.  Istsess.,  H.  l']x.  no.  70,  p.  4.'i,  and  so  in  Col. 
Tellez  ('alifornia  had  another  representative  and  jtrotector!  April  3d,  Ma- 
nuel Castaiiares  to  \'allejo.  Has  done  his  best  to  make  congress  understivnd 
California's  needs  and  risks.    Vallcjo,  Doc,  .MS.,  xi.  201. 

'Feb.  18th,  Marcii  'id,  Pico  announces  Covarrubias'  departure.  Cnxtro, 
Dor.,  MS.,  ii.  'I'l;  ;>/(•(  )v(,  i>0('.,  MS.,  1,").  Sailing  recorded  in  L'(i«ry','iCr«/.'*c, 
'A~i.  Pico,  Hht.  Cal.,  MS.,  l.T),  tells  us  that  through  C.  lie  urged  tlie  govt 
to  accept  his  resignation.    April  '23d,  min.  of  rel.  to  j'ico,  in  reply  to  the  com- 


AITKALS  TO  MEXICO. 


33 


no  go  to 
•e  by  the 
lisioiuidos 

10  gover- 
()  was  (lo- 
re Febru- 
Lilfillocl  ill 
ling  Cali- 
fs, and  of 

11  attempt 
^nown,  as 
;^ine  of  his 
f  Suttor's 
a,  and  the 
Hawaiian 
ation;  but 
,d  already 
partnient, 
brnians  to 
s    Andres 


u  for  Mexico. 

start  its  soon 

is  not  gooil. 

7.  A  strange 

nnounces  his 

asks  payment 

lident  ad.  int. 
^•luil  Diaz,  i. 
;re  are  among 
Ised  in  them, 
lularcs,  repre- 
JmU'avorod  to 
lem;  anil  ]ier- 
the  fruits 
u  interest  in 
Imll  continue 
/self  plungeil 
Irow  again  to 
leinblc  them.' 
Il  80  in  Col. 
]pril  3a,  Ma- 
unders tanil 

kure.  (.'itxtro, 

Jed  the  govt 
to  tlie  com- 


Castilloro,  who  sailed  on  the  Don  Quixote  early  in 
April,  being  sent  by  Castro  with  a  warning  against 
the  Americans,  and  Hot  improbably  with  comi)laints 
against  Pico,  in  consequence  of  Fremont's  operations 
in  March.  Nothing  ai)pears  respecting  the  reception 
and  labors  of  Don  Andres  in  Mexico.* 

Tlie  result  of  all  appeals  to  Mexico  in  184()  was  that 
the  national  government  sent  back  a  brief  series  of 
warnings,  of  exhortations,  of  'ample  facidtios'  to 
defend  the  country,  and  even  of  promises  to  render 
material  aid — which,  as  in  the  past,  never  came."  As 
to  the  Iniostra  expedition,  the  exact  date  when  its 
failure  became  a  certainty  does  not  clearly  appear. 
The  sclieme  seems  to  have  been  partially  revived,  even 
after  tlie  confiscation  of  the  stores  and  men  j)rovided 
at  Acapulco  by  Alvarez,  the  revolutionist;  but  Inies- 
tra  died  early  in  the  spring.  In  February  or  March 
a  force  was  sent  to  Mazatlan  f(^r  California,  apparently 
under  the  conmiand  of  Colonel  Tellez;  but  this  leader 
chose  to  engage  in  a  revolution,  and  did  not  proceed 
beyond  Sinaloa.  In  August  an  expedition  under 
General  Morales  is  mentioned  as  about  to  start.  Tlie 
record  of  all  these  projects  is,  however,  exceedingly 
vague  and  unsatisfactory." 

mission.  Dept.  SI.  Pap.,  Amj.,  MS,,  viii.  7--5;  St.  Pap.,  Miss,  and  Colon., 
MS.,  ii.  411-14. 

*Doc.  JIM.  C(iL,  MS.,  iii.  157;  Larlin's  Of.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  91;  Ni/^s' 
Beg.,  Ixxi.  1S8,  190;  Dans'  (,7i;H/wM,  MS.,  2-_'3,  330. 

^Jan.  14th,  American  faniilies  on  tlio  frontier  must  not  remain  in  tlie 
repub.  while  peaceful  relations  ai-e  interrupted.  Sup.  (lovt  St.  Pnp.,  MS., 
xviii.  25.  March  lOth,  war  certain  to  breakout.  The  pres.  orders  a  vigdrous 
defence.  Aid  will  be  sent,  and  much  confidence  is  felt  in  (,'al.  patriotism. 
The  gov.  and  com.  gen.  are  given  amide  powers.  I^ico,  Do<:.,  MS.,  ii.  171-2 
(original);  Hai/is'  Miaaioii  Book,  i.  .'i()4,  etc.  It  is  \nider  this  order  that 
I'ico's  sale  of  certain  missions  was  supported  in  later  liti<,'ation;  but  the  pica 
was  not  sustained  by  the  U.  S.  courts.  Ilofiimn's  Ojiiiiioiis,  12-13,  etc. 
April  4th,  decree  of  pros,  that  four  armed  schooners  be  stationed  or.  Ilio 
coast,  one  of  them  at  8.  Diego.  Piiuirt,  Dor.  U'.xt.  Mc.v.,  no.  788.  A]inl 
7th,  acknowledgment  of  receipt  of  des|iiitch  of  Feb.  19th,  announcing  the 
irruption  of  immigrants.  April  23d,  jjrcparations  nunle  foi-  occuiiation  of 
Cal.  WiliPi/,  in  Sla  Cruz  Santimf,  Jiuie  3,  187(j.  Julv  4tli,  gov.  of  Cul. 
authorized  to  raise  resources  for  defence.  J/cvico,  .Mem.  Rildciuii's,  1847.9. 
Aug.  ()th,  election  tlecree.  The  two  (.'alifornias  to  form  one  department  and 
have  one  diputado.   i'imirt,  /he.  Ilht.  Mix.,  wo.  810. 

"May  llth,  Mott  and  Talbot  of  Maaitlan  to  Larkin.  '  You  need  not  fiar 
any  expedition  from  this  coast  to  your  «piurter.  Iniestra  is  deud,  and  the 
UisT.  C.vL.,  Vol.  V.    3 


34 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


About  the  mitldlo  of  January  Henri  Cambuston, 
a  Frencli  teacher  at  Monterey,  on  the  occasion  of  a 
ball  at  the  house  of  Dr  Stokes,  became  involved  in 
a  personal  quarrel  with  Prefect  Castro,  and  came  to 
l)lovvs  with  Captain  Narvaez,  a  friend  of  Don  Manuel. 
The  Frenchman,  on  being  ordered  under  arrest,  refusetl 
to  recognize  Castro's  authority,  on  the  ground  that 
he  was  not  old  enough  to  be  prefect  legally;  but  he 
was  put  in  prison,  and  a  successor  was  appointed  to 
take  charge  of  his  school.  The  matter  was  investi- 
gated before  the  alcalde,  and  submitted  to  the  gover- 
nor, who  decided  that  both  parties  merited  a  repri- 
mand. Meanwhile  the  French  consul,  Gasquet,  had 
interfered,  and  had  demanded  from  General  Castro 
the  prisoner's  release,  with  heavy  damages  for  his  ar- 
rest. The  general  declined  to  interfere  with  the  pre- 
rogatives of  the  political  authorities;  but  he  seems  to 
have  disapproved  Don  Manuel's  conduct,  much  to  the 
hitter's  displeasure.  The  prefect  was  also  displeased 
at  Pico's  attitude  in  the  matter.  The  quarrel  had  no 
other  political  significance,  so  far  as  can  be  known; 
neither  is  its  result  definitely  recorded ;  but  I  have 
introduced  the  affair  here  because  of  the  high  position 
of  the  parties  involved,  the  interference  of  a  foreign 
consul,  the  local  excitement  caused  by  the  quarrel, 
and  the  bulky  correspondence  to  which  it  gave  rise,  as 
shown  by  the  archives.^ 

There  is  but  little  in  the  records  of  January  and 

ships  engaged  to  take  the  troops  have  been  paid  the  false  freight  and  dis- 
charged.' Larkin's  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  115.  See  also  El  Tiempo,  Jan.  26,  May  7, 
1840.  Feb.  9th,  the  expedition  about  to  start,  but  delayed  by  Iniestra's 
illness.  Btistama»te,  Mem.  Hint.  Mex.,  MS.,  iv.  54.  March  5ih,  the  expcd. 
has  started  for  Mazatlan ;  but  it  is  not  believed  it  will  reach  its  destination. 
/(/.,  iv.  8.3.  Exped.  under  Morales.  Jd.,  v.  82.  Guerra,  Apunles,  371,  says 
tliat  Tellez  reached  Tdazatlan  in  April  with  a  force,  but  revolted  against 
I'aiedes.  We  have  seen  that  Tellez  wrote  from  Mazatlan  in  Aug.,  while 
eng.tged  in  a  revolt. 

'The  quarrel  occurred  on  Jan.  18th.  Investigation  in  the  alcalde's  court 
Jan.  21st,  etc.;  resulting  corresp.  between  the  Castros,  Cambuston,  Gasquet, 
Pico,  and  others,  extending  to  March,  iwCoKtro,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  29.3-.303;  Dcpt. 
St.  Pap.,  Ben.  Pref.  y  Jtizg.,  MS.,  ii.  4-8;  Doc.  Hist.  C«/.,  MS.,  iii.  57,  04,  CO, 
!H;  i.  497.  March  9th,  lOtli,  Pico  to  prefect  and  to  Gasquet,  trying  to  hush 
up  the  matter,  which  he  fears  may  lead  to  serious  complications.  Fernandez, 
Doc,  MS.,  61-3;  Dept.  .St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  109,  111. 


ita 


REVENUE  PISl'UTES. 


35 


mbuston, 
aioii  of  a 
solved  in 
came  to 
Manuel. 
t,  refused 
und  that 
'\  but  ho 
ointed  to 
3  investi- 
lie  ffover- 
.  a  repri- 
quet,  had 
al  Castro 
■or  his  ar- 
1  the  pre- 
I  seems  to 
Lch  to  the 
displeased 
•el  had  no 
e  known; 
t  I  have 
1  position 
a  foreign 
quarrel, 
jQ  rise,  as 


I 


luary  ant 


and  dis- 
i"  26,  May  7, 
by  Inicstra's 

,  the  expcd. 

destination. 
\e8,  371,  says 
jlted  against 
[Aug.,  while 

Icaldc'a  court 
Ion,  Gasquet, 
13-303;  Dept. 
li.  57, 


,  C4,  60, 
jTiug  to  hush 
Fernandez, 


t 
% 


February  to  throw  light  on  the  condition  of  publi*.* 
affairs  or  on  the  troubles  of  the  rival  chieftains;"  but  I 
have  to  note  another  unsuccessful  attempt  by  the  gov- 
ernor to  gain  control  of  the  revenues.  Failing  to  re- 
move the  treasury  to  Los  Angeles,  he  had  sent  Igna- 
cio  del  Valle  to  take  possession  of  the  office  at  the 
end  of  1845;  but  General  Castro  had  prevented  the 
transfer.  Early  in  February  Valle  came  again  to 
Monterey,  Pico  having  agreed  not  to  move  the  office, 
but  ileclining  to  appoint  a  northern  man  in  the  place 
of  Abrego.  Castro,  however,  still  continued  his  op- 
position, on  the  grounds  that  Pico  had  no  authority 
to  appoint  a  treasurer,  and  that  any  change  in  such 
critical  times  was  inexpedient.  Abrego  professed  to 
be  willing  to  surrender  the  office,  but  received  posi- 
tive orders  from  Castro  not  to  do  so;  and  Don  Igna- 
oio  had  to  content  himself  with  the  management  of 
that  small  portion  of  the  country's  revenues  which 
found  its  way  to  the  south."     Subsequently  Pico  re- 

*Jan.  16th,  several  Sta  Bdrbara  officers  resign  their  military  rank,  in- 
cluding Valentin  Cota,  Jose  Carrillo,  H.  Garcia,  and  JoscS  Lugo.  Dept.  St.  Fa/>. , 
Ikn.  Pref.  y  Juzg.,  MS.,  ii.  01.  Jan.  24th,  Feb.  27th,  Eafael  Sanchez  to  Pico. 
Complains  that  Mexicans  arc  insulted  constantly,  that  ofliccrs  of  tho  old  bat- 
talion are  not  receiving  tho  treatment  guaranteed  by  the  treaty  of  Cahucnga, 
while  Castro's  'auxiliary  and  permahent  drunkards'  receive  pay  while  render- 
ing no  service.  Alvarado  and  Castro  should  bo  accused  before  tho  sup.  govt. 
J)ept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  102,  108-9.  Jan.  26th,  Pablo  de  la  Guerra  to  his 
father.  The  titnc  is  passed  when  tho  laws  ruled.  Now  circumstances  are 
the  rulers,  and  it  is  necessary  to  yield  in  non-essentials.  Doc.  Hist.  Cat.,  MS., 
iv.  1108.  Jan.  29th,  Pico  to  Uaudini.  Will  close  the  port  of  Monterey  in 
case  of  expected  infractions  of  order.  Bandini,  Doc,  MS.,  65.  Feb.  15th, 
Francisco  Arce  to  Vallejo,  on  the  unfortunate  state  of  affairs.  Begs  V.  to 
come  to  the  country's  rescue  by  joining  the  party  of  Castro  against  Pico, 
whose  conduct  is  ruining  all  that  is  good.  Ho  docs  nothing  but  build  up  Los 
Angeles  and  plunder  the  missions.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  184.  Feb.  20th, 
Prefect  Castro  to  Pico.  Has  toiled  hard,  but  foes  are  in  league  against  him. 
His  resignation  not  yet  accepted.  The  country  in  a  deplorable  state,  all  on 
iiccount  of  dissensions  between  gov.  and  gen.,  of  which  foreigners  take  advan- 
tage. Thinks  Pico'."  presence  in  tho  north  very  desirable.  Doc.  Hist.  V(d. , 
MS.,  iii.  116. 

•  Jan.  1st,  1 5th,  Abrego  to  Pico,  explaining  his  difficulties.  He  is  blamed  by 
Montereyans  for  his  willingness  to  give  up  tho  office.  Advises  that  the  funds 
be  paid  directly  from  tho  custom-house  to  the  general,  and  not  to  him;  or  that 
!i  northern  man  bo  appointed  as  treasurer.  Ho  is  tired  of  being  denounced 
and  insulted  as  a  'Mexican.'  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  96-9.  Jan.  22t1,  Pico 
to  Castro,  with  Vallc's  appointment.  Valle,  Doc,  MS.,  50-1.  Jan.  24th, 
Rafael  Sanchez  and  Juan  Bandini  to  Pico,  complaining  of  scandalous  irregu- 
liiiitios  in  the  distribution  of  public  funds,  the  I'cal  govt  being  kept  in  a  state 
of  beggary.  Dept.  St.   Pap.,  MS.,  vii.   102-3.     Feb.    10th,   12th,  Castro  to 


8« 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


I  1 


i 


no  wed  the  financial  controversy  by  tryini,''  to  on  fore  • 
ii  recent  Mexican  law,  which  providod  tlwit  the  depart- 
ments should  receive  two  thirds  of  all  rovoniU's,  the; 
national  government — that  is,  the  militar}'  branch  so 
far  as  California  was  concerned — retaining  only  one 
third.  Pico  ordered  the  administrator  of  customs, 
therefore,  to  pay  over  the  two  thirds  to  the  prefect,  as 
representative  of  the  civil  authority.  General  Castro 
would  not  submit  to  any  such  reduction — from  two 
thirds  to  one  third — of  the  funds  at  his  disposal.  He 
held  that  his  orders  from  Mexico  to  defend  the  coun- 
try conferred  the  right  to  use  the  country's  revenues 
for  that  purpose;  insisted  that  the  distribution  nnist 
be  continued  on  tho  former  basis;  and  his  orders  wore 
obeyed.^" 

At  the  beginning  of  March  the  assembly  met  at 
Los  Angeles,  and  I  append  in  a  note  an  abstract  of 
legislative  proceedings  for  the  year,  though  some  of 
the  matters  treated  will  require  to  bo  noticed  mor'o 
fully  elsewhere."    The  members — all  abajenos,  though 

Vallo,  refusing  his  consent  to  tlie  cliange;  Feb.  11th,  ICtli,  Vallo  to  Abrego 
and  replies.  Vnlle,  Doc,  MS.,  rrO-lh  Dept.  St.  P„p.,  MS.,  xiii.  18-2'2,  No 
date,  Valle  to  Castro,  accusing  him  of  disturbing  the  public  jioaco  by  ignoring 
the  gov.  /(/.,  vii.  4.  March  Ist,  Castro  to  I'ico.  Tlie  change  deferred  until 
an  interview  can  be  held.  /</.,  vil.  41-l2.  March  ISth,  Viille'a  report  to  Tico 
after  his  return.  Will  hold  no  further  relations  with  general  or  treasurer. 
/(/.,  Den.,  iii.  13(5-9,  85.  See  also  mention  in  Valli',  Ln  Puamlo,  MS.,  38-9; 
liotello,  Aiink'K,  MS.,  r25-(!;  Anr,  in  VaUi'jo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  184. 

'"April  l.")tli,  Pico  to  administrator  and  to  prefect.  J>oc  Hint.  Cal.,  MS., 
iii.  lG(i;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vi.  79-80;  A/.,  lien.,  iii.  1:19.  April  IGth,  18th, 
All  direct  taxes,  etc.,  must  also  bo  paid  to  the  dept.  govt.  /•/.,  AiifielcK,  ix. 
57;  Pko,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  '2(5.  May  9th-15th,  con-esp.  Ixftween  gen.,  prefect,  and 
admin.  Unbound  Doc,  MS.,  20(5-10;  Doc  Hi'it.  t'al.,  MS.,  iii.  '224.  Juno 
1(5th,  admin,  declares  that  payment  to  the  prefect  would  bo  illegal.  Dept.  St. 
Pup.,  lien.,  MS.,  iii.  8G.  May  28th,  Gen.  Castro  orders  Receptor  Diaz  to 
pay  over  directly  to  a  military  officer  the  duties  collected  from  an  English 
ship,  (luerra.  Doc,  MS.,  v.  192.  May  11th,  Castro  authorizes  Vallejo  to 
raise  a  loan  for  defence.    Vallrjo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  '205. 

"Sessions  of  assembly  March  2  to  July  '24,  1846,  in  Le<j.  liec,  MS.,  iv. 
315-71.  English  translation  in  U.  S.  rs  Bolton,  AjypellnnV.f  Brief,  in  U.  S. 
Sup.  Court,  p.  221-53.  March  2d,  the  new  members,  Bandini  and  Argiiello, 
admitted.  Gov. 's  opening  messijgc  read,  and  committees  appointed.  (The 
message  in  full  is  found  in  Olvera,  Doc,  MS.,  13-19.)  liandini's  motion  for  a 
'conse jo  general  de  pueblos  nnidos'  referred  to  a  com.  Ayunt.  of  Angeles 
wants  funds  for  schools.  March  4tii,  Abrego  sends  excuse  of  sickness  for  liis 
absence.  (Picoto  Abrego,  in /Jcy;/.  .S/. /'«;(.,  MS.,  viii.  1'20.)  Sta B.  producers 
ask  for  exemption  from  double  taxation.     Citizens  ask  for  a  grant  of  S.  Gabriel 


THK  ASSKMBLV  IN'  SKSSIDX. 


37 


.()  ciiforc 
10  (lopart- 

'UlU'S,  till! 

liraiK'h  si» 

only  one 

customs, 

prefect,  as 

ral  Castro 

-from  two 

osal.      Mo 

the  coim- 

i  revenues 

ition  must 

rders  were 


aly  mot  at 
abstract  of 
rh  some  of 
iced  more 
,os,  though 

[iiUe  to  Abri'^o 

Hi.   18-2*2,     No 

[ice  l)y  ignoring 

tlefenetl  until 

,  report  to  Tico 

il  or  treasurer. 

(/o,  MS.,  i$8-9; 

84. 

Ust.  Cal,  MS., 
bril  IGth,  18th, 
[/.,  Aiifieten,  ix. 
|i.,  prefect,  and 
[ii.  '224.  .IiUKS 
;gal.  Dept.  St. 
teptor  Diaz  to 
U  an  English 
tcs  Vallcjo  to 

l/.VcMS..  iv. 

firief,  in  U.  S. 

ul  Arguello, 

ointed.  (The 
Is  motion  for  a 
lit.  of  Angeles 
Ickness  for  hia 
Iv  B.  producers 

;  of  S.  Gabriel 


thev  do  not  .seem  to  ha\'e  indulged  in  any  legislation 
of  a  violently  partisan  and  revengeful  nature  were 
Figueroa,   (luerra,   J^otello,   Bandini,  and    Argiiollo; 

for  a  town.  IJotcUo  granted  leave  of  absence.  Argiiello  not  present.  March 
(itli,  Angeles  wants  a  police  force  supported  by  contributions  from  men  of 
melius,  March  9tli,  (iuerra  granted  leave  of  absence  to  go  as  a  coniiui.ssioner 
to  Monterey.  Lund  grants,  March  I.Sth,  Alvarailo  desires  instructions  aa  to 
his  duties  in  congress,  but  gets  none.  American  traders  wisii  to  be  ri^lieved 
of  tlio  annual  Uw  of  ^itKK)  for  each  vessel.  Isaac  Williams  proposes  to  build  u 
fortinthccajou  if  allowed  to  introduce §2'), (XKt in  goods  freeof  duties.  March 
Kith,  land  giants.  March  ISth,  lands.  Sec.  Olvera granted  leuvcof  ab.sence. 
(Olvera  to  I'ico.  Dept.  Si.  Pap.,  MS.,  viii.  !Ki.)  March  2;}il,  S.  Gabriel  can- 
not be  granted  for  a  pueblo.  Uaniliiii's  prop,  on  sale  of  missions.  Arguello 
sec.  pro  tein.  March  3(>th,  Bantlini's  nii.ssiou  jiroj).  ado))ted.  April  8th, 
Abrego  sends  certiticatt-s  of  illness,  and  is  exempted,  a  snplente  being  sum- 
moned. April  IStli,  Pico's  appointment  as  constitutional  governor  received; 
also  the  Montesdeoca  doc.  of  Nov.  I4th  on  mission  sales;  also  other  uniuipor- 
taut  Mux.  decrees.  Castro's  report  of  March  i7th  on  the  Fremont  atTair  re- 
ceived. Baudini  denounces  the  general's  disregard  of  law.  April  18th,  special 
session.  Pico  sworn  in  as  gov.  Olvera  acting  as  snplente.  (April  17th,  assem- 
bly to  Olvera.  Summons.  JJept.  St.  Pup.,  AIS.,  viii.  121;  Olvvra,  Doc.,  MS., 
20-1.)  April  24th  (?),  no  record.  April  29th,  matter  of  the  com.  gen.  to  bo 
discussed  in  secret  session.  Figueroa's  act  to  repress  Ind.  Imstilities  passed. 
May  8tli,  more  certificates  of  illness  from  Abrego.  4,")  land  giants  submitted. 
(May  2d,  assembly  decrees  that  interrupted  ses.sions  shall  i-ontinuc"?  Dept.  St. 
Pap.,  M.S.,  viii.  127.)  May  11th,  report  of  (Juerra  on  his  mission  to  Mont, 
and  Castro's  bad  faith.  Pablo  ile  la  (iuerra  introduced  as  a  commissioner 
from  Castro.  Speech  of  Bfuulini  against  Castro.  Pico  desires  pei'inission  to 
leave  the  capital  should  ho  deem  it  necessary.  May  l,3tli,  Alex,  order  on 
missions.  Munic.  matters.  Bandini's  proposition  of  Slarch  2d  for  a  consejo 
general  passed.  (Juerra  not  allowed  leave  of  absence.  May  ISth,  Sta  B. 
taxes.  Lands.  June  .3d,  hide  regulations.  Lands.  Figueroa's  prop,  to  es- 
tal.>lish  a  fort  in  the  cajoii  against  Ind.  Warning  from  Castro  of  FrtSmont's 
hostile  intentions.  The  consejo  general  not  to  bo  held  as  ordered  on  May 
i;Jth.  The  gov.  to  take  steps  to  defend  the  country.  June  10th,  land  grants 
and  hide  regulations.  June  ITith,  munic.  ail'airs.  Figueroa  presiding.  Pico 
absent  in  tho  north.  BotcUo  present  and  acting  as  sec.  pro  tern.  July  1st, 
comrnmicationa  from  Pico  at  Sta  ]$.,  enclosing  others  from  Castro  on  startling 
events  at  Sonoma  (details  elsewhere).  Assembly  declines  to  go  to  Sta  B. ,  as 
Pico  desires;  and  refuses  to  bear  any  responsibility  for  consecjuences.  (Illness 
of  members  alleged  by  Botello  as  a  reason  for  not  going  to  Sta  B.  Mortiio,  Doc. , 
MS.,  27-8.)  July  2d,  unimportant  reference  to  business  of  the  last  session. 
A  weekly  courier  to  be  establislicd.  July  ,'M,  vague  reference  to  business  of 
last  sessions.  July  (!th,  communication  iVom  Pico  on  the  .McNamai'a  coloni- 
/atiin  scheme.  July  7tli,  com.  report  on  .McXaniara  grant  approved.  July 
Sth,  land  grants,  liandini  says  he  must  go  home  on  account  of  illness.  Ar- 
giiello is  going  homo  because  Bandini's  dc[)art"Hre  will  leave  noipiorum.  Pico 
presiding.  (July  Sth,  Botello  to  Moreno.  Assembly  dissolves,  owing  to 
Bandini's  illness.  This  is  tho  la.st  session.  Moreno,  Doc.,  MS.,  18.)  July 
24tli,  extra  session.  Pico  submits  Sloat's  proclamation,  etc.  Members  express 
'patriotic  fervor. '  The  people  to  be  called  upon  for  services.  An  auxiliary 
military  force  to  be  organized.  (Nothing  more  in  the  J^ciiinln/.ivc.  liccords.) 
Aug.  10th,  session  presitled  by  Pico.  Olvera,  sec.  Castro  writes  that  he  can- 
not defend  the  country,  and  is  going  to  Mexico.  Pico  sees  no  better  way  than 
to  go  with  Castro.  The  assembly  to  be  dissolved,  so  that  the  invaders  may 
lind  no  legal  authorities.  Blotter  record  in  Olvim,  Doc,  MS.,  ,32-0.  Oct. 
2Gtli,  27th,  30tli,  Dec.  5th,  sessions  under  the  administration  of  Gov.  Flores. 


38 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


Pico  presiding  and  Olvera  acting  as  secretary.  Abre- 
go,  the  only  northern  laember  elect,  was  absent  on 
account  of  illness  and  perhaps  his  duties  as  treasurer. 
Pico  in  his  opening  message  indicated  the  question  of 
foreign  relations — including  that  of  immigration  and 
the  reported  approach  of  10,000  Mormons — as  a  most 
urgent  one,  that  should  receive  exclusive  attention 
until  fully  disposed  of  The  department  was  repre- 
sented as  being  from  every  point  of  view  in  a  most 
unfortunate  condition.  Education  was  utterly  neg- 
lected; as  was  the  administration  of  justice,  largely 
on  account  of  the  fact  that  justices  of  the  supreme 
court  had  declined  to  accept  their  appointments.  The 
missions  were  so  burdened  with  debt  that  the  gover- 
nor had  been  able  to  sell  or  rent  only  a  few  of  them. 
The  army  was  totally  disorgnnized,  soldiers  enough 
for  the  protection  of  Monterey  only  being  kept  under 
arms  by  the  general,  while  the  rest  of  the  department 
was  left  defenceless.  Of  financial  matters,  the  writer 
had  been  able  to  learn  but  little,  but  was  sure  that 
most  of  the  revenues  had  been  wasted.  Of  course 
much  was  expected  from  the  wisdom  of  the  assembly, 
though  its  president  had  no  definite  suggestions  to 
offer. 

Early  in  March  Pico  sent  Francisco  do  la  Guerra 
as  a  comiiiissioner  to  Castro,  presumably  to  suggest 
some  basis  upon  which  the  two  chiefs  migjit  work  in 
harmony,  and  perhaps  to  urge  a  conference  at  Santa 
Barbara;  though  the  exact  nature  of  his  instructions 
is   not   known.'-      Neither   does   it  appear  that  his 

Members  present,  Figueroa,  Botello,  Guerra,  and  suplentes  Olvera  and  Joa- 
q\iin  Carriilo.  Details  of  measures  against  the  Americans  will  be  given  later. 
Fragmentary  records  in  /(/.,  .30-50;  Carritht  (/>.).  Doc,  MS.,  44;  C'cvitro,  Do^\, 
MS.,  ii.  150;  Jmisseii.%  Doc.,  MS.,  32-3;  Sobawict,  Doc,  MS..  320. 

'^  March  9th,  Guerra  sent  with  verbal  instructions.  Ho  was  to  use  tho 
good  offices  of  inliucntial  persons.  Giirrra,  Dor..  MS.,  vi.  14-15.  Appoint- 
ment, and  license  from  assembly.  Dvpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  viii.  129;  Leg.  Rec, 
MS.,  iv.  320-1.  March  16th,  Padro  Duran  to  Gen.  (^astro,  urging  him  to 
look  favorably  upon  Pico's  propositions,  it  beii.g  of  great  importance  that  tho 
two  should  unite  on  some  \n&\\  of  internal  policy.  Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  09-70. 
March  2d,  Rafael  Sanchez  to  Pico.  Urges  him  to  come  to  Monterey  and  sus- 
tain his  authority— else  ho  will  soon  lie  gov.  only  of  Los  Angeles.  Com- 
plaiaa  that  neither  Pico  nor  Castro  has  shown  good  faith  to  the  Mexicans 


THE  RIVAL  CHIEFS. 


39 


efforts  as  a  conciliotor  were  successful.  He  made  a 
report,  however,  of  what  he  had  accoiiiphshed,  or 
failed  to  accomphsh,  and  gave  the  document  to  Castro, 
to  be  forwarded  to  the  governor;  but  the  general, 
curious  perhaps,  as  we  are,  to  know  its  contents,  kept 
the  report. ^^  About  the  same  time  that  Pico's  com- 
missioner left  Los  Angeles,  Castro  sent  to  the  capital 
])is  report  of  the  troubles  with  Frdmont,  coupled  with 
the  announcement  of  his  intention  to  defend  the 
country — acting  by  virtue  of  his  own  authority  and 
instructions  from  Mexico,  in  case  the  governor  would 
not  come  to  Monterey  as  he  was  urged  to  do.  He 
also  announced  the  return  of  Jose  Antonio  Carrillo 
I'rom  his  exile  in  Sinaloa,  and  requested  Pico  not  to 
prosecute  him  further,  as  his  services  were  needed.'* 
These  communications  on  being  laid  before  the  assem- 
bly produced  a  commotion.  The  danger  of  invasion 
was  lost  sight  of  in  view  of  the  fact  that  Castro  had 
dared  to  issue  a  proclamation  to  the  people,  the  pre- 
fect's share  in  the  proceedings  being  ignored  by  the 
irate  southerners.  The  defence  of  the  countrv  was 
unimportant  m  comparison  with  the  thought  of  un- 
dertaking that  defence  without  consulting,  or  rather 
without  awaiting  the  cooperatiun  of,  the  political 
chief  Juan  Bandini  made  a  speech,  denouncing  Cas- 
tro's abuse  of  his  powers,  ami  called  upon  Pico  to 
"reply  to  him  with  decorum,  and  at  the  same  time 
with  that  firmness  and  energy  which  a  proceeding  so 


umlerthe  treaty  of  C'ahuen«a.  Depi.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  lOC-8.  March  2(1, 
4th,  Prefect  Castro  to  Pico.  Also  urges  him  to  come  north  ami  make  up  Iiia 
ilifferences  with  the  general.  /(/.,  vii.  110. 

"So  Guerra  reported  to  the  assembly  on  May  11th.  Lnj.  Rec,  MS.,  iv. 
337.  April  14th,  Ciwtro  to  Pico.  Believc.s  tliat  lie  will  bo  coiivinceii  of  tlie 
rectitude  of  writer's  intentions  and  of  the  force  of  tiie  reasons  that  prevent 
liim  from  acceding  to  his  request.  Dcpl.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  "r2.  May  .".th, 
Guerra  to  Castro,  a  letter  of  reproaches  for  his  concliict  .'n  not  forwarding  the 
rciiort.  Ill,  vii.  T.'j.  M.ay  8th,  ti.  to  P.  The  nio.'^t  C'a><tio  would  promise 
was  to  try  to  come  to  Sta  B.  after  tho  meeting  of  a  military  j-'tita.  LI. ,  vii.  ,"»(>. 

'•  March  17th,  C.  to  P.  Depl.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  4H-9.  Tins  communica- 
tion as  reported  in  tho  assembly  waa  to  tho  cfifeet  that  'as  Pico  lia<l  not  come 
north,  Castro  would  proceed,'  etc. ;  but  in  tho  original  Castro  still  urges  Pico 
to  come.  March  2ath,  Prefect  Castro  writes  to  the  min.  of  rel.  on  the  needs 
of  Cal.  Doc.  Ilht.  Citl.,  MS.,  iii,  14-.'. 


40 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


scandalous  demanded."'^  And  Pico  did  write  what 
was  probably  intended  to  be  such  a  reply,  but  what 
was  in  reality  an  absurd  exhibition  of  petty  suspicion 
and  weakness.^" 

But  Don  Pio,  thus  insulted  by  Castro's  presump- 
tion and  threats  to  defend  the  country,  was  at  the 
same  time  comforted  by  the  receipt  of  his  appoint- 
ment as  constitutional  governor  of  the  Californias. 
This  appointment  was  issued  by  President  Herrera 
September  3,  1845,  in  accordance  with  the  assembly's 
recommendation  of  June  27th,  and  in  consideration  of 
"the  i>atriotism  and  commendable  qualities  which 
make  you  worthy  of  the  confidence  of  the  supreme 
government.'^'  The  document  was  communicated  to 
the  assembly  April  15th,  and  on  the  18th,  before  that 
body  and  in  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  citizens 
and  officials,  Pico  took  the  oath  of  office,  delivering 
an  address,  and  subsequently  assisting  with  all  the 
authorities  at  the  usual  religious  te  deum/'^  On  the 
same  day  the  governor's  speech  was  issued  in  substance 
as  a  proclamation  to  the  people.  It  contained  the 
usual  expressions  of  patriotic  zeal,  lack  of  self-confi- 
dence, flattery  for  the  people,  and  trust  in  God;  and 

'■'Session  of  April  l.jth.  Lf<i.  Rec,  MS.,  iv.  330-L  April  14tli,  Castro 
t-)  Pico.  Has  never  doubted  the  pui-ity  of  his  intentions.  Cannot  leave  the 
nortl\,  ])nt  hopes  V.  will  eome.  JJcjil.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  lli5-l(J.  April  ITth, 
1'.  to  Prefect  Ca.^tro,  complaining  tiiat  no  full  reports  iiavcconie  from  him  on 
the  Fn'^mont  ntlair.  l>oc.  Jli.f.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  174.  April  24th,  a  friend  to 
Bundini.  Tlio  new  ])l:in  of  reform,  in  preparation  since  Carrillo's  arrival, 
will  cau.ie  a  great  transformation.  Mexicans  arc  to  bo  expelled.  This  alone 
will  raise  tiie  devil.   Bniidhii,  Dor.,  MS.,  70. 

'«  No  thitc,  P.  to  C.  Dor.  lli.t.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  289.  By  what  right  does  the 
gen.  venture  to  issue  proclamations,  and  to  alarm  the  people  witii  whom,  not 
Ixung  soldiers,  ho  lias  notiiing  U)  do?  He  must  have  forgotten  that  there  is  a 
govt;  or  <loes  he  desire  t)  overturn  all  onler?  or  does  ho  Hatter  himself  he  has 
l)ower  over  free  and  enlightened  citizens?  How  wouid  hi;  like  it  if  the  gov. 
AJiould  usurp  military  functions  or  alarm  the  soldiers?  etc.  Suspects  that 
Castro's  orders  from  Mexico,  which  nobody  has  seen,  are  ample  enough  to 
allow  him  to  do  as  ho  pli^asca,  etc. 

"Sept.  ;id,  min  of  rel.  to  Pico.  Doc.  Hht.  IkiL,  MS.,  iii.  16");  Pico,  Doc, 
MS.,  ii.  1(17;  Dipt.  St.  Pnp.,  Awl,  MS.,  xi.  171. 

'"April  loth,  18th.  A-;/.  /■Vr.,"MS.,  iv.  ^29-32;  Pico  to  .Abrego.  Dfpt.  St. 
I'ap.,  MS.,  xiii.  lo.  May  4tli,  Larkin  congratulates  Pito.  Larkin^s  Off. 
Cnrix<p.,  MS.,  i.  OS.  May  I(itli-I7th,  publication  of  the  appointment  at 
Monterey.  Drpt.  St.  Pnp.,' Mont.,  MS.,  iii.  123.  Pico,  IHhL  Cal.,  MS.,  136, 
etaims  to  have  kept  back  the  appointment  for  several  months  after  it  was  re- 
ceived, hoping  to  tx;  relieved  of  so  burdensome  and  difficult  a  position! 


MILITARY  JUNTA  AT  MONTEREY. 


41 


concluded  of  course  with  a  call  upon  all  Californians 
to  bo  united  for  the  common  welfare,  "With  honor 
and  law  as  our  emblems,  victory  will  be  ours."^' 

Besides  leporting  Fremont's  movements,  invitini>- 
the  j::fovernor  to  a  conference,  despatching  Castillero 
to  Mexico  for  aid,  and  announcing  his  determination 
to  resist  invasion,  either  with  or  without  Pico's  coop- 
eration— Castro  also  convoked  a  junta  of  militaiv 
men  at  Monterey  to  deliberate  on  the  condition  of 
the  country,  and  to  advise  him  as  to  the  best  policy 
to  be  pursued.*'  The  junta  met  at  the  end  of  March, 
and  its  first  recorded  act  was  to  declare  on  April  Id 
its  adhesion  to  the  'plan  regcnerador  of  San  Luis 
Potosi,'  and  its  recognition  of  Parcdes  as  president  ad 
interim  of  Mexico."^  This  pronunciamiento  was  not 
made  public  for  over  a  month,  during  which  time  the 
number  of  signatures  was  increased  from  the  six  or 
eight  of  the  junta  proper  to  twenty-nine.  On  May 
7th  it  received  the  adhesion  of  the  Monterey  ayunta- 
miento,  and  was  officially  communicated  to  the  |)re- 
fect,  being  also  indorsed  next  day  by  the  officials  of 
the  custom-house,  and  a  little  later  by  the  local  au- 
thorities of  San  Jose,  and  probably  by  those  of  otliei 
northern  towns.  Prefect  Castro  refused  his  appro\al 
of  the  act  in  all  its  phases,  suspecting  that  it  was  in- 
tended as  an  attack  on  the  political  authority  repre- 
sented in  the  north  by  him.     Not  only  did  the  Mon- 

''■*  April  KStli,  Pico's  iiroclainatioii  on  assmuing  tlus  pioprietary  govcrnor- 
.sliip.  Original  in  Doc.  Jl'  \  ''nl.,  MS.,  iii.  ITS,  1M-,  (liurm,  ]Jo<:.,  MS.,  i. 
Kil-.S. 

'"Marcli  lOtli,  Castrc  to  Vallejo,  wlu>  i.s  suuinimicd  in  tiio  name  of  tlio 
country  to  come  innnodiately  to  Monterey.    Vnllcjo,  JJoc,  .MS.,  xii.  197. 

'•"April  '-M,  pronunciamiento  in  favor  of  rarc<lcs,  signed  by  the  following 
otlicers:  (icn.  JosiS  Castro,  Col.  J.  ]J.  Alvaiiulo,  (Join"",!.  A.  Cairillo,  Capt, 
Miuiano  Silvn,  Capt.  Joaipiin  do  la  Torre,  Lieut  Fran.  Arcc,  Alf.  BautisUv 
Castro,  Col.  M.  (i.  Vallejo,  Jaeut-Col  Victor  I'rudon,  Trea.surcr  Joso  Abrego, 
Capt.  I'cdro  Xarvaez,  J^ieut  Mucudonio  I'adilla,  Siib-lieut  Ign.  Servin,  Man- 
uel J{.  Castro,  Jose  M''Siil)erane.s,  Lieut  A.  M.  .Soniu/a,  Rafael  Sanchez,  Cajit. 
.luan  Ca.stiiueda,  Capt.  ,los<3  M.  Flares,  Lieut  Fran,  l^imon,  Lii'ut  V^ilentin 
Gajiola,  Sub-lient  .luau  iSoberanew,  Capt.  Eug.  Montenegro,  Mariano  Villa, 
Lieut  Man.  Manpiez.  Lieut  Fran.  Eguren,  Sub-lient  Man.  Garfias,  Capt. 
tiabriel  de  la  Torre,  Alf.  (iuad.  Soljerancs.  Doc.  Hist.  Cat,  MS.,  iii.  153; 
VnU(jo,  Doc,  MS.,  .\xxiv.  11)3. 


42 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


terey  officers  approve  the  new  plan,  and  recognize  the 
new  president,  but  they  protested  against  the  acts  of 
the  late  administration ;  and  as  one  of  these  acts  had 
been  the  confirmation  of  Pico  as  governor,  it  was 
feared  that  this  was  the  objective  point  of  the  whole 
movement.  Respecting  the  reception  of  this  act  of 
the  junta  by  Pico  and  the  assembly  early  in  June,  I 
shall  have  something  to  say  later."^ 

After  having  performed  its  supposed  duties  toward 
the  nation,  the  junta  of  Monterey  turned  its  attention 
to  affairs  at  home,  and  the  decision  reached  on  April 
11th  was  as  follows:  1st,  that  Castro's  presence  was 
indispensable  in  the  northern  towns,  which  must  be 
fortified  and  defended;  2d,  that  Pico  should  be 
invited  to  come  to  Monterey  and  take  part  in  the 
salvation  of  the  department;  3d,  that  if,  as  was 
improbable,  Pico  should  not  accept  the  invitation, 
the  general  might  act  as  seemed  best,  and  establish 
his  headquarters  at  Santa  Clara;  4th,  that  this 
arrangement  should  last  until  the  coming  of  the  orders 
and  resources  solicited  from  Mexico  through  Cas- 
tillero.^  The  governor's  reply  to  this  act  was  a 
violent  protest  against  it,  as  "an  assumption  of  patriot- 
ism for  the  purpose  of  paralyzing  the  administration 
and  disturbing  the  peace."  He  also  expressed  great 
displeasure  at  the  part  taken  by  the  prefect  in  this 
scandalous  subversion  of  order  and  law.'**  He  con- 
tinued  his   protests  in  a  private   letter   to   Valiejo, 

'■•May  7th,  action  of  Monterey  nyunt.  Doc.  Hist.  Cat.,  MS.,  iii.  201-2. 
May  7th,  Gen.  Cixstro  to  prefect.  Castro,  Dor.,  MS.,  ii.  81,  84.  May  8th, 
action  of  custom-house  officers.  Dor.  Hist.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  204.  May  8th, 
nth,  prefect  to  Gen.  Castro.  Id.,  iii.  203,  205;  May  i)th,  prefect  to  juez  of  S. 
.Tos«5.  S.  Josd,  Arch.,  Loose  Pap.,  MS.,  fiS.  May  12th,  13th,  prefect  vs 
general.  Doc.  Iliat.  Gal.,  MS.,  iii.  200;  Ca-ttro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  114.  May  13th, 
Ctcu.  Castro  to  Pico,  urajing  him  to  accept  the  plan.  Dept.  St.  Ptip.,  MS.,  vii. 
52-3.  May  16th,  17th,  juez  of  S.  JostS  to  prefect.  Doc.  Hist.  CiU.,  MS.,  iii. 
219,  225.  See  also  Alvarado,  Uiat.  Cal.,  MS.,  v.  130-2;  Castro,  Rel.,  MS., 
175-6. 

''April  11th,  acta  of  junta  lie  inilitares  in  Monterey.  Dept,  St.  Pap.,  MS., 
vii,  50-1.  Signed  by  Castro,  Valiejo,  Alvarado,  Prudon,  Carrillo,  and 
Manuel  Castro. 

»•  April  30th,  Pico  tothe  Castros.  Do\  Hist.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  190.  Ho  bcgd 
Gen.  C.  to  desist  from  his  project,  and  to  unite  with  him  in  the  country'* 
defence. 


VALLEJO  AND  PICO— GUERRA'S  MISSION. 


43 


gnize  the 
le  acts  of 
acts  liad 
,r,  it  was 
the  whole 
his  act  of 
in  June,  I 

ies  toward 
I  attention 
1  on  April 
3sence  was 
h  must  be 
should    be 
)art  in  the 
if,    as   was 
invitation, 
id  establish 
that    this 
f  the  orders 
•ough   Cas- 
act  was  a 
.ofpatriot- 
ainistration 
[essed  great 
Ifect  in  this 
He  con- 
to   Vallejo, 

J  MS.,  iii.  201-2. 
Il,  84.  May  8th, 
T'204.  May  8th, 
feet  to  juez  of  S. 
Il3th,  prefect  ys 
li  «t4.  May  13th, 

U.  Cid.,  MS.,  in- 
tastro,  Jiel-,  MS., 

|(.  St.  Pap.,  MS., 
In,  Carrillo,  and 

Iii.  190.    He  bcgi 
\  in  the  country  a 


4 


insisting  that  the  junta  had  merely  called  upon  the 
people  to  join  Castro  in  a  struggle  against  the 
legitimate  authorities,  and  had  ignored  not  only  the 
governor,  but  the  assembly,  and  even  the  whole  south. 
He  regretted  deeply  that  so  true  a  patriot  as  Vallejo 
should  have  been  induced  to  take  part  in  a  measure 
so  ruinous  to  his  country;  and  he  even  carried  his 
flattery  so  far  as  to  say  that  the  junta  ought  to  have 
made  Vallejo  general  in  the  place  of  Castro,  and  to 
hint  at  rewards  for  the  colonel's  favor  in  the  final 
distribution  of  mission  property.^  Vallejo's  reply 
was  to  point  out  in  a  long  and  friendly  letter  the 
groundless  nature  of  Pico's  suspicions.  He  maintained 
that  the  danger  of  foreign  invasion  in  the  north  was 
real  and  imminent;  that  the  junta  had  acted  in  good 
taith  and  with  no  partisan  views  whatever;  that 
neither  the  council  of  officers  nor  Castro  in  this 
instance  had  in  any  respect  exceeded  their  legitimate 
powers;  and  that  it  would  be  an  absurdity  to  require 
a  comandante  general  to  consult  a  governor  two 
hundred  leagues  away  in  a  case  of  emergency.  Vallejo 
made  it  very  clear,  in  language  forcible  but  friendly, 
that  Pico  at  this  stage  of  the  quarrel  had  allowed  his 
prejudice  to  get  the  better  of  his  reason,  and  i}ad 
absumed  a  position  utterly  untenable.*' 

At  the  end  of  April,  apparently  before  receiving 
Pico's  protests,  Castro  addressed  to  the  governor  a 
letter  in  support  of  the  measures  decided  upon,  urging 
that  only  by  working  in  accord  was  there  any  hope  of 
averting  calamity,  and  that  the  time  had  now  come 
when  all  pei-sonal  and  local  differences  should  be  put 
aside,  Pablo  de  la  Guerra  was  sent  as  commissioner 
to  Los  Angeles  to  explain  the  situation,^  and  to  obtain 
at  the  least  an  interview  between  the  two  chiefs  at 
San  Luis  Obispo.-^     Guerra  was  introduced,  and  Cas- 

"May  2d,  1'.  to  V.    Valli'jo,  Doc,  MS.,  xxxiv.  196;  xii.  204. 
'•Juno  1st,  V.  to  P.,  in  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  219. 
•-'  April  27th,  28th,  C.  to  P.  Doc  Hist.  Gal.,  MS.,  iv.  1178-80;  Dept.  St. 
Pnp.,  MS.,  vii.  53. 

'*  May  10th,  Uth,  letters  from  both  JostS  and  Manuel  Caatro  to  Pico,  iirg- 


44 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


tro's  communication  was  read,  to  the  assembly  at  the 
session  of  May  1 1  th ;  but  the  only  result — when  Guerra 
had  explained  his  business,  and  Juan  Bandini  had 
made  a  speech  bitterly  denunciatory  of  Castro's  acts 
in  general,  and  of  his  present  assurance  in  venturing 
to  instruct  the  governor  and  assembly  on  the  true 
condition  of  the  department — was  that  Pico  was 
granted  permission,  should  he  deem  the  matter  of 
sufficient  importance,  to  leave  the  capital.'"' 

It  was  probably  the  holding  of  a  junta  at  Monterey, 
as  just  recorded,  that  prompted  the  southern  politi- 
cians to  organize  a  somewhat  similar  meeting  of  their 
own.  Early  in  March,  Juan  Bandini  had  proposed  a 
'consejo  general  de  pueblos  unidos  de  la  Alta  Califor- 
nia;' but  the  scheme,  after  some  discussion  in  April, 
had  not  met  with  nuich  favor,  and  had  been,  perhaps, 
practically  abandoned.^'  It  was  revived,  however,  on 
the  arrival  of  Pablo  de  la  (^uerra,  and,  as  the  latter 
claimed,  at  his  instigation,  in  accordance  with  the  ideas 
of  Castro  and  his  friends  in  the  north;  but  it  seems 
certain,  from  preceding  and  subsequent  circumstances, 
that  such  could  not  have  been  the  origin  of  the  plan.^' 
Everything  points  to  it  as  a  phase  of  the  quarrel  be- 
tween o'overnor  and  ijeneral,  designed  as  a  southern 
measure  to  counterbalance  the  junta  of  IVIonterey. 

ing  him  to  uonaeut  to  a  conference  at  San  Luis,  to  lay  aside  personal  rescnt- 
munts,  and  not  to  add  the  diuiger  of  civil  war  to  that  of  foreign  invasion. 
J)oc.  nut.  Citl,  MS.,  iii.  'iO*!;  Dcjil.  SI.  Pap.,  Btii.  Pre/,  y  Jkz'J.,  MS.,  ii. 
80-8.  May  '2i3tli,  alcalde  of  S.  Jos(5  to  prefect,  on  military  preparations. 
IVoplc  hen;  have  as  yet  t.aken  no  iKirt  with  (Jen.  Castro.  He  seems  to  hint 
tliat  there  is  some  concealed  plan  in  connection  with  the  prcpai'ations.  Dof. 
lliM.  Cut.,  MS.,  iii.  233. 

-*May  llth.  Lfij.  I'lc,  MS.,  iv.  .■W7-4I.  It  Avas  at  tlie  same  session  that 
Castro's  treatment  of  Francisco  de  la  <  liierra  was  repoi'ted,  a  fact  that  did  not 
put  the  abajeflos  in  a  very  friendly  mood. 

•''» March  2d,  April  I'-id,  'JKth.  Leij.  Il<;:,  MS.,  iv.  .'{17-18;  Dcpt.  St.  Pa/:, 
MS.,  viii.  OG,  90  104,  1'2_'-.-.. 

^'  Pablo  do  la  Guerra,  in  an  original  Idotter  letter  without  date — but  prol)- 
ably  written  in  his  own  defence  in  later  years — says  that  he  suggested  toCa.><- 
tro  the  idea  of  independence,  wliich  was  favored  also  l»y  Vallejoand  Alvarado; 
and  lie  was  sent  south  to  iidvance  tlic  scheme,  .and  succeeded  in  obtaining  tlie 
call  for  a  consejo — Init  on  iiis  return  fouiul  that  <  'astro  bail  changed  his  mind. 
J>ni:  ffist.  Caf.,  MS.,  iv.  Pii)!)-i:M)(>.  .As  <lnerra's  mission  to  Angeles  is  other- 
wise clearly  accounted  for,  and  his  cool  reception  by  the  assembly  recorded, 
I  cannot  place  much  reliance  on  this  version  of  tlic  matter. 


THE  PROrOSElJ  CONSEJO  GENERAL. 


45 


y  at  the 
1  Guerra 
liui  had 
ro's  acts 
cnturing 
the  true 
'ico  was 
latter  o\' 


[onterey, 
rn  pohti- 
y  of  their 
[•oposcd  u 
a,  Cahfor- 
in  April, 
,  perhaps, 
wever,  ow 
bhe  latter 
the  ideas 
it  seems 
iistances, 
he  plaii.^' 
uirrel  be- 
southerii 
Interey. 

koiial  resciit- 
jign  invasion. 

Z'j.,  M«-  •'• 
Iprcpaiutions. 

lecina  to  hint 
rations.  Dor. 

Bcssiou  that 
tliat  did  not 

[l,t.  St.  Pai>., 

Ic — but  pnjl)- 
tested  to  Oa.s- 
Ind  Alvarado; 
Obtaining  thf 
ted  hi^^  mind, 
k'les  is  other- 
Ijly  recorded, 


■if 


On  May  13th  the  assembly  teok  uj)  and  approved 
the  committee  report  of  April  22d,  on  Bandini's  prop- 
osition of  March  2d;  and  on  the  same  day  it  was 
published  in  a  bando  by  Pico.  In  a  preamble  the 
condition  and  prospects  of  California  were  presented 
in  the  darkest  colors;  and  two  important  questions 
were  sui^gested  respecting  emergencies  likely  to  arise: 
1st,  what  are  the  means  of  defence  if  a  foreign  inva- 
sioii  precedes  the  coming  of  aid  from  Mexico  ?  and  2d, 
should  troo[)s  come  from  Mexico  without  provision  for 
their  support,  what  would  be  the  consequences  to  Cal- 
ifornians  !*  The  decree  provided  that  a  consejo  general, 
composed  of  eighteen  delegates  to  be  elected  on  May 
30th — four  each  I'rom  Los  Angeles,  Santa  Barbara, 
and  ^lonterey;  two  each  from  San  ])iego  and  San 
Jose ;  and  one  each  from  Sonoma  and  San  Francisco — 
together  with  the  six  vocales  of  the  assembly  as  speak- 
ing and  voting  members,  and  with  such  ecclesiastical 
and  military  representatives,  not  exceeding  Hve  each, 
as  the  respective  authorities  might  deem  proper  to  ad- 
mit— should  meet  at  Santa  Barbara  June  15th,  under 
the  presidency  of  the  governor — twelve  elected  dele- 
gates to  constitute  a  (juorum — with  the  object  of  "de- 
termining all  that  mav  be  deemed  best  to  avoid  the 
fatal  events  impending  at  home  and  abroad. "^^ 

Elections  were  held  as  ordered  in  the  north,  though 
most  of  the  delegates  chosen  declined  to  serve,  either 
on  account  of  one  or  iuiother  disability,  or  because 
they  did  not  approve  the  objects  of  the  council.** 
Doubtless    elections    were    also    held    in    the    south, 

^'-ConscjoGoHriil  dr  fiirbloa  Uiihlo'i  ilc  ('((li/ornia,  Jhiind)  de  1.1  tie  Mrnin, 
IS40,  MS.     Details  of  tlic  10  articles,  on  elections  iind  petty  matters  of  or- 

fanization  and  roncino,  etc.,  are  omitted  as  of  no  importance.     May  l.'Uli, 
'ico  to  both  .lose  and  Manuel  (Jastro,  urgiiis;  the  importance  of  the  proposed 
consejo.    l>e/il.  S/.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  '1-'A\  ('<i>.'/ro,  l><f.,  MS.,  ii.  sn-'JO. 

^'  The  delegates  chosen  were,  for  Monterey,  Manuel  (.'astro,  Rafael  ( ron- 
zalez,  Francisco  Rico,  and  Rafael  Sanchez;  for  S.  .losc^,  Antonio  Siinol  and 
Jesus  Vallejo;  for  Verba  But'na,  lionito  Di.iz;  aiul  for  S<moma,  Victor  I'rudon. 
Docllist.  VaL,  MS.,  iii.  •_>•.>!),  l>:$S-47;  CV(,>7ro, /><»■.,  MS.,  ii.  i:\,  KKI;  Valkjo, 
A',-.,  MS.,  xii.  '210, 'JKi:  xxxiv.  1!»7,  201;  Fi-rmudvz,  />«•.,  MS.,  I.S.  Rico, 
Vallejo,  Sufiol,  iind  I'rudon  declined  -the  latter  declaring  it  woulil  be  treason 
to  accept;  while  (ionzidez  and  Siinchez  referred  the  matter  to  tien.  Castro, 
which  was  etpiivaleut  to  declining. 


46 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


!i 


though  I  find  no  records.  The  missionary  prelate  was 
invited  to  name  the  ecclesiastical  delegates,  but  de- 
clined for  want  of  padres,  and  because  he  questioned 
the  propriety  of  their  taking  part  in  politics.**  Castro 
refused  to  appoint  the  military  delegates,  or  to  have 
anything  whatever  to  do  with  a  project  which  he  de- 
nounced, in  terms  even  more  violent  than  those  ap- 
plied by  Pico  to  the  action  of  the  Monterey  junta,  as 
ruinous,  treasonable,  illegal,  preposterous,  and  'liber- 
tycidal' !  He  protested,  in  the  name  of  God,  the  coun- 
try, and  his  armed  force,  against  the  holding  of  the 
consejo  and  all  acts  that  might  emanate  from  such  a 
body.  He  besought  the  governor  to  retrace  his  steps 
while  there  was  yet  time,  announced  his  purpose  to 
defend  the  country  at  all  hazards,  and  finally  declared 
the  department  in  a  state  of  siege  and  under  martial 
law.^''  He  did  not  condescend  to  give  any  definite 
reasons  for  his  opposition;  but  in  reality  he  opposed 
the  consejo  mainly  because  he  and  his  friends  could 
not  control  it,  the  south  having  a  majority  of  the  elec- 
tive delegates,  besides  the  members  of  the  assembly, 
who  were  all  abajeilos.  Vallejo  in  a  letter  to  Pico 
based  his  opposition  openly  on  that  ground,  declaring 
the  whole  scheme  a  very  transparent  trick  against  the 
north,  and  pointing  out  the  injustice  of  giving  San 
Diego  two  delegates,  while  San  Rafael,  Sonoma,  and 
New  Helvetia  combined  were  to  have  but  one.^ 

"yl)T/(.  Arzob.,  MS.,  v.  pt  ii.  C8-9.  P.  Duran  was  applied  to,  but  he  was 
ill,  and  P.  Gonzalez  replied  instead. 

'niay  28th,  CastiVs  protest.  Original  in  Soberanes,  Doc,  MS.,  310-20. 
June  8tli,  more  to  same  effect.  Jiandini,  Doc,  MS.,  73;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS., 
vii.  21-4.  'I  see  with  astonishment  the  libel  aborted  in  the  govt  house  at 
Angeles  on  May  13tli,  under  the  title  of  decree.  Never  could  the  insane 
hydra  of  discord  have  ejected  a  more  destructive  flanio  than  that  of  this 
abominable  paper.     Are  its  authors  Mexicans?' 

'•Juno  1st,  v.  to  P.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  219.  Oslo,  Hist.  Cat.,  MS., 
45G,  thinks  Castillero'a  influence  prevented  tlie  meeting,  that  officer  fearing 
that  it  might  result  in  a  reconciliation  between  Castro  and  Pico.  Vallejo, 
Jlist.  Cal.,  MS.,  V.  92-3,  is  of  opinion  tlutt  had  the  junta  been  held  Pico  would 
have  tried  through  its  agency  to  raise  troips  and  funds  for  an  attack  on  Castro. 
May  30th,  Manuel  Castro  urges  Josti  Castro  to  appoint  military  delegates  to 
the  junta,  and  to  have  an  interview  with  Pico.  Sobiranes,  Doc,  MS.,  322-5. 
May  30th,  31st,  Gonzalez  and  Sanchez,  delegates  elect,  ask  advice  of  Castro, 
and  express  suspicion  as  to  the  purpose  of  the  junta.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xiL 
211,  214. 


NORTH  VERSUS  SOUTH. 


47 


3latc  was 
,  but  <]o- 
lestionod 
Castro 
•  to  have 
2h.  he  de- 
those  ap- 
junta,  as 
id  *Hber- 
the  coun- 
ig  of  the 
m  such  a 

his  steps 
iirpose  to 
'  declared 
jr  martial 
y  definite 
)  opposed 
nds  could 

the  elec- 
assembly, 
to  Pico 

declaring 

:ainst  the 
ig  San 

oma,  and 


le 


36 


),  but  he  waa 


Cal.,  MS., 

icer  fearing 

|o.    Vallejo, 

Pico  would 

L  on  Castro. 

lelegates  to 

|MS.,  322-5. 

of  Castro, 

.,  MS.,  xii. 


The  purposes  of  Pico  and  his  friends  in  convoking 
the  council  of  Santa  Bdrbara  were  doubtless  some- 
what vague,  the  only  definite  phase  of  the  matter  be- 
ing a  determination  that  whatever  was  done  for  the 
salvation  of  the  country  must  bo  done  under  southern 
control.  It  was  believed,  however,  that  an  influence 
would  be  brought  to  bear  in  favor  of  independence 
from  Mexico;  and  it  was  also  suspected  that  certain 
men  would  go  so  far  as  to  urge  an  English  or  French 
protectorate.  This  suspicion,  not  altogether  without 
foundation,  will  be  noticed  more  fully  in  the  next 
chapter.  Whatever  may  have  been  its  object,  the  con- 
sejo  never  met,  the  decree  of  May  13th  having  been 
suspended  by  the  assembly  the  3d  of  June.'^  No  defi- 
nite reason  was  assigned  for  this  action;  but  at  the 
same  session  was  announced  the  declaration  of  the 
Monterey  junta  in  favor  of  Paredes;*^  and  a  commu- 
nication from  Castro  was  also  read,  in  which  he  an- 
nounced the  imminence  of  an  attack  by  Fremont,  and 
urged  the  governor  to  come  north.  Moreover,  the  re- 
fusal of  the  northerners  to  take  part  in  the  constyo 
rendered  it  impossible  to  obtain  a  quorum  according 
to  the  terms  of  the  call. 

Pico  and  his  advisers  regarded  the  acts  of  the  Mon- 
terey junta  in  favor  of  Paredes  and  against  Herrera, 
in  connection  with  the  refusal  of  the  arribeilos  to 
assist  in  the  consejo,  as  virtually  a  declaration  of  wr.r 
against  the  south,  and  especially  against  the  civil  au- 
thorities; and  they  gave  little  or  no  credence  to  the 
rumors  of  impending  invasion  by  Frdmont,  regarding 

"Lefif.  Rec,  MS.,  iv.  352-3;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  20.  Doc.  in  Pico, 
Aconf.,  MS.,  83-4;  Coronet,  Doe.,  MS.,  243-5.  The  southern  delegates  were 
ordered  not  to  go  to  Sto  Barbara. 

^*  June  12th,  Abel  Steams  writes  to  Larkin:  '  The  asamblea  by  act  have 
dcfeiTcd  the  junta  that  was  to  take  place  at  Sta  B.  on  the  15th.  The  cause 
of  this  was  the  act  imssed  by  the  said-to-bo  junta  de  guerra  held  at  Monterey, 
in  which  they  declare  the  decrees  and  acts  of  the  govt  of  Sr  Herrera  relative 
to  Cal.  to  be  null;  thus  indirectly  declaring  against  the  gov.  of  this  dent,  ai.l 
other  acts  or  decrees  of  the  general  govt  favorable  to  the  civil  list,  v.liicn  prob- 
ably does  not  very  well  coincide  with  the  interest  of  the  military  gent'emen 
your  way.'  Z,ar^'«»i's  i)oo.,  MS.,  i v.  1 51, 


I 


-     I 


4S 


POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY. 


them,  and  also  the  efforts  to  secure  the  governor's 
presence  in  the  north,  as  mere  pretexts  on  the  part  of 
Castro,  whose  phin  was  to  .depose  Pico  by  the  aid  of 
the  force  raised  t)stensibly  to  resist  Fremont.  These 
fears,  j^reatly  exag<^erated  if  not  altogether  without 
foundatii)n,  were  doubtless  real  on  the  part  of  the 
abajeno  chiefs.  They  at  once  resolved  to  assume  the 
offensive  instead  of  awaiting  an  attack,  using  both 
force  and  stratagem.  Pico  was  to  adopt  Castro's  own 
devices;  to  raise  a  military  force  with  which  ostensi- 
bly to  resist  foreign  invasion;  to  march  northward  in 
pretended  compliance  with  the  general's  invitation; 
but  eventually  to  forcibly  remove  that  officer  from  the 
command.  In  the  session  of  June  3d,  besides  deferring 
the  meeting  of  the  Santa  Bilrbara  council,  the  assem- 
bly authorized  the  governor  to  take  such  steps  as 
might  be  necessary  to  "save  the  country."  This  in 
open  session ;  but  in  secret  session  that  body  passed  a 
decree  formally  suspending  General  Castro  until  pub- 
lic tranquillity  should  be  restored.*' 

In  pursuance  of  the  scheme  just  noted,  Pico  took 
steps  to  raise  funds  by  methods  closely  resembling 
forced  loans.  He  called  on  Sonoran  and  New  Mexi- 
can visitors  to  unite  with  Californians  in  support  of 
so  holy  a  cause,  and  wrote  to  Juan  Bandini,  soliciting 
his  presence  and  cooperation  at  Angeles.  The  IGth 
of  June  he  left  the  capital  with  a  military  force. 
Three  days  later  he  was  at  San  Buenaventura  with 
eighty  men,  expecting  to  be  joined  by  thirty  more  at 
Santa  Barbara,  where  he  arrived  on  or  before  June 
21st,  and  where  two  days  later  he  was  destined  to  re- 
ceive some  startling  news  from  Sonoma.  Pico's  let- 
ters of  these  times  describe  himself  and  his  men  as 
enthusiastic  and  confident  of  success.  They  are  filled 
tvith  denunciations  of  Castro's  treachery  and  lack  of 
}>atriotism,  and  announce  as  certain  Castro's  intention 

'"This  action  is  not  recorded  in  the  Leij.  liet;.,  as  now  extant;  but  is  men- 
tioned in  an  original  letter  of  Pico  to  Bandini  on  tlie  same  day,  June  3d, 
Bnmllni,  Doc,  MS.,  7'2;  and  it  is  indirectly  conlirmed,  as  will  be  seen,  in 
subsequent  records. 


■I 


PICO  MAllCHES  NORTH. 


40 


governor's 
ho  part  of 
ho  aid  of 
t.     These 
r  without 
trt  of  the 
ssumc  the 
sing  both 
istro's  own 
;h  ostensi- 
rthward  in 
invitation ; 
cr  from  the 
;s  deferring 
the  assem- 
h  steps  as 
"     This  in 
dy  passed  a 
)  until  pub- 

I,  Pico  took 
•esembling 
cw  Mexi- 
support  of 
i,  soliciting 
The  IGtli 
|tary   force, 
ntura  with 
•ty  more  at 
>efore  June 
Itined  to  re- 
Pico's  let- 
Ihis  men  as 
n'  are  filled 
,nd  lack  of 
t's  intention 

it;  but  is  lucn- 

day,  June  3J, 

till  be  «eeu,  ui 


i 


to  invade  the  south  at  the  head  of  an  army,  urging 
upon  citizens  and  legislators  the  necessity  of  active 
measures,  military  and  political,  for  sectional,  depart- 
mental, and  national  defence.*" 

Pico  had  left  the  capital  in  charge  of  the  ayuntami- 
ento,  the  duties  of  which  body  were  not  very  arduous 

*"  May  26tli,  Pica  to  Bandini,  urjjing  lii»  presence  as  member  of  the  aa- 
8einJ)y.  Ho  declares  that  Garfias,  Egnreii,  and  other  officers  in  the  south 
were  suninKjned  north,  not,  as  pretended,  to  servo  against  Fremont,  but  to 
sign  tho  arta  of  the  junta.  Ikiinliui,  Doc,  MS.,  71.  May  30th,  sub-prefctt 
of  Sta  ]J.  refuses  to  recognize  Capt.  Cota's/wero  mitilar,  m  spite  of  CastrOH 
orders.  Cota,  Doc.,  MS.,  19-20.  May  30th,  assembly  (or  ayunt.?)  deerein 
that  traders  in  the  capital  shall  furnish  §.'{,000  within  5  days.  Dej^.  St.  Pap. , 
MS.,  viii.  13."i.  Gov.  wants  a  loan  from  Figucroa,  Temple,  and  Vigiies.  /</. , 
vii.  25.  No  date,  asaend)ly  not  being  in  session,  tlio  sub-prefect  with  PrcN. 
Figucroa  takes  measures  for  protection  of  the  capital,  in  view  of  Castron 
cominniiicutions.  /</.,  viii.  141.  Juno  3d,  Pico  calls  upon  Sonorans  to  aid 
jigainst  Americans.  /(/.,  viii.  l.'t.'>.  Juno  3d,  Pico  to  Bandini.  Will  start 
on  the  Pith;  hopes  to  meet  him  Iteforo  that  date.  Bnudini,  Doc,  MS.,  7"-. 
June  3d,  Wilson  to  liandini.  All  recognize  him  (B. )  as  the  only  man  who  can 
save  the  country  from  a  foreign  yoke.  Id.,  81.  June  12tli,  comandante  prin- 
cipal at  Angeles  to  Capt.  Andrds  Pico,  transmitting  gov. 'a  official  nate  of 
same  date.  Dept  in  danger  from  quasi  invasion  by  U.  S.  Asks  that  all 
army  officers  be  placed  at  his  disposal,  to  command  the  troops  about  to  march 
to  the  north.  Vico,  Dot.,  MS.,  97-100.  June  12th,  Pico  to  1st  judge  of  .^. 
Luis  Obispo.  Will  start  at  once  for  the  north  to  restore  order  and  defend  the 
country.  Asks  for  cooperation  of  all  good  citizens.  .V.  Lwa{)hi!<jm,  Arch., 
MS.,  \1.  June  13tli,  Comandante  Fguren  to  Capt.  Andrea  Pico.  (Jrdcrs  him 
to  proceed  to  Mont,  under  the  gov.'s  orders.  Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  81.  Juno 
13th,  Eguren  to  Pico,  announcing  his  orders  to  Andrds.  Dept.  St.  Pup.,  MS., 
vii.  .'■)8.  Juno  13th,  Wilson,  from  Jurupa,  to  gov.  Sends  10  New  Mexicans, 
all  he  can  iind.  Id.,  Ben.  Pref.  y  Juzg.,  ii.  40.  June  10th,  Pico  sold  city 
lands  for  §200  to  raise  money  for  hia  expedition.  Los  Angelen,  Ayunt.  Hcc, 
MS.,  16.  June  16th,  Anast.  Carrillo  advises  Pico  not  to  go  north.  Dept.  St. 
Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  119.  June  16th,  Pico  to  start  to-day.  /(/.,  Ant/etes,  xi.  I7.">; 
Los  Angeles,  ylr«/k.,  MS. ,  v.  349.  June  16th,  ayunt.  regrets  his  departure. 
Dept.  St.  Pap.,  lien.  Pref.  y  Juzg.,MS.,  iv.  r)4.  June  19th,  Pico  from  S. 
Buenaventura  to  Bandini.  Has  just  received  a  despatch  from  Castro,  whoso 
conduct  he  pronounces  as  'insulting,  profane,  and  outrageous.'  He  must  bo 
denounced  and  puniihed.  Come  to  Angeles  at  once  to  aid  in  the  good  work, 
and  bring  Arguello  with  you.  Bandini,  Doc,  MS.,  70.  Juno  PJtli,  Pico  to 
the  assembly,  transmitting  Castro's  despatch  of  June  Sth— his  protest  against 
the  consejo,  and  threat  to  declare  the  dept  in  a  state  of  siege  and  under  mar- 
tial law — protesting  and  urging  the  assembly  to  protest  against  .such  arbitraty 
!ind  outrageous  proceedings,  to  which  he  proposes  to  put  a  sto|)  immediately. 
Ikpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  2o-0,  with  Castro's  despatch.  Id.,  vii.  21-4.  Juno 
■Jlst,  Pico's  sec.  to  sub-prefect.  The  gov.  doubts  not  Castro's  seditious  iii- 
tcLtiona,  nor  that  he  is  now  on  his  march  to  invade  Angeles;  but  will  cru.iji 
the  hydra.  Id.,  vii.  27.  Some  general  accounts  and  remarks  on  the  contro- 
versy between  l?ico  and  Castro,  adding  nothing  to  the  contemporary  corrcnp. 
Nearly  all  agree  that  down  to  the  last  each  was  resolved  to  overthrow  the 
other.  CoKtro,  Ed.,  MS.,  173-5,  181-4;  Alvamdo,  Iliat.  Cat.,  MS.,  v.  129, 
150-6;  Pico,  Hist.  Co/.,  MS.,  139-48;  Botcllo.  Anakx,  MS.,  134-8;  VoromI, 
Co-sns,  MS.,  122;  BidtceWx  Lai.  IS4I-8,  MS.,  147-9;  TvthdVs  llltt.  Cat.,  I.')!. 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    4 


80 


POUTICAL  AND  xMILITARY. 


for  the  first  few  days;"  but  on  Juno  20th  there  came 
u  report  through  Juan  Gallardo  that  Castro  was  com- 
ing to  attack  the  town  within  three  days  at  furtliest; 
and  formidable  preparations  for  defence  were  at  once 
made — on  paper.  The  alarm  was  abated  next  day, 
when  it  was  learned  that  Castro  was  at  least  nmch 
i'urther  away  than  had  been  reported;*"  but  it  was  re- 
newed with  all  its  terrors  on  the  22d,  when  Pico's 
letter  was  received,  with  Castro's  protest  and  declara- 
tion of  martial  law,  and  a  report,  brought  by  an  Eng- 
lish vessel,  that  Castro  had  been  in  Monterey  on  the 
14th  with  seventy  men,  but  had  disappeared  the  next 
morning,  presumably  on  his  way  to  Angtlos.  Th<' 
sub-prefect,  Abel  Stearns,  at  the  invitation  of  Presi- 
dent Figueroa  of  the  assembly,  convoked  a  junta  of 
the  citizens,  native  and  foreign,  at  his  house;  and  a 
committee  of  that  junta  proceeded  to  prej)are  a  series 
«)f  resolutions  strongly  condemnatory  of  Castro's  arbi- 
trary attempts  "to  erect  an  absolute  dictatorship  to 
the  prejudice  of  all  guaranties,"  expressive  of  a  pref- 
erence "to  perish  under  the  ruins  of  t'  e  patria  rathei" 
than  let  it  become  the  sport  of  evil-disposed  persons;" 
and,  what  was  more  to  the  point,  declaratory  of  their 
l)urpose  to  resist  by  force  Castro's  entry  into  the 
city."  The  resolutions  were  approved  by  about  eighty 
citizens,  of  whom  twenty-five  were  foreigners;  and  the 
methods  of  defence  were  left  to  the  ayuntamiento. 
This  body  on  the  23d  issued  regulations  organizing 
the  citizens  into  three  companies,  one  of  artillery 
under  Miguel  Pryor,  another  of  riflemen  under  Benito 


II' 

I:. 

I,! 


*' June  ICtli,  session  of  the  ayunt.  A  list  of  respectable  citizens  to  bo 
formed,  and  other  measures  to  be  adopted  for  the  preservation  of  order.  Loii 
Anijeles,  Arch.,  MS.,  v.  349-50. 

*-  l.o»  Aiiijcfrx,  Arch.,  MS.,  v.  .353;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  4-6;  Id.,  Ben. 
Pnf.  y  Jiizih,  ii.  101. 

"June  22d,  Stearua  to  foreigners.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  C.  Report  of 
the  committee,  consisting  of  Requena,  Figueroa,  Botello,  Temple,  and  Work- 
man, with  a  long  list  of  signers,  in  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  62-5;  Id.,  Ben. 
Pre/,  y  Juzg.,  ii.  103-5;  Loa  Angeks,  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  31-6.  Steams  to  Vico, 
with  the  resolutions.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  Ben.  Pre/,  y  Juzg.,  MS.,  ii.  162-3. 
Id.  to  ayunt.  Los  Angeles,  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  16-17;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  Ang.,  MS., 
xi.  175-8. 


ANGELES  WILL  RESIST  INVASION. 


SI 


Wilson,  and  a  third  of  cavalry  mulor  Jorge  Palomares. 
Next  day  Julian  Workman  was  chosen  comandante 
principal  of  all  the  forces.** 

Juan  Bandini.  despite  his  illness,  came  up  to  the 
capital  from  San  Diego  to  join  his  voice  to  the  current 
denunciations  of  Castro,  as  "a  man  *vho  under  pretence 
of  saving  California  seeks  to  tyrannically  subdue  and 
trample  on  her.".*'*  He  also  seems  to  have  devoted 
his  energies  to  the  preparation  of  an  elaborate  address 
to  the  people,  intended  to  be  published  by  the  assem- 
bly at  the  proper  time  as  a  defence  of  its  action  in  de- 
posing Castro.  This  document — never  issued  so  far 
as  I  know,  but  the  oiiginal  blotter  of  which  in  Don 
.1  uan's  handwriti  .\«^  exists  in  my  collection— was  a  long, 
fierce,  and  declamatory  denunciation  of  all  that  the 
general  had  done.  It  was  filled  with  the  most  bitter 
abuse  of  Castro  in  respect  not  only  of  his  public  acts, 
but  of  his  private  character.  The  conclusion  reached 
was  that  the  assembly  could  no  longer  recognize  the 
authority  of  so  vicious  and  ignorant  and  incapable  and 
1  yrannical  a  monster,  trusting  that  all  patriotic  citizens 
would  a}>prove  that  determination.  The  violence  of 
this  effusion  was  as  absurd  as  that  of  Castro's  protest 
against  the  consejo — which  is  saying  a  good  deal.** 

Of  Castro's  operations  in  June  little  can  be  defi- 
nitely known,  beyond  the  fact  that  he  was  at  Santa 
Clara  ami  San  Juan,  visiting  also  Monterey  and  So- 
noma, engaged  in  not  very  successful  efforts  to  raise 
men  for  the  alleged  purpose  of  resisting  foreign  inva- 
sion, and  greatly  annoyed  by  Pico's  refusal  to  cooper- 

*♦  June  23d-24th,  regulations  by  ayunt.,  and  Workman's  election.  50  nun 
are  also  to  be  sent  to  reenforco  Pico.  JJtpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  7-8;  A'c 
Aiirjelea,  Arch.,  MS.,  v.  354.  June  2Cth,  S.  Diego  sends  approval  of  tin- 
action  against  Castro.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  85,  witli  a  similar  approval 
from  the  sub-prefect  of  Sta  B.,  dated  June  '27tli. 

**jHne'23d,  B.  to  Pico.  Bandinl,  Doc,  MS.,  80. 

^''No  (late.  Bandhii,  Doc.,  MS.,  58.  In  /(/.,  101,  is  an  undated  decree  of 
the  assembly,  ignoring  Castro's  authority,  and  authorizing  the  use  of  force 
against  him  and  his  men  if  they  would  not  lay  down  tlicir  arms.  This  may 
be  the  decree  already  referred  to,  or  it  may  be  a  supplementary  one  proposed 
by  Baudioi. 


I  I 


.V2  •     I'OLiriCAL  AND  MILITARY. 

ate  with  him.  The  records  are  meagre,  and  do  not 
show  either  the  number  or  organization  of  the  forces 
under  his  command ;  neither  do  they  throw  much  light 
on  his  real  plans.  In  his  despatch  of  June  8th,  alter 
an  absurdly  violent  protest  against  the  proposed  con- 
sejo,  the  general  proceeded  to  urge  upon  the  governoi* 
the  importance  of  coming  north  to  aid  in  the  work  of 
defence,  and  concluded  as  follows:  "I  have  notified 
you  over  and  over  again  of  the  risk  which  the  coun- 
try runs,  and  of  the  necessity  of  taking  steps  for  its 
defence;  but,  with  regret  that  I  cannot  count  on  your 
cooperation  for  that  sacred  object,  and  as  the  integ- 
rity of  this  piiit  of  the  republic  is  exclusively  intrusted 
to  me,  I  shall  be  absolutely  compelled  to  declare  the 
department  in  a  state  of  siege,  and  the  martial  law  in 
full  force — a  legal  resource  employed  in  such  circum- 
stances by  all  the  peoples  of  the  universe."*'  All  this 
was  reasonable  enough  on  its  face,  and  afforded  no 
cause  for  the  ridiculous  ravings  of  Pico  and  Bandini ; 
yet  these  gentlemen  believed  that  Castro  was  devot- 
ing Isis  whole  attention,  with  the  aid  of  Alvarado  and 
others,  to  [>lots  against  the  civil  government,  regard- 
ing liis  preparations  against  foreign  aggression  as  a, 
mere  pretence.  It  is  difficult  to  determine  what  were 
Castro's  plans  at  this  time.  He  was  not  a  man  in 
whose  favor  much  could  be  said  at  any  stage  of  his 
career,  or  in  whose  good  faith  nmch  reliance  could  be 
placed.  If  in  the  latest  phases  of  the  controversy  he 
showed  to  better  advantage  than  his  rival,  it  was  due 
more  to  circumstances  and  to  Pico's  folly  than  to  any 
merit  of  his  own.  It  is  certain  that  he  hated  Pico, 
and  would  not  have  scrupled  to  use  force  against  him. 
Had  Pico  come  north  in  response  to  his  invitation, 
Castro  would  probably  have  arrested  and  deposed,  if 
he  could  not  control  him.  Yet  it  would  have  been 
difficult  to  obtain  men  for  a  successful  rittack  on  the 
governor  or  the  capital,  and  ^  do  not  think  the  gen- 
eral thought  of  such  an  expedition  in  June,  if  he  had 

"June  8th,  C.  to  P.  from  StaClura.   I>fi>l.  St.  /'«>..,  MS.,  vii.  -.'4. 


STARTLING  NEWS. 


before.  Moreover,  his  fears  of  foreign  invasion  were 
l)y  no  means  a  pretence  at  bhis  time,  after  Frdmont's 
operations  in  March,  and  his  return  from  Oregon  at 
the  end  of  May.** 

I  have  thus  brought  the  pohtical  annals  of  18 4G, 
that  is,  the  controversy  of  Pico  versus  Castro,  down 
to  the  dates  on  which  the  capture  of  Sonoma  by  the 
Americans  was  made  known  to  the  different  factions: 
to  the  citizens  of  ^Viigeles  en  June  24th,  wlien  they 
were  vahantly  arming  to  resist  an  attack  from  a  foe 
liundreds  of  miles  away,  with  mo  intention  so  far  as 
can  be  known  of  coming  n-jarer;  to  Pico  at  Santa 
Barbara  on  June  23d,  when  he  ^yas  nearly  ready  to 
march  northward  with  his  nrmy  against  the  general ; 
and  to  Castro  at  Santa  Clara  on  Jiine  15th,  when  he 
was  preparing  to  resist  whatever  foes  might  present 
themselves,  ua.  ive  or  foreign.  The  effect  of  the  star- 
tlinar  news  on  the  actions  of  the  liostile  chieftains  must 
1)0  told  in  later  chapters. 

*"  There  were  suspicions  nf  some  hidden  purpose  on  Castro's  part,  even  in 
the  north,  ns  appears  from  Dolores  Pacheco  s  communications  to  the  prefect, 
ill  Doc,  Hist.  Cat. ,  MS. ,  iii.  251-2.  Com.  Carrillo  writea  of  paaquinadea  posted 
at  Sta  Clara  against  Ciistro  and  other  leadei-s.  S.  Joa^,  Arch.,  Loose  Pap., 
MS.,  4.  Juno  8th,  Castro  sends  some  miltary  orders  to  Angeles,  and  Mks 
i'ifo's  coSperation.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  57-8. 


I   i 


CHAPTER  III. 

POREIGN   RELATIONS— UNITED  STATES  AND  ENGLAND. 

January-June,   1846. 

Larkin  as  U.  S.  Confidential  Ac.ent— His  Instkuctions— Cobrbsponp- 
ENCB — Fkars  of  Invasion — Treatment  of  Foreigners — Fremont's 
Operations  in  March — Larkin's  Efforts  and  Hopes — Monterey 
Junta — Imaginary  Speeches  for  England,  France,  and  the  U.  S.— 
Stearns,  Leese,  and  Warner— Suiter's  Policy — Consejo  General 
AT  Santa  BArbara,  and  its  Bearing  on  Foreign  Scuemes— Views  of 
Stearns  and  Larkin— Pico's  Intrigues — Exaggerations  on  English 
Interference- Testimony  of  Gillespie  and  Minor— Position  of 
Forbes  and  Spence— Stearns  as  SuB-AtacNT  of  the  U.  S. — Condition 
OF  Affairs  in  June— General  Conclusions. 

Yet  once  again  have  I  to  go  over  the  early  months 
of  1846  before  describing  the  revolt  which  in  Juno 
served  as  a  prelude  to  the  downfall  of  Mexican 
rule.  It  Will  be  my  purpose  in  this  chapter,  largely 
by  extracts  from  correspondence  of  the  time,  to  show 
what  was  done  and  said,  what  was  feared  and  hoped, 
in  California  respecting  an  anticipated  change  of  nag; 
and  I  shall  also  notice  as  an  important  phase  of  the 
same  general  subject  the  feeling  and  policy  of  native 
citizens  and  authorities  toward  foreign  residents  and 
immigrants. 

Thomas  0.  Larkin  was  a  very  prominent  man  in 
connection  with  the  matters  to  which  I  have  just  re- 
ferred, being  constantly  engaged  in  active  efforts  to 
jsecure  California  for  the  United  States  and  to  defeat 
the  schemes,  real  or  imaginary,  of  European  nations 
supposed  to  be  intriguing  for  the  same  prize.  In 
October   1845  Larkin   had   been   appointed  a  confi- 

(84) 


LARK  IN  AS  CONFIDENTIAL  AGENT. 


55 


OLAND. 


corbesponp- 
1— FbAmont's 
;— monterky 

THE  U.  S.— 

EJO  General 
ss  —Views  of 
s  ON  English 

POSITIOM  OF 
. — CONDITIOM 


months 
in  June 
VIcxican 
,  largely 
to  show 
hoped, 
o  of  flag ; 
ot*  the 
native 
ents  and 

man  in 

just  re- 

ifforts  to 

,o  defeat 

nations 
rize.     In 

a  confi- 


dential agent  of  his  government  for  the  critical  period 
beleved  to  be  approaching.  His  instructions,  prefaced 
hy  jL  definite  statement  of  the  administration's  policy, 
\\^%  in  brief,  to  report  fully  and  often  o.  +  le  country, 
its  resources  and  condition,  the  character  and  influ- 
ence and  political  disposition  of  its  leading  citizens, 
and  on  the  general  progress  of  events;  to  warn  the 
people  aj,)'  ist  the  evils  of  European  interference, 
which  would  be  disastrous  to  their  true  interests,  and 
would  not  be  permitted  by  the  United  States;  to 
impress  upon  the  Californians  the  advantages  of  lib- 
erty as  enjoyed  under  the  stars  and  stripes,  assuring 
them  that,  could  they  but  assert  and  maintain  their 
independence  from  Mexico,  they  would  be  welcomed 
as  a  sister  republic  or  as  a  component  part  of  the 
great  union;  and  finally,  to  do  all  this  with  such  jiru- 
(lenco  and  srkill  as  not  to  awaken  suspicion  or  the 
jealousy  of  the  men  who  represented  other  powers.* 
Whatever  view  may  be  taken  of  President  Polk's 
geiH'ial  policy  respecting  California,  it  must  be  ad- 
mitted that  this  peculiar  appointment  conferred  upon 
a  foreign  consul,  when  regarded  from  the  highest 
stamli)oint  of  international  honor,  reflected  no  credit 
upon  the  government  at  Washington;  and  it  is  not 
surprising  that  the  act  has  never  been  made  known 
to  the  public. 

Larkin  did  not  receive  or  know  of  his  appointment 
until  April;  but  he  acted  nuicli  as  he  would  have  done 
had  he  received  it  earlier.  On  the  1st  of  January  ho 
transferred  his  mercantile  business  to  Talbot  H. 
Green;''  and  thereafter  devoted  much  of  his  time  to 

'  Huc/iannH'a  /nittr  net  ions  of  thcSerrelary  of  Stitli-  lu  Thoiiui.t  O.  Larkin  tis 
Covjiileiilial  Anent  of  the  United  Stnlcn  Gorenimtnt,  Oct.  17,  lSy>.  Orij;iii:il 
MS.  'In  Btlilitioii  to  your  consular  fuuL'tions,  the  prcsiilcnt  liiia  tliouglifc 
proper  to  ap|)oint  you  a  contidential  agent  in  Cal. ;  nud  you  may  consiilcr  the 
present  despatch  an  your  autliority  for  acting;  in  this  chanveter.  The  confi- 
dence which  ho  reposes  in  your  imtriotisni  and  discretion  is  evini  cd  l)y  con- 
ferring upon  you  tliis  delicate  and  imiwrtnnt  trnm.  You  will  tiikc  care  not 
to  aw.ikcn  the  jealousy  of  the  French  and  KngliNh  agents  there  l>y  ussunnng 
any  otiier  than  your  consular  character.'  Larkin's  compensation  wa.s  to  Im- 
^pi>r  day;  and  Gillespie  was  to  cooperate  with  him.  See  (piotations  from 
this  document  in  chap.  xxv.  of  vol.  iv.,  and  chap.  i.  of  this  vol. 

*Jan.  I,  1840,  contract  between  L.  and  G.     Tho  liittei  was  to  take  charge 


06 


FOREIGN  KELATIONS-U.  S.  AND  ENGLAND. 


I  Ifl 


liis  consular  duties,  and  in  a  quiet  way  to  the  work  of 
cnaiciliating  Californian  sentiment  and  of  watching 
the  oth(  I'  consuls,  there  existing  naturally  no  definite 
record  of  his  earliest  efforts  in  this  direction.  Nor 
wore  there  any  important  developments  or  even 
iiimors  connected  with  foreign  relations  in  January 
and  February;  though  I  may  notice  a  warning  sent 
tt»  the  supreme  government  by  Prefect  Castro  respect- 
ing the  dangerous  increase  of  immigration;  some 
complaints  of  local  authorities  about  the  freedom  with 
which  some  of  last  year's  immigrants  moved  about 
the  country  under  passes  from  Sutter;  a  few  vague 
items  that  may  relate  to  intrigues  for  English  inter- 
vention; and  a  letter  of  a  prominent  Californian,  in 
which  he  alludes  to  Hastings'  book, and  says:  "The 
idea  of  those  gentlemen  is  that  God  made  the  world 
and  them  also;  therefore,  what  there  is  in  the  world 
l)clongs  to  them  as  sons  of  God"  !^ 

of  store,  warehouses,  etc.,  and  $10,0Gv  worth  of  goods;  and  to  conduct  the 
business  for  tliree  years,  receiving  one  third  of  the  profits.  Larkin's  Doc., 
MS.,  iv.  1. 

^Jan.  '24th,  .Sub-prefect  Guerrero  to  prefect.  Has  tried  to  get  the  book — 
ill  which  tlie  Californians  arc  said  tn  be  abused — but  has  not  succeeded, 
though  offering  $20.  VcMiro,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  311.  In  Feb.,  however,  ho  got  a 
iiipy  uiul  sent  it  to  Castro.  Doc.  J /int.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  95.  Jan.  2d,  G.  toLar- 
kin,  asking  liini  to  cause  his  c(>untryincn  who  have  entered  illegally  to  retire, 
if  he  has  jurisdiction  in  such  mattt^rs.  Larkin'n  Doc.,  MS.,  iv.  5.  Jan.  8th, 
(iov.  I'ico  calls  upon  tJ»e  prefect  for  a  report  on  the  immigrants  of  the  past 
y.iir.  Doc.  JIM.  Val.,  MS.,  iii.  21.  Jan.  22d,  Guerrero  to  prefect.  What 
shall  lie  do  with  the  strangers  coming  from  the  Sacramento?  Thirty  arrived 
yesterday.  Can  Sutter  issue  imss][)orts?  Doc.  Hint.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  77.  More 
ariivals,  Vaatro,  Doc,  MS.,  ji.  12.  Jan.  '2i>tli,  .'lOth,  prefect  to  sup.  govt,  and 
to  gov.  Sjjcaks  of  the  200  armed  foreigners  who  had  entered  illegally,  and 
of  the  much  larger  number  expected  this  year;  has  no  doubt  the  intention  is 
to  take  jiossossion  of  the  country,  the  intrusion  being  probably  instigated  by 
the  U.  S. ;  speaks  of  the  general's  permisHion  to  tho  immigrants  to  remain 
through  the  winter;  mciuIs  some  statist ii's  ami  names;  and  \irgcs  the  iiceessitj 
of  protective  measures.  Dor.  JJint.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  00,  121;  J.ifpl.  St.  J'aj).. 
MS.,  vi.  105-l>.  I'VI).  KSth,  I'ico  in  reply  agrees  with  the  prefect's  vievs,  and 
rccommend.s  a  strict  watch.  Understands  that  (Jastro's  promise  was  only 
conditional,  and  will  '  order '  that  oflicer  to  cooperate.  It  is  important  to  sat- 
isfy tho  national  govt,  that  mc  are  doing  all  we  can.  Coftro,  Doc,  MS. ,  ii.  15. 
Feb.  15th,  Francisco  Arce  writes  to  Vallejo  that  the  continual  irru|tion  of 
foreign  adventurers  will  end,  if  no  check  can  Ihj  put  to  the  abuse,  in  the 
country  falling  into  the  hands  of  those  audacious  people  who,  not  content 
with  the  generous  hospitality  extended  to  them,  'aJvance  more  and  more  in 
their  design  to  destroy  oui-  |H.iliti('al  system  and  deprive  us  of  our  native 
country.'  Vallejo,  Doc,  }ili<.,  \ii.  184.  In  (Juerrcro's  letters  of  Jan. -Feb.  fa) 
Manuel  Cantro,  he  alludes  in  p-  some^  liut  mysterious  way  to  Consul  Forbes 
iu  connection  with  the  deimrtiire  of  Pico's  comisionudo,  Covarrubias,  for  Mox- 


/ 


FliARS  OF  ENCROACHMENT. 


67 


The  Calitbrniaii  authorities  were  naturally  alarmed 
at  the  presence  of  so  many  armed  Americans  in  the 
north  at  a  time  when  war  was  regarded  as  imminent ; 
and  they  felt  impelled  as  Mexican  officials  to  exhibit 
more  alarm  than  they  really  felt.  Moreover,  the  gov- 
<'rnor  and  prefect  were  disposed  to  criticise  the  per- 
mission accorded  to  the  immigrants  of  1845,  simply 
because  it  was  Castro  that  granted  it.  But  it  is  no- 
ticeable that  no  practical  steps  were  taken,  and  no 
real  disposition  was  shown,  either  to  oppress  foreign 
residents,  or  even  to  enforce  the  going  of  the  new- 
comers who  had  promised  to  depart  in  the  spring  if 
loquired  to  do  so.  In  the  records  of  these  two  months 
we  have  nothing  but  the  old  hackneyed  official  expres- 
sions of  the  evils  likely  to  arise  from  the  increase  of 
American  immigration;  and  in  the  following  months 
no  change  in  this  respect  was  observable.* 

ioo,  seeming  to  indicate,  though  there  is  nothing  clear,  an  understanding 
witli  Forbes  respecting  u  scheme  of  some  importance  in  connection  with  Co- 
varrubias' mission.  Castro,  Doc.,  MS.,  i.  202,  313;  ii.  12.  This  may  possibly 
have  a  bearing  on  the  traditionary  English  schemes  of  this  year,  in  conimetion 
with  Pic  Pico's  statement,  Jlisl.  CM.,  MS.,  136-7,  that  Covarrubias  was  in- 
structed to  apply  to  the  commander  of  some  English  vessel  fur  protection  if 
ho  could  get  no  aid  from  Mexico.  Pico  claims  also  that  ho  niudo  many  efforts 
to  secure  a  conference  with  Castro,  with  a  view  to  dt-claro  tl»o  country's  inde- 
pendr'"(;e,  u  step  that  was  prevented  by  the  general's  jealous  fi-ars! 

•I«arch2,  1840,  Pico  to  the  assembly.  Complains  that  througli  the  'tol- 
•!ranco  or  dissimulation'  of  certain  parties — that  is,  Castro  and  the  military 
authorities — Mexican  orders  and  his  own  iustnictions  to  prevent  tlio  illegal 
entry  of  overland  immigi-ants  liave  not  been  c.-vrried  out.  Itlirrn,  Dor.,  MS., 
13-14.  March  4th,  Justice  Bolcof  of  St;v  Cruz  laments  the  injury  done  by 
foreign  luinbcnnen,  who  refuse  to  pay  taxes,  .\pril  .')tli,  Justice  Paclu-co  at 
.'^.  Josd  complains  at  great  length  of  the  foreigners  who,  just  liecause  they 
liave  married  and  obtiiiuod  naturali/Jition,  put  tliemselveson  ti  level  with  and 
even  above  the  natives.  !See  the  .Sainsevain  mill  affair  in  the  Kieal  annals  of 
S.  Josf?.  Doc.  Hist.  Cat.,  MS.,  iii.  1,">8.  I'omplaint  that  the  true  faith  has 
been  insulted  by  Sutter  and  Forlies.  Dfii/.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  viii.  127.  -April 
17th,  Sub-p  "'jfect  Guerrero  again  wants  to  know  what  to  do  with  the  foioign- 
ers  who  swarm  at  Yerl)a  liuena.  Their  number  is  eontinually  increasrd  by 
deserters,  who  do  not  mind  the  penalty  of  pulilie  wurks,  eating  more  than 
they  earn.  Doc.  J/i')t.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  170."  Ajiril  I7tli,  onler  to  siibpiefects. 
etc.,  that  foreigners  not  naturalized  cannot  liold  land.x,  no  matter  h<>wae 
quired,  that  alcaldes  must  enforce  this,  and  make  the  f<>reign<i-s  under.sfamd 
it,  and  also  tiiat  they  are  liable  to  bo  expelled  from  the  eountiy  v  lienever  the 
govt  may  see  lit  to  require  it.  /(/.,  iii.  175.  Same  sent  to  l..in  kin  by  siili-pre- 
fect  on  April  30th.  Larkin'x  Doc.,l,\&.,  i\\  Wi.  .Same  i  Leidosdorlf  April 
30th.  Sawycr'a  Doc,  .MS.,  .10  7.  Tiiia  is  the  nearest  approximation  to  the 
order,  mentioned  by  many  Bear  Flag  men,  expelling  all  Americans  from  the 
country,  tnd  causing  them  to  rise  in  self-defence!  May  2.Ttii,  Vallejoto  Cas- 
tro,    Learns  that  in  July  2,<X)0  Anurican  families  will  anive.     Something 


'if 

1  i'.' 


i  ■  !::; 


i-    ii 


68 


FOREIGN  RELATIONS -U.  S.  AND  ENGLAND. 


Fremont's  operations  in  March,  as  detailed  in  a 
former  chapter,  had  no  other  effect  than  to  stir  up  ill 
feeling  between  the  Californians  andAmericans;  the 
former  being  surprised  and  offended  by  so  grievous  an 
outrage  coming  from  an  officer  of  a  government  in  whose 
paternal  solicitude  for  their  welfare  and  earnest  desire 
for  their  favor  they  were  being  urged  by  Larkin  and 
others  to  trust;  while  the  latter,  in  certain  sections,  by 
distorted  and  false  versions  of  the  affair,  were  made 
to  believe,  or  obtained  a  pretext  for  asserting,  that 
Castro  and  his  men  were  determined  to  drive  Ameri- 
cans from  the  country.  This  was  a  serious  obstacle 
to  Larkin's  plans.  He  could  but  disapprove  Fremont's 
policy,  yet  as  consul,  not  knowing  under  what  instruc- 
tions that  officer  was  acting,  he  afforded  him  all  pos- 
sible aid,  and  prepared  for  possible  contingencies  by 
sending  down  the  coast  for  a  man-of-war;  but  after 
Fremont  had  been  brought  to  his  senses  by  reflection 
and  the  consul's  advice  and  Castro's  military  prepara- 
tions, Larkin  did  not  yet  despair  of  success  and  hast- 
ened to  assure  his  government  that  there  was  no  real 
hostility  on  the  part  of  the  Californians,  who  were  in 
their  turn  asked  to  believe  that  all  had  been  an  erroi-. 
which  should  cause  no  interruption  of  frit-.idly  feelings. 
To  the  secretary  of  state  he  wrote  that  Castro's  acts 
against  Frt^mont  liad  been  intended  chiefly  for  effect 
in  Mexico,  and  that  for  the  same  purpose  a  commis- 
sioner was  to  be  sent  with  the  unfounded  reports  that 
Fremont's  men  were  joining  the  Indians  for  an  attack 
on  the  farms,  that  the  settlers  were  about  to  take 

f)ossession  of  a  northern  town,  and  that  Hastings  was 
aying  out  a  town  for  the  Mormons  at  New  Helvetia. 
Yet  notwithstanding  the  excitement  growing  out  of 
the  Fremont  affiiir,  "the  undersigned  believes  that 
the  flag,  if  respectfully  planted,  will  receive  the  good- 
will of  much  of  the  wealth  and  respectability  of  the 


should  be  done  to  prevent  it.  Dept.  St.  Pa]>.,  MS.,  vii.  57.  June  lltli,  Diaz 
to  Castro.  BeUlen  lias  aiTiTcd  and  reports  no  new  arrivals  uf  eMrangeros  at 
the  Sacramento.  Dor.  Hut.  Cat.,  MS.,  iii.  133. 


MEETING  AT  MONTEREY. 


50 


country.  Those  who  live  by  office  and  by  the  absence 
of  la w^  and  some  few  others,  would  faintly  struggle 
against  a  change.  Many  natives  and  foreigners  of 
\vealth  are  already  calculating  on  the  apparent  coming 
change."" 

The  action  of  the  military  junta  at  Monterey  in 
April  has  been  fully  noticed.  Its  avowed  purpose 
was  to  devise  means  of  defence  against  foreign  aggres- 
sion ;  and  there  is  nothing  in  the  contemporary  records 
of  its  acts  and  discussions  to  indicate  any  ulterior  mo- 
tive or  sentiment  of  disloyalty  to  Mexico  on  the  part 
of  its  members.  There  is  a  tradition,  however,  some- 
what widely  published,  that  the  junta  took  into  con- 
sideration, not  only  a  scheme  of  independence  from 
Mexico,  but  also  of  a  foreign  protectorate  or  annex- 
ation, the  failure  of  the  scheme  being  due  chiefly  to 
the  inability  of  members  to  agree  whether  California 
should  be  intrusted  to  the  protection  of  the  United 
States,  England,  or  France. 

Lieutenant  Revere,  who  arrived  at  Monterej' while 
the  junta  was  in  session,  was  "favored  by  an  intelli- 
gent meml)er"  with  what  purported  to  be  the  sub- 
stance of  two  speeches  doliviTed  by  Pio  Pico  and  M. 
(1.  Vallejo,  the  former  in  favor  of  annexation  to  France 
or  England,  and  the  latter  an  eloquent  plea  in  behalf 
of  the  United  States.  Revere  published  these  speeches 
ill  his  book  in  1849,  with  the  explanation  that  "tho 
arguments  of  Vallejo  failed  to  carry  conviction  to  the 
majority,  but  the  stand  taken  by  him  caused  a  sudden 
sine  die  adjournment  of  the  junta,  without  arriving 
at  any  definite  conclusion  upon  the  weighty  matter 
concerning  which  they  had  met  to  deliberate."     Va- 

•April  ad,  18th,  L.  to  sec.  state.  Larkin's  Off.  Correxp.,  MS.,  ii.  49-.11. 
I'o  the  U.  8.  min.  in  Mexico  he  expressed  hia  confidenuc  that  there  was  no 
(hiiiger  of  invasion  by  Americans.  Id.,  i.  71.  Yet  L.  hail  just  received  a  let- 
tor  from  Hastings,  in  which  that  gentleman  predicted  great  things  for  Cal. 
from  the  immense  immigration;  and  announced  that  a  business  firm — really 
underacontidential  anangemcnt  with  tlie  govt,  made  for  reasons  that  L.  will 
rewlily  understand — was  to  despatch  two  ships  each  year,  bringing  immigrants 
tree  of  charge!  LnrkiiCit  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  55. 


60 


FOREIGN  RELATIONS-U.  S.  AND  ENOLAND. 


llejo,  after  writing  t<»  Pio  Pico  a  letter  embodying  his 
views,  loft  Monterey  for  Sououm  to  await  the  issue. 
Revere's  account,  founded  on  information  obtained, 
not  at  the  time — when  he  knew  nothing  "except  tlu' 
notorious  facts  that  two  parties  existed,  and  that  Gen- 
eral Vallejo  was  supposed  to  be  the  leader  of  the 
American  party,  while  Castro  was  at  the  head  of  the 
European  movement" — but  subsequently,  and  doubt- 
less after  the  conquest,  has  been  repeated  by  Lancey 
and  others,  with  the  additional  information  that  the 
junta  met  at  San  Juan  I  Of  course,  as  the  reader 
knows,  Pico  took  no  part  in  the  meeting,  being  at  Los 
Angeles  at  the  time;  nor  is  Revere's  explanation — 
that  J.  A.  Carrillo  "reflected  the  views  of  Pico,  offi- 
ciated as  his  especial  mouth-piece,"  and  might  even 
have  made  the  speech  attributed  to  Don  Pio — calcu- 
lated to  throw  nmch  light  on  the  subject,  as  Carrillo 
was  politically  a  bitter  foe  ;>r  the  governor.* 

Colonel  Vallejo  was  perhaps  the  source  of  Revere's 
information,  .and  at  any  rate,  he  has  become  chief 
sponsor  for  the  events  as  described  in  later  years. 
In  18G6,  John  W.  Dwinelle,  after  a  consultation  with 
A'allejo,  reproduced  the  speeches,  which  he  stated  to 
have  been  put  in  writing  at  the  time  of  delivery  by 
Larkin."     Finally,  Vallejo  himself,  in  his  manuscript 

^Revere")*  Tour,  24-.T-»;  Lancey'it  Cruine,  .51-4;  Marin  Co.  Ifitl.,  02  T.; 
Mendocino  Co.  J/t«l.,  02-8.  Revcro  adds  tlmt  in  a  private  conversation  Castro 
asked  a  few  weeks  later  '  whether  the  govt  of  tlio  U.  S.  would  give  him  a 
brigadier  gcncrul's  commission  in  cose  he  decided  to  pronounce  for  the  estab- 
lishment ut'  their  authority.'  '  He  spoke  apparently  in  jest,  but  I  could  per- 
ceive that  the  promise  of  sucli  an  appointment  would  have  had  its  efifcct. ' 
C.  E.  Pickett,  in  Shtick'n  Reprrg.  Men,  '22!)-;U),  gives  a  very  muddled  account 
of  this  junta  in  connection  with  that  convoked  at  Sta  IMrbara. 

'  Dwiiiellf.'s  Adilresx,  JSOU,  p.  21-7.  Ho  descriljcs  the  meeting  as  an  infor- 
mal one,  held  at  the  house  of  Castro  at  Monterey ;  does  not  name  Pico  as  author 
of  the  first  Kpeech,  since  he  is  'now  a  loyal  iritizen  of  C'al.;'  and  he  speaks  ot 
the  action  of  this  meeting  as  Imving  made  useless  the  holding  of  thatatSta  IMr- 
bara, though  as  a  matter  of  fact  the  latter  was  not  called  until  May,  long  after 
the  former  was  held.  In  a  memorandum  for  Dwinelle  s  use,  Vallejo,  JJoc. , 
M.S.,  xxxiv.  197,  says  Pico's  speech  was  made  at  Los  Angeles;  and  names 
consuls  Larkin  and  Uastpiet  as  having  been  present  at  the  Monterey  meeting. 
Swaaey,  who  was  at  Montcnjy  at  the  time,  says,  C(d.  '45-6,  MS.,  8-J),  and  in 
conversation,  that  such  a  meeting  was  held,  at  which  Vallejo  prevented  thesuc- 
cess  of  a  plan  to  put  the  country  under  English  protection;  but  he  does  not 
claim  to  have  known  anything  of  the  matter  beyond  a  current  report  of  the 
time 


VAIXWO'S  SPEECH. 


61 


)Jying  l«»s 
the  issue. 

obtained, 
jxcept  the 
that  Gen- 
ler  of  the 
ead  of  the 
md  doubt- 
by  Lancey 
n  that  the 
the   reader 
31  ng  at  Los 
)lanation — 
■  Pico,  offi- 
iiiight  even 
Pio — calcu- 

as  Carrillo 

.6 

of  Revere's 
come  chief 
ater  year.s. 
tation  with 
e  stated  to 
Iclivery  by 
[manuscript 

;o.  Hiat.,  fl-2  5; 
tversation  CastrtJ 
Lulil  give  him  a 
Ico  for  the  estab- 
Ibut  1  could  pei- 
\o  hail  its  eflfect. ' 

luiltlled  account 

Itiug  as  an  infor- 
lie  Pico  as  author 
[ud  ho  speaks  ot 
[thatatStaliAr 
May,  long  after 
k,  Vallejo,  l>oc. , 
Mea;  and  names 
Interey  meeting, 
lis.,  8-9,  and  in 
leventedthesuc- 
Tbut  he  does  not 
Lt  report  of  the 


liistory,  gives  a  detailed  account  of  the  whole  matter, 
which  is  more  or  less  fully  confirmed  by  Alvurado." 
His  version  is  that  Castro  convoked  the  junta  osten- 
sibly to  devise  means  of  defence,  but  really  to  gain 
the  support  of  leading  citizens  against  Pico,  wh«)m  he 
proposed  to   overthrow  in   favor  of  some  man  who 
would  take  part  in  his  own  schemes  for  a  French  pro- 
tectorate.    Vallejo  was  summoned  to  attend  the  junta, 
and  was  joined  on  his  way  dy  Sanchez  and  Alvires  at 
Santa  Clara,     The  meeting  was  held  on  the  27th  of 
March,  at  the  house  of  Larkin,  and  was  presided  by 
Castro,  who  in  an  opening  speech,  tliat  accredited  by 
Run  ere  to  Pico,  made  an  argument  in  favor  of  annex- 
ation to  France.'     Castro's  proposition  caused  some 
surprise,  as  he  had  been  supposed  to  favor  absolute  in- 
(K  pfudenee.    David  Spence  then  urged  the  advantages 
of  England  as  a  strong  nation,  which,  though  protes- 
taiit,  afforded  equal  |)rotection  to  her  catholic  citizens. 
Rafael  Gonzalez  made  a  speech  in  favor  of  "Califor- 
nia, libre,  soberana,  y  independiente"!  and  was  fol- 
lowed byPrudonand  Sanchez  in  behalf  of  the  United 
States,  by  Pablo  de  la  Guerra*"  and  Juan    Alvires 
for  independence,  by  Hartnell  for  England,  and  by 
Cambuston    for  France.     Finally,  Vallejo   made   his 
famous  speech  in  favor  of  annexation  to  the  United 
States;"  and  Prudon  immediately  called  for  a  vote  on 
Vallejo's  proposition.     Castro  objected,  with  satirical 
allusion  to  the  "gentlemen  of  the  frontier"  who  were 
present  only  by  condescension  of  the  south  and  centre, 
representing  the  wealth  and  intelligence  of  the  coun- 

*  I'lillejo,  Ili«t.  Cul.,  iMS.,  V.  61-92;  Alvarwlo,  Hist.  Cat.,  MS.,  v.  133-4<i. 

*Tho  speech  is  given  in  full.  Vallejo  tells  us  that  to  ('astro 's  iinal  clause, 
'  I  propose  annexation  to  France,'  Hartnell,  the  oflicial  reporter  (?),  an  English- 
man, added:  'or  England,'  etc. — words  really  spoken  by  Spence,  though  Cas- 
tro favored  Franco  decidedly,  on  nccount  of  her  religion,  ns  he  iwiid. 

"Except  by  this  author  (Jueira  is  supposed  with  nmch  reason  to  have  bct-ii 
a  partisan  of  England.  Alvotado  says  that  he  should  have  fiivoreil  indepen- 
dence. 

"Tlio  speech  in  sulwtauce  as  given  by  Revere.  Vallejo  says  that  many 
delegates  were  present  fiom  the  Sfuith,  all  in  favor  of  England  except  liantliiii 
iiiid  A.  M.  Pico,  who  favored  the  U.  S.  liuiidini  certainly  was  not  tiiere,  and 
lirobably  no  southern  delegate  was  even  invited  to  come. 


FOREIGN  RELATIONS-U.  S.  AND  ENGLAND. 


try,  aiul  insisted  that  a  vote  must  ho  taken  on  his  own 
proposition.  Priulon  replied,  but  the  teeHng  of  the 
assembly  was  manifestly  against  him,  and  Valiejo 
barely  suueeeded  in  having  a  vote  postponed  until 
after  a  recess.  During  this  rec«)ss,  realizing  that  his 
I  (arty  was  outnumbered  by  the  opposition,  which 
would  doubtless  unite  in  favor  of  England,  Valiejo 
and  his  friends  decided  to  quit  Monterey  and  to  re- 
turn to  their  homes,  which  they  did,  leaving  the  junta 
without  a  quorum,  and  thus  defe  .ting  temporarily  ali 
schemes  of  European  intervention  I'" 

A  desire  to  be  strictly  accurate,  the  leading  mo- 
tive of  all  my  historical  researches,  compels  me  to 
state  that  I  believe  all  that  has  been  said  of  this  meet- 
ing, inrludingtheeloqiient  speeches  so  literally  quoted, 
to  be  purely  imaginary.  No  such  meeting  was  ever 
held,  and  no  such  spi!eches  were  ever  made.  My  be- 
lief in  this  respect  is  founded  on  the  absence  of  any 
contemporary  corroborative  evidence,  under  circum- 
stances which  would  certainly  ha'e  produced  allusions 
to  such  extraordinary  .schemes  and  discussions;  espe- 
cially on  the  silence  of  Larkin,  who  assuredly  would 
have  known  and  written  about  a  matter  so  particu- 
laily  interesting  and  im[)ortant  to  himself;  and  on 
the  many  inherent  discrepancies  and  errors  that  have 
been  pointed  out  in  the  testimony  extant.  There  is 
no  reason  to  doubt  that  Valiejo  was  disposed  in  1  84G 
to  favor  annexation  to  the  United  States,  or  that 
others  looked  with  more  favor  on  European  nations 
for  protection ;  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  some  of  the 
leaders  may  have  expressed  their  preferences  to  one 
another  and  guardedly  to  foreigners;  but  in  thus  re- 
cording a  formal  meeting,  with  tleliberate  discussion  of 
propositions  to  deliver  their  country  to  a  foreign  power, 


"It  is  to  Ix.'  uotcil  that  Valloju  iiiukva  tlio  <late  uf  the  junta  March  27th, 
while  its  .ictioii  of  April  iltli,  ubuuduntly  recurdod,  is  not  inentioiied  at  all  hy 
him.  Me  spouks  of  IMco'h  lottvr  disanj)ruvinguf  his  spoeuh,  and  of  the  junta's 
ai'tiou,  tliough  most  of  the  niondicrs  had  assembled  by  Pico's  ordur,  with  in- 
titructions  to  vote  for  England !  liut  I'ico's  letter  and  Vallejo's  reply  are  ex- 
tant. !is  already  noted,  and  they  contain  no  reference  to  foreign  relations. 


iSTKAUNS,  LKlvSK.  AND  NVAUXER. 


63 


1  iiin  very  suro  that  Gonural  Vallejo's  memory  hats 
liLoii  yieatly  uitled  by  his  imagination. 

On  April  I7th,  the  day  of  Gillespie's  arrival  with 
news  of  Ijarkin's  appointment  as  confidential  agent, 
l^arkin  wrote  letters  to  Abel  Stearns,  Jacob  P.  Leese, 
and  John  Warner,  to  whom  he  communicated  news 
l.rouj^dit  from  Mazatlan  by  the  Portsmouth,  to  the 
iftecrtiiJit  war  was  believed  to  have  been  declared,  <»r 
at  least  that  it  would  not  long  be  delayed.  In  the 
cvtMit  of  war,  lie  writes,  "I  believe  the  stars  would 
shine  over  California  before  the  Fourth  of  Julyl  bless- 
ing those  who  see  them  and  their  posterity  after 
ihem."  This,  he  believes,  would  be  most  advanta- 
^feous  to  the  people,  though  probably  not  to  himself 
and  other  merchants.  "As  a  trader,  I  prefer  every- 
thing as  it  is;  the  times  and  the  country  are  good 
enough  for  me."  After  painting  in  bright  colors  the 
beneiits  of  annexation  to  the  United  States,  the  writer 
urges  the  gentlemen  addressed  to  disseminate  his 
views  with  diligence  and  secrecy,  reporting  promptly 
all  that  they  could  learn  of  the  popular  feeling  in  their 
lospective  sections.  Especially  were  the  people  to  be 
wained  against  the  evils  of  European  interference.  In 
their  distress,  "some  look  to  England,  some  to  the 
United  States,  and  a  few  to  France  as  a  dernier  ressort. 
Tho!;t  who  look  to  Europe  know  nothing  of  a  Euro- 
pean et)lonist's  life,  or  of  the  heavy  tax  and  imposi- 
tion he  suffers.  The  idea  of  independence  is  from  his 
mother's  breast  implanted  in  every  native  of  the  Amer- 
ican continent.  Then  where  should  he  look  for  assist- 
ance but  to  the  United  States  of  America?  He  will 
there  find  a  fellow-feeling  with  those  who  can  partici- 
pate in  all  his  ideas,  and  hail  him  as  a  republican  and 
citizen  of  the  land  of  freedom.  Be  all  this  as  it  may, 
iVom  the  time  of  Mr  Monroe,  the  United  States  have 
said  that  no  European  government  should  plant  colo- 
nies in  North  America.  Mr  Polk  reiterates  this  posi- 
tion, and  his  government  will  make  it  good;  and  the 


M 


FOREIGN  RELATION'S- U.  .s.  AND  ENtiLAND. 


'^< 


(lay  that  European  colonist  by  purtliaso,  <>r  European 
soldier  by  war,  places  his  foot  on  Californian  soil, 
that  day  sliall  wo  see  tho  hardy  sons  of  the  west  come 
to  tho  rescue."" 

At  or  about  the  same  time  Larkin  prepared  an 
other  letter,  expressinj,'  views  similar  t()  those  just 
noted,  but  in  lanu^uage  almost  identical  with  that  used 
by  Buchanan  in  his  instructions.  This  document 
without  signature  was  translated  into  Spanish,  and 
was  intended  to  be  shown  to  different  Californians, 
but  only  as  embodying  Larkin's  juivate  o[)inions.'^ 
To  the  secretary  of  state  the  consul  wrote,  that  while 
the  leaders  would  prefer  to  inle  the  country  under 
Mexico,  and  were  inclined  to  vacillate  in  their  ideas 
i»f  loreign  protection,  yet  he  believed  they  would  not 
oppose  annexation  to  the  United  States  if  their  offices 
and  salaries  could  be  secured  to  them.''  To  Gillespie 
Larkin  wrote:  "I  have  said,  as  my  opinion,  to  Castro, 
Carrillo,  and  Vallejo,  that  our  Hag  may  fly  here  in 
thirty  days.  The  former  says  for  his  own  plans  war 
is  preferable  to  peace,  a  4  affairs  will  at  once  be  brought 
to  a  crisis,  and  each  one  know  his  doom.  I  answered 
that  without  war  he  could  secure  to  himself  and  his 
friends  fame,  honor,  and  pennanent  employ  and  pay. 
lie  and  others  know  not  what  to  do  or  .say  but  wait 
advices  from  Mexico.  .  .1  have  had  manv  of  the  lead- 


"  April  17,  1846,  L.  to  Stearns,  Leese,  and  Warner.  LarLiu'a  Off.  Correap., 
MS.,  i.  77-9.  This  letter  might  bo  shown  to  Californians,  but  neither  origi- 
nal nor  a  copy  nmat  bo  allowcil  to  fall  into  their  baiida. 

"No  date,  Jerkin's  circular  letter.  Copy  in  Satcyer't  Doc,  MS.,  18-24, 
witli  a  note  by  L.  explaining  tho  circumstances  under  which  it  was  written — 
iu  Feb.  lie  says,  but  this  must  be  au  error,  perlmps  of  tho  copyist.  I  have 
not  found  tlio  original,  but  Sawyer  saw  it  among  L.'s  papers  iKjfore  they 
canio  into  my  possession.  In  this  document  tho  Caiiicmians  arc  clearly  in- 
formed that  tlio  U.  S.  will  not  permit  European  intervention,  but  will  wel- 
come Cal.  as  a  sister  republic  or  as  a  part  of  the  Ameriain  union. 

'*  April  17,  18 to,  L.  to  sec.  state.  Larkin's  Off.  Coire.<tp.,  MS.,  ii.  .V2-4. 
Ho  saya  Castro  talks  of  going  to  tho  Sacramento  in  July  to  prevent  the  entry 
of  expected  immigrants.  Ho  is  probably  not  in  earnest,  but  i5  he  does  go  it 
w  ill  only  hasten  the  crisis.  Larkin  thinks  Castro  will  soon  ovjrthrow  Pico; 
represents  Forbes  and  Gasquetas  men  not  very  influential  or  likely  to  meddle 
much  in  politics;  and  ho  thanks  tho  president  for  his  appointment  as  agent, 
promising  to  do  his  best  to  give  satismction. 


n. 


SUTTKU'S  POLICY. 


U5 


European 
riiian  soil, 
Nvoat  c'oiuo 

•pared  an 
those  just 
I  that  used 

clocunie!it 
•anisli,  and 
alilbrniaiis, 

opinions.'* 
,  that  while 
ntry  under 
their  ideas 
J  would  not 
their  ottices 
ro  Gillespie 
1,  to  Castro, 

tly  here  in 
n  plans  war 

be  l)rou«^ht 

I  answered 
Iselfand  his 

>y  and  pay. 

ly  hut  wait 

ut'  the  lead- 


VnCa  Off.  Correaj).. 
Int  neither  ongi- 

L.,  MS.,  13-24, 
I  it  was  written — 
1  copyist.  I  have 
Ipers  iKsfore  they 
Va  arc  clearly  in- 
fon,  but  will  wel- 

T>.,MS.,ii.  ..-2-4. 
invent  the  entry 
It  i5  lie  docs  «o  it 

\  (IV  jrtlirow  Pico; 
likely  to  meddle 

ptment.  aa  agent, 


ers  at  my  lnjuse  to  inquire  into  the  news,  and  I  be- 
lieve they  are  fast  preparing  for  the  eoming  event."'" 

Respecting  the  policy  of  Sutter  in  these  days,  so 
far  as  foreign  relations  are  concerned,  little  is  known. 
He  was  not  in  184(5,  as  he  had  been  to  some  extent 
before,  one  of  those  to  whom  Larkin  confided  his  po- 
litical plans.  In  a  comniunieation  to  Castro,  written 
in  April  or  ^lay — the  same  in  which  he  warned  that 
officer  against  Gillespie  as  an  agent  of  the  United 
States  with  important  despatches  for  Fremont,  whom 
he  perhaps  intended  to  recall  from  the  northern  fron 
tier — Sutter  wrote:  "I  reconnnend  vou  to  station  u 
respectable  garrison  at  this  point  before  the  arriviil 
of  innnigrants  from  the  United  States,  which  will  bo 
about  the  middle  of  September.  According  to  reports, 
they  may  number  some  thousands,  though  not  ten 
thousa  il,  as  has  been  said.  Believing  that  the  goN  - 
ermnent  will  buy  my  establislnnent,  I  shall  put  every 
thing  in  the  best  order.  I  am  putting  a  new  story  on 
the  large  new  budding  which  you  have  seen,  and  will 
make  it  ready  as  soon  as  possible,  containing  quarters 
for  two  or  tliree  hundred  soldiers,  with  sutHcient  i)a- 
rade-ground  within  the  fort  lor  the  troops.  I  have  als» » 
written  to  Prudon  about  this  matter."*'  Tlie  oidy 
connnent  to  be  made  on  Sutter's  warninu  against  Gilles- 
pie,  and  on  his  recommendation  to  garrison  New  Hel- 
vetia against  American  immigrants,  is  that  these  acts 
were  much  more  consistent  with  his  duty  as  a  Mexi- 
can citizen  and  officer  than  with  his  later  j>retensions 
of  American  partisanship. 

On  May  13th  was  issued  the  call  for  a  'consejo  gen- 
•  ral  de  pueblos  unidos,'  to  deliberate  on  the  future 
destiny  of  California.     I  have  already  noticed  this  con- 

'•  April  23,  1846,  L.  to  O.  Larkin'a  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  7:5-5. 

"  No  date  (about  S  weeks  after  FrtSmont'a  visit),  Sutter  to  ( "astro  in  Span- 
ish. Castro,  Doc.,  MS.,  08,  41.     For  tiio  letter  to  I'nulou,  sec  cliup.  xxv.,  this 
vol.     Sutter's  preparations  were  soon  to  lie  utilized,  as  will  Ik-  seen,  but  imt 
by  a  Mexican  gairison,  as  he  hail  intended. 
IIisT.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    5 


'I 


riUli; 


06 


FOREIGN  RKLATIONS— U.  s.  AND  ENGLAND. 


Hojo  as  a  pba«o  «»f  the  <;(>ntrovt!r«3"  betwoon  Pico  and 
Castro,  and  explained  that  the  op])osition  of  the  latter 
and  his  friends  prevented  its  success.  It  has  i»een  be- 
lieved from  that  time  to  this,  that  the  promoters  of 
this  council  intended  in  it  to  urije  the  scheme  of  inde- 
peiidence  from  ^[e\i(!o,  involvin<;  probMbly  an  appeal 
to  some  other  nation  for  protection.  The  woidin*^  of 
the  call,'"*  toj^ether  with  the  corres()ondence  of  .such 
men  as  Stearns  and  Larkin,  indicates  tiiat  the  belief 
was  well  foun<le<l;  tiiouii^h  little  contempoiary  evi- 
<lence  exists  from  Californian  soui'ces.*"  1  have  n(» 
doubt  that  the  consejo  would  have  discussed  the 
<juestit)ns  to  which  I  have  alluded;  that  amonjij  th«' 
members  W(»ul(l  have  apj>eared  advocjites(»f  loyalty  ti» 
Mexico,  of  absolute  in(lepen<lenc(',  of  annexation  to 
tin;  United  States,  and  of  an  EniL,dish  or  French  pro- 
tectorate; and  that  <>ii  a  vot(.'  the  parties  woidd  have 
stood  numei-ically  in  tin;  order  just  indicatiMl.  I'^riijuds 
i»f  the  United  Staters  nii<;ht  verv  likely  have  united 
with  the  advocates  of  independence,  sin<'e,  in  theevent 
of  no  war  with  Mexico,  independenct;  would  have  l)eeii 
less  embai-rassini;'  to  the  iL^oNeinnieiit  at  Wasliin«rtoii 
than  annexation,  thoULfh  practically  and  eventually 
amounting  to  the  same  tliiiin'.  Hut  all  the  other  factions 
would  have  united  in  beliitlf  of  Mixico,  and  Califoinia 
w<nild  almost  certainly  iiave  maintainc!  its  t'ormer 
.status,  so  far  as  the  consejo  could  afiect  it. 

Larkin  was  not  alaiHK'd  at  the  luniors  that  the 
consejo  WIS  to  be  controlled  by  ailvixates  of  i'^uropean 
interference.  He  proposed  t(»  visit  Santa  IJarbara 
in  pel-son;  ami  he  had  no  doubt  of  his  ability,  with 
the  rid  m|'  N'allcjo,  liantlini,  and  Steaiiis,  all  of  whom 
lie  uiL;ed  to  att«'nd  as  members,  to  prevent  any  tri 
uniph  of  foes  to  tin-  United  States,  though  he  did  not 
expect  a  positive'  decision  in   fiixor  of  his  own  plans. 

'".Slit!  thu|i.  ii.  of  tlii.t  Mfl, 

'■'May  ;I0,  IS4<>,  Miiiiui'l  (liiMtro  to  .lo.ii!  <1iistfii.  Mi'iitimis  tin'  iiiinnf  tliat 
tlio  .iuutli.rn  ili'lu^iiti'M  will  t'livor  iii(li>|)t.'nilfii>'i';  .it  wliii'li  the  uriti'i'  isiiulig- 
imiit.  uikI  iii':,'es  Uif  u<'ii.  to  titko  |>iirt  in  tln'  i'<iii.m'Jii,  with  a  vii-w  to  pivvuiit 


till!  SU^.■CC•^6  i)f  .tlK-il  a  ailirl 


.v.,/.. 


/'.,. 


.MS..  ;ij-.»-j 


THK  SANTA  BAKBAIIA  COUNCIL. 


the  latter 
s  l>eoii  1k- 
)m(»ter.s  «»1 
10  •>!'  inJe- 
iin  appeal 
vonliii*^  «»t 
L-e  of  such 
the  belief 
onirv   evi- 
I   have  n<» 
ussed    the 
iimm*^  thf 
'  Itiyalty  tt» 
e\atioii  ttt 
'n-neh  pro- 
ve )ul(l  havt' 
I.     Frieiuls 
wive  iiiiited 


the  event 

liive  been 

''iishingtoii 

■vt'iitually 

•r  laetions 

Calltorniii 

its  toriner 

that  the 
iMUopi'au 
I  IJilrhaia 
lility,  with 
I  til"  whom 
it  any  tri 
\\\v  (lid  not 
liwn  plrtiif^. 


I|i<-  I'liiiiiir 


tliitt 


|Miti'  Miiidig- 
licw  til  jiii'veiit 


Stearns  thon^ht  tin- proposed  nieetiniy' would  eoiisider 
foreign  relations  oniv  as  a  seeondary  question,  the 
(piarri'l  hetwi-en  Pico  and  Castro  being  of  primary 
iniportanci-;  but  he  believed  that  the  United  States 
had  niori!  friends  in  the  south  than  any  European 
nation,  and  that  a  niaj(»rity  would  favor  annexation, 
could  thtv  Ik'  assured  of  immediate  protection  against 
Mexico. -■"'■ 

The  importance  of  the  proposetl  eonsejo,  as  a  se'icme 
designed  to  put  the  country  under  the  protect  in -a  of 
Knghunl,  has  been  gros.-iy  exaggerated,  as  indeed  has 
ail  that  pertains  in  any  way  to  English  interferi'nce. 
It  has  bei.n  asscrte*!  thiit  l*ico  and  other  promoters 
of  the  council  had  so  ari'anged  its  membership  as  to 
insure  a  decision  in  favor  of  (ireat  l»rit{>"n.  Many 
native  ( 'alifornians  have  taken  this  view  of  the   mat- 

■'"  Miiy  II,  ls4(i,  Stt'iirns  to  Ijirkiii.announciiiK  tlio  oonviK-atioii  of  thr  ooii- 
81'jo.  \\{'  s,iy.s;  Tlic  iili'it  iiiiidiifi  tlic  < 'alifornians  for  in<lr|ii'nilcni-('  lia»  tor  a 
"ong  tinii'  Itocn  rlu  ri.slird  lien-  at  tin'  Noutli;  niorf  .•-o  tlian  at  tlif  north. 
>'ltcli  a  nicasuri!  1  liavf  alw  as.s  Ik'iii  ojipost'il  io,  an<l  tiiinlv  it  a  wild  .Mi'hi'nii;. 
OClii'r  plans  liiivi'  Ik'I'Ii  s|ic>ki'n  of  l>y  sonu'  .siu'li  as  to  iusk  pmtfi'tion  of  Kng 
huiil  or  tlio  C  S.  'I'hf  il'.'sirc  for  ••onic  kiml  of  a  <  liaiij;*'  is  almost  nnivcrsal, 
as  it  irt  c'i'rt4iiii  that  no  iirotcc'iioii  <  an  lie  <'\|ii't't('il  from  Mcxii  o  in  her  iirt'scnt 
rivohitionary  statr.'  Lurki,,  ^  tin.-.,  MS.,  iv.  il!».  May  'Jlst,  L.  to  S.  /,/., 
Oft',  l'lll•l•r.^/l.,  MS  .  i.  S(».  .May  "Jfth.  I.  to  l.i'csc.  Asks  him  to  urj/f  Vallfjo 
to  altcnil  the  I'onsi'Jo.  lit.,  i.  Hi.  .luni'  I st,  Stearns  to  1^.,  fxplainin^'  hi.- 
ideas  as  to  the  oliject  ot  the  meeting.  /'I  .  /'()<■.,  MS.,  iv.  I."il.  'I  often 
hear  the  most  res|>ei'tahle  |)co|il"  say,  "Ojal.i  <|ne  tome  I'stii  los  .\m''rit'unos"' 
Tiny  a|i|ieai  to  In-  imlmed  to  any  knid  of  a  ihani;e  th.'it  will  free  tin'm  from 
Me\ieo.  The  fio\  t  Men  are  of  the  >.ame  opinK"  jienerally."  .Iiine  1st,  \t.  to 
(iille.>|)ie.  hcM's  not  lieheve  the  jinita  u  i!i  have  ,  i|uornni.  'I  have  iio  rea 
.son  to  sn|>|iosr  that  this  junta  in  more  thr.n  lo  Io  something  fctr  the  iH'netit  oi 
t'ai.:  what  that  may  he  the  mi'mhers  iheinselves  do  not  i'xa<'tly  know  .1  a> 
a  |iri\ati'  pcison  told  Korlies,  Cawtro,  V'allejiv  and  I'rndon  that  it  they  were 
roniident  'hat  M<'vii'o  wonhl  do  nothini;  for  Cat.,  to  make  one  more  •llortand 
present  Iri.'ii  a  lar),;e  junta  a  i  espt'rtalile  (sic)  memorial  repieseutin;.'  thi'  state 
of  Cat.;  au>'  if  .Mexico  cannot  all'ord  prot'clion.  hi  them  handily  oiler  thi'ir 
adviee  ol  selling  the  iianitry.  I'"'i;lies  tohl  i.ic  lie  i  ould  not  inenfion  muIi  .t 
thing.  I  toll)  him  I  woidd,  .oiil  my  ,L;'>vt  coidd  displace  ine  if  they  saw 
premier;  as  I  hae  no  pay  (!i,  there  would  he  no  lisk  or  loss;  that  as  ji  j>-'Viite 
ma  I  and  land  sp  cidator  I  »ould  agitate  ipu'stlons  for  mv  piiv.tic  ends,  hene 
lit,  aid  iici'oiint.  To  do  this  lie  \\  islir.l  inc  to  he  tlieri'  jit  >ta  It.irliara.  />/., 
'>//■  ( 'urn  s/i.,  M  ..  i,  h7  !».  .Imie  Ist,  I,,  to  sec.  state.  ;iniioiiiiciiiL:  the  pro- 
posed holding  ol  III"  eonsejo  liy  the  go\  .  and  as.scinlily.  "  from  a  dread  of  ■.oiih' 
thing,  they  hard  ,'  iinxw  \\lial.'  /</..  ii.  .'ill.  .Iiiiie  iHth.  I.,  to  Molt  iiml  'I'al 
hot,  MiiAillan.  ■  h.nks  the  scheme  will  fail,  /i/.,  />o.. .  MS.,  iv.  Hi.").  Castm. 
/{'I'iriiiii,  M.S.,  I  ,  SO.  .savs  that  I'ico's  motive  in  eonvoking  tin- c  msejo  was 
111  torestall  (ien.  t 'astio  ill  his  supposed  ^  hem,' of  a  foreign  protet  torati'  a 
most  liihculiMis  eiitirpiise  The  gen.  had  really  sent  <iiieiM'ii(HU  (i.  uluimeil 
aUo)  to  urge  I'itu  to  join  him  in  such  a  scheme. 


I)S 


FOllKIliN  KELAl'IONS— U.  «.  AND  EN(;i.AXL). 


ter,  especially  certain  ariibonos,  who  have  thus  ac- 
counted tor  their  opposition  to  the  scheme,  with  a 
view  to  uuiiinifV  tiieir  services  in  behalf  of  the  United 
States.'*'  Another  fruitful  source  of  exajj^geration  was 
tlie  congressional  investigation  of  a  few  years  later 
respecting  California  claims  on  the  treasury,  on  which 
occasion  it  became  important  for  certain  interests  to 
magnify  the  importance  of  services  rendered  by  revo 
lutionists  to  the  United  States.  Many  witnesses  were 
l)rought  foiward  to  prove  that  California  had  been  on 
the  |)oint  of  being  sui'rendered  to  Englan<l  by  the  au- 
thorities, the  transfer  being  previ-nted — as  was  Pico's 
proiligal  distribution  of  lands  among  his  English  friends 
— by  the  promjjt  action  of  American  settlers  on  the 
northern  fiontier.  The  al)surditv  of  this  claim  will  be 
shown  later;  and  I  introduce  the  nuitter  here  only  to 
show  tilt'  (»rigiu  of  a  popular  idea,  that  Cvalifornia  was 
in  imminent  daiio'er  of  beinu'  handed  o\er  to  I'^nijland. 
The  testimony  citetl  was  that  of  those  who  merely 
rep(,>ated  the  rumors  ciuient  among  a  class  who  had 
the  least  op|)ortunities  of  knowing  the  facts;  and  they 
pai<l  but  little  attention  to  the  chronology  of  such  ru 
mors,  confoundiMg  thost;  that  follow(jd  with  those  that 
pii'ceded  the  raising  of  the  American   Hag   in  July.'^' 

-'  Vallejo,  Uisl.  C<tl..  MS.,  v.  tKlKl;  lit.,  /></,■.,  MS.,  \\\iv.  I'.CJ,  is  posit iv. 
ill  lii.-'  stiitoineiits  to  tliisclVout,  (Icclaringalso  tiiat  l"'orln's  wasiu'tive  in  proimii 
iiig  the  Hulieino.     Alvaiailo,  IHhI.  Cal.,  MS.,  v.  I()i)-I(>,  IMi  .")0,  oximssus  tlif 
minii:  i>|iiiii()n,  ho  far  as  I'ini'.-i  ilcHigna  uro  coiicornnl;  l>iit  ho  thiiikfi  tlio  gover 
iior'.i  t'dllowiiin  wiw  not  nuiiH'iically  ntroni;,  and  lie  names  IMviil  Spenue  as  tlir 
nio.tt  iironiinciit  KMj,'li.-<li  a>;i'rit.    Osii).  //^s^  *'((/.,  MS.,4.">7,  contirnis  tlin  at^ito 
iiifMl  tliiit  t'ii'o  wiiH  intri^Miiii^r  wjf  li  Forlics  an<loth(>r  aguntM  ol   I'liigland.     Ivii 
favi  I'into,  Ajiiuil.,  MS.,  HNi,  rlairiis  to  liiivo  Htartuil  for  tlio  Houtli  with  l*al)lo  il' 
la  (iiitM'i'i'a,  wlio  was  sent  liy  < ':i«tro  and  .Mvarailo  to  I'onfur  with   I'iro,  an<l 
urge  .1  sciiciHf  for  an   KiigliHli  ])r()tw;toratr       Mannid  'I'orroH,  Pi  rijie'liui,  MS., 
7-    ♦,  ti'll.H  us  fliat  l>r  StiiUfs   \va.><  uiui   of  the   most   activo   ));irtiHjin.s  of  tlic 
Kn;4lisli  lausc;  hut  tliat  {"'orbcs  .mtl  Kichanison  hi'iilaloot.      Sen  ;ii.so,  on  I'ico'.s 
schciiit'rt.  Jiiiinz,  Sarr.,  MS. ;  I  'tirrillo,  S'lirr.,  MS.,  t»   10;  Siim-hcz,  Notiis,  MS. , 
•J'J.     John  Iliilwt'll,  Ciil.  ill  /,S';/  .s',  MS.,  Ill  '_»,  Buy*  il  wa.H  gi'niTallv  iindi'i 
Htood  tliat  l'i<'oan<l  othi>r  proiniiu'iit  niun  wctoagituting  thuipicHtionot  iMiglJHli 
protootioii,  and  l»o  thinUs  thfr;-  was  mmio  foiuulation  for  the  idi'a,    Juan  I'ors 
tri,    Pioiinr   Daf'i,  MS.,  "J.S  !(,  also   thinkx  there   wan  an  underHtauding  \n- 
tween    Kuglisli  ugunts  and   th«!   (yalifoiiiijiii   authorities.     See  aUo   Laiici\i/'^ 
Cniiae,  M.     llepwurth  Dixon,  U'hili'  (  'hiii/ik st.  i.  10,  nanieti  Vallejoas  an  advo 
ci.'te  of  Kngliah  scheineH  I     See  also  llatl's  llitl.  S.  Jonf,  |4I>,  and  many  new> 
pa\)er  artictoa. 

'"  hWiiioiil'n  Cul.   ChiiniK  (SOth  < ;i.  Isl   ness..  Sen,    Itepls  no.   T"")!  /'»•'.' ^ 


a». 


PICO'S  PLANS  IN  FAVOR  OF  KNGLAND. 


0  thus  ac- 
ne, with  ii 
the  Unitod 
^ration  was 
years  later 
y,  on  which 
interests  to 
•etl  by  revo 
nesaes  were 
liail  been  o\\ 

1  by  the  au- 
i  was  Pico's 
j;lish  frieiuls 
Llcrs  on  the 
laini  will  be 
here  only  t«t 
xHt'ornia  was 
to  I'iUgland. 
who  merely 
,ss  who  had 
,s;  and  they 
of  snch  r<i 
li  tliosethat 

\vr   in  Julv.- 

V.  I'.fJ,  isiiusiliv 
|;utivo  in  i)ronii>t 

.■>(»,   I'Xpi'SSL'S  till 

luiiks  tlio  giivi'i 
■id  Spciicc  UH  tli« 
luilirinsi  tlio  Htato 
It   England.     Ivii 
[ith  with  l'iil)lo  <1' 
r  witli  Pi'o.  in>'' 
/'.  /•;/<#•'  i<i.<,  MS.. 
l));iitiHiins   of   till 
|co  iiUii,  on  Pico  s 
■hez,  Notit.1,  MS. . 
IgoiuTiiUv  uniUi 
estionof  Knj^lisli 
kli'n.    .hum  I'ot'' 
diMHtundmg  l)i 
BC  iiIno   [janci  II  - 
liUejoiis  tin  advii 
1  and  niiiny  new.- 

Ils  no.   "•">);  /'••'■  ^ 


The  truth  (»!"  the  matter  is  simply  tliat  Pico  and 
half  a  dozen  other  somewhat  prominent  men,  inelud- 
iiicr  Pablo  de  la  Gueria  and  Juan  B.  Alvarado,  were 
inclined,  through  various  motives  of  personal  ambi- 
tions, dislikes,  and  friendships,  to  favor  European 
intervention  as  a  means  of  kcepin,L,M heir  country  from 
the  United  States.  Popular  smt  imcnt  was  not  stron*; 
ill  their  ftivor,  and  they  c(»uld  not  have  controlled  the 
•  •..iisejo  in  behalf  of  Kiigland,  even  had  they  acted 
together,  as  tiiey  were  not  likely  to  do.  The  theory 
ihat  Pico  had  so  planned  the  mcctiiiij:  as  to  control 
it  absolutely  in  this  respect,  or  in  any  other  respect 
«  \cept  that  of  opposition  to  Castro  and  the  noi^.hern 
<li(iue,  was  one  dev(lope<l  in  later  years  from  the 
iiiiao'ination  of  Vallejo  and  his  friends.  Larkin  and 
Stearns,  the  men  best  (lualified  to  judi:fe  in  the  mat- 
ter, had  no  fear  of  results  so  far  as  the  action  of  Cali- 
foniiau;  '"IS  concerned,  their  only  apprehensions, 
much  L  troublesome  than  in  former  years,  being 
founded  on  what  England  might  accomplish  in  Mex- 
ico. Had  En<dand  sent  a  force  to  take  California, 
toijfether  with  ijfuaranties  of  office  or  emolument  to 
I'ico  an<l  (Castro,  then  the  attitude  of  those  officials 
would  have  assumed  an  importance  that  it  did  not 
possess  under  any  other  circmnstances.  What  were 
the  plans  of  the  lOnglish  govtrnment  it  is  no  )>art  «)f 
my  present  duty  to  consitler. 

It  is  not  easy  t.o  determine  what  steps  were  taken 
by  Foibes  ami  David  S|>ence  to  eiu-ourage  Pico  and 
his  friends  in  their  piir|)ose  of  appealing  to  England. 
The  corres|>ondenci>  of  ihe  tiiui:  natiu'ally  touches  this 

S)wech>:i,  i  'J7S-80;  l/artnianii'i  liricf,  01-7.").  Lieiitt'niint«  OilicHpio  and 
Minor  wiM'c  the  witiiPS8i'8  tliat  spoko  most  jioKitivi'Iy  almut  the  .Sta  Marbara 
lunta,  tlic  toriiu'r  getting  liis  information  tVoiii  l.crsc  cliirllv,  iinil  tin'  ialtcr — 
« iio  represented  tlio  jiintjv  nn  liaving  actually  ilei-ided  in  fiivorof  Kngland  — 
honi  Pediii  ( ",  Cai-rillo.  l.">  or  -tl  other  witiie.sses  te.stilied  to  the  geiuTal 
l"li<'f  that  I'iro  w.is  granting  the  piiMic  lauds  u.i  fast  as  poHsihle  to  Kuglish- 
men.  The  ehii'f  alisiirdity  to  wliiili  I  have  alluded  in  my  text  wiis  in  the 
elaiui  that  the  ai'tion  of  the  northern  revolntionists,  in  iha  middle  of  .lune, 
had  any  ell'ect  to  elieek  Pico's  grants.  Most  of  the  witucHses  inentiou  the 
MeN.imuia  grant,  whieh  will  lie  fiilly  iiotiied  la'er,  jiud  of  vhuh  nothing 
vas  Liiown  in  unitliiiu  (  aliforuiii  liefore  the  end  of  .Inne. 


70 


FOUKICX  KKLATIONS— U.  S.  ANI>  KX(ILAXI). 


K  :l 


topic  but  vajjfuuly.-'  F«)rl)t's  alwayH  denied  haviii<^ 
been  nuicerned  in  any  intrifj^iies  whaU^ver  in  behalf 
of  his  jir«»verinnent.  In  (Conversation  with  l^arkin  in 
1840,  lie  <^ave  liini  to  understand  that  he  liud  onee 
been  reprinmndetl  by  his  ^overinnent  i'or  liavinj^ 
introduced  the  subject  of  Cahfornia  i)olitics  in  sonu^ 
ot'  liis  connnunications;  that  he  lielieved  tlie  rumors 
of*  Enghsh  negotiations  with  the  authorities  to  be 
false,  though  England  would  not  regard  with  satis- 
faction the  interference  of  any  other  nation;  that  his 
individual  preferenci;  was  in  favor  of  the  United 
States,  though  his  ofKcial  position  did  not  i)erniit  an 
'open  expression  of  this  preference;  and  finally,  that 
his  policy  woukl  be  to  say  notliing,  not  to  luetldle  in 
jiolitics,  and  to  ac<|uire  s()n»e  lands  in  anticipation  of 
the  coming  change.-*  It  is  not  by  any  means  neces- 
sary to  place  implicit  confidence  in  the  literal  accuracy 


!'i!: 


■■"  Miiri'li  I7tli,  Foi-Ih'h  wrik'Mto  Ikiiitlini:  'You  liciiig  in  my  ii|iiiii(iii  a  nmii 
wlioHu  intcllifiPiur  peiiotriiti'H  tlie  (K-sij;ii8  of  Ciilifoniiji'M  furs,  uikI  not  lii'in;^ 
iiblv  at  iircHcnt  to  nittT  int.)  piu'tii'ulurs,  i  have  autlmri/.cd  lloiiry  haltuii  to 
proinmo  to  you  a  ct'i'tniii  iiii-tlioil  ot'  fiustiatiii^  tlioHO  (k-8ii{iis  in  a  inaiinir 
lionoraltli-  ami  liciirlu'ial  to  tlii.s  coiintiy.  I'lrasi;  write  to  mo  if  yon  fiml  it 
mri'H.sary  in  orilor  to  forwanl  tilic  ilcsiri'd  oliject.'  /tiiixlhii,  hm.,  MS.,  (KS. 
l>on  Juan's  I'l-ply,  /'/.,(!'.>,  was  ilatoil  April 'Jlst.  It  was  lonj;  ISiimlini  never 
wi'ote  n  short  eoiiimnnieation  ami  somewiiat  va^'iie  and  mysterious.  The 
dan;^er  was  no  seeret  to  him,  lie  said,  and  hi^  seems  to  approve  the  plan  pro 
po.sed;  hut  'tinfoi'tunatt'ly  we  ai-e  in  .-i  I'onntry  where  everything,'  eannot  he 
told,  and  wliero  a  ^ood  result  eannot  he  expeeted  it'  tlu^  few  men  eapahle  of 
tr(!atin>;  so  seriotis  a  suliji'ct  do  not  dedicate  themselves  <'\clusively  to  if.' 
It  is  necessary  to  use  j,'reat  eaution,  to  dissemhle,  and  to  await  an  opportunity, 
earefiilly  avoiding  preniatnru  action,  etc.  He  ai.so  alludes  vaguely  to  com- 
mercial topic's.  This  corresp.  may  or  may  not  have  a  political  sinnilicancc. 
{•'orlfes  s»!ems  to  have  aihlr<-s.se<l  I'ico,  asUing  an  explanation  respecting  l'"rr- 
mont's  moti\«'s;  for  I'ico,  on  April  "J'Jd,  replied  that  he  did  not  know  what 
IhoHc  motives  were,  liut  assuring  ForU^s  that  the  govt  d(ie.s  not  admit  the 
protection  of  any  foreign  power.    lUjil.  SI.  I'li/i.,  .MS.,  viii.  I'.'S. 

•^'May'JI,  l".S4(i,  L.  to  Stearns.  Larkiii's  itjf.  Ciinrnii.,  MS.,  i.  ,S()-1. 
May  LMth,  same  to  same,  /if.,  i.  81  .'l;  A/.,  />.«■.,  .MS.,  iv.  I.'l.'t.  .May  "Jtitli, 
sanu'  to  same.  77.,  O//'.  I'ltrrmp.,  M.S.,  i.  8;{.  'It  is  possible  that  the  gov. 
may  ohtain  HUlHeient  from  Mr  Forhes  to  give  up  any  idea  of  looking  to  Kng- 
land.'  June  1st,  ]..  to  (lillespie.  /(/.,  i.  S7  ((.  Jum;  1st,  L.  to  nee.  state. 
A/.,  ii.  50-8.  Tlu^  same  idea  is  clearly  expressed  in  all  these  letters.  Stearns 
had  written  on  the  14th  of  May  that  he  knew  positively  that  Knglish  agents 
were  at  work;  and  L.  had  heen  somewhat  alarmed  at  the  news  until  hi>  had 
talked  with  ForbcH  and  Sjituice.  .McKay,  h'nn/li ii!oiis,  MS.,  4,  arriving  at 
S.  F.  in  March,  miys  ho  fountl  the  air  thick  with  rumors  on  account  of  Fn^- 
mont's  operations.  The  Knglishmen  thori^  Heemed  to  take  sides  with  the 
AmericanH,  though  they  blamed  the  Knglish  govt  for  not  taking  prompt 
action  to  Bccurc  the  country  for  the  liritish  crown. 


FOKBKS  AND  81'KNCE.  "I 

•  tf  tljose  statoiiieiits  of  Forbes  aiul  Si>uiu-f;  but  it  is 
well  to  note  tliat  evidence  against  them  is  exceedingly 
slight,  and  that  Larkin,  the  man  best  (jdalified  and 
most  interested  to  learn  the  truth,  as  well  as  the  one 
who  had  in  former  years  been  most  suspicious  ot 
JCnirlish  interl'erence,  was  inclined  to  credit  those 
statements. 


In  Mav  Larkin  appointed  Abel  Stearns  his  confi- 
ilential  agent  lor  Los  Angeles  and  southern  Califor- 
nia, imjtlying,  though  not  stating  clearly,  the  nature 
<»f  his  own  relations  to  the  adnunistration  at  Washing- 
ton.-" At  the  end  of  the  month  he  wrote  to  Fremont, 
iind  said  in  answer  to  the  hitters  otfcrs  to  be  of  ser- 
\  ice  to  him  at  Washington:  "I  havf  neither  demands 
nor  favors  to  ask  of  our  govermnent,  nor  'odds.'  to  use 
a  western  expression.  \\  hat  time  may  re<juiie,  time 
must  bring  to  light.  You  arc  aware  tiial  great 
iliangi's  are  about  to  take  |»lace  in  a  country  we  arc 
l)otli  accpiainted  with:  t(t  aid  this  I  am  giving  up  busi- 
ness, holding  myself  in  readint-ss  for  tlic  times  t(» 
<omt',  and  the  results;  thus  drawing  myself  into  the 
p(»litical  \(»rti'.\.  This  in  time  may  bring  my  name 
lo(»  jiromincntly  forward,  so  that  I  may  be  assailed 
Sii(»uld  this  ever  happen,  you  mav  rende?'  m*'  seivice 
The  same  sentiments  I'espeeting  the  country  s  pros- 
pects are  expressi'd  to  iiuchanan  in  a  lettei"  of  June 
1st,  in  which  Larkin  suggests  that  he  would   be  will 

•''Mii.v  'J:«,  ISHi,  \j.  to  S.    L'ti-k'ni's  Of.  r„rr-si..,  MS.,  i.  Hi.      Tli.    foUou 
iiiji  |i:iruiiiJii)li  illiistraU's  iiiic  tr.iit  of  tln'  wiitti's  chiirartci':    '  V.ni  an  awaic 
I  lia\r  liii'ii  forsDiiir  tiiiii'  ill  piililii'  iiuploy  withoi.t   any  |)«iiiiiiai\  rfmiiiici 
atioii,  ami  tlicri'foiT  lamiot  ollrr  yon  any.      I  can  only  :»iiy  tin-  olH  r  c  aiiiiot  \<o 
of  niilc'li  troiiliii;  or  »'X|ii'nM'  to  an  acli\c  ami  <'nii  L.'<ti>   man  likr  yoinstlf,  \\lii> 
woiiiil  liml  u  iileaHiirc  in  uiiat  otiuis  woiiM  call  Lilioiious  business       I  cannot 
even  jiroiiiise  you   that  my  oiler  lioMs  out  any  fiilmr  imliiccimiit  to  you  ot 
your   interests,  Imt   1   IhIicvc  that  liotli  may  In' ail\aiice<l  at  sonic  future  <la\ 
not  far  ili.stant.     'rherefoic  the  eml  may  .justify  ttie  means,  iit  least  in  the  re 
suit.     Von  must  only  look  for  recompense  at  ineseiil  in  an  extt'mleil  knowl 
eilj{o  of  aliiiirs.'     Nothiiiji  of   Larkiu's  :*(»  per  dayl     I.,   also   wrote  m  these 
times  letteis  for  the   A'.    )'.  //i  Ai/'/ ami  Sun,  im  aM[wars  from  eorresp.  with 
llennett  anil  Iteaeh  in  /.iirkiii'.i  IU„\,  .MS.,  iv.  I'.M,  JJH.     Thesueilitors  valuiil 
the  letters  highly,  ami  oU'ereil  pu,y,  hut  I,,  wonhl  accept  ii.ithin^;.  unless  possibly 
protection  iii  case  of  future  slunilt'i's. 

'".May  :tl,  IS4(I.  I.,  to  !•'.,  in  /.nrkiii'.s  nil.  <  oc;-,  .y,. ,  MS.,  ,.  sy. 


'  -Jti 


72 


lOREKiX  UELATIOXS-U.  S.  AND  ENGLAND. 


ing  to  undertake  a  secret  diplomatic  mission  to  Mexi- 
<i)  on  the  pretext  of  collecting  Buras  due  him  personally ; 
and  also  suggests  that  he  has  at  Washington  a  relative, 
Eben  L.  Childs,  who  might  be  utilized  as  special  mes- 
.seiiger  to  California,  or  who  might  be  employed  to 
write  secret  despatches  without  signature,  as  his  hand- 
w  ritiiig  was  known  to  Larkin."^'  This  idea  arose  from 
the  delay  of  the  important  despatch  of  October  17, 
1845,  of  which  Larkm  had  as  yet  received  only  a  c{)[)y 
written  from  memory  of  the  duplicate  intrusted  to 
Gillespie.  The  original  arrived,  however,  before  the 
16th,  on  which  date  Larkin  renewed  his  thanks  for 
the  honor,  describing  his  zealous  efforts  in  the  past, 
urging  the  necessity  of  an  increased  salary,  and  for- 
warding carefully  prepared  sketches  of  California,  its 
condition,  institutions,  and  people.**  About  this  time 
he  obtained  from  General  Oastro,  in  an  interview,  a 
general  assent  to  his  political  scheme,  in  the  form  of  a 
written  plan  of  a  movement  of  independence  to  be 
undertaken  as  soon  as  the  number  of  foreign  settlers 
.should  be  deemed  sufficient  to  insure  success.^ 

»'June  1.  1840,  L.  to  sec.  state.  Larkiti's  Off.  Corrcitp.,  MS.,  ii.  56-8. 
.Iiine  Ist,  receipt  of  Narciso  Botiller  for  !$40  from  L.  for  carrying  a  mail  from 
Sta  Clara  to  Monterey.  Monterey,  Conmdate  Arch.,  M.S.,  ii.  15.  Phelps, 
Fore  aid  Aft,  283-4,  tells  us  tJiat  being  at  Los  Angeles  early  in  June,  when 
despatches  arrived  announcing  iiiai  war  would  soon  be  declared,  he  was  as- 
sured by  Pico  that  in  spite  of  oi'ders  from  Mexico,  American  trading  vessels 
oil  the  coast  should  not  be  nioUstcd. 

2"  June  15th,  L.  to  sec.  state,  Larldn'n  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  63-4;  94-116. 
'I'lie  sketclies  sent  1  (]Uotc  el8t'\,'hero  as  Larkin'ii  Dencription  of  California; 
;iiul  Id.,  Xote.i  on  the  Pirtional  Character  of  (Jalifornian>s.  In  the  former  ho 
stivtes  tliiit  in  ii  popular  cause,  Pico  md  Ciistro  could  bring  into  tlio  field  S(X) 
or  1,0(K)  men  to  serve  without  pay  for  a  month  or  more;  to  .lid  Mexico  in  ox- 
veiling  foreigner.^  they  could  raise  )>crhiips  300  or  400.  Tbere  is  continual 
dieail  of  a  Mexican  general  coming  with  an  army  to  depose  the  present  rulers. 
Many  in  office  are  convinced  that  a  '  favorable  change  would  so  enhance  the 
vahic  of  their  Ian.  is  as  to  render  salary  a  secondary  consideration.  Only  such 
.'IS  thrive  by  abseii.e  of  law  can  prosper  in  the  present  state  of  things.  It 
would  be  veil  to  jjcnsion  otf  or  give  sinecures  to  men  of  influence  and  ix)si- 
tion,  a.s  tliey  would  then  (juietly  draw  others  with  them.  June  17th,  Forbes 
writes  to  liandini  that  tlie  Juanita  is  expected  to  bring  news  of  war.  liandini, 
.Hoc,  M.S.,  74.  June  Ii)*"  ,  Pico  tells  liandini  that  the  English  corvofcte 
brought  news  of  war,  but  ne  knows  nothing  oflicially.  /(/.,  76. 

On  allusions  more  or  less  accurate  to  the  efforts  and  hopes  of  Larkin  and 
others,  see  Dunhar'n  Uomanci',  30^-1;  Parheco,  Contra  Conta  Gazette,  Dec.  '21, 
1867;  Willey'fi  Thirti/  Year.i,  13;  Ilyih'.i  Statement,  }>lS.,G-'i;  Tornx,  Peript- 
ci(v>,  MS.,  49;  P\nt»,  /l/;M/l^ ,  M.S.,  104;  Leese'g  Bear  Flag  Mem.,  MS.,  9; 
t<anch<-,  Xolnx.  MS.,  'Jl-'i. 

^Larkin  to  sec.  state,  July  lotli.  '"''  ''urr---/*.,  MS.,  ii,  77. 


GENERAL  CONCLUSIOXS. 


T3 


to  Mexi- 

;rsonally ; 
I  relative, 
)cial  lues- 
ployed  to 
his  liand- 
rose  from 
jtober  17, 
ily  a  copy 
rusted  to 
)efore  the 
laiiks  for 
the  past, 
,  and  for- 
fornia,  its 
this  time 
:erview,  a 
form  of  a 
Qce  to  be 
in  settlers 

20 

[S.,  ii.  56-8. 

a  mail  from 
15.     Phelps. 

June,  when 
[d,  he  was  os- 
tdiug  vessels 

|3-4;  94-116. 

California; 
Ihe  former  ho 
Itho  field  800 
lexico  in  ex- 
is  continual 
besent  inilers. 
I  enhance  the 
Only  such 

things.  It 
Vce  an<l  {wai- 
17th,  Forbes 
ir.  liandini, 
tsh  corvofcte 

iLarkin  and 
ith;  Dec.  21, 

|w.,  MS.,  9; 


From  a  careful  study  of  the  correspondence  and 
other  evidence  cited  in  this  and  the  two  preceding 
chapters,  I  leacli  the  following  conclusions  respecting 
the  condition  of  Californian  affairs  in  the  early  weeks 
of  June  184G:  All  classes  of  the  inhabitants  realized 
that  a  political  change  was  imminent.  There  was 
little  hope  that  Mexico  would  or  could  afford  protec- 
tion or  relief  by  sending  money  and  an  army;  nor  was 
it  expected  that  without  such  aid  the  cquntry  could 
much  longer  maintain  its  status  as  a  Mexican  depend- 
ency. The  anticipated  change  must  naturally  be 
either  a  declaration  of  absolute  independence,  or  an- 
nexation in  some  form  to  a  foreign  power.  The  United 
States  or  England  might  get  the  country  either  by 
conquest,  purchase  from  Mexico,  or  voluntary  action 
of  the  Californians.  There  were  prominent  men  among 
the  natives  disposed  to  f^ivor  each  of  the  schemes  pn)- 
posed,  though  not  yet  openly  or  actively;  while  their 
l>arties  were  not  clearly  defined,  the  masses  being  for 
the  most  apathetic  and  indifferent.  Notwithstanding 
the  strong  prejudice  against  Mexico,  affinities  (jf  race, 
language,  religion,  and  association  were  still  potent  in 
favor  of  loyalty;  yet  on  the  other  hand  many  were 
beginning  to  speculate  on  the  prospective  increase  in 
the  value  of  their  lands  under  a  new  regime.  With 
personal  interests  in  conflict  witli  the  oh!  prejudices, 
the  ultimate  is,sue  was  wellnigli  certain.  The  chief 
authorities,  political  and  niilitMrv,  while  ))rotesting 
tlieir  loy.ilty  to  Mexico  and  tluir  detei'iiiination  to 
resist  foreign  invasion,  were  in  reality  lukewarni  in 
this  respect,  being  thoroughly  in  earnest  only  in  their 
opposition  to  each  othcM-.  In  their  miiuls  the  contro- 
versy between  Pico  and  Castro  outw<.'ighed  ail  (|ues- 
tions  of  national  allegiance,  and  was  second  only  to 
])ersonal  and  ambitious  interests.  An\  loreign  nation 
taking  a  decided  stand  could  have  ol)taiiie(l  the  <-6oj)ei- 
ation  of  either  Don  Pio  or  Don  Josd,  if  not  of  both. 
Had  it  been  practicable  to  l)ring  the  questiini  of  the 
j)olitical  tutur    to  a  voting  test  among  r»q>resentative 


91  i' 


''■¥. 


FORKIOX  UELATIONS-U.  S.  A\f)  KNiJLAND. 


; 


men,  loyalty  to  Mexico  wouhl  Imve  toniporurily  won 
tlu'  day,  tnaiiily  through  tho  inability  >f  other  factions 
to  combine  their  foroos. 

Whilt'  not  yet  .sutKciuntly  numerous  nv  zealous  to 
eft'cct  an  immediate  chan'jfe  in  their  own  favor  aj^ainst 
all  till'  others,  the  Anu-rican  party  was  bt'yond  all 
•'oinparisoii  tin*  stron«;».'st.  It  really  ineludeil  the  in- 
dependents, since  a  declaration  of  independence  was 
in  certain  continj^encies  <juitc  as  favorable  to  the 
Tnited  States  as  an  appeal  lor  annexation.  Ameri- 
cans were  mure  numerous,  and  collectively  more  in- 
tlueiitial,  than  foreign  residents  of  any  Kuropean 
nation.  A  largi'  increase  of  inunigration  was  ex|)ected 
in  the  early  iuturi'.  The  Californians  were  republi- 
cans, with  l»ut  little  sympathy  for  monarchical  insti- 
tutions. Not  onlv  was  the  AmiMMcan  partv  aided  by 
delay  and  by  tlu'  i^eneral  tendency  of  events,  but 
more  active  iigi'nts  were  at  work,  jjarkin,  as  a  secret 
confidential  agent  of  the  administration  at  Washing- 
ton, was  working  zealously  to  advance  the  cause.  }le 
was  authorized  not  (»nly  to  <M»nriliate  the  favor  of 
leading  ( 'alifornians,  and  to  urge  the  advantages  of 
annexation,  but  als(»  t<»  promise  welcome  to  a  new 
'sister  i*ej)ublic,'  and,  what  was  still  nioic  effective,  ti) 
state  that  his  govtinment  would  use'  loice  to  prevent 
I'iUiopcan  int«rference.  Hi'  was  c(»nfident,  as  were 
•  ttliei-  leading  Americans,  and  not  without  good  rea- 
sons, that  he  was  inaking  rapid  |>rogress,  notwithstand- 
ing the  drawbacks  occasioned  by  Fremont's  blimders. 
it  was  believed  that  in  the  event  of  war  California 
might  be  occupii'd  without  any  serious  opposition 
t'loni  the  peoj)le;  and  that  if  there  was  no  war,  the 
('alifornians  would  soon  by  declaiing  their  inde[»end- 
ence  start  voluntarily  on  the  way  to  ultimate  annexa- 
tion. The  innninenee  of  war  was  in  itself,  of  course, 
a  favorable  circumstance,  as  it  could  hardly  fail  to 
result  in  an  American  occupation,  not  likely  to  be 
merely  tem|»o!'ary. 

The  only  obstaclr  that  could  seriously  impede  the 


.  i 


MP. 

)rurily  won 
icr  factions 

zealous  to 
AMU*  against 

beyond  all 
ileil  the  in- 
idencc  was 
tble  to  the 
n.  Anieri- 
ly  more  in- 
Kuropcan 
as  expected 
;re  i«!|>ubli- 
•hical  insti- 
tv  aiiletl  by 
events,  but 
,  as  a  secret 
t  WashinL'- 
I  cause,     lie 

e    i'jivor    of 
vaiilMLfi's  of 

•  to  a   new 

'fl'ective,  tt> 
lu  prevent 

it,    as  were 
Ljood  rea- 

:,\\  ithstand- 


BKITISH  ("HANc  hs. 


76 


^  blund 
Cahl 
»»p[)ositi 


ers. 


ornia 


on 


t>  war, 


n 


icU'l 


tl 
>en« 


le 


ite  annexa- 
of  eourse, 

flly  fail  to 
>ly  to   I 


niuecl 


le  tl 


to 


le 


proorjuss  of  Ainerii-an  |)lans  was  armed  interference  by 
a  European  power.     This  was  understood  in  Califor- 
>ia,  and  there  were  a  few  leading  men,  including  Pico, 
who  were  in  favor  of  an  appeal  for  jnoteetion  to  Eng- 
land.    These  n»en  and  their  foHowers  were  influenced 
net  so  much  by  a  preference  for  a  European  system 
of  govermnent  as  by  their  personal  ambitions,  their 
fiiemlships  for  resilient  Englishmen,  and  their  quai- 
rels  with  individual  Americans.    They  knew  that  Eng- 
lish   iiolders   of  ^fexican   bonds,  as  well   as   English 
travellers,  had  recommended  the  acquisition  by  their 
government  of  Californian  territory.     They  were  en- 
couraged in  theii'  ideas  of  a  British  protectorate  by 
Hritish  ri'sidents;  and  they  adopted  tlu;  current  Amer- 
ican idea  that  England  had  set  her  heart  U]ionacquii- 
id'f  the  country.     There  is  no  evidence  that  they  re- 
•cived   anv  otlicial   fiicouragement   from  the  British 
government  or  its  agents,  and  no  proof  that  Forbes 
and  Spi'Dce  were  intriguing  with  T*ico  in   lavorofan 
appeal  to  England.      j'ico  and  his  friends  had  a  right 
to  entertain  tiu'ir  prefci-cncc,  which  was  bv  no  means 
a   crnnmal    or  unreasonal)le  one,  as  it    has  Ixmmi   the 
(ashion  among  (excessively  American  writeis  to  imply; 
lint  as  a  matter  of  fact,  they  were  never  xi'ry  dee]»ly 
ill  earnest,  never  had   much  strength  as  a  |)arty;  and 
I  lie  popular  idea  that  they  were  likely  to  control  the 
destinies  of  ( 'alil'oniia  has   bt^en  an  absurd  exaggi-r- 
ation.     So    tar   as    negotiations    oi-    intrigues  in  the 
country  were  concerned,  the  schenu'  of  European   in- 
terlereiue    was    a    most   shadowy  U)yth.     The    only 
daiigei-  to  be  apprehended  by  the  I'liited   States  was 
that  England  would  obtain  a  cession  of  Califoniia  from 
Mexico,  and  would  attempt  a  forcible  occupation,  se- 
•  iiiing  the  governor's  cooperation  as  a  pretext  of  jioj)- 
iilar  aiiproval.     This  danger  was  also  a  slight  one; 
hnt  I  shall  have  occasion  to  speak  again  »»f  it. 

b'inally,  we  have  found  no  disposition  on  the  part 
of  (Vlifori\ian  officials  or  the  Califoinian  people  to  mo- 
lest foreign  residents.     Pico  and  CVtro,  in  accordance 


FOUKUiN  RKLATIOXS  -U.  S.  AND  KNOI.AND. 


with  tlioir  routitu'  dutv  "h  Mexican  officiolH,  talked  of 
rcsistini;  invaHion,  and  even  of  preventing  the  onttv 
of  tlu'  tliousands  of  immigrants  expected  over  the 
niountaiiiB  in  the  autumn;  but  they  had  no  thought 
and  made  no  threats  of  expelHiig  those  in  the  country. 
Americans  were  treated  quite  as  well  as  Englishmen 
or  other  foreigners.  The  immigrants  of  1845  were 
not  ev'M.  notified  to  leave  the  country,  a»  they  had 
piomiaed  to  do  if  required.  The  popular  prejudice 
against  foreigners,  fomented  by  personal  intereoursf 
with  individuals,  and  still  more  by  reports  from  Mex- 
ican sources  of  what  had  l>een  ilone  in  Texas,  was  nat- 
urally stronger  against  Americans  than  others;  but 
octnsidering  the  imminence  of  war  and  other  unfavor- 
able circumstances,  the  toleration  and  kindness  mani- 
fested were  renmrkable,  and  in  themselves  afTorded 
evidence  that  Larkin's  hopes  of  success  in  his  concili- 
atory policy  were  not  witlu)ut  foundation. 


CHAPTER  rV. 

CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 

Jt'NE,    I84tf. 

An  U.nkxpectki)  OriBniuK— Ith  Alleoeu  Motives— SKLK-DEFBStK  and 
Reslstanck  to  Ori'UE.M.HioN— Mkkk  I'liETExrs— CnRRENT  RcMORs— The 
Lnsijwjests  Ci.ASMFiEi)—Ai)VKNTrRKHs— American  Knthcsiasts — Am- 
Minors  roLiTH'iANs  Hr.Ar,  M^itivkh  of  the  Leaders  -Fremont's  Pol- 
icy—Oillespie's  Mission— A.MiiiTioN  anij  Reven<je— A  Uold  Rt:sonN 

TION      OVEUMrCH  CaF TION  — N  ATt'RE  OF  FR^MONT's  (  'imIpKUATION— Ide's 

Theouiks  am>  Statements— a  I'lunrgTERiNcj  Scheme— Needless,  Un- 

.Il'STIKiAIlLK,  I'RODPCTIVE  OK  No  (JooD — NoT  A  TaRT  OF  THE  CoNQCEST — 

.Serioi's  Respohsibimtiks  ofthe  Insitroent  Leadeks— a  Fortunate 
Kndino. 

The  conditio!!  of  affairs  being  as  (lesoribod  in  tlio 
proci'dinjr  chaj)fcor,  there  broke  out  in  June  a  revolt  of 
American  settlers  in  the  Sacramento  and  Napa  valleys, 
\\  Iio  with  the  support  of  Fr(5mont's  men  seized  the  town 
of  Sonoma,  captured  severed  leading  Californians,  and 
|)i()claimed  the  country  independent.  The  action  was 
startling  to  all  but  participants.  It  was  so  unexpected, 
so  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  policy  by  wiiich  agents 
of  the  rJnited  States  believed  themselves  to  be  mak- 
ing progress  toward  voluntary  aimexation;  the  time 
was  so  strangely  chosen,  when  news  of  war,  involving 
a  legitimate  military  occupation,  was  ex[)ected  from 
day  to  day;  and  indeed,  the  affair  was  apjiarently  si» 
ill-tinied,  dl-advised,  and  extraordinary  in  all  its  phjises, 
that  it  bee^iiies  necessary  to  study  the  motives  that 
led  to  the  outbreak  before  proceeding  to  narrate  in 
1 1  (tail  its  stirring  scenes. 

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23  WEST  MAIK  f.JMil 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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78 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


I  beofiii  with  the  alleijed  motives,  which  were  by 
MO  means  mysterious  or  complicated,  and  to  illustrate 
wliich  I  introduce  in  the  appended  note  a  somewhat 
extended  list  of  (piotations.^     Long  as  it  is,  the  list 

'  In  IliMory  of  the  Bear  Flaif  Revolt,  by  a  Commiifec  o/Citizetiti,  published  in 
1S47,  we  read:  'The  Anieiican  anU  other  foreign  portion  of  the  people  of  Up- 
per California  learned  in  May  184G  that  the  govt  had  determined  ui)oii  tlieii- 
expulsion  from  the  country,  and  were  making  preparations  to  seize  or  kill  all 
foreigiiei-a,  and  send  such  as  should  be  made  prisoners  to  the  city  of  Mexico. 
A  large  body  of  horses  were  collected,  and  somo  500  or  GOO  men  were  ordered 
under  arms  by  Gen.  t  'astro  for  that  purpose.  Information  was  received  by  Air 
\V.  B.  Ide  on  June  8th,  brought  by  an  Indian  runner,  that  200  mounted  Mexi- 
cans wei'c  on  their  march  up  the  Sacramento  River,  with  the  design  of  destroy- 
ing the  crops,  burning  the  houses,  and  driving  otf  cattle  belonging  to  the  for- 
eigners.' Ide  proceeded  to  warn  and  organize  the  settlers,  but  '  it  was  quite 
apparent  that  further  and  more  decisive  action  was  necessary  to  secure  the 
lives  nnd  property  of  the  immigrants;  iind  it  was  determined  to  seize  tlie  foi-t 
of  Sonoma.'  Wni  B.  Ide  was  probably  the  writer  of  the  preceding.  In  /'/<  '•.• 
liiofi.  SLrfr/i,  48,  Mrs  Ilealy  (Miss  Ide)  says:  'We  had  not  Vieeu  there  long  [on 
Belden's  ranclio  in  April]  l)efore  a  young  man,  Mr  L.  H.  Ford,  came  to  tell  father 
that  <  ien.  Don  Castro  was  on  his  way  to  drive  all  Americans  from  the  country. ' 
On  p.  r)l-2  we  read:  '  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  was  confronted  with  tiie  solu- 
tion of  an  important  problem  regarding  the  rights  and  privileges  of  liimseli 
and  his  fellow-emigrants.  .  .  He  sujjposed  he  had  conformed  to  all  the  legal  con- 
ditions entitling  him  to  all  the  piivileges,  etc.,  of  a  eitizen(!).  .  .The  (|uestioM 
was,  whether  he  sliouhl  be  forcibly  ejected  from  his  humble  abo<le  and  driven 
back  to  the  states,  or  whether  he  wouid  unite  with  his  fellow-enngrants  in  re- 
sisting tlio  tlireati'iKHl  war  of  extermination  as  put  forth  in  a  proclamation  uf 
the  then  reputed  governor  of  the  country.  .  .He  had  seen  the  proclamation  of 
(ien.  Don  Castro  warning  tlie  emigrants  to  leave  the  country  or  they  would 
be  driven  into  tiie  mountains  or  i.iade  prisoners,  or  be  shot  in  case  of  re- 
sistance. '  p.  G2.  The  '  iiduunan  an<l  arbitrary  exaction  '  of  taxes  from  foreign 
ers  is  mentioned  on  p.  00.  In  his  remarkable  letter  to  Senator  Wan 
which  tills  a  large  part  of  the  volume,  regretfully  omitting  Ide's  ingen  r- 

giimcnts,  we  read,  p.  lOii:  '  Imagine  the  disappointment  of  those  br.m  len 
who  had  conquered  the  dilHcultiesof  the  pathless  Sierra,  etc. . .  .when  by  the  in 
tervention  of  a  self-constituted  government,  heated  to  madness  by  jealousy, 
excited  liy  dcsigniui;  emissaries,  we  were  forbidden  the  usual  hospitalities  of 
the  country  and  ordered  to  return!'  On  p.  108-0,  after  a  sharp  blow  at  Lar- 
kiu  and  Fremont,  Lie  writes:  '  Immediately  after  [about  the  first  of  April), 
(ten.  .lose  Castro,  naturally  huniane  and  generous,  caused  to  bo  issued  and 
posted  up  at  Sonoma  and  various  other  places  a  proclamation  ordering  'all 
foreigners  whose  residence  in  the  country  was  less  than  one  year  to  leave  tlie 
country  and  their  property  and  beasts  of  i)urden,  onpaiuof  death.'  This  dan- 
ger was  temi)orarily  averted  in  a  way  not  clearly  described,  though  a  large 
]iarty  Wiis  iVightened  away  to  Oregon;  when  (Jillespie  came  and  went  after 
l'r(''nu)nt.  Wlien  l'"'ri''mont  came  ho  soon  circulated  the  following.  'Notice  is 
hereby  given  that  a  large  body  of  armed  Spaniards  on  horseback,  amounting 
to  '250  men,  have  liccn  seen  on  their  way  to  the  Sacramento  Valley,  destroy- 
ing the  crops,  burning  the  houses,  and  driving  oil'  the  cattle.  ( ';ipt.  Fi'eniont 
invites  every  freeman  in  the  valley  to  come  to  his  camp  at  the  ]5uttes  innucdi- 
ately.'     The  letter  to  Wambough  is  repeated  in  Mc'k  W/io  Coik/ui  n'll  ('u/..' 

The  follo\iing  statements  are  from  men  who  took  part  in  the  revolution, 
or  at  least  were  in  ("id.  at  the  time.  Henry  L.  Ford,  Bfar  Flnij  lli>coliilh)ii, 
MS.,  ,'{,  tolls  us  that  a  meeting  of  Mexican  olUcers  ut  Sonoma  'resulted  in 
(ien.  Castro  issuing  his  lidict  for  all  Americans  to  leave  the  country.'  Wni 
Hargrave,  Cal.  hi  'id,  MS.,  ',i.  says  the  hostility  of  the  luitives  was  very  l)it- 


ALLEGED  MOTIVES. 


79 


might  be  made  longer,  even  if  restricted  to  original 
authorities;  and  it  might  be  extended  ahnost  without 
hmit  it'  made  to  include  accounts  of  later  writers  in 


ter,  nn<l  f  Ji-tigners  l)ecaiue  convinced  tliat  in  bold  action  lay  the  only  pros- 
pect of  safety.  According  t(/  Benj.  Dewell,  in  Napa  Reporter,  Oct.  12,  187-, 
'the  Spaniards  became  very  troublesome  in  the  spring.'  James  (xregson, 
Statetiient.,  MS.,  3,  hiis  it  tliat  Sutter  received  ca  proclamation  ordering  all 
Americans  to  quit  the  country,  which  he  read  to  the  settlers,  asking  them  to 
stand  by  !iim.  Marshall,  Statement,  MS.,  1,  says  one  cause  of  the  alarm  was 
tlie  knowledge  that  Castro  wanted  to  purchase  New  Helvetia.  Belden  say.i 
there  was  some  talk  of  preventing  further  inunigration,  and  even  of  getting 
rid  of  tliose  already  in  the  comitry.  Ilixt.  Statement,  MS.,  44-5.  Semple, 
Hesperian,  iii.  387-8,  says  that  during  the  winter  Ca.stro  i-ssued  several  proc- 
lamations, to  the  effect  that  all  foreigners  not  naturalized  must  leave  the 
country;  but  the  people  rcnuiined  quiet,  believing  that  tiie  order  could  not 
be  enforced;  and  paid  but  little  Dttention  to  an  order  read  at  Sonoma  for  all 
Americans  to  depart  forthwith;  but  were  finally  alarmed  by  Castro's  mili- 
biry  preparations — really  against  Pico. 

In  the  Monterey  Cnllfortnan,  Sept.  5,  1840,  wo  read;  'Each  man  having 
felt  the  oppression  of  the  then  existing  govt,  and  the  certainty  of  an  increase 
of  those  oppressions,  with  a  clear  sense  of  their  danger,  their  rights,  and 
their  duty,  they  rushed  to  the  rescue  witii  one  impulse  and  one  object.  The 
watchword  was  equal  rights  and  e(|ual  laws,  and  they  noljly  sustained  their 
principles.'  And  in  the  same  journal  of  May  '23.  1847:  'In  this  state  of  things 
(ien.  Castro  issued  one  proclamation  after  anotlier.  (ordering  foreigners  to  leavt' 
the  country;  but  the  people,  knowing  the  cluiracter  of  Castro,  remained  (iiiiet 
until  the  time  was  ripe  for  action.' 

Fn'Uiont,  in  a  letter  of  July  25,  184(>,  to  Benton,  writes:  'I  had  scarcely 
reached  the  Lower  Sacramento  wlien  Gen.  Castro,  then  in  the  north  at  So- 
noma, ileclared  his  determination  immediately  to  proceed  against  the  for- 
eignens  settled  in  the  country,  for  whose  expulsion  an  order  had  just  been 
issued  by  the  gov.  of  the  Californias.  For  these  purposes  Castro  immedi- 
ately as.semblcd  a  force  at  the  mission  of  Santa  Clara.  .  .Castro's  first  measure 
was  an  attempt  to  incite  the  Indian  population  of  the  .Foaquin  and  Sacramen- 
to valleys,  and  the  neighboring  mountiins,  to  burn  the  crops  of  the  foreigners, 
and  otherwise  proceed  immediately  against  them.'  In  his  testimony  in  1847 
Fremont  says:  'Infornuition  was  I'cceived  that  Gen.  Castro  was  then  raising 
forces  and  exciting  the  Indians  both  against  the  settlers  autl  my  party,  upon 
the  unfounded  pretext  of  an  intended  insurrection  by  them  against  the  Mexi- 
can govt  in  (.'alifornia.  .  The  movement  was  one  of  self-defence.'  Fremont's 
Cal.  C'laimx,  12-13.  (Ullespie  testifies:  "So  soon  as  it  became  known  to  the 
settlers  that  Capt.  Fremont  had  returned,  they  came  to  tlie  camp,  bringing 
us  the  information  that  the  Indians  were  leaving  their  ranclarias,  or  wigwams, 
and  flying  to  the  mounfaiins.  In  some  places  they  had  shown  a  very  hostile 
feeling,  and  certainly  had  been  aroused  by  some  foreign  eniissiary.  .  .On  tlw 
30th  1  was  informed  by  Capt.  Sutter  that  it  was  ))ositively' true  that  Geii. 
Castro  had  excited  the  Indians  to  a  revolt  and  to  join  tiu'  Californians  in  ex- 
terminating the  settlers;  that  the  Imlians  had  been  bribed  to  burn  the  wheat 
then  neatly  diy;  and  that  it  was  Gen.  Castro's  intention  to  attack  and  cut  nil 
<  'apt.  Fremont's  party  if  lie  possibly  could  . .  .On  .lune  7th  I  learntid  (at  S.  F.  i 
Ihat  (Jastro  had  gone  to  Sonoma  to  hold  a  council  with  the  Vallejiis  and  tn 
procure  horses  to  commence  his  operations,  which  he  endeavoi'ed  to  disguisi' 
undei' the  i-umor  of  making  an  attack  upon  the  gov.,  Don  I'io  I'ico,  wiio  had 
tlisapproved  of  Castro's  want  of  good  faith  in  making  his  tii-st  attack  upon 
Capt.  Fremont  in  March '(!).  May '28th,  'a  courier  was  rceeivt'd  fi-oni  Capt. 
•Sutter,  informing  Capt.  Frt^nuuit  und  myself  that  "two  Spaniards  hail  been 
sent  by  (}en.  Castro  amongst  the  ditferent  trii)es  of  Indians,  and  that  this  was 


V 


1 1)    ;:i;i 


li  jt  ■;';(. 


SO 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


books  and  newspapers,  who  have  generally  accepted 
without  question  the  testimony  of  the  contemporary 
witnesses.  The  testimony  is  clear  and  to  the  point. 
It  is  to  the  effect  that  the  revolt  was  purely  a 
movement  of  self-defence  on  the  part  of  the  Ameri- 
can settlers;  that  General  Castro  had  published  a  se- 
ries of  proclamations  ordering  all  Americans  not  nat- 
uralized to  quit  the  country  before  a  specified  date, 
under  penalty  of  being  forcibly  expelled;  that  he  had 
collected  a  large  military  force  with  which  to  enforce 
his  orders;  that  he  had  started  to  attack  the  settlers, 
having  meanwhile  instigated  the  Indians  to  destroy 
the  Americans'  crops;  and  that  the  settlers  had  sim- 
ply to  choose  whether  they  would  fight  in  defence  of 
their  homes  and  families,  or,  abandoning  their  prop- 
erty, flee  to  almost  certain  destruction  in  the  moun- 

the  cause  of  their  flying  to  the  mountains,  they  having  been  excited  against 
the  settlers."'  'An  Indian  had  been  taken  prisoner  who  had  received  a  mus- 
ket from  Gen.  Castro  for  the  express  purpose  of  killing  Capt.  Sutter '(!).  Id, 
•J.")-(),  'J9.  Samuel  Hensley  testifies:  'I  returne<l  to  Sutter's  a  few  days  after 
seeing  Viillejo,'  who  had  told  him  of  the  English  scheme.  'Capt.  Sutter  iii- 
fornied  me  that  there  was  great  excitement  among  the  Indians;  tiiat  he  had 
sent  for  the  Seguamme  chief  who  had  recently  been  among  tlie  Californian 
settlements.  .  .On  his  arrival  Sutter  examined  him  as  alcalde.  The  chief 
stated  that  he  had  seen  Castro,  and  that  Castro  had  made  him  great  promises 
ou  condition  that  he  wiml.l  excite  Indians  to  burn  all  the  wheat  crops  of  the 
.'Vmerican  emigrants,  as  he  intended  to  drive  all  the  Americans  out  of  the 
country  in  a  sliort  time. '  Then  Hensley  went  to  Fremont's  camp  to  report  and 
to  give  it  '  as  my  opinion  that  American  residents  would  have  to  leave  the 
country  or  fight  for  their  homes;  at  the  same  time  saying  I  was  sure  we 
would  not  leave  the  country.'  /<?. ,  3S-4.  Richard  Owens  said:  'We  fouml 
the  people  expecting  an  attack  from  the  Californians . .  .The  report  was,  and 
it  was  generally  believed,  that  Castro  had  instigated  the  Indians  to  rise  and 
burn  the  crops  of  the  settlers.  Proclamations  had  been  sent  out  ordering  the 
.\merican3  to  cpiit  the  country  or  they  would  be  driven  out  by  ;v  certain  time. 
It  was  known  that  troops  iiad  been  collected  at  Sta  Clara,  and  that  Cen. 
(.Jastro  had  come  into  Sonoma  for  the  purpose  nf  raising  a  body  of  Spaniard.s 
and  Indiiins  to  come  out  against  the  emigrants  and  Capt.  Fr<?m(>nt's  party.' 
/(/.,  38.  Wm  N.  Lokcr  said,  besides  confirming  the  statements  of  Hensley 
and  Owens:  'Just  before  his  [Fremont's]  return  there  wa.s  a  meeting  of  the 
principal  men  at  Monterey.  They  then  thought  it  advisable  to  order  all  for- 
eigners to  leave  the  country,  and  published  a  bando  to  that  eS'ect. .  .Women 
and  children  were  included  in  the  banishment.  .  .The  bando  waa  translated 
and  sent  up  the  valley;  and  I  put  one  of  them  up  at  Sutter's  Fort.'  Id.,  3!)- 
40.  Juno  I,  1840,  Sutter  wrote  to  Vallejo  that  the  Moipielumnes  had  risen, 
and  he  was  about  to  march  against  them  before  they  could  set  fire  to  his 
wheat,  as  they  had  been  advised  to  do  by  persons  at  S.  Jost^,  and  before 
Eusebio  could  kill  him  with  a  gun  which  the  same  })ersons  hail  given  him  for 
that  purpose.  Valhjo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  '220.  In  his  Diary,  p.  7,  Sutter  also 
tells  the  story  of  Castro's  inciting  the  Indians  against  him;  and  he  describes 
the  campaign  against  them  which  began  June  3d. 


MERE  PRETEXTS. 


81 


tains  and  deserts  of  the  overland  route.  Driven, 
however,  to  tight  for  self-protection,  it  is  not  denied 
that  they  took  a  certain  [)atriotic  pride  in  conquering 
new  territory  for  freedom,  in  opening  new  fields  for 
Anglo-Saxon  enterprise,  in  overthrowing  an  inefficient 
and  antiquated  system,  and  in  rescuing  even  their 
oppressors  from  Mexican  tyranny  1  It  is  a  grand  and 
thrilling  picture,  and  one  that  has  been  more  than  once 
brilliantly  portrayed — that  of  a  little  band  of  heroic 
men  who  defied  the  power  of  a  n-ation,  and  lesolved 
to  die  rather  than  be  driven  like  dojjs  from  the  homes 
to  which  they  had  been  invited,  and  to  secure  which 
they  had  crossed  a  continent!  What  a  pity  to  go  be- 
hind the  scenes  and  expose  the  stage  effect  1 

As  is  well  known  to  the  reader,  the  revolting  set- 
tlers were  men  who  had  been  hospitably  received  in  a 
land  which  they  had  entered  in  defiance  of  its  laws. 
The  political  and  military  authorities  had  given  their 
national  superiors  just  cause  of  offence  by  their  toler- 
ation of  the  strangers  in  spite  of  |X)sitive  orders. 
They  had  not  threatened  or  o[)pressed  Americans, 
notwithstanding  the  imminence  of  war  and  their  pe- 
culiar position.  General  Castro  did  not  issue  the 
proclamations  imputed  to  him;  did  not  order  the  set- 
tlers to  quit  the  country;  did  not  organize  an  army 
with  which  to  attack  them;  and  did  not  instigate 
savages  to  destroy  theii-  crops.  That  he  could  have 
done  any  of  these  things  without  its  reaching  the 
knowledge  of  anybody  south  of  San  Francisco  Bay 
is  improbable;  but  such  acts  would  also  have  been  in 
direct  opposition  to  the  s[)irit  shown  in  all  correspond- 
ence of  the  time.  The  Americans  of  the  Sacramento 
had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  Californians;  and  this 
must  have  been  almost  as  well  known  to  the  leading 
spirits  of  the  revolt  as  to  us.  The  alleged  motives, 
so  far  at  least  as  the  leaders  were  concerned,  were  as- 
suredly not  the  real  ones.  They  were  but  pretexts 
of  designing  men,  used  at  the  time  to  secure  unanim- 
ity of  action,  and  after  success  to  justify  that  action. 

Hi»T.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    S 


82 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


I  am  disposed  to  think,  though  I  cannot  prove  it, 
that  certain  men  went  so  far  as  to  circulate  forged 
translations  of  edicts  purporting  to  emanate  from 
Castro. 

For  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  rumors  of  impend- 
ing hostility  and  expulsion  were  current  in  the  north- 
ern valleys,  or  that  they  were  credited  by  many,  even 
of  those  who  required  no  such  incentive  to  revolt. 
There  were  many  who  did  require  such  an  incen- 
tive. I  do  not  attempt  to  name  them.  Let  it  be 
hoped  they  constituted  a  majority  of  all.  They  had 
been  but  few  years  in  the  country;  were  fitted  by 
education  to  believe  anything  that  was  bad  respecting 
a  man  who  had  Spanish  blood  in  his  veins;  did  not 
approve  the  Mexican  methods  of  life  or  government ; 
could  hardly  understand  the  justice  of  requiring  of  a 
free  American  citizen  any  formalities  of  passports  or 
naturalization;  and  they  were  firm  believers  in  the  des- 
tiny of  their  nation  to  possess  this  western  land.  But 
at  the  same  time  these  men  were  lovers  of  peace  and 
law.  They  had  a  dim  perception  of  the  right  of  a 
people,  oven  Mexicans,  to  govern  their  own  country  in 
their  own  way;  and  only  by  fear  of  actual  oppression, 
and  as  a  measure  of  self-defence,  could  they  be  in- 
duced to  engage  in  a  filibustering  scheme  involving 
the  shedding  of  blood,  especially  if  the  objects  de- 
sired were  likely  to  be  accomplished  legitimately  by  a 
little  delay. 

The  support  of  these  men  was  essential  to  success, 
and  the  circumstances  were  all  favorable  for  the  rev- 
olutionists. The  American  settlers  of  the  northern 
frontier  formed  an  isolated  community,  coming  but 
rarely  and  indirectly  into  contact  with  the  natives, 
and  knowing  but  little  of  what  was  actually  occurring 
south  of  the  bay.  News  was  eagerly  sought,  and 
the  wildest  rumors  found  ready  listeners.  Larkin's 
efforts  and  prospects  were  naturally  but  vaguely 
known,  if  at  all,  to  the  majority.  Long  delay  in  the 
declaration  of  war  by  Mexico  had  caused  fears  on  the 


FALSE  RUMORS. 


8:? 


])art  of  S(jiue  that  there  would  be  nt»  war,  and  that 
for  a  long  time  no  aid  was  to  be  expected  from  the 
naval  forces  of  the  United  States.  The  troubles  of 
March  between  Castro  and  Frt^raont  were  known  in 
the  north  mainly  through  false  reports  of  the  lattei- 
and  his  men ;  and  it  was  widely  believed  that  Castro 
had  arbitrarily  and  treacherously  driven  Fremont  out 
of  the  country  after  having  promised  hospitality, 
(^astro  was  known  to  be  organizing  a  military  forci^ 
at  Santa  Clara.  This  organization,  with  Castro's  an- 
nouncements as  a  Mexican  officer  of  a  determination 
to  defend  California  against  the  expected  invasion  in 
case  of  war — an  invasion  with  which  he  naturally  and 
with  much  real  alarm  connected  Fremont's  return 
I'rom  Oregon  at  the  bidding  of  an  official  messenger 
from  Washington — as  intrepreted  in  the  north,  was 
readily  confounded  with  hostile  preparations  against 
the  settlers.  That  Castro  in  reality  feared  Pico  and 
his  southern  allies  much  more  than  he  did  the  Amer- 
icans was  not  generally  understood  by  the  immi- 
grants; and  some  of  the  revolutionists  had  the  assur- 
ance even  to  attribute  Pico's  hostility  to  his  disapproval 
of  Castro's  opposition  to  Fremont  and  to  the  foreign- 
ers! Finally,  just  at  the  most  opportune  moment  for 
the  plans  of  the  filibusters,  Castro  sent  a  party  of 
armed  men,  as  will  be  narrated  presently,  to  bring  a 
large  number  of  horses  from  the  north;  and  this 
movement  was  fully  utilized  to  remove  any  lingering 
doubts  that  yet  remained  as  to  the  necessity  of 
defensive  aggression.  That  the  revolution  was  to 
prevent  English  occupation  of  the  country,  and  es- 
pecially to  prevent  the  success  of  the  McNamara 
colonization  scheme,  was  entirely  an  invention  of 
later  times;  but  the  tenure  of  lands  was  a  subject  on 
Nvhich  the  settlers  were  very  sensitive,  and  there  are 
some  indications  that  among  the  current  rumors  were 
some  to  the  effect  that  the  Californian  authorities 
were  making  hurried  grants  of  all  public  lands  in 
anticipation  of  a  political  change. 


84 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT, 


Eliminating;  that  oleinuut  which  engaged  in  the 
revolt  honestly  as  a  measure  of  self- defence,  wliose 
fears  of  danger  to  life  and  property  though  unfounded 
were  to  some  extent  real,  we  sliall  find  among  the 
remaining  filibusters,  including  most  of  the  leaders 
and  many  of  the  followers,  some  diversity  of  niotive. 
There  was  a  class — among  the  overland  immigrants, 
deserters  from  vessels  who  liad  come  up  to  New 
Helvetia  from  the  bav,  and  Fremont's  men — com- 
posed  of  adventurers  pure  and  simple.  Reckless, 
daring,  and  unprincipled  men,  with  nothing  to  lose, 
they  were  eager  for  a  fight  with  the  Californians, 
partly  for  the  mere  excitement  of  the  thing,  just  als 
they  were  always  ready  for  a  fight  with  the  Indians. 
In  the  turmoil  of  a  revolution,  something  might  occur 
to  their  advantage;  at  least,  they  could  gratify  certain 
personal  dislikes;  and  especially  did  they  have  an  eye 
on  the  herds  of  the  native  rancheros.  Of  another 
stanij)  were  political  adventurers,  whose  reward  was 
to  be,  not  plunder  in  the  vulgar  sense,  but  glory  and 
office  and  wealth,  under  a  reformed  political  system. 
Some  were  enthusiastic  Americans,  who  believed  in 
the  manifest  destiny  of  their  nation  to  [)Ossess  this 
land,  and  had  no  doubt  of  their  right  to  raise  the  stars 
and  stripes  anywhere  in  America,  without  regard  to 
the  wishes  of  the  natives.  They  looked  upon  the 
Californians  as  an  inferior  people,  who  must  be  taught 
by  force  the  beauties  of  freedom,  and  who  had  no 
right  to  resist  what  they  chose  to  regard  as  their  own 
superior  civilization.  They  regarded  independence 
as  but  a  step  to  annexation,  and  they  were  j)roud  to 
aid  such  a  cause,  even  in  a  struggle  which  should 
involve  the  shedding  of  blood,  and  utter  disregard  of 
national,  departmental,  or  individual  rights.  Some 
of  the  leaders  looked  forward  to  ofl^icial  prominence 
in  an  independent  Californian  republic;  others  looked 
further,  to  the  contracting  of  debts,  the  issuance  of 
bonds,  and  to  future  profitable  negotiations  with  the 
United  States;  while  still   others  looked  upon  the 


*■- 


FRfiMONT'S  POLICY. 


8J 


moveinent  as  but  the  beginning  of  war  in  favor  of  the 
United  States,  from  the  government  and  people  of 
which  nation  they  expected  great  honor,  and  in  which 
A\ar  they  hoped  to  secure  a  more  prominent  position 
tlian  if  they  waited  for  the  naval  forces  to  begin 
hostihties.  They  were  all  mere  filibusters,  and  were 
entitled  to  none  of  the  sympatliy  or  honor  which  the 
world  accords  to  revolutionists  who  struggle  against 
<^)ppression. 

The  revolution  broke  out  soon  after  Fremont's  re- 
turn from  Oregon ;  and  it  would  not  have  broken  out 
at  all  had  it  not  been  for  the  presence  and  cooperation 
of  that  officer  and  his  hardy  followers.  Consequently 
his  movements  and  motives  have  great  interest  in  this 
connection;  and  they  have  been  the  subject  of  much 
speculation  and  comment  in  later  years.  An  impres- 
sion has  been  prevalent  that  Fremont  engaged  in  the 
revolt  by  reason  of  secret  instructions  from  the  United 
States,  conveyed  to  him  by  Gilles})ie  either  in  writing 
or  verbally,  or  indirectly  through  private  letters  from 
Senator  Benton.  Fremont  has  never  stated  that  he 
received  .such  instructions:  having  of  course  no  right 
to  do  so  even  if  it  were  true.  On  the  contrary,  he 
has  often  denied  it  more  or  less  directly.  But  in  his 
testimony  and  that  of  Gillespie  in  1847-8  room  was 
left,  designedly  I  think,  for  an  inference  that  they 
could  say  more  if  at  liberty  to  do  so;  and  the  spirit  of 
this  testimony,  given  at  a  time  when  it  was  sought  to 
leii'alize  as^ainst  the  United  States  certain  claims  foi- 
.'supplies  taken  by  Fremont's  men,  together  with  the 
secrecy  observed  by  the  government  respecting  the 
written  instructions  to  Gillespie,  Larkin,  and  Fremont, 
originated,  as  I  suppose,  the  current  theory  to  which  I 
have  alluded,  but  which,  for  reasons  tliat  will  present- 
ly appear,  I  regard  as  without  foundation  in  fact." 

-Fr6nioiit  testified  that  Gillespie  'brought  ine  a  letter  of  iiitroductioii  from 
tile  sec.  of  state  and  letters  and  papers  from  Sen.  Iknton  and  his  family. 
The  letter  from  tiie  sec.  was  directed  to  mo  in  my  private  or  citizen  capacity, 
and  though  importing  nothing  heyond  the  introduction,  accredited  the  liearer 


1 


I 


1' 


i' 


8(; 


CAUSES  OF  THK  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


The  story  of  Fremont's  return  from  Orej^on  Ims 
been  told  in  an  earlier  chapter.  The  reasons  that  he 
gave  for  that  return  were  the  dangers  of  further  ad- 
vance northward,  arising  from  the  depth  of  snow,  lack 
(»f  supplies,  and  hostility  of  the  Indians — and  the  na- 
ture of  the  connnunications  received  from  Gillespie. 

to  ine  as  coming  from  the  sec.  of  state,  and,  in  connection  with  the  circum- 
stances and  place  of  its  delivery,  indicated  a  purpose  in  sending  it  which  was 
intelligibly  explained  to  me  by  the  accompanying  letter  from  Sen.  Benton, 
and  by  communications  from  Lieut  Gillespie.  This  officer  informed  me  that 
lie  had  been  directed  by  the  sec.  of  state  to  find  mc,  and  to  acquaint  me  with 
Ilia  instructions,  which  had  for  tlicir  principal  objects  to  ascertain  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  California  people,  to  conciliate  their  feelings  in  favor  of  the  U. 
8.,  and  to  find  out,  with  a  design  of  counteracting,  the  designs  of  the  Britisli 
govt  upon  that  country.'  Fri'mont'nCdl.  C/<itmi>,  i'2.  And  again,  in  Fremont's 
d^urt-martial,  373:  'One  of  the  letters  from  him  [Benton],  while  apparently 
of  mere  friendship  and  family  details,  contained  passages  enigmatical  and  ob- 
scure, but  which  I  studied  out,  and  made  the  meaning  to  be  tliat  I  was  re- 
quired by  the  govt  to  find  out  any  foreign  selienies  in  relation  to  the  Cal.  and 
to  counteract  them.'  Gillespie  said  his  instructions  were  'to  watch  over  the 
interests  of  the  U.  S.  in  Cal.,  and  to  counteract  the  influence  of  any  foreign  or 
European  agents  who  might  be  in  that  country  with  objects  prejudicial  to  the 
U.  S.  I  was  the  bearer  of  the  duplicate  of  a  dca[)atch  to  the  U.  S.  consul  at 
Monterey,  T.  0.  Larkin,  Esq.,  as  also  a  packet  for  J.  C.  Fremont,  Esq.,  and 
a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  latter  gentleman  from  the  Hon.  James  Biichan- 
iiu;  the  former  I  destroyed  before  entering  the  port  of  Vera  Cruz,  having 
committed  it  to  memory.  The  packet  au<l  letter  of  introduction  I  deliverecl 
to  Capt.  Fr(5mont  upon  the  9th  of  May,  in  the  mountains  of  Oregon ...  I  was 
directed  to  confer  with  and  make  known  to  him  my  instructions.  It  was  de- 
sirable that  we  should  act  in  concert,  and  great  vigilance  and  activity  was  ex- 
pected of  both. .  .1  made  him  aoijuainted  with  the  wishes  of  the  govt,  which 
were  the  same  as  stated  above  for  my  own  guidance. .  .In  answer  to  the  first 
inquiry  of  the  honorable  committee,  ''Were  you  charged  with  any  verbal  in- 
structions or  communications?"  etc.,  I  have  to  state  that  I  was  directed  by 
Mr  Buchanan  to  confer  with  Col.  Fremont,  and  make  known  to  him  my  own 
instructions ...  I  was  also  directed  to  show  to  Col.  Fr«5mont  the  duplicate  of  the 
despatch  to  Mr  .'parkin.  In  answer  to  the  '2d  inquiry,  "You  have  said  that 
you  comnninicated  the  wishes  of  the  govt  to  Col.  Fremont;  state  particularly 
what  you  did  communicate  to  him  as  the  wishes  of  the  govt,"  I  beg  leave  to 
state  that  the  answer  above  contains,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  what  I  com- 
municated to  Col.  Fn^inont;  tolling  him  at  the  same  ^ime  that  it  was  the  wish 
of  the  govt  that  we  should  conciliate  the  feelings  of  the  people  of  Cal.,  and 
encourage  a  friendship  towards  the  U.  S. '  Id. ,  30-3. 

That  the  testimony  cited  was  regarded  at  the  time  as  evasive  and  incom- 
plete, is  shown  by  the  following  (piotations  from  the  x-eport  of  the  house  com 
mittee  in  Aug.  1848,  denying  the  validity  of  all  claims  contracted  before  tho 
U.  S.  flag  was  raised,  on  the  ground  that  Frdmont  and  the  rest  acted  without 
any  known  authority  from  the  U.  S:  'What  the  purpose  was  in  sending  an 
officer  of  the  U.  S.  in  search  of  Col.  Fr(5mont,  with  a  simple  letter  of  intro- 
duction, "which  was  intelligibly  explained  by  the  accompanying  letter  of  Sen. 
Iknton,"  is  left  to  conjecture,  except  so  far  as  is  disclosed  by  the  language  of 
tlol.  Fr<5mont  as  quoted;  but  the  effect  was  to  turn  Col.  Fr(5mont  with  the 
men  under  his  command  from  their  exploring  expedition  to  Oregon  back  into 
Cal.,  where  they  at  once  "joined  the  settlers"  (or  the  settlers  joined  them), 
and  engaged  in  a  revolutionary  movement  against  the  authorities  of  Cal. . . 
Up  to  this  time  there  was  and  could  have  been  no  knowledge  in  Cal.  of  the 


lilLLKSPlES  IXSTKUCTIONS. 


87 


These  coinmuiiications,  as  both  officers  stated,  required 
them  "to  ascertain  the  disposition  of  the  Cahforniaii 
])oople,  to  conciliate  their  feehngs  in  favor  of  the 
United  States,  and  to  find  out,  with  a  design  of  coun- 
teracting, the  designs  of  tlie  British  government  upon 
tliat  country."     These  reasons,  even  if  the  former  was 

existence  of  war  betwecu  Mexico  aud  the  U.  S.  Whether  the  purposo  of  the 
ucc.  of  state,  acting  as  it  must  bo  supposed  under  tho  direction  of  tho  presi- 
dent, and  so  "intelligibly  explained  oy  the  letter  of  Sen.  Benton,  was  de- 
veloped by  the  conduct  of  Col.  Fremont  conse(iuent  tiierefrom,  must  be  en- 
tirely a  mutter  of  surmise  until  that  "intelligible  explanation"  shall  have 
been  presented  to  the  public;  but  it  is  very  manifest  that  much  yet  remains 
to  be  told  of  this  as  yet  dark  and  mysterious  proceeding. '  Thus  tho  opera- 
tions were  'undertaken  either  upon  individual  responsibility  and  without 
the  authority  of  the  govt  or  any  of  its  departments,  or  such  authority  being 
given,  it  is  not  only  not  disclosed,  but  studiously  withheld  from  the  public 
eye.'  Frdmoiit'a  Cal.  Claims  (Houso  Rcpt  wo.  317),  1-5.  I  do  not  refer  hero 
to  all  tho  govt  reports  on  thoCal.  claims,  and  on  FriSmont's  court-martial, 
thougli  all  of  them  contain  more  or  less  repetition  of  tho  testimony  and  com- 
ments cited. 

Senator  Clark,  in  his  speech  of  April  25,  1848,  C'lnrk's  Sjieech  on  Cat. 
Claiinti,  p.  3-14;  also  in  Cong.  Olohe,  30th  cong.  Istacss.,  appen.,  p.  509;  see 
also,  in  Id.,  speeches  of  other  senators  on  tho  subject — made  a  strong  argu- 
ment for  tho  payment  of  tho  claims,  on  the  gi'ouud  that  tho  U.  S.  govt  had 
undoubtedly  instructed  Frdmont  through  (Jillespio  to  act  as  ho  did,  though 
thi  speaker  by  no  means  approved  tiie  policy  of  tho  govt.  'Whilst  the  U.  S. 
were  professing  to  bo  governed  by  a  spirit  of  justice  and  lovo  of  pcaco  upon 
tho  eastern  border  of  Mexico,  difl'erent  indeed  was  her  course  in  regnrcl  to 
tlioso  states  in  the  west,  as  shown  by  tho  mission  of  Gillespie  early  in  Nov. 
1845,  with  secret  instructions  to  tho  consul  inCaI.,aud  to  call  from  scien- 
tific T)ursuits  an  officer  to  foment  rebellion  and  aid  in  revolutionizing  tho 
govt. 

Jay,  Mexican  War,  150-4,  takes  a  similar  view,  and  after  citing  the  cvi- 
ilence,  remarks:  'It  is  impossible  to  resist  tho  conviction  that  Fremont  was 
given  to  understand,  but  in  a  way  not  to  compromit  the  govt,  that  tho  aban- 
iloumcut  of  the  exploration  in  Oregon  for  tho  purpose  of  cxeiting  aud  aiding 
an  insurrection  in  Cal.  would  not  expose  him  to  censure.'  Edmund  Ran- 
tlolph,  in  his  Oration,  says:  '  But  resentment  ami  anticipation  of  evil  wcro 
not  tho  solo  cause  of  this  movement.  There  cauuot  no"V  bo  a  doubt  that  it 
was  prompted,  as  it  was  approved,  by  tho  govt  of  tho  t  S.;  and  that  Capt. 
Fr(5mont  obeyed  his  orders  no  less  than  his  own  feelings. .  .What  FrtSmont'a 
instructions  were  i.s  a  well  kept  cabinet  secret,  whicli  will  probably  not  bo  di- 
vulged, at  least  in  our  time'  Dicindle'H  Addresa,  ISGG,\>.  I'J  '20,  'There  is 
teason  to  believe  that  he  was  instructed  to  feel  tho  geographical  pulse  of  tho 
natives  as  well  as  the  mountain  passes. '  Wise's  Lou  Grimjo.i,  41.  '  There  were 
some  expressions  in  a  letter  from  Col.  Benton  that  tho  old  senator's  son-in-law 
studied  with  extraordinary  diligence.  No  doubt  tho  oral  communications  of 
Gillespie  helped  to  draw  from  tnem  a  deeper  significanuo  than  tho  words  con 
veyed  on  the  first  reading ...  Fremont  determined  to  become  tho  pursuer 
rather  than  the  pursued,  to  turn  upon  tho  faithless  foe,  and  revolutionize  tho 
govt.  This  would  have  been  a  hazardous  course, . . .  unless,  either  in  hia secret 
instructions  before  starting  or  in  the  advices  conveyed  by  Lieut  Gillespie,  ho 
was  assured  that  a  successful  indiscretion  of  this  sort  would  bo  acceptable  to 
his  govt.  As  to  tho  precise  plan  ho  adopted,  thero  is  no  doubt  that  ho  con- 
sulted his  own  judgment  alone.  But  thero  is  abundant  circumstantial  evi- 
dence that  he  was  given  to  understand  that  any  defensible  method  of  gaining 


88 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


SI'  ! 


II 


Hoiiiewliat  exagjj^erated  as  is  probablo,  were  amply 
Mifficiunt  to  account  fur  and  justify  his  action  in  turn- 
ing back,  tiiough  ho  well  knew — as  the  govornnicnt 
did  not — tliat  his  services  as  a  conciHator  were  not 
hkely  to  be  very  effective  in  CaHfornia.  Tliere  is  no 
need  of  secret  instructions  in  favor  of  fihbusterisni  to 
account  for  his  actions  so  fur.  Yet  were  that  all,  and 
did  the  nature  of  the  communications  rest  solely  on 
the  testimony  of  Fremont  and  Gillespie,  the  theory 
of  such  secret  instructions  would  perhaps  be  as  fasci- 
nating for  me  as  it  has  been  for  others;  but  there  is 
other  evidence  which  I  deem  conclusive.  Secretary 
Buchanan's  secret  instructions  to  Larkin  as  confiden- 
tial agent — the  nature  of  which  has  been  a  matter  of 
surmise  to  other  writers;  which  are  represented  to 
have  been  in  purport  identical  with  Gillespie's  instruc- 
tions; which  he  was  directed  to  show  to  Fremont;  i 
duplicate  of  which  he  destroyed  after  committing  its 
contents  to  memory;  but  the  original  of  which  is  in 
my  possession — confirm  entirely  the  cited  testimony 
of  the  two  oflScers,  though  not  all  the  inferences  they 
desired  to  be  drawn  from  that  testimony ;  and  contain 
no  encouragement,  direct  or  indirect,  for  any  revolt 
except  by  the  Californians  themselves.  Had  this 
document  been  one  written  to  be  seen  with  int'  nt  to 
mislead  those  into  whose  hands  it  might  fall,  it  vould 
])rove  nothing  in  this  connection;  but  its  existence,  on 
the  contrary,  was  intended  to  be  kept,  and  lias  been 
koi)t  until  now,  a  profound  state  secret.  It  contains 
a  clear  presentment  of  the  policy  of  the  United  States 

Cal.  to  the  Union  would  be  acceptal>le. .  .A  hint  was  enough  for  one  so  ambi- 
tious as  Frt5mout,  and  if  he  was  not  instructed  he  was  most  fortunate  in  his 
instincts.  A  different  issue  might  have  overwhelmed  him  with  reproach. 
As  it  resulted,  he  had  the  pci-fcct  and  flattering  indorsement  of  the  see.  of 
stati'.'  Ttithili's  Hist.  Cal.,  107-8.  As  early  as  1847,  F.  D.  Atherton,  in  a 
letter  from  Valparaiso  to  Larkin,  expressed  grave  doubts  that  Frfimont  bail 
been  turned  back  by  the  snows  in  June.    Larkiu's  Doc,  MS.,  v.  58. 

I  might  easily  extend  these  citations  to  show  tlio  prevalence  of  the  idea 
that  Fn5niont  acted  under  secret  instructions;  but  those  given  are  sufficient. 
Nor  do  I  deem  it  necessary  to  cite  the  opinions  of  numerous  Mexican  and 
native  Califomian  writers  to  the  same  effect,  because  they  had  in  rcalitv  little 
opportunity  of  knowing  anything  about  FnSmont's  motives,  most  of  them 
taking  it  for  granted  that  he  acted  as  a  secret  agent  of  the  U.  S. 


i  \. 


INSTRUCTIONS  FROM  WASillNGTON. 


80 


— to  take  possession  of  California  in  the  event  of  war 
with  Mexico;  to  prevent,  by  force  of  arms  if  necessary, 
any  occupation  by  a  European  power;  but  meanwhile 
to  conciliate  by  every  possible  means  the  good-will  o\ 
the  natives,  with  a  view  that  the  occupation  in  case 
<if  war  might  be  without  op[)osition,  or,  if  there  were 
no  war,  tliat  the  people  might  voluntarily  seek  annex- 
ation a  little  later.  This  policy,  from  an  American 
standpoint,  was  essentially  a  sound  and  prudent  on(\ 
I  have  already  expressed  my  opinion  that  the  means 
adopted  to  carry  it  out  were  not  in  certain  respects 
honorable  from  an  international  point  of  view;  but  I 
am  by  no  means  willing  to  charge  the  administration 
at  Washington  with  an  action  so  stupidly  inconsistent 
as  to  have  sent  on  the  same  date  and  by  the  same 
confidential  messenger,  *r>  two  different  ai2fents  in  Call 
fornia,  two  radically  chherent  and  utterly  irreconcila- 
ble sets  of  sec  lit  instructions.  I  think  there  jan  be 
no  possible  room  for  doubt  that  Fremont's  instruc- 
tions were  identical  with  those  issued  to  Gillespie  and 
Larkin;  and  I  believe  that  no  doubt  would  ever  have 
arisen  on  the  subject  had  the  document  which  I  have 
cited  been  known  to  previous  investigators. 

Assuming,  then,  that  Fremont  engaged  in  a  revolu- 
tionary movement,  not  in  accordance  with,  but  in  dis- 
obedience of  his  orders  from  Washington,  what  were 
his  motives?  He  claimed  to  act  at  the  entreaties  of 
the  American  settlers  in  defence  of  their  lives  and 
rights.  I  need  not  repeat  that  this  on  his  part,  as  on 
that  of  other  leaders,  was  a  mere  j)retext,  Fremont 
most  certainly  not  being  one  of  those  who  really  be- 
lieved the  settlers  to  be  in  danger.  I  cite  in  a  note  his 
letter  to  Benton  in  explanation  of  his  action.''     Clearly 

' '  You  will  remember  how  gi-ossly  outraged  nuil  insulted  wo  had  already 
been  by  this  officer  [Castro];  many  in  my  own  camp  and  thi'oughout  the  coun- 
try thought  that  I  should  not  have  retreated  in  March  last.  I  felt  humiliated 
and  humbled;  one  of  the  main  objects  proposed  by  the  expedition  ha  '  been 
entirely  defeated,  and  it  was  the  opinion  of  tlio  officers  of  the  squadwm  {ai> 
I  was  informed  by  Mr  Gillespie)  that  I  could  not  again  retreat  consistently 
with  any  military  reputation . .  .  My  animals  were  in  such  a  state  that  I  could 
not  get  out  of  the  valley  without  reaching  the  country  wliich  lies  on  the  west  (?) 


i 


90 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  HE  VOLT. 


the  retreat  from  Gavilan  in  luarcli  had  been  a  sevort^ 
bhnv  to  the  (uij^tain's  pride,  and  the  wound  still  smarted 
as  irritated  by  the  taunts  of  bold  and  irresponsible 
comrades  and  of  filibustering  settlers.  Yet  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  Fremont's  strongest  incentive  was 
personal  ambition.  He  confidently  counted  njwn  an 
immediate  declaration  of  war  between  the  United 
States  and  Mexico;  and  he  believed  that  by  conunenc- 
ing  hostilities  he  mi<jjht  gain  for  himself  a  largo  share 
of  credit  for  the  conquest,  whicli  would  otherwise  fall 
to  the  naval  commanders.  The  prevalent  rumors 
among  the  cottiers  atVorde< I  him  a  piausihjcjjretext  for 
an  action  that  also  ottered  a  remctly  for  wounded  mil- 
itary pride.  Should  he  err  in  his  expectations  of  war, 
there  woukl  yet  remain  a  chance  of  prominence  in  an 
independent  C^aliforniau  republii'.  Young  and  adven- 
turous, he  resolved  to  take  the  risks.  From  t  he  stand- 
point of  a  purely  ])crsonal  ambition,  he  decided  wisely. 
The  result  probai)ly  surpassed  his  most  sanguine  ex- 
pectations. His  decision  made  him  subsequently  a 
popular  hero,  a  senator  of  the  United  States,  a  can- 
didate for  the  presidency,  a  milMomiaire  ad  interiui,  a 
major-general ;  in  fact,  it  gave  him  givater  prominence 
than  has  j)erha[)s  ever  beiMi  attained  in  the  United 
States  by  anv  otlier  man  of  no  ijfreater  ability.  Ho 
was  essentially  a  lucky  I'ellow. 

Our  admiration  for  Frt^mont  as  a  iihbustero  chief- 
tain— the  t)nly  admii"ation  due  him  in  this  connection 
— would  be  vastly  increasetl  hatl  he  acted  with  sonui- 


siilo  uf  tlieiii  ill  an  oiitiroly  dostitnto  cuiiclitioii.  Having  oarcfully  oxam- 
iiicd  iiiy  position,  luiil  forosei'iiig,  1  think,  I'li'arly,  all  tlioooiisonvioncos  whioii 
may  oventuato  to  mo  from  such  a  Hti'j),  [  ili'tcrniin^^il  to  tako  bucIi  active  ami 
anticipatory  niiMiaurcs  aa  should  seem  to  mo  moat  expedient  to  protect  my 
pjirty  and  justify  my  own  oharactor.  I  am  well  awuro  of  the  grave  respoiisi- 
liility  which  1  assumod;  but  1  also  determined  that,  having oncu  decided  to  do 
so,  I  would  assume  it  anil  its  consei|uences  fully  and  entirely,  and  pi  through 
witli  the  business  completely  to  the  end.  .  .On  the  tJtli  of  Jiino  I  decided  on 
t ho  course  which  I  woulil  pursue,  and  iunni'dialely  eoncert^td  my  oiMsralions 
with  the  foreigners  inhabiting  the  Sacramento  Valley.'  Fn^niont  to  liuuton, 
.Inly  '2.'),  184t!,  in  Xilis'  lliy.,  Ixxi.  1!)|.  [  have alrojwly,  in  note  1  of  thia chap- 
ter, (|Uotcd  this  letter  on  Castro's  hostile  preparations;  and  I  .shall  have  oc- 
eatiion  to  refer  to  it  again. 


FKfeMONTS  PLANS. 


01 


what  loss  of  caution  jil'ter  deciding  toongaj^c  in  the  n- 
volt,  or  had  he  been  somewhat  more  modest  in  hist 
subsequent  chiims.  I  have  already  stated  that  but 
lor  his  presence  arid  support  the  revolt  would  not 
have  occurred.  The  departure  of  Hastings  and  Ch- 
man  ^or  the  east,  and  of  others  for  Oregon  in  April, 
shows  that  there  was  then  but  little  hope  of  a  success- 
I'ul  rising.  But  as  to  the  exact  nature  of  his  coo|>- 
(  ration  there  has  been  some  difference  of  opinitni. 
William  Baldridge  attributes  the  movement  t)f  the 
American  settlers,  of  whom  he  was  one,  to  Fremont's 
direct  encouragement,  believing — though  this  of  course 
was  a»i  afterthought — that  that  officer's  true  purpose 
was  to  [)rovok(>  a  declaration  of  war  by  Mexico;*  and 
William  I>.  Ide  had  some  theories  on  the  subject, 
which  will  be  noticed  prcseiitly;  but  the  weight  of 
(■\  idence,  direct  and  circumstantial,  goes  to  show  that 
Fremont,  whilf  holding  himself  somewhat  aloof  fiom 
th(>  masses,  secretly  conspired  with  a  few  leaders  to 
bi-ing  about  an  outbi'cak,  and  pi-omised  the  full  sup|)ort 
of  Iiimsi'lf  and  his  i)arty  in  case  it  should  be  needi'd, 
ihoiigli  as  an  olHciM' of  tlu'  United  States  lie  desii-ed 
to  abstain  from  o[)en  pai'ticipation  as  long  as  possible. 
The  seitli^rs  had  no  tear  of  any  force  th(^  ( 'alifoi'iiians 
could  nmster  north  of  the  bay;  but  if  (/astro  wej-e  tt) 
send  soldiers  from  the  south,  they  miglu  re(]uii\^  as- 
sistance. This  assistanct'  Fi'iMuont  promisi'd,  and,  as 
we  shall  see,  proll'eri'd  latei'.  This  was  the  sum  and 
substance  of  his  coopt'i'ation.  In  the  lew  stii'ring 
events  of  the  ri'vohition  he  p(>rsonally  took  no  |»art. 
lie  mt'ii'ly  held  hinis(>lf  in  rcadiiifss  to  act  when  tho 
necessity  should  arisi',  and  marched  against  tlu'  foo 
alter  others  had  won  a  victoi;*'.  Vet  in  the  lettei*  to 
Hcnton  he  clearly  gave  that  gtnitleman,  an<l  through 
him  the  people  of  tlu'  United  States,  tt)  understan<l 
tliat  in  all  that  had  occurred  he  had  taken  an  active 
part,  and  had  bien  [)er.sonally  in  couunand.     In  this 


*  RaUiriitijr'.i  Uni/.io/^t!,  MS.,  jNissim. 


9_>  CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 

lie  was  guilty  of"  selfi.sh  and  dishonorable  misrepre- 
sentation.° 

There  is  another  version  of  Frdmont's  part  in  the 
revolution  which  merits  attention  on  account  of  it^* 
author's  prominence  in  the  movement,  if  for  no  other 


^lu  his  letter  to  Benton,  already  cited,  Xili's'  Rcij.,  Ixxi.  191,  Fremont 
says:  'On  June  Gtli  I  decided  on  the  course  which  I  would  pursue,  and  im- 
mediately concerted  my  operations  with  the  foreigners.'  A  few  days  later, 
etc.,  going  on  to  mention  the  capture  of  Arce's  horses,  taking  of  Sonoma, 
capture  of  ( ien.  Vallejo,  etc. ,  and  continuing : '  Those  cntei-prises  accomplished, 
1  proceeded '(from  where?)  'to  the  American  settlements  on  the  Sacramento 
and  Rio  de  los  Americanos  to  obtaui  reenforcements' — thus  leaving  it  to  be  in- 
ferred tliat  he  had  taken  an  active  part  in  all  the  events  nan-ated,  instead  of 
remaining  in  camp  at  Sutter's  Fort.  Then  he  was  called  to  Sonoma  by  news 
of  a  threatened  attack  by  Castro,  and  in  his  narrative  of  what  followed  makes 
no  effort  to  distiuguisli  between  his  own  acts  and  those  of  others,  implying 
very  clearly  that  all  was  done  by  him,  with  the  cooperation  of  Gillespie,  ami 
continuing:  'We  leached  Sonoma  again  on  the  evening  of  July  4th,  and  in 
the  morning  I  calleu  the  people  togetlier  and  spoke  to  them  in  relation  to  tlu' 
position  of  the  country,  advising  a  coiu'se  of  operations  which  was  unani- 
mously adopted.  (Jal.  was  declared  independent,'  etc.  I  do  not  quote  more 
fully,  because  the  events  have  to  be  narrated  in  the  next  chapter;  but  I  do  not 
exaggerate  in  saying  that  Fr(5mont  deliberately  conveyed  the  impression  that 
he  was  in  active  command  throughout  the  revolution.  Benton  so  understood 
it,  or  at  least  wished  it  to  be  so  understood;  and  he  repeated  Fremont's  ver 
.sion  in  language  similar  but  more  positive  in  a  letter  of  Nov.  0,  184(5,  Xilex' 
I'fg.,  Ixxi.  173,  to  the  president,  who,  like  the  see.  of  war,  repeated  tiie  ver- 
sion Bubstiuitially  in  public  documents;  and  thus  the  ambitious  captain  ob- 
tained much  popular  credit  and  atlmiration  which  by  no  means  belonged  to 
him,  even  if  credit  or  admiration  hail  been  due  to  anybody  for  such  action.s. 
In  his  VoKi-t-iiiartial,  .'i74,  Fr(5mont  says:  'In  concert  and  in  cooperation  witii 
the  American  settlers,  and  in  the  brief  space  of  about  30  days,  all  was  accom- 
plished north  of  tlu;  bay,  and  independence  declared  on  July  Gth. '  In  August 
ISiiO,  Tliompson  of  New  Jersey — Speech  on  the  ('oiiqne.it  of  California.  Wash. 
1S,")(),  8vo,  l(i  p. ;  also  in  Comiresit.  Glohe,  18,'),">  6,  p.  '2(K)(i-9 — made  a  forcil)le  ]>ro- 
testin  the  U.  S.  senate  against  the  claim  of  Fremont  to  be  considered  tlie  coii- 
((ueror  of  Cal.,  showing  in  a  clear  light  tlie  misrepresentations  made  by  and 
in  behalf  of  that  officer,  tliough  he  liad  to  rely  mainly  for  evidence  on  the 
ilocument  already  cited  as  Hist.  Bear  Fhnj  l!i  col. ,  and  signed  as  it  appears  by 
Ide,  Nasii,  and  llrigsby.  Thompson  says:  •  In  tliese  letters  it  will  be  found 
that  Fri'iuiint  recites  various  successful  military  actions.  Ho  does  not  sav 
that  he  participated  in  them,  but  states  them  in  sueli  a  way  as  to  leave  the 
inference  irresistible  tiiat  lie  did  so.  Mr  Benton  and  Mr  Marcy  beta  take 
such  for  iiranted,  and  so  indeed  would  any  one  on  reading  tiie  artful  connec- 
tion in  whicli  they  arc  stated.  Besides,  there  are  no  documents  on  file  in  tiie 
departnuMit  from  wliicli  thi'  .sec.  could  iiave  i  lade  up  tlie  statement  in  his  re 
port,  except  the  letters  of  (aA.  Benton  ami  .Mrs  Fremont.  The  facts  relate  ti> 
the  time  when  Fnimont  joined  tlie  movement, .  .  .to  two  actions  in  wliieli  the 
Califoriiiaiis  were  defeated,  and  the  taking  of  Sonoma.  The  see.  relates  tiie.si' 
events  so  as  to  in'oduee  tlie  imj)  >ssion  (no  douljt  on  his  own  mind)  that  Vw 
mont  was  among  the  liist  to  countenance  the  independent  movement;  that  he 
took  part  in  the  defeat  of  tlie  .Mexicans  ami  the  capture  of  Sonoma.  B'".t 
we  liave  positive  proof  .showing  that  Fri'nioiit  had  notliing  to  do  with  tneso 
several  events. '  And  tiiis  was  true,  thougli  in  certain  respects  Thompson  over- 
estimated the  value  of  his  i)ro(ifs,  Ide,  (iri>.'sbv,  and  Nash  being  interested 
p"r,siiii.s,  like  Fri'iiioiit,  and  coloring  tlieir  version  aeeordingly. 


IDE'S  VERSION. 


93 


reason.  It  is  that  given  by  William  B.  Ide  in  his 
letter  to  Senator  Wanibongh,  and  subse(]uontly  con- 
firmed to  some  extent  by  Ide,  Grigsby,  and  Nash  in 
their  narrative.  According  to  Idc,  the  American 
merchants,  Larkin  and  others  of  his  class,  "faik'd 
not  in  the  genuine  spirit  of  Yankeedom  to  direct  and 
profit  by  those  political  impositions,  change  of  admin- 
istration, and  continued  increase  of  tarifi*  duties  by 
which  during  ten  years  of  increasing  distress  and 
ruin  the  main  body  of  the  peo[)le  were  made  misera- 
bly poor,"  therefore  refusing  support  to  the  oppressed 
settlers;  then  "Fremont  came  among  us,  who,  after 
having  provoked  the  assumed  authorities  of  the  coun- 
try, left  us  to  experience  the  wMath  and  retaliatory 
vengeance  his  acts  had  onijenderiul ;.  .  .next  came  Gil- 
lesjtie,  who  failed  not  to  give  cautionary  advice  in 
relation  to  a  state  of  preparedness  on  the  jxirt  of  all 
of  United  States  origin,  but  dissuaded  from  any  kind 
of  organization,"  suggesting,  however,  that  after  Fre- 
mont's return  his  camp  would  be  the  means  of  tem- 
porary protection.  Finally,  after  a  month  of  suspense 
and  terror  on  the  part  of  the  settlers  in  view  of  Cas- 
tro's proclamations  and  military  preparations,  Fre- 
mont returned  from  the  north,  and  soon  in  writing 
summoned  "every  freeman  in  the  valley  to  come  to 
his  camp  at  the  Buttes  immediatel}^"  announcing  at 
the  same  time  the  approach  of  Castro's  forces.  To 
h\v.  and  a  few  others,  not  named,  Frdmont  made 
known  his  plan  of  conquest  as  follows:  "First,  select 
a  dozen  men  who  have  nothinjx  to  lose  but  evervthinix 
to  gain.  Second,  encourage  them  to  conunit  depre- 
dations against  General  Castro  the  usurper,  and  thus 
supply  the  camp  with  horses  necessary  for  a  trip  to 
the  States.  Third,  to  make  prisoners  of  some  of  the 
principal  men,  and  thus  provoke  Castro  to  strike  the 
first  blow  in  a  war  with  the  United  States.  This 
done,  finish  the  conquest  by  uniting  the  forces  and 
marching  back  to  the  States."  This  scheme  was  de- 
nttunced  by  Ide  and  his  comrades  as  dishonorable  and 


94 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


!    8 : 


treacherous,  whereupon  Frdmont  in  anger  broke  up 
the  interview.  "Thus  ended  all  intercourse  on  our 
l)art  with  Captain  Fremont  until  June  25th."  Sub- 
sequently, however.  King,  inviting  the  visitors  to 
another  tent,  asked,  "Suppose  the  men  succeed  in 
taking  the  horses,  what  will  you  in  that  case  propose 
to  be  done?"  The  reply  was,  "When  the  breach  is 
once  made  that  involves  us  all  in  its  consequences,  it 
is  useless  to  consider  the  propriety  of  the  measure. 
We  are  too  few  for  division.  In  for  it,  the  whole 
man!  Widen  the  breach,  that  none  can  stand  out- 
side thereof  Down  on  Sonoma  I  Never  flee  the 
country,  nor  give  it  up  while  there  is  an  arm  to  fight 
or  a  voice  to  cry  aloud  for  Independence.  But  let 
truth  and  honor  guide  our  course." 

Ide  continues:  "Several  persons,  among  whom  was 
Kit  Carson,  begged  of  Fremont  their  discharge  from 
the  service  of  the  exploring  expedition  that  they 
might  be  at  liberty  to  join  us.  This  was  peremptorily 
refused.  Fremont,  in  my  hearing,  expressly  declared 
that  he  was  not  at  libt/ty  to  afford  us  the  least  aid  or 
assistance ;  nor  would  he  suffer  any  of  his  men  to  do  so ; 
that  he  had  not  asked  the  assistance  of  the  emigrants 
for  his  protection;  that  he  was  able,  of  his  own 
party,  to  fight  and  whip  Castro  if  he  chose,  but  that 
he  should  not  do  so  unless  first  assaulted  by  liim; 
and  that  positively  he  should  wait  only  for  a  supply 
of  provisions,  two  weeks  at  furthest,  when  he  would, 
without  further  reference  to  what  might  take  place 
here,  be  on  his  march  for  the  States."  That  same 
night  the  captured  horses  arrived,  and  next  day  the 
expedition  to  Sonoma  began;  many  embarking  in  it 
with  the  idea  that  they  were  only  carrying  out  Fre- 
mont's plan  of  provoking  hostilities.* 

'^Ide's  Biog.  Skeich,  107-19,  confirmed  in  the  Hist.  Bear  Flaij  lli'voliUion, 
by  tlie  statement  that  at  the  interview  in  question  Fr(?mont  'advised 
immediate  organization  and  resistance  on  tiie  part  of  the  foreigners,  but 
declined  any  action  on  his  part  or  that  of  the  men  under  his  command,' 
stating  that  he  expected  to  leave  for  the  States  in  two  weeks;  and  by  the 
further  statement  that  Fri^mont  at  Sonoma  later  declared  'that  he  hud 
determined  to  pursue  and  take  Jos6  Castro,  whom  he  considered  but  an 


PRECAUTIONS  OF  FREMONT. 


95 


Idu 's  version  will  be  found  on  close  examination  to 
confirm  rather  than  contradict  what  I  have  said  re- 
specting Fremont's  policy.  That  gentleman  wrote 
under  a  strong  feeling,  amounting  almost  to  a  mania, 
that  he  had  been  robbed  by  Frdraont  of  the  honor  of 
liaving  been  at  the  head  of  the  revolution,  a  feeling 
that  strongly  colored  all  his  remarks,  and  led  to  many 
exaggerations;  but  though  prejudiced  and  fanatical, 
Ide  was  not  a  man  to  tell  a  deliberate  falsehood,  and 
I  have  no  doubt  that  his  account  of  the  interview  is 
substantially  correct.  All  goes  to  show  that  Frd- 
mont,  though  one  of  the  original  plotters  of  the  re- 
volt, had  a  direct  understanding  with  but  few  of  the 
leaders,  of  which  number  Ide  was  not  one,  to  whom 
he  promised  active  cooperation  when  it  should  be 
required.  To  the  rest  he  spoke  guardedly,  inciting 
them  indirectly  to  revolt,  but  cautiously  avoiding  re- 

uaurper  in  Cal.,  being  unauthorized  by  the  govt  of  Mexico, . .  .that  although 
he  couhl  not  and  would  not  interineddle  in  the  internal  affairs  of  Cal.,'  yet, 
if  they  would  make  certain  pledges,  'he  would  not  only  aid  them  with  his 
advice,  but  that  he  would  volunteer  his  whole  force  against  Castro,  and  that 
he  would  stand  by  them  at  least  until  Castro  shall  have  been  subdued.'  In 
connection  with  the  last  phrase  cited,  I  may  note  that  Folsom,  in  a  letter  of 
Nov.  30,  1847,  to  Vallejo,  speaks  of  an  interview  in  which  Fremont  told 
Prudon  that  be  was  merely  acting  in  aid  of  Pico  against  Castro.  Vallejo, 
Doc,  MS.,  xii.  »21. 

Wm  Hargrave,  Cal.  i7i  '4^,  MS,  4-11,  tells)  us  that  after  much  discussion 
among  the  settlers  of  Napa  at  the  writer's  camp,  he,  Kelsey,  Swift,  and  an- 
other went  to  consult  with  Fr6mont,  being  joined  by  others  on  the  way.  At 
the  interview  on  Feather  River,  Kelsey  being  spokesman,  Fremont  seemed 
very  cautious,  though  willing  enough  lo  resume  active  operations.  '  He  pre- 
ferred to  see  for  himself  how  far  the  settlers  of  Napa  and  Sonoma  were  ready 
to  go  in  shaking  off  the  Mexican  yoke.  At  any  rate,  he  peremptorily  refused 
to  take  any  responsibility  for  sudden  action  on  our  part,  and  endeavored  to 
delay  or  frustrate  our  efforts.  Whether  he  expressed  himself  differently 
when  he  spoke  to  Kelsfv  alone  later  in  the  day!  cannot  say.'  Hargrave 
says  he  later  heard  1  nt  ridicule   Ide's  proclamation.     Fowler,  Bear 

Party,  2,  also  mentions  th«  mission  of  Hargrave  and  Kelsey.  Both  imj)ly 
t hat  the  rising  would  not  have  taken  ])lace  at  that  time  but  for  a  j^wpular 
belief  that  EV^mont  would  in  somt;  way  cooperate.  Some  fiivored  action  with- 
out regard  to  the  captain's  plans,  but  this  was  opposed  by  a  majority.  Bald- 
ridge,  JJay-i  of  '-^,  MS. ,  passim,  is  confident  that  the  settlers  would  not  have 
risen  but  for  Fremont's  indirect  promptings  and  promises.  The  writer  and 
Thos  W.  Bradley  were  in  Berreyesa  Valley  when  John  Grigsby  and  Wm  Elliot 
came  up  with  the  news.  '  Grigsby  says  Fri''mont  prompted  them  to  take  up 
lums,  telling  them  that  it  would  not  do  for  him  to  commence  the  affair,  as  he 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  U.  S. ,  but  for  them  to  seize  on  some  place  which  they 
would  Ik)  able  to  hold,  and  then  he  would  discharge  all  Ijis  men,  and  with  them 
would  join  us  as  volunteers.  He  also  said  he  wanted  to  start  on  an  active 
campaign  as  soon  as  it  was  possible  to  get  men  enough  together  to  do  so.' 


06 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


marks  and  promises  which  might  in  certain  contin- 
gencies be  used  to  his  disadvantajjje  later.  There  is 
no  reason  to  doubt  that  with  his  men  he  would  have 
fought  bravely,  had  circumstances  required  it,  in  de- 
fence of  the  cause  he  liad  espoused;  though,  as  we 
have  seen,  he  was  mean  enough  in  the  hour  of  success 
to  appropriate  to  himself  the  credit  for  actions  in 
which  he  really  took  no  part. 

In  thus  presenting  the  real  causes  which  led  to 
the  revolt  of  June  184G,  I  have  of  course  condemned 
the  movement.  An  armed  insurrection  involving  loss 
of  life  is  justifiable  in  the  eyes  of  the  civilized  world 
only  as  a  measure  of  self-defence  in  resistance  to  grf)ss 
oppression.  In  this  case  there  was  no  oppression  or 
other  than  imaginary  danger,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
fact  that  the  revolutionists,  with  few  exceptions,  had 
entered  Mexican  territory  in  defiance  of  the  country's 
laws.  There  is,  Jiowever,  much  more  to  be  said  in 
condemnation  of  this  revolt.  In  spite  of  our  theoriz- 
ing, the  world  is  prone  to  approve  practically,  after 
all  is  over,  a  movement,  whatever  its  causes,  whicJi 
leads  to  beneficial  results.  Californian  affairs  under 
the  Mexican  regime  were  in  a  sad  state,  and  not  im- 
proving. An  occupation  of  the  country  by  a  progres- 
sive nation  could  not  fail  to,  and  did,  produce  a 
marked  improvement  in  every  respect;  and  the  tend- 
ency has  been,  even  among  those  who  could  not  jus- 
tify the  revolt,  to  give  its  promoters  credit  for  the 
good  that  resulted  from  the  change.  They  are  enti- 
tled, however,  to  no  such  credit.  The  revolution  was 
in  no  sense  a  part  of  tlie  conquest  of  California, 
neither  leading  to  nor  in  any  way  promoting  that 
movement.  Before  the  revolt,  the  government  of 
the  United  States  had  ordered  the  occupation  of  the 
country  on  account  of  war  with  Mexico;  and  the  oc- 
cupation would  have  been  effected  in  the  same  man- 
ner and  at  the  same  date  had  no  revolt  taken  place," 

'  We  shall  see  later  that  it  wus  claiuicd  in  behalf  of  Frdmont  that  his  ac- 


CHARACTER  OF  IHK  REVOLT. 


07 


Two  specific  claims,  closely  connected  with  the  gen- 
eral one  of  having  commenced  the  conquest,  which 
have  been  quite  generally  but  very  carelessly  allowed 
in  favor  of  the  revolutionists,  are  that  their  acts  kept 
California  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  England,  and 
that  they  checked  Governor  Pico  in  his  work  of  grant- 
ing the  public  lands  to  his  own  personal  friends  an<l 
to  enemies  of  the  United  States.  The  absurdity  <»f 
the  first  claim  should  be  apparent.  If  England  had 
any  intention  of  taking  California,  she  certainly  would 
not  have  been  deterred  by  the  armed  settlers  of  a 
single  section.  On  the  contrary,  the  revolt  would 
have  served  as  a  most  plausible  pretext  for  the  Cali- 
fornians  to  seek  and  for  England  to  grant  a  protecto- 
rate. As  to  the  second  claim,  I  may  remark  that  the 
McNamara  land  grant,  on  which  most  stress  is  laid 
in  this  connection,  did  not  come  up  for  action  in  Cal- 
ifornia, and  was  probably  unknown  to  every  one  of 
the  filibusters  until  after  the  revolt  was  far  advanced; 
that  theoretically  the  rising  must  have  tended,  not  to 
check,  but  to  hasten  Pico  in  granting  lands;  that  as  a 
matter  of  fact  it  did  have  that  effect  so  far  as  it  had 
any;  and  that  the  United  States  government  did  not 
subsequently  make  June  14th  but  July  7th  the  chron- 
ologic limit  of  legitimate  grants. 

That  the  revolt  was  unjustifiable,  uncalled  for,  and 
not  productive  of  good  results,  is  not  by  any  means 
all  that  is  to  be  said  against  it.  Its  promoters  were 
morally  responsible  for  all  the  blood  shed  in  battle,  as 
well  as  for  outrages  committed  by  both  sides  on  per- 
sons and  property  before  the  raising  of  the  stars  and 
stripes;  and  not  only  this,  but  for  a  bitterness  of  feel- 

tioiis,  presumably  in  accord  with  instructions  from  Washington,  by  confirm- 
ing Commoilorc  Sloat  in  his  belief  that  war  had  been  declared,  influenced 
tliat  officer  to  raise  the  United  States  flag.  It  is  probably  true  that  the  some- 
what irresolute  commodore  derived  much  comfort  from  the  reports  of  Frt5- 
mont's  operations,  as  confirming  the  news  of  war  obtained  at  Mazatlan;  and 
that  had  his  exploit  proved  premature,  like  that  of  Jones  in  1 842,  he  would 
have  urged  those  reports  in  his  own  defence;  but  it  is  hardly  credible  that 
tliey  caused  him  to  perform  an  act  which  he  had  conic  from  ^lazatlan  ex- 
pressly to  perform  in  accordance  with  his  orders,  and  with  vpry  positive  news 
tliat  war  had  begun. 

HiBT.  C'AI,.,  Vol.  V.    7 


'  >  ■ 


98 


CAUSES  OF  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


U' 


■  tr 


iug  between  the  two  races  in  California  which  lasted 
for  many  years.  Not  only  did  the  insurgents  not  con- 
tribute to  the  American  occupation  of  the  country, 
but  they  absolutely  retarded  it,  and  increased  its  dif- 
ficulties. They  were  largely  accountable  for  all  the 
blood  that  was  spilled  throughout  the  war.  The  men 
who  had  given  the  subject  most  attention  and  were 
best  qualified  to  understand  the  true  state  of  affairs 
believed  with  some  reason  that  the  change  of  flag- 
might  have  been  accomplished  without  resistance  or 
bloodshed,  had  it  not  been  for  the  outbreak  at  Sonoma, 
and  the  hostility  engendered  by  that  affair.*^  How- 
over  this  may  be,  whether  or  not  Larkin,  Stearns,  and 
Lcese  were  correct  in  thoir  expectation  of  a  peaceable 
occupation,  whether  or  not  the  land  owners  with  the 

'In  a  letter  of  July  '20.  1S4(!,  Larkin  said  to  the  sec.  of  state  in  substance 
that  Cal.  would  in  a  lew  years  have  come  under  tlio  U.  S.  flag  of  her  own  ac- 
cord; that  he  is  inclined  to  regret  tlie  action  of  the  Bear  Flag  party,  and  of 
Com.  Sloat,  as  the  people  now  tleemed  themselves  coerced  and  injured,  espe- 
cially by  the  Bear  party.  Fremont  and  Gillespie  should  have  consulted 
with  him  and  others  south  of  tlio  bay  before  beginning  hostilities.  Castro  had 
assured  hini  personally  that  lie  intended  to  declare  the  country  independent 
as  soon  as  there  were  enough  foreigners  to  insure  success.  Larkiiis  Off.  Cor- 
rcsp.,  MS.,  ii.  75-7.  In  another  letter  of  Jan.  7,  1847,  L.  wrote:  '  It  has  been 
my  object  for  some  years  to  bring  the  Californiaus  to  look  on  our  countrymen 
as  their  best  friends.  I  am  satistied  very  many  were  of  that  way  of  tliinking. 
and  more  were  becoming  .so.  Gen.  Castro  from  184"2  to  1840  made  every  dem- 
onstration in  our  favor,  and  opened  plans  for  future  operations,  granting  pa^5.s- 
ports  to  all  the  Americans  whom  I  presented  to  him.  At  the  same  time  he 
made  some  foolish  proclamations,  supposing  they  would  only  bo  believed  in 
Mexico.  Tlio  sudden  rising  of  the  party  on  the  Sacramento  under  the  Bear 
Flag,  taking  Californiaus'  property  to  a  large  amount,  and  other  acts  com- 
pletely frustrated  all  hopes  I  bad  of  the  friendship  of  the  natives  to  my  coun- 
trymen, and  of  Gen.  Castro  through  fear  of  his  people,  to  come  into  the  ar- 
rangements I  ospected.  On  the  arrival  of  the  war  squadron  this  came  to  my 
knowledge  more  and  more  fully. '  Quoted  from  original  in  tlie  5.  F.  A  Ha  Cai , 
July  7,  1867.  And  on  Juno  30,  1847,  he  wrote  to  the  same  eflfect.  'The  Bear 
Flag  party  liavc  broken  all  friendship  and  good  feeling  in  Cal.  toward  our 
government.'  Lark'ni's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  118.  The  views  of  Larkin, 
Steams,  and  others  on  this  matter  have  been  more  fully  cited  in  an  earlier 
chapter.  Leese,  ^rar  Mug  lievoff,  MS.,  p.  i'2,  .says  that  Castro,  when  at  So- 
noma a  few  days  before  the  outbreak,  said  he  was  in  favor  of  the  U.  S.  taking 
possession.  Alfred  Robinson,  Statement,  MS.,  21,  tells  us  that  tlio  Beai- 
n\ovement  gi'catly  imbittered  the  hostile  feeling  aroused  by  Fremont's  pre- 
vious actions.  Capt.  Folsom  on  Nov.  30,  1847,  wrote  that  'well  disposed 
Californiaus  were  driven  into  hostility  by  the  ill-advised,  injudicious,  and  dis- 
honest conduct  of  our  own  agents,  and  that  the  country  has  been  constantly 
agitated  anil  much  of  the  time  in  open  hostility  to  the  American  cause  in  con- 
sequence.' Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  3'21.  I  might  multiply  evidence  in  the 
shape  of  such  opinions.  The  Califomians  almost  without  exception  express 
the  same  views,  sometimes  in  most  extravagant  language. 


WHAT  MIGHT  HAVK  BEEN. 


90 


cooperation  of  Vallejo  and  other  influential  citizens 
and  officials  would  have  been  able  so  tar  to  control 
their  countrymen  as  to  prevent  armed  resistance,  at 
least  there  can  be  no  possible  doubt  that  the  revolt 
did  materially  intensify  the  hostility  of  the  natives, 
and  thus  prolong  the  struggle. 

We  must  go  yet  further,  and  besides  the  evils  enu- 
merated which  were  caused  by  the  outbreak,  we  must 
hold  the  participators  in  that  affair  responsible  foi- 
other  and  far  more  serious  evils  that  were  averted,  not 
by  their  foresight,  but  by  sheer  good  luck.  Fremont 
and  his  companions  had,  it  is  true,  reasons  to  believe 
that  war  would  be  declared  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico;  but  thev  had  no  means  of  knowing  the 
date  at  which  hostilities  would  begin;  and  some  of 
them  did  not  reckon  on  or  care  for  the  declaration  of 
war  at  all.  Let  the  reader  consider  what  would  have 
been  the  result  had  war  not  been  declared,  or  had  the 
declaration  been  made  some  months  later.  The  fili- 
busters had  no  understanding  with  foreign  settlers 
south  of  the  bay.  They  would  have  maintained  their 
[josition  in  the  north,  and  would  probably  have  con- 
([uered  central  California;  but  meanwhile  Americans 
in  the  latter  region  must  unquestionably  have  suffered 
at  the  hands  of  the  angry  natives  before  they  could 
have  organized  and  joined  tlie  insurgents  at  some  cen- 
tial  point.  In  the  south  yet  greater  disaster  could 
have  been  avoided  only — as  it  very  likely  would  have 
been — by  southern  foreigners  joining  the  Californians, 
temporarily  at  least,  against  the  insurgents.  In  any 
event,  and  whatever  the  ultimate  result,  the  country 
would  have  been  devastated  by  a  guerilla  warfare  in 
which  a  large  amount  of  property  nmst  have  been  de- 
stroyed, and  much  blood  have  been  shed,  all  to  no 
purpose."     Fortunately,  and  no  thanks  to  the  insur- 

'  It  should  be  stated  here  that  there  are  some  exceptions  among  the  writers 
w  ho  liave  approveil  the  revolt  of  June  1846,  and  treated  it  as  a  part  of  the 
couijuest.  Notably  John  S.  Hittell,  both  as  editor  of  the  Altti  California, 
June  1"),  I8G6,  July  7,  18G7,  and  in  his  History  oj'S.  /'.,  lOJ-.'J,  has  expressed 
briedy  but  accurately  the  true  nature  of  the  movement.     Some  participants. 


KK) 


CAUSES  OK  THE  SETTLERS'  REVOLT. 


gwnts,  those  results  were  averted,  and  the  insurrection 
was  nipped  in  the  bud  by  the  action  of  the  Unitetl 
States. 

like  Haldridge,  Ddifn  of  '4l>,  MS.,  I.S-20,  dimipprovo  the  action,  and  say  tluy 
only  joined  in  it  as  a  choice  of  evils.  The  general  tenor  of  John  BiuwnH'.s 
views,  ('(it.  IS.fl-S,  MS.,  is  against  tlie  revolt,  Lieut  Wise,  Loh  GriiKjoH,  4'2, 
denounces  the  operations  of  the  lilibusiera  in  language  much  too  severe.  Dun- 
bar, A'ow(.'."'c,  34-(>,  points  out  the  evil  efl'ects  of  the  outbreak.  During  the 
political  campaign  of  LS.'iO  much  was  said  again.st  the  Bear  Flag  leaders;  but 
ohicHy  from  a  spirit  of  opposition  to  Frdmont,  rather  than  from  any  proper 
understanding  of  the  merits  of  the  case.  Of  those  who  have  eulogized  the 
insurgents  as  heroes  in  books  and  newspaper.'*,  a  long  list  might  bo  presented. 

Just  as  this  volume  goes  to  press  tliero  appears  Royce's  CaUfoimia,  184G- 
iJG.'an  admirable  work  of  the  'American  Commonwealths'  scries,  a  long  chapter 
of  which,  on  '  The  American  as  conqueror;  the  secret  mif  l^a  and  the  Bear 
l''lag,'  is  devoted  to  an  elaborate  study  of  cei'tain  topics  liere  treated.  I  am 
pleased  that  the  conclusions  of  so  able  a  thinker  and  writer  as  Dr  Royco — 
ft)uiuled  to  some  extent  on  original  evidence  in  my  Library,  for  the  use  of 
which  the  author  makes  most  hearty  and  satisfactory  acknowledgment — do 
not  ditrer  materially  from  my  own.  New  data,  obtained  by  Royce  include  a 
statement  from  Fremont,  which  throws  light,  if  not  on  the  general's  acts  of 
I.S4(i,  on  his  character  as  a  witness,  and  shows  that  I  had  taken  too  favorablu 
a  vit'w  of  his  veracity,  since  ho  now  uirirnis  what  he  had  before  wisely  left  to 
be  inferred.  It  seems  proper  to  state  that  this  volume  as  now  giveh  to  the 
public  was  in  stereotype  before  the  date  of  Royce's  investigations  in  my 
Library. 

Another  book  appearing  too  late  for  present  use  is  the  JIUtory  qf  Cal- 
ifornia by  Theodore  II.  liUtell.  Here  I  can  only  note  the  existence  of  this  work, 
remarking  that  it  contains  nothing  to  modify  any  view  or  record  of  this  or 
earlier  volumes,  and  expressing  a  hope  that  it  may  prove  helpful  in  later  in- 
vestigations, OS  I  shall  have  occasion  to  cite  both  ^oyce  and  Hittell  in  Tol- 
umes  vi,  and  vii. 


rr 


•  m 


CHAPTER  V. 

BEAR  FLAG   REVOLT-TAKING  OP  SONOMA. 

June,  1840. 

Fk^mont's  Retoen  from  Oreoon — Hensley's  Mission — A  Sommons  to 
Revolt — FrAmont  Cautious — All  Rmdy — Camp  Moved  to  Beau 
River— Castro  at  Santa  Clara— His  Visit  to  Sonoma — Arce's  Ca- 
ballada— Merritt  Sent  by  FuAmont  to  Begin  IIcstilities — Seiz- 
ure OF  Horses  on  the  Cosumnes — Thk  Filibusters  Keenforckd  in 
Napa  Valley — Names — Ocxjupation  of  Sonoma — Vallejo  a  Prisoxkr 
OF  War — Negotiations — Written  Guaranties — Broken  befokk  the 
Ink  was  Dry— Incidents  of  the  Morning — The  Insurgemts  Unman- 
ageable—Aguardiente— A  Controversy— John  Grigsbt  Declines 
the  Command — William  B.  Ide  Chosen— «  ourney  op  the  Prisoners 
to  Fremont's  Camp — Locked  up  in  Sutter's  Fort. 


It  was  on  May  24th  that  Fromont  and  party,  re- 
turning from  the  Oregon  frontier,  reached  the  region 
of  Lassen's  rancho  in  tlie  upper  Sacramento  Valley. 
In  a  letter  to  Benton  written  on  that  date  he  an- 
nouncfid  liis  intention  to  proceed  directly  homeward 
by  way  of  the  Colorado,  *(ivin<^  a  brief  account  of  his 
trip  northward  and  return.^  At  the  same  time  Gil- 
li'spie  wrote  to  Larkin,  narrating  liis  ex[>orience  since 
leaving  Monterey,  asking  for  news,  especially  about 
the  men-of-war,  enclosing  a  note  for  the  commodore, 
if  there,  but  to  be  carefully  locked  up  if  not,  announc- 
ing that  Fremont  would  now  proceed  homeward,  and 
that  the  writer  would  at  once  start  for  Yerba  Buena 
ill  quest  of  supplies.^     The  letters  were  intrusted  to 

'  May  24,  184G,  F.  to  B.  A'ilrs''  liefj.,  Ixxi.  191. 

'■•  May  24.  1846,  G.  to  L.  LarHn's'Doc,  MS.,  iv.  134.  F.  and  G.  were  at 
Lassen's;  the  rost  were  15  iiiiles  above. 

(  Kill 


lO-J 


HEAR  FLAG  RKVOLT-TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 


! 


n 


If 


Samut'l  Noal,  who  hastened  ilowu  the  vallev."^  The 
explorers  caiupcd  at  Lassmi's  two  days,  and  one  day 
at  the  farm  of  Neal  and  Dutton  on  Deer  Creek,  tlicnee 
uiovintr  down  to  the  Buttes.  Before  thev  reached 
tluit  point  Gillespie  left  the  party,  reached  Sutter's  on 
the  30th,  and  went  down  to  San  Francisco  on  the 
launch,  arriving  on  June  7th,  and  obtaininjif  from  Cap- 
tain Montgomery  of  the  Portsmouth  a  boat-load  of 
supplies,  with  which  he  reached  New  Helvetia  a  week 
later,  accompanied  by  several  naval  officers.*  Before 
his  return  some  startling  events  had  happened. 

It  is  not  to  be  believed  that  Frdniont  had  any  in- 
tention of  proceeding  immediately  homeward,  as  an- 
nounced in  the  letters  cited.  It  is  reasonably  certain 
that  revolutionar}'^  plans  had  already  been  developed 
to  some  extent  by  him  and  his  associate,  though  it  is 
of  course  impossible,  as  it  is  comparatively  unimpor- 
tant, to  fix  the  exact  stage  of  development  at  this 
time.  The  instructions  from  Washington  which  had 
thiefly  caused  his  return  from  the  north  would  not 
permit  him  now  to  go  east.  Gillespie  had  told  him 
on  the  frontier  not  only  of  the  impending  war,  but  of 
the  growing  revolutionary  spirit  among  the  settlers. 
On  his  first  arrival  at  the  ranchos  he  found  abundant 
evidence  of  discontent.  The  Indians  were  .said  to  bo 
on  the  war-path  at  Castro's  instigation;  and  Fre- 
mont was  asked  to  join  in  a  raid  upon  th-  foe.  Ho 
declined,  though  oflfering  protection  to  the  settlors. ' 
It  is  to  be  presumed  that  he  had  already  consideiod 


'  Ncal  reached  Sutter's  May  2,')th,  and  went  o 
account  of  high  water,  8t.irting  again  on  the  27 


but  came  back  next  day  on 
via  Souonia.  Xew  Helvetia 


Diary,  MS.,  41). 

*  (t.  's  testimony,  in  Fr^monCn  Cat.  Claims,  26- 
.">0.    June  7th,  G.  to  L.  Larkin'g  Doc,  MS.,  iv. 
.Tune  12th,  and  was  joined  by  Frdraont  on  the 
Lieut  Hunter,  Purser  Watmough,  and  Asst  Surge, 
in  the  ship's  launch. 

'Gillespie's  testimony,  in  Fremont's  Cat.  Clain 
hW.mont,  2,'n-2,  tells  us  that  his  hero  did  marcl'.  .against  600  of  the  savaj^cs, 
routing  them,  dispersing  five  villages,  and  breaking  up  the  great  combination 
.igainst  the  settlers!  June  1st,  Sutter  writes  to  Vallcjo  that  Fremont  has  ar- 
rived above,  and  will  probably  await  on  the  American  River  orders  per  the 
Coiiijress.   Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  220. 


Nno  Helvetia  Diary,  MS., 
4.     Ho  arrived  at  Suiters 

merican  Fork  next  tlay. 

DuvftU  accompanied  him 

26,  29.     Upham,  Life  of 


I'REPAKATIOXS, 


1<» 


tlie  project,  which  at  any  rate  he  soon  fully  adopted, 
of  promoting  a  revolt  of  the  settlers,  whose  pretext 
should  be  imminent  danger  of  an  attack  from  the  Cal- 
ifornians,  and  in  whose  behalf  he  would  interfere  on 
pretext  of  protecting  Americans  as  soon  as  such  inter- 
iV'ren<e  should  be  either  politic  or  necessary. 

There  was  a  strong  element  among  the  settlers,  as 
already  explained,  ready  and  eager  to  meet  the  fili- 
l>uster  more  than  half-way.  The  news  that  Frdmont 
was  returnin*'  fanned  into  new  life  the  fire  that  had 
hardly  smoiildered.  At  every  hunl^r's  camp  the; 
topic  was  discussed;  at  every  rancho  a  political  junta 
<»f  neighbors  and  rovers-  was  in  daily  session.  Tht; 
revolutionists  recognized  their  opportunity  to  prevail 
(»ver  what  had  been  a  somewhat  unmanageable  mi- 
nority. The  old  rumors  of  Castro's  hostile  prepara- 
tions were  revived,  and  new  ones  invented ;  new  ap- 
peals to  American  patriotism  were  made;  men  were 
urged  from  love  of  life,  of  fan)ily,  of  liberty,  from  am- 
l)ition,  from  greed  of  gain,  from  whatever  motive  was 
likely  to  be  most  potent  with  each,  to  shake  off  the 
tyrant's  yoke.  Especially  Mas  Frdmont's  return  pre- 
sented as  a  significant  and  auspicious  circumstance. 
He  would  not  return  at  all,  it  was  urged,  were  not 
an  outbreak  of  hostilities  from  some  cause  expected. 
The  settlers'  attention  was  thus  turned  with  anxiety 
toward  the  explorer.  From  all  directions  delegations 
were  sent  to  learn  his  purposes,  and  soon  the  roving 
population  of  the  valley  had  established  itself  in  con- 
siderable numbers  near  the  camp  at  the  Buttes. 

It  took  but  a  few  days  for  the  settlers  to  convince 
themselves  that  Frdmont  desired  a  revttlt,  and  would 
join  it  eventually  should  the  necessity  arise,  though 
he  would  not  openly  take  an  active  part  in  beginning 
it.  Naturally  we  know  but  little  of  the  many  inter- 
views in  respect  of  persons,  dates,  and  other  details. 
Two  or  three  are  however  on  record.  We  know  the 
results;  and  it  is  evident  that  only  to  a  few  did  Fre- 
mont make  definite  promises,  others  receiving  them 


104 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— T.. KING  OF  SONOMA. 


at  secinid-liand  through  trusty  agents  sent  out  by  tlio 
lew.  Samuel  J.  Hensley,  during  a  trip  to  the  bay, 
liad  learned  from  Vallejo  and  others  some  facts  and 
more  rumors  respecting  the  junta  at  Monterey,  tlie 
project  of  an  appeal  to  England,  Castro's  prepara- 
tions at  Santa  Clara,  and  points  of  the  general  situa- 
tion. Returning,  he  arrived  at  New  Helvetia  May 
28th.  From  Sutter  he  learned  that  the  Indians  were 
threatening  serious  trouble;  and  a  chieftain  was  con- 
veniently found  to  testify  that  the  savages  wore  act- 
ing at  the  instigation  of  Castro.  On  June  3d,  Sutter 
started  on  a  campaign  against  the  Indians;  while 
Hensley  on  the  4tli  hastened  up  the  valley  to  make 
Fremont  acquainted  with  the  impending  dangers.  At 
about  the  same  time  Neal  returned  from  below  with 
opportune  confirmat'  • )  of  alarming  rumors.  It  was 
on  the  6th  that  Fremont,  after  consultation  with  Hens- 
ley, decided  on  the  course  to  be  pursued;  and  two 
days  later  Hensley  and  Neal  returned  to  Sutter's,  from 
that  point  sending  out  trusty  agents  to  summon  the 
settlers  in  all  parts  of  the  district."  If  we  may  credit 
Ide,  a  written  summons  was  circulated  in  Fremont  s 
name,  though  not  signed  bv  him.  Ide  and  others 
made  haste  to  obey  the  summons,  which  they  received 
on  the  8th;  but,  not  being  filibusters  of  a  radical 
ty[)e,  were  much  troubled  that  Frdmont's  plan,  so 
far  as  he  would  condescend  to  make  it  known  to  them, 
was  not  one  of  independence,  but  rather  one  to  pro- 
voke Castio  to  begin  hostilities  through  outrages  to 
be  committed  by  persons  who  had  nothing  to  risk 
cither  of  property  or  reputation."  This  was  on  the 
10th;  and  before  that  Kelsey,  Hargrave,  Swift,  and 
others  had  come  as  representatives  of  the  Napa  Val- 
ley settlers,  they  like  Ide  not  being  able  to  obtain 
from  Fremont  any  definite  promise  of  aid."^     All  was 

*  Heusley'a  testimony,  in  Frfmoiit'n  Cal.  Claimn,  3;i—4;  Fr«Sinont  to  licnton. 
j\ile.i'  lift].,  Ixxi.  191.  The  ilatea  are  (ixod  and  confirmed  by  the  JVcw  Helve- 
tia Diiinj,  MS.,  49-51 ;  and  also  to  some  extent  by  SuUer^x  Diary,  7-8,  where 
the  canijjaisjn  against  the  Moquehimiies  is  described.  ' 

^  ld<'\-<  Jllo,,.  Sketch,  111-19. 

8  Jlarjriur's  Cnl.  in  '^0,  MS.,  4  11;  Fowler'n  Bear  Parti/,  2. 


CASTRO'S  MOVEMENIS. 


105 


iS 


ready,  however;  the  train  was  laid;  new  occurrences 
were  exceptionally  favorable;  and  steps  had  already 
l>een  taken  to  apply  the  match.  On  the  10th  the 
first  act  of  hostility  was  committed.  About  the  same 
time  Frdmont  moved  his  camp  from  the  Buttes  to 
the  Feather  River,  and  then  down  to  Bear  River, 
near  its  junction  with  the  Feather. 

General  Castro  was  strivini^  to  organize  at  Santa 
Clara,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Jose  Anto- 
nio Carrillo,  a  force  of  militia  with  which  ostensibly 
to  resist  the  invasion  threatened  by  the  United  States, 
and  especially  to  resist  Fremont,  whose  return  could 
be  interpreted  only  as  a  threat.  Castro  had  really 
some  fear  of  Frt^mont,  though  probably  no  hope  of 
defeating  him;  but  his  chief  purpose  was  to  resist 
(irovernor  Pico,  who  was  believed  to  be  preparing  for 
a  march  northward.  Not  much  can  be  known  of  the 
general's  success;  but  though  funds  were  scarce,  and 
public  sentiment  not  enthusia8ti:3ally  patriotic,  he 
tloubtless  raised  about  a  hundred  men,  whom  lie  had 
great  difficulty  in  keeping  together,  arming,  and  mount- 
ing. At  the  beginning  of  June  he  made  a  trip  to 
San  Rafael  and  Sonoma  in  quest  of  supplies,  and  to 
consult  with  Colonel  Vallejo.  Victor  Castro  was  di- 
rected to  be  ready  with  iiis  bt)at  on  the  r)th,  to  bring 
back  the  general,  with  such  munitions  as  he  might  ob- 
tain.^ Respecting  the  nature  and  success  of  Castro's 
ileniands  upon  Valk^o,  we  ]  'low  only  that  he  obtained 
iVom  the  latter  and  through  his  iniUicnce  about   170 


entou. 
Helve- 
where 


•June  0,  1846,  Alcalde  Pachecoof  San  Josfi  to  Profpct  Castro,  mcntioninj^ 
th,  geuoral's  departure  and  instructions  to  Victor  Castro,  it  was  also 
expected  that  Vallojo  might  come  ov  t  on  tiio  hoat.  Tiio  writer  spealis  nf 
tiie  campaign  of  Sutter,  'now  allied  with  Castro'  against  tlio  hostile 
Mocpicluiuiies.  Ho  alludes  to  trouhles  between  citizens  and  civil  luitlinrities 
on  one  side  iMid  the  niilitiiry  olficers  onthootlier,  (lisphiysconsideral)le  liitter- 
ness,  iin])lies  tliat  Castro's  preparations  are  really  to  overtlirow  tlio  civil 
autlu)rity,  and  urges  the  prefect  to  wai'u  the  govt.  Dor.  J/i.tt.  <'al.,  MS.,  iii. 
-■"il  "J.  The  spirit  of  tliis  letter  shows  where  tli2  fdibusters  obtained  some 
of  their  reportB  of  Castro's  instigating  the  Indians,  etc.  Ijineey,  Criiisf 
I'/ the  'Dale,'  49,  says  that  the  general  went  by  v.-y  of  Verba  IJueiia.  and  was 
absent  four  days,  which  is  likely  accurate,  tliough  no  authority  is  given. 


106 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 


horses,  belonging  part  to  the  mission  Indians  of  San 
Rafael  and  pait  to  private  citizens.^"  Francisco  Aree, 
the  general's  secretary,  and  also  a  militia  lieutenant, 
had  crossed  the  bay  with  Castro,  and  was  now  sent 
with  Lieutenant  Jos^  Maria  Alviso  and  an  escort  of 
eight  men  to  conduct  the  horses  by  the  Sacramento 
to  Santa  Clara."  Crossing  the  river  at  William 
Knight's  place,  now  known  as  Knight  Landing,  the 
party  arrived  at  the  fort  June  8th,  and  next  day  con- 
tinued their  journey,  camping  for  the  night  at  Mur- 
phy's rancho  on  the  Cosumnes.''^ 

The  approach  of  Alviso  and  Arce  from  Sonoma  was 
made  the  foundation  of  the  rumor,  said  to  have  been 
brought  by  an  Indian,  that  Castro's  force  was  advanc- 
ing up  tlie  valley,  destroying  the  crops  and  committiiig 
other  outrages.  It  has  alio  been  said,  and  it  is  not 
impossible  the  statement  was  remotely  founded  on 
fact,  that  Arce  told  Knight  or  his  wife  at  the  crossing 
that  the  horses  were  to  be  used  by  Castro  for  a  cam- 
paign by  which  the  settlers  were  to  be  driven  out, 
after  which  a  fort  was  to  be  established  to  prevent  the 
entrance  of  any  more  immigrants  by  the  Bear  River 
pass.  This  report  was  carried  by  Knight  in  all  haste 
to  Fremont's  camp.'^     It  may  be  that  Don  Francisco, 

'"  V^allejo,  Hi8t.  Cai,  MS.,  v.  110-11,  says  that  the  horses  were  200buloug- 
ing  to  the  govt  and  100  to  the  mission  of  San  Rafael;  and  that  all  were  beinff 
pastured  by  Castro's  orders  on  the  Cosumnc  River.  This,  though  confirnied 
by  Alvarado,  Hist.  Cut.,  MS.,  v.  150-9,  and  Fernandez,  Cosa^  do  Cal.,  MS., 
130-',  is  not  accurate. 

"  By  an  otlicial  report  of  Gen.  Carrillo  it  appears  that  AlvLsowas  really  in 
ccinmand,  Arce  having  been  detailed  to  assist  him.  Arce  in  liis  report  also 
named  Alviso  as  in  command.  Arce's  statement  of  the  number  of  the  escort 
agrees  with  the  entries  in  the  diaries  kept  at  Sutter's,  and  is  doub-  less  correct, 
though  the  force  lias  often  been  represented  as  much  larger  by  those  who 
wished  to  magnify  the  exploifof  tlie  insurgents.  Joa6  Noriega,  Bias  Alviso, 
and  lUas  I'ifia  \/ere  of  the  number. 

"JV.  Hflmtia,  Diary,  MS.,  51;  Sutter's  Dinry,  8;  Arce,  Mem.,  MS.,  52-4. 
The  river  is  also  called  Tahualmes  and  Macusomy.  Sutter,  Pernonal  Remin., 
MS.,  138,  etc.,  implies  thatafew  liorses  were  added  to  the  band  at  his  place. 

'"  This  version  seems  to  rest  on  the  authority  of  Semple.  It  first  appeared 
in  the  Monterey  Vali/orniah,  Aug.  29,  1840,  and  subsequently  with  slight  va- 
riations in  the  Henperian,  iiu  387-8;  FirstSlrnmxhipPionfev,  171-3;  liryanCs 
What  I  Saw  in  Ccd.,  287-8;  S.  F.  Alia  Cal.,  Aug.  2,  1860;  Lancey'a  Cruise, 
49-50,  etc.  Semple  waa  in  a  sense  an  excellent  authority,  but  he  was  also  a 
prominent  conspirator,  and  one  of  those  who  knew  well  that  tiie  settlers  were 
111  no  danger.     Ford,  B<ar  Fin;),  MS.,  4-5.  gives  a  confused  vergion  to  the 


'1 


CAPTURE  OF  ARCE'S  HORSES. 


lOT 


it'  Sail 
Arco, 
enant, 
w  sent 
!ort  (if 
.meiito 
niliani 
ig,  the 
ly  con- 

M  Ul- 
na was 
e  been 
iclvanc- 
nitting 
b  is  not 
ded  on 
rossing 
a  cam- 
3n  out, 
ent  the 

River 
1  haste 

ncisco, 

|00  bulong- 
ere  beinz 

Icoiifirineu 
W.,  MS., 

|s  really  iu 
jport  also 

Itlic  escort 
3S  correct, 

Ithosc  who 
Alviso, 

IS.,  52-4. 

jil  Remin., 
Ihis  place. 
1  appeared 
wlight  Tft* 
liryanfs 
l'«  Cruise, 
(aa  also  a 
tiers  were 
^n  to  the 


a  somewhat  talkative  young  man,  did  make  some 
t'oohsh  and  boasting  remarks  as  represented;  but  it  is 
more  Hkely  that  the  story  was  invented  for  eflfect,  as 
other  similar  ones  are  known  to  have  been.  At  any 
rate,  the  opportunity  was  too  good  a  one  to  be  lost  by 
the  filibusters.  In  the  forenoon  of  the  9th,  eleven  or 
twelve  started  in  pursuit  of  Arce  from  the  vicinity  of 
Fremont's  camp.  Hensley  states  that  they  were  sent 
by  Fremont  ;^*  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
movement  was  instigated  and  planned  by  that  officer. 
It  was  during  the  absence  of  this  party  that  Ide  had 
an  interview  with  Fremont,  as  already  narrated,  the 
latter  urging  the  importance  of  a  raid  on  Castro's 
horses,  and  King  being  anxious  to  know  what  the  set- 
tlors would  do  if  the  horses  were  taken."  It  was  also 
at  this  time  that  the  camp  was  moved  to  Bear  River. 
Ezekiel  Merritt  connnanded  the  pursuing  party,  the 
I'xact  composition  of  which  i.^  not  known.  Semple 
seems  to  have  been  a  member^  as  probably  were  Gran- 
ville P.  Swift  and  Henry  L.  Ford,  and  possibly  one 
<ii-  two  of  Fremont's  men.  Most  were  of  the  roving 
immigrants  and  hunters  who  had  been  for  a  week  as- 
sembling near  the  Buttes,  men  of  the  class  described 
l)y  Fremont  as  havinjj  nothinyf  to  risk.'" 

Merritt  and  his  men  were  joined  by  two  others  at 
Hock  larm.  They  crossed  the  American  River  at 
dusk,  supped  at  the  ranclio  of  Allen  Montgomery, 
who  with  another  joined  the  force.  They  encamped 
at  night  within  two  or  three  miles  of  where  the  Cali- 

saiiic  gt'iieriil  efl'ect.  representing  that  Arce  made  his  boasts  while  on  the  way 
to  Sonoma  after  tho  horses,  and  tliat  Kniglit  was  a  spy  sent  out  by  Fi'einont. 

'*  Hcusley's  testimony  iu  Fniuont'^  Cal.  C'/ai/d",  33.  Frt^mont  himself  says 
'tliey  were  surprised  by  a  party  from  my  camp.'  Letter  to  Benton.  Xilcs' 
/.'<-/.",  Ixxi.  litl. 

^'IJrsJiioij.  Sketch,  111-11). 

"'•Bidwcll,  Vol.,  1841-8,  MS.,  l(U-4,  who  was  at  Sutter's  >\t  the  tim.', 
thinks  tliere  were  no  permanent  settlers  in  the  party,  but  chiefly  hunters 
whom  Fremont  sent  out,  using  Arce's  expedition  as  a  pretext  for  a  beginning 
of  hostilities.  Martin,  A'rtcc,  MS.,  21-'2,  says  Fremont  called  for  volunteeis 
aiiidug  his  own  men,  of  whom  the  writer  was  one,  and  that  1.")  started  under 
Swift;  but  Martin  is  not  good  authority.  Baldridge,  Days  o/'^O,  MS.,  '27, 
also  names  Swift.  One  account  names  Neul  and  Knight  txn  members  of  the 
party. 


iili 


lOS 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT -TAKING  OP  SONOMA. 


forniaiis  were  camped,  guarding  their  horses  in  Mur- 
])hy's  corral.*"  At  early  dawn  on  the  10th,  they  sur- 
prised Arce  and  his  companions,  requiring  them  to 
give  uj)  their  arms,  which  of  course  was  done  without 
resistance.*'*  Subsequently,  however,  after  a  certain 
amount  of  threatening  bluster  from  Merritt  and  his 
fellow-filibusters,  the  arms  were  restored,  with  a  horse 
for  each  man,  and  also  a  few  horses  claimed  as  private 
property  by  Alviso,  who  concealed  his  real  position  as 
leader  of  the  party;  and  the  prisoners  were  dismissed 
with  a  message  that  if  Castro  wanted  his  horses  he 
miglit  come  and  take  them,  and  with  the  announce- 
ment of  a  purpose  to  take  Sonoma  and  New  Helve- 
tia, and  to  continue  the  war.*" 

The  filibusters  returned  with  the  captured  horses 
by  the  same  route  they  had  come,  slept  that  night  at 
Nicholas  Allgeier's  rancho,  and  reached  Fremont's 
new  camp  in  the  forenoon  of  the  1 1th,  after  an  ab- 
sence of  forty-eight  hours.  Arce  and  his  men  made 
liaste  to  San  Josd  and  reported  their  mishap  to  Car- 


l! 


11;' 


li 


t  ' 


"Ford,  Bear  Flag,  MS.,  6-7,  gives  the  most  complete  description  of  tlie 
expedition.     See  also  Lancey's  Online,  50. 

"Frtiinont  in  his  letter  to  Benton,  Nilen'  Reg.,  Ixxi.  "291,  gave  the  date  in- 
correctly as  June  11th,  and  tiie  error  was  reix^ated  in  Sec.  Marcy's  report  of 
Dec.  5th — "iOth  cong.  "id  sess. ,  H.  Kx.  Doc.  no.  4,  p.  b\,  and  from  this  source 
in  Smucker's  Life  <•/  FrdnoiU,  '2S;  Cutis'  Coiiq.,  i.V2-3;  and  many  other  ac- 
cuunts.  Most  writers  have  taken  pride  in  representing  the  number  of  Mer- 
ritt's  men  as  12  and  of  Arce's  party  as  larger.  Larkin's  letters  make  the 
force  12  on  each  side.  Semple  spoke  of  18  prisonere,  and  Ford  of  2.3 !  Sonu- 
niiscellaneous  references  on  the  capture  of  Arce's  horses  are:  Tuthill's  Ill-tl. 
Cat.,  109-70;  Hint.  Bear  Flag Bcvol.;  Piiia,  Xarr.,  MS.,  .S-5;  Tinkham'a Hiit. 
Stockton,  89;  Willei/n  30  Years,  9;  Mendocino  Co.  Hist.,  00;  Marshall's  State- 
ment, MS.,  1-2;  Belden's  Hist.  Statement,  MS.,  43;  Honolulu  Frieml,  iv.  109: 
Uta  Cruz  Smtiiu'l,  .June  12,  1809. 

"  The  announcement  of  a  j)urpose  to  take  Sonoma  is  proved  hy  the  fact 
tlmt  it  was  announced  in  the  otiicial  reports  before  Sonoma  was  taken.  Arce, 
Memoria.<,  MS.,  52-4,  says  it  was  at  first  tlie  intention  to  kill  him  .and  his 
companions,  and  tiiat  they  were  saved  only  by  the  intercession  of  Murphy 
and  his  wife.  Of  course  there  was  no  intention  of  killing  them;  but  Merritt 
was  a  rough  man,  wiio  may  have  tried  to  make  them  think  so.  In  one  of  Lar- 
kin's letters,  Larkin's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  1,'U,  tlie  story  was  toldas  a  report 
tiiat  on  Arce's  complaining  that  he  had  been  taken  by  surprise,  Merritt  pro- 
posed to  repeat  the  opei'ation,  the  Californians  armetl  and  mounted  to  choose 
their  distance  and  give  a  signal  for  the  attack!  This  htia  been  oft«n  repeated, 
and  may  or  may  not  have  had  some  foundation  in  fact.  Noriega,  one  of 
Ai-ce's  moil,  disappeared  after  the  atfair,  as  appears  fmm  corresp.  of  the  time; 
and  he  turned  up  at  Sutter's  9  days  later,  coming  from  Murphy's.  iV.  Hel- 
velin  /)''(). (/,  MS.,  52. 


MKRRITT'S  OPEIIATIONS. 


109 


date  ill- 
report  of 
3  source 
)tlier  ac- 
of  Mer- 
lake  tlic 
!   Some 

'8  in><i. 

I'a  Hijit. 
;'j»  State- 
iv.  109: 

the  fact 

Arce, 

^nd  his 

^lurphy 

^lerritt 

lofLar- 

,  report 

ttt  pro- 

1  choose 

peated, 

[one  ot 

time; 

'.  Jfel- 


rillo  and  Castro,  who  in  their  correspondence  repre- 
sented the  affair  in  its  true  light,  as  an  tmtrage  com- 
mitted by  a  band  of  irresponsible  highwaymen  at  the 
iijtitigation  of  Fremont.  They  regarded  it  as  the  pre- 
cursor of  invasion,  and  made  an  earnest  appeal  to  the 
prefect,  as  representing  the  civil  authority,  to  forget 
all  past  dissensions,  and  join  the  military  in  the  coun- 
try's defence.  Consul  Larkin  volunteered  his  assist- 
ance in  recovering  the  stolen  animals,  or  punishing 
the  offenders,  if  any  feasible  method  of  action  could 
be  pointed  out.^" 

Merritt  and  his  party  had  announced  at  the  Co- 
sunmes  their  plan  to  take  Sonoma.  Such  a  plan  may 
or  may  not  have  been  definitely  formed  before  they 
had  started  in  pursuit  <»f  Arce;  but  if  not,  it  was 
formed  innuediately  on  their  return  to  camp  on  the 
1  Ith.  It  was  manifestly  important,  having  once  be- 
gun hostilities,  to  leave  the  Californians  no  rallying- 
point  north  of  the  bay.  Witliout  delay  the  company 
was  increased  to  twenty  men,  and,  still  under  Ezekicl 
Merritt's  leadership,  left  Fremont's  camp  on  Bear 
Creek  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day.  Crossing 
the  Sacramento  probably  at  Knight's,  supping  at  Gor- 
don's on  Cache  Creek,  and  crossing  the  hills  by  night, 

-"June  13th,  Arce  to  Mayor  Gen.  Carrillo,  and  Carrillo  to  Gen.  Castro  by 
a  'violento  extraordinario,'  forwarded  the  sanie  day  from  'El  liio'  to  I'refcet 
Manuel  Castro.  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  103,  105.  June  13th,  Sub-prefect 
Guerrero  at  Yerba  Buena  to  prefect.  Id.,  ii.  11*2.  Same  to  juez  of  S.  Jose. 
.*?.  Jo.tf",  Arch.,  Loose  Paper.*,  MS.,  24.  Same  date,  Carrillo  to  S.  Josd  al- 
calde. /(/.,  51.  All  agree  that  the  filibusters  claimed  to  be  acting  under 
Fremont's  orders,  and  threatened  to  continue  their  depredations.  Lancey, 
Cnii.se,  40,  tells  us  that  Gen.  Castro  received  tlic  news  on  June  I'Jth,  on  the 
Salinas  River,  hastening  liack  to  Monterey  .and  dictating  a  letter — as  he  could 
only  paint  his  signature!— the  same  day  to  Manuel  Castro  calling  for  aid. 
June  14th,  Larkin  to  Gen.  Castro,  original  in  Arce,  Doc,  MS.,  13.  Juno 
14tii,  L.  to  Manuel  Castro,  original  in  Doc  Hist.  Cat.,  MS.,  iii.  'J.J7;  copies 
l.iirkiii's  Off.  CorresjK,  MS.,  i.  113;  Sairyer\i  Doc,  MS.,  49.  June  15th,  Al- 
calilc  raclieco  to  prefect.  Has  seen  one  MacGuius6  (McKenzie  ?),  who  was 
with  Arce,  and  says  that  none  of  the  filibusters  belonged  to  FrtMnout's  jmrty. 
Ho  rceogni.:ed  only  Merritt,  and  says  that  they  claimed  to  fear  that  Castro 
intended  to  use  the  horses  to  drive  the  settlers  away.  Noriega  has  not  been 
heard  of.  Doc.  Hist.  Cid.,  MS.,  iii.  "ioO.  Larkin  gave  a  brief  account  of  the 
affair  in  letters  to  the  sec.  state  on  June  18th,  24th,  and  in  a  'circular  to 
several  Americans 'on  July  8th.  Larkin\t  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  131;  ii.  05; 
Siiwytr's  Doc,  MS.,  55. 


i'li 


no 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 


.f        :4 


tliey  arrived  in  Napa  Valley  in  the  forenoon  of  the 
1 2th.  They  remained  there  two  days,  and  their  num- 
ber was  increased  to  32  or  33,  whose  nanu  s,  so  far  as 
they  can  be  known,  for  no  Hst  has  ever  been  made 
until  now,  are  appended  in  a  note.'^*  About  midnight 
tliey  started  again  over  the  range  of  hills  separating 
the  valleys ;  and  just  before  dawn  on  Sunday,  Juno 
14th,  were  at  the  town  of  Sonoma.'-'" 

"Ezekiel  Mcnitt,  Wm  B.  Ide,  John  Grigsby,  Robert  Sernple,  H.  L. 
Ford,  \\\n  Todd,  Wm  Fallon,  Wm  Knight,  Wm  Hargrave,  Sam.  KeUey,  ^i. 
P.  Swift,  Sam.  Gibson,  W.  W.  Scott,  Benj.  Dewell,  Thoa  Cowie,  Wm  IV 
Elliott,  Thos  Knight,  Horace  Sanders,  Henry  Booker,  Dav.  Hudson,  John 
Sears,  and  most  of  the  following:  J.  H.  Kelly,  0.  C.  Grilllth,  Harvey  Por- 
terficld,  .John  Scott,  Ira  Stebbins,  Marion  Wise,  Ferguson,  Peter  Storm,  Pat. 
McCliri.stian,  Bartlett  Vinos,  Fowler,  Joiin  Gibhs,  Andrew  Kelsey,  and  Benj. 
Kelsey. 

^'^  There  is  no  doubt  about  the  date  of  arrival  at  Sonoma;  but  there  is  a 
possibility  that  they  did  not  leave  Bear  Creek  until  the  12tlj.  Lancey,  C'ruM', 
.%,  etc.,  takes  that  view  of  it.  Ford,  Bear  Flaij,  MS.,  7-10,  says  they  started 
at  3  r.  M.  on  the  10th,  which,  like  all  those  given  by  this  writer,  is  an  impos- 
sible date.  Ide,  Biti;/.  Sketch,  1'20,  etc.,  says  it  was  at  suni'ise  on  the  11th, 
M'hich  is  equally  impossible.  These  two  authorities,  however,  are  the  best 
extant  on  (letails  of  the  march;  and  as  they  seem  to  agree  that  one  whole  night 
M  as  spent  in  Napa  Valley,  I  have  little  doubt  that  the  start  was  at  3  p.  m.  ot 
the  11th.  This  is  partially  confirmed  by  the  statement  of  Baldridge,  Dai/s  of 
'.'/(J,  MS.,  '21,  etc.,  35-8,  that  Grigsby  and  Elliott  made  a  tour  through  the 
valley  to  enlist  tlie  settlers  the  day  before  the  attack  was  to  be  made.  Yet 
Semple,  Hesperian,  iii.  388-9,  gave  the  date  of  starting  as  the  12th.  Tln' 
date  of  taking  Sonoma  was  incorrectly  given  by  Fremont  as  the  15th,  Letter 
to  Benton  in  Niks'  lieij.,  Ixxi.  191;  and  the  error  has  been  often  repeated. 
Newspaper  discussions  on  tliis  date  in  recent  years  will  have  to  be  noticed 
presently  in  another  connection;  they  have  been  further  complicated  by  Ford's 
error  in  making  the  date  of  the  capture  June  Pith. 

There  is  also  a  discrc[)ancy  about  the  composition  of  the  party.  Ide  says 
13  men  left  the  Sacramento,  and  were  increased  to  32  in  Napa  Valley,  though 
he  implies  later  that  the  whole  number  was  34.  Ford  makes  the  number  20 
at  first,  increased  to  33  at  Napa.  Most  authorities  content  themselves  with 
stating  that  tliere  were  33  men  at  last.  The  West  .Shore  Oazetver,  Yolo  Co., 
12-13,  followed  by  Lancey,  says  that  12  men  out  on  an  Indian  expedition  with 
Armijo,  a  Mexican,  learned  at  CJordon's  of  Morritt's  movement,  and  marched 
en  masse  to  join  him.  It  is  noticeable  that  tiiese  12  men  added  to  Ford's  20 
make  up  Ide's  total  of  32.  There  is  no  agreement  respecting  the  place  of 
rendezvous  in  Napa  Valley.  Grigsby's,  Kelsey's,  and  'Major  Barnard's' are 
mentioned. 

Baldridge,  Days  of  '46,  MS.,  5,  says  that  while  Merritt  was  nominally  the 
leader,  Grigsby  liad  entire  control  of  the  affair.  Sutter,  Pers.  lieniin.,  MS.. 
147-50,  says  the  'band  of  robbers'  were  Frdmont's  men,  implying  that  the 
captain  went  with  them,  and  that  some  of  Sutter's  workmen  and  Indians 
went  along.  He  confounds  this  with  later  events.  Martin,  Narr.,  MS.,  24, 
tells  us  that  Fremont's  men  were  disbanded,  and  immediately  volunteered  to 
tnl.  ouia  under  command  of  Swift!     Pat.  McChristian,  Narr.,  MS.,  1-3, 

<  ■  n  ot  tlie  company  was  organized  according  to  previous  notice,  in  the 
'  •'  n:  iialvador  Vallejo's  rancho.  Boggs,  Napa  Register,  April  0,  I87'2, 
.  .;.,  'M  J'.'dci- seut  in  advance  as  follows:  'Mr.  Geo.  Yount:  please  deliver 
to  tiH)  iiii'ibh.^  of  California  1,000  bbls  of  flour— signed  Wm  15.  Ide,  gover- 


1 


AT  SONOMA,  JUNE  14th. 


Ill 


lie  says 
though 
mber  'JO 
es  with 
'olo  Co., 
ion  witli 
narcheil 
ord's  20 
lace  of 
Bd's'  uiv 

illy  tho 
MS.. 
nat  the 
tndians 
Is.,  24, 
lered  to 

1-0, 

[ill  the 

1872, 

lleliver 

Igovei- 


III  narratives  of  the  time,  and  later,  it  was  custoui- 
ary  to  luagnity  the  exploit  of  Juno  14th,  by  speaking 
of  Sonoma  as  a  Californian  stronghold,  a  fort,  a  garri- 
soned town,  taken  lij  surprise,  or  even  by  a  "gallant 
charge"  without  shedding  of  blood,  so  skilfully  was 
the  movement  planned.  There  was,  however,  no  gar- 
rison at  Sonoma.  The  soldiers  formerly  in  service 
there  had  been  discharged  some  years  before,  during 
the  Micheltorena  troubles.  Some  of  the  citizens  even 
were  absent  from  the  town,  and  there  was  no  thought 
of  even  posting  a  sentinel.  It  is  true,  there  remained 
as  relics  of  the  old  military  regime  nine  small  cannon, 
a  few  of  them  still  mounted,  and  over  200  muskets  in 
the  cuartel,  with  a  small  quantity  of  ammunition.  All 
was  technically  public  property,  though  in  reality  be- 
longing to  Colonel  Vallejo,  who  had  not  seen  fit  to 
deliver  it  to  the  general  on  his  late  visit.  Two  men 
lesiding  there  lield  commissions  in  the  Mexican  army ; 
otherwise,  a  more  [)eaceful  burg  than  this  stronghold 
of  the  Frontera  del  Norte  on  that  Sunday  morning 
it  would  be  difficult  to  find. 

At  daybreak  Vallejo  was  aroused  by  a  noise,  and 
on  looking  out  saw  that  his  house  was  surrounded  by 
armed  men.  This  state  of  things  was  sufficiently  alarm- 
ing in  itself,  and  all  the  more  so  by  reason  of  the  un- 
couth and  even  ferocious  aspect  of  the  strar.gcrs.  Says 
Semple:  "Almost  the  whole  party  was  dressed  in  leather 
hunting-shirts,  many  of  them  very  greasy;  taking  the 


nor;'  and  gravely  tells  us  that  the  dour  was  delivered  I  Of  course  this  is  pui'e 
invention.  The  same  writer  says  that  on  reaching  the  Sonoma  Valley,  a 
Californian  was  found  encamped,  and  was  arrested  to  prevent  his  giving  an 
alarm.  The  wheels  of  this  man's  cart  stood  for  years  unmoved,  marking  the 
spot.  Ide,  £io(j.  Sketch,  120-1,  informs  us  that  Gordon  and  'Major  Barnard,' 
at  whose  places  they  stopped,  were  liberal  with  their  liospitality,  but  not  will- 
ing to  join  the  jmrty.  At  Napa,  11  p.  m.,  on  the  13th,  'sleep  and  drowsiness 
were  on  the  point  of  delaying  if  not  defeating  our  enterprise.'  Ford  nud 
Lanoey  speak  of  an  address  by  Semple  before  the  departure  from  Napa.  John 
Fowler,  VVni  Baldridge,  T.  W.  Bradley,  and  otiiers,  according  to  their  own 
statements,  did  not  immediately  join  the  company,  which  was  regarded  as 
amply  strong.  Thos  Knight,  Early  Eveiit-i,  MS.,  7-11,  speaks,  like  Boggs, 
uf  the  arrest  of  a  native  before  reaching  the  town.  Ide  says  the  captain  of 
the  guard  was  arrested  a  little  way  out,  perhaps  referring  to  the  same  occur- 
rence. 


'\ 


112 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 


wliolc  party  together,  they  were  about  as  rough  a  look- 
ing set  of  men  as  one  could  well  imagine.  It  is  not 
to  be  wondered  at  that  any  one  would  feel  some 
dread  in  falling  into  their  hands."  And  Vallejo  him- 
self declares  that  there  was  by  no  means  such  a  uni- 
ft)rmity  of  dress  as  a  greasy  hunting-shirt  for  each  man 
would  imply.^'  Vallcjo's  wife  was  even  more  alarmed 
than  her  husband,  whom  she  begged  to  escape  by  a 
back  door,  but  who,  deeming  such  a  course  undigni- 
fied as  well  as  impracticable,  hastily  dressed,  ordered 
the  front  door  opened,  and  met  tlie  intruders  as  they 
entered  his  sala,  demanding  who  was  their  chief  and 
what  their  business.  Not  much  progress  in  explana- 
tion was  made  at  first,  though  it  soon  became  apparent 
that  the  colonel,  while  he  was  to  consider  himself  a 
prisoner,  was  not  in  danger  of  any  personal  violence. 
Lieutenant-colonel  Prudon  and  Captain  Salvador  Va- 
llejo entered  the  room  a  few  minutes  later,  attracted  by 
the  noise,  or  possibly  were  arrested  at  their  houses 
and  brought  there ;  at  any  rate,  they  were  put  under 
arrest  like  the  colonel.  Jacob  P.  Leese  was  sent  for 
to  servo  as  interpreter,  after  which  mutual  explanations 
progressed  more  favorably. 

Early  in  the  ensuing  negotiations  between  prisoners 
and  fdibusters,  it  became  apparent  that  the  latter  had 
neither  acknowledged  leader  nor  regular  plan  of  opera- 
tions beyond  the  seizure  of  government  property  and 
of  the  officers.  Some  were  acting,  as  in  the  capture 
t)f  Arce's  horses,  merely  with  a  view  to  obtain  arms, 
animals,  and  hostages — to  bring  about  hostilities,  and 
at  the  same  time  to  deprive  the  foe  of  his  resources; 
others  believed  themselves  to  have  undertaken  a  rev- 
olution, in  which  steps  to  be  immediately  taken  were 
a  formal  declaration  of  independence  and  the  election 
of  officers,  Merritt  being  regarded  rather  as  a  guide 
than  captain.  All  seemed  to  agree,  however,  that 
they  were  acting  under  Frdmont's  orders ,  and  this  to 

^Semple,  in  Monterey  Ccdifornian,  Sept.  5, 1846;  Vallejo,  Hist.  Cal.,  MS., 
V.  Ill,  etc. 


1: 


WRITTEN  (JUARANTIKs. 

tile  pri.soiier.s  \vo«  fi  ^'^ 

Peetecl  a„<|  often  predicted  '^L^'"*^''-     ^e  had  c^x- 
Tl>ere  «  „o  f„u„da  ion  for  the  ,•'•"""?  ^  """  '■■"'I- 
"f  Sononm  and  hi.s  o>v„  canturtP'"'""/''''*  *«  '"ki'^' 
f  K,  in  collusion  with  thcfinh    *   "''?  .?'"""«'  by  hin,: 
0  evade  respon.ibi  W    yf  '  i?t!  "'i'^f'''  J"^''  «  vi  'v 
'ittlo  if  any  obiection't.,  V      V    "*'''»"'  th"t  Jie  h-id 
f  the  United  State    .^     ""^'"""''^  ■■"^•''t  >^y  office's 
I'^licaey  of  his  S^'^'a  V '"•  "^  <-'««'Pi"g  from  t  L 

"Klc-r  Fremont,  he  subm  tte  I  t '"■*^'?''  ''"''■«  "^«n^' 
to  P"bl,c  property,  an<l  "rter'  I  ■  ""''■'''  *'''''™  "''  '''"^■^ 
-^;;to  Obtain  ^na.,r^;:£;i«^  with 


-•  v^ 


,     ''^'"""=l->i-h,n.„,e„to„„     ,    ,.  "°''"°"l  smelly  y,'° 

>ocu,nc„tisas  folio  S'<lTo1.V""''"".  ^^'^Ivad  ,    V,  ^o  '    T'"^!'  ■^,""'»  '•* 
■I'Hl  officers  belon.rinrr  +    ii    ^"  '^''^e  which  tooL-  m„      •  '  *''"^'  J'av  iil'  hwi. 

''<■'•  Pordo,.  of  cm  act  Z'?'  P^^^'P  ""''selves  that  h^n  !'^'"'  ^"•'  Capt. 
eniselves,  their  faniHe*";."  •''?"  "»*  'l>«ti"b    u-l  '.r.     '"^''  ««• '«  «ny 

"'-•  c...  vo..  V.  **;  p-^""^^  *"-'■  opposition  n.7i::":;;^;;;^j^j'^i;;; 


f 


:l!i 


icl! 


114 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— TAKING  OF  S0NO>L\. 


It  was  naturally  to  be  ox|)oct(Hl,  unflor  the  oircuin- 
stances,  that  tho  arrostod  ofHcor.s  would  bo  released  on 
parole.  Such  was  evidently  the  view  taken  on  both 
sides  at  first.  Ford  says  there  were  some  who  ia- 
vored  such  a  course.  Leese,  who  had  the  best  oppor- 
tunities for  understanding  the  matter,  and  who  «(ives 
a  more  detailed  account  than  any  other  writer,  tells  us 
that  such  a  decision  was  reached;  and  finally,  the 
documents  which  I  have  presented,  Nos  1  and  2  be- 
ing to  all  intents  and  purposes  regular  parole  papers, 
leave  no  doubt  upon  the  subject.  But  now  difficul- 
ties arose,  respecting  some  phases  of  which  there  is 
c»  )ntradictory  testimony. 

Thus  far  only  a  few  of  the  insurgent  leaders  had 
entered,  or  at  least  remained  in  the  house;  and  the 
negotiations  had  in  reality  been  conducted  by  Semple 
and  Leese  vor^'  much  in  their  own  way.  Ide  testi- 
fies that  Merritt,  Semple,  and  Wm  Knight,  the  lat- 
ter accompanying  the  expedition  merely  as  an  inter- 
])reter,  were  the  first  to  enter  the  house,  while  the 
rest  waited  outside;  that  presently  hearing  nothing, 
they  became  impatient,  determined  to  choose  a  ciiyt- 
tain,  and  elected  John  Grigsby,  who  thereupon  went 
in;  and  that  after  waiting  what  appeared  an  age,  the 
men  again  lost  patience  and  called  upon  the  writer, 

^ii[<l8?]  of  the  liberation'. . . — one  or  two  wortla  perhaps  at  tlie  end,  and  the 
signatures,  if  there  were  any,  arc  torn  off. 

No.  'A.  'We,  the  undersigned,  having  resolved  to  establish  a  government 
of  on  (upon?)  rcpublioan  principles,  in  connection  with  others  of  our  fellow- 
citizens,  and  liaving  taken  up  arms  to  support  it,  wc  have  taken  three  Mexi- 
can officers  as  prisoners,  Gen.  M.  G.  Vallejo,  Lieiit-col.  Victor  Pnidon,  and 
Capt.  D.  Salvador  Vallejo,  having  formed  and  published  to  the  world  no  reg- 
ular plan  of  government,  feel  it  our  duty  to  say  that  it  is  not  our  intention 
to  take  or  injure  any  person  who  is  not  found  in  opposition  to  tho  cause,  nor 
will  we  take  or  destroy  the  property  of  private  individimls  furtiier  than  is 
necessary  for  our  immediate  support.  Ezekiel  Merritt,  R.  Semple,  William 
Fallon,  Samuel  Kclsay.' 

'J'hese  important  papers  arc  found  in  Bear  Flag  Papers^,  MS.,  10-20,  (50-1. 
They  \\ere  given  mo  by  Gen.  Vallejo.  There  are  two  signed  originals  of  no. 
1.  one  in  the  handwriting  of  Salvador  Vallejo,  and  tlio  other  in  tiiat  of  Victor 
I'rudou.  In  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  '2'20,  is  another  incomplete  antl  unsigned 
lilotter  copy.  Noa  1  and  3  were  printed  in  Marin  Co.  fJisf.,  C8-9,  and  Hoiioina 
<'o.  Ilinl.,  100-1,  from  copies  furnished  by  me  to  Gen.  Vallejo.  The  English 
document  is  probably  the  work  of  Semple,  but  possibly  of  Merritt,  as  indi- 
cated by  spelling  and  gramniai'. 


NEOOTUTIO.V.S  AM,  ura^uv 


We  to  go  and  investicrato  f  I.  ' 

ti:i!^^y''-s:^i^:^j;^::^zr i.<>n,!:t:, 

''long  string  „f  ..rtiolos  ^f- 'l^?,''  ,^;'.J"''t  ".odiCyi , 
iyerritt,  I,is  |,cad  i^n  '     ,,    ™J"tulatic,n.     There  1 .7 
;.Wo  to  interpret;  ^^^^t^^  -'  Kni.,.t,  nJT.j^:  * 
•'s'lUte  as  the  seat  he  J..f "- """'-"""'i' eantW,, 

'"'.y  "Utsido  that  its'inrti '"'"*'""'  ""'■•'«  '■''  tli«e  n, 
>t  '"'t  'y  '"^  -'vi?e  to  p  "tlT '  r"  *^'  '"^' 
;;«Ca.(;,rnian'.pa,,::/j--,:;-eust^ 

mto.Meated  »e  niav  well  l,,r       '""=  <=»"ipanv 
At  an,vrate,,li.sa„,.,,„,„ ';;,"'"  helieve. 

;''";'vl.v  teratilV  thJeu,  H,  V™'""''-'  "'«  ">en  refused 
^•"-■^S  insisting  tl,at      f    tn"  '""'''  '^^«>«>'^™e 
•^1  •rainent,,;  soTno  „C  the,     v        '  "?'"** '"'  '^^nt  to  the 
'"■!''""»•■   an,l    eager  fo,?^"T  ""^'"'«l  to  be  i,  sub 

"  ,f  l"-"l'«rty  as  tl,ey  needled  at/  ''"'■'^'''^  ■■""'  """"■ 

»;tv*7-  *"".  '-^  '"  '•'"'"^  *"">^  'o<*- 

wriei  of  aguardiente, 


Ill) 


BKAll  FLACi  UFAOLT-TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 


in^'  up  all  citizeuH  that  could  l»o  found.*'  It  would  socm 
that  the  .stcoud  of  the  documents  1  have  presented 
was  torn,  anil  the  third  drawn  up  and  si«.;ned  at  an 
early  stage  of  the  disagreenients,  after  it  became  a[»- 
[)arcnt  that  it  might  he  best  to  send  the  prisoners  to 
the  Sacramento,  the  signatures  showing  that  it  could 
not  have  been  later.     Vallejo,  though  not  encouraged 


1  :l 


: 


"Leone,  Bear  Flwj,  MS.,  6-\'2,  says  that  after  the  capitulations  were  all 
completed  lie  left  the  house;  but  rctuniing  half  an  hour  later,  he  found  all  in 
confusion;  Ido  insisted  that  the  prisoners  must  he  sent  to  Fremont's  cnni|): 
Semplo  admitted  that  he  could  not  fully  control  tlio  men,  ami  said  it  would 
lie  better  to  yield;  Fallon  and  'English  Jinj'  notitied  Vallejo  that  they  must 
liave  80  horses  in  half  an  hour;  others  insisted  on  searching  Vallcjo's  house  and 
took  all  the  arni.s  and  ammunition  they  could  liml;  aiul  liually  they  took  (10 
liorses  belonging  to  the  writi'r,  refusing  his  request  to  leave  two  that  belonged 
to  Ilia  children.  So  greattlid  the  excitement  become,  and  so  freely  were  somi' 
of  the  men  drinking,  that  the  writer  feared  personal  violence.  Leesc  mentions 
the  fact  tliat  Merritt,  having  once  been  struck  by  Salviidor  Vallejo,  insisted 
at  lirst  on  putting  him  in  irons,  but  was  persuaded  to  forget  his  private  griev- 
ances. This  story  in  a  iiiore  dramatic  form  has  often  been  repeated.  'With 
all  the  keen  reseutment  of  a  brave  man,  Mr  Merritt  suddenly  found  this  man 
in  Ills  power,  the  blood  rushed  to  his  cheeks  and  his  eyes  sparkled;  he  leaned 
forward  like  a  mad  tiger  in  the  act  of  springing  upon  liis  prey,  and  iuancnei'- 
getic  and  manly  tone  said:  "When  I  was  your  prisoner  you  struck  me;  now 
you  arc  my  prisoner,  I  will  not  strike  you"' !  is  the  way  Semplo  tells  it  in  the 
Moiiterpy  Ccli/oniiaii,  Sept.  5,  1840.  Don  Salvador  and  Merritt  were  both 
men  more  likely  to  quarrel  than  to  select  so  magnanimous  a  metliod  of  re- 
venge. 

Another  statement  of  Semple,  Id.,  has  been  very  popular  'A  single 
man  cried  out,  "Let  us  divide  the  spoils,"  but  one  universal,  dark,  indignant 
frown  made  him  shrink  from  tiie  presence  of  honest  men,  and  from  that  time 
forward  no  man  dared  to  hint  anything  like  violating  the  sanctity  of  a  private 
liouse,  or  touching  private  property;  so  far  did  they  carry  this  principle  that 
they  were  unwilling  to  take  the  beef  which  was  ofTored  by  our  prisoner"! 
'  Their  children  iu  generations  yet  to  come  will  look  back  with  pleasure  upon 
the  couunencement  of  a  revolution  carried  on  by  their  fatliers  upon  principh?s 
high  and  holy  as  the  laws  of  eternal  justice.'  Vallejo,  Ilinl.  Cat.,  MS.,  v. 
1 14- 1,"),  thinks  that  it  was  only  by  the  zealous  efl'orts  of  Semple,  Grigsby, 
Kelsey,  and  a  few  others  that  indiscriminate  plunder  was  prevented.  Many 
Californians  talk  of  plunder  and  other  outrages  tiuit  never  occuvr^'d.  Idesays, 
Bio(/.  Sketch,  1'28:  'Joy  lighted  up  every  mind,  and  in  a  monKi't  a.l  was 
secured;  18  prisoners,  9  brass  cannon,  '250  stands  of  arm".,  aad  t.m  .  of  copper 
shot  and  other  public  property,  of  the  value  of  10  or  1'200  dollir;!.  was  seized 
and  held  in  trust  for  the  public  benefit.'  lialdridge,  Jhiys  ■]'  '.,' ,  M.S.,  5,  4\i- 
5,  who  was  not  one  of  those  who  took  Sonoma,  gives  a  reiriink  of  Prndon, 
'  JJoys,  you  have  been  a  little  too  fast  for  us,  we  were  going  to  serve  you  in  the 
same  way  in  just  10  days'!  He  also  quotes  Grigsby  to  the  ellect  that  some 
sailors  announced  their  determination  to  have  the  money  which  they  knew 
to  be  in  the  house,  but  obeyed  Grigsby's  order  to  desist,  especially  \\  hen  two 
ritles  were  levelled  at  them.  Martin,  Xari:,  MS.,  2i-6,  gives  an  absurdly 
incorrect  account  of  the  taking  of  Sonoma,  in  which  he  pretends  to  have 
assisted;  talks  of  IS  loaded  cannon  ■with  matches  burning  which  faced  the 
attacking  party!  etc.  Salvador  Vallejo,  Aotas,  MS.,  101-17,  tells  a  little 
truth  about  the  affair,  mingled,  as  usual  in  his  testimony,  with  much  that  is 
too  absurdly  false  to  deceive  any  one. 


IDE  CHOSEN  CAPl'AIN'. 


117 


nt  soeiiijjf  that  tlio  leaders  were  not  periuitt(Kl  by  their 
rollowors  to  keep  tlicir  promises,  was  not  very  nnieh 
displeased  at  being  sent  to  New  Helvetia.  He  was 
assured  tluit  the  insur<>:i'nts  were  acting  1)V  Fremont's 
oiders;  his  own  views  wcrt*  known  to  l)e  favorable  to 
the  schemes  of  the  United  Stati's;  and  lie  had  no  rea- 
son to  doubt  that  on  meetini"'  Fremont  he  and  his  com- 
paiiions  would  at  once  be  released  on  i)arole. 

Before  the  departure  of  the  prisoners  and  their  es- 
cort a  formal  meetintr  of  tlie  revolutionists  was  held. 
'I'hat  Semple,  secretary,  made  a  speech  counselling- 
united  action  and  moderation  in  the  treatment  of  the 
natives,  and  that  William  B.  I«l(j  was  cliosen  captain, 
is  all  that  is  known  of  this  meeting,'-^^  except  what  wo 
may  learn  from  Ide's  narrative.  The  leaders  ditfer{Hl 
in  their  ideas,  not  only  respecting  the  disposition  to  bi^ 
made  of  the  prisoners,  but  about  the  chief  object  of 
the  movement.  Evidently  there  had  been  no  defi- 
nitely arranged  plan  of  operations.  Fremont  had  suc- 
ceeded in  brinofing  about  a  state  of  open  hostility 
without  committing  himself  Some  of  the  men  re- 
garded their  movement  as  merely  intended  to  provoke 
(\\stro  to  make  an  attack  on  Frdmont;  or  at  least  they 
dreaded  the  responsibility  of  engaging  in  a  regular  rev- 
ohition,  especially  when  it  was  learned  that  no  one 
could  produce  any  definite  promise  from  Fremont  in 
black  and  white  to  support  such  a  movement.  Others 
were  in  favor  of  an  immediate  declaration  of  indepen- 
dence. That  such  differences  of  opinion  did  exist  as 
Ide  states,  is  in  itself  by  no  means  improbable;  and 
it  is  confirmed  to  some  extent  by  the  fact  that  Grigsby 
(lid  resign  his  leadership,  and  by  the  somewhat  strange 
ciicumstance  that  three  such  prominent  men  as 
( Jrig.sby,  Merritt,  and  Semple  should  have  left  Sonoma 
to  accompany  the  pnsoners.  Ide  writes  that  when 
(rrigsby  heard  that  no  positive  orders  from  Fremont 
could  be  produced,  his  '"fears  of  doing  wrong'  over- 

•'■'Sempl'-,  in  Ihspirhtn,  iii.  388-9;  and  in  First  Steamship  P'lOiieers,  174-5. 
See  also  Laiiay's  I'ruinc,  57. 


■■M 


V  ' 


lis 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 


I 


if 

:  f     I* 


11  y 


caino  his  patriotism,  and  ho  interrupted  the  speaker  hy 
saying:  'Uentlemei;,  I  have  been  deceived;  I  cannot 
go  with  3'ou;  I  resign  and  back  out  of  tiie  scrape.  1 
can  take  my  family  to  the  mountains  as  cheap  as  any 
of  you' — ami  Dr  S.  at  that  moment  leil  him  into  the 
house.  Disorder  and  confusion  prevailed.  One  swore 
he  would  not  stay  to  guard  prisoners;  another  swore 
we  would  all  have  our  throats  cut;  another  called  for 
fresh  horses;  and  all  were  on  the  move,  every  man  for 
himself,  when  the  speaker  [Ide]  resumed  his  effort, 
raising  his  voice  louder  and  more  loud,  as  the  men  re- 
ceded from  the  place,  saying:  'We  need  no  horses;  sad- 
dle no  horse  for  me ;  I  can  go  to  the  Spaniards  and  make 
freemen  of  them.  I  will  lay  my  bones  here  before  I 
will  take  upon  myself  the  ignominy  of  commencing  an 
honorable  work  and  then  flee  like  cowards,  like  thieves, 
when  no  enemy  is  in  sight.  In  vain  will  you  say  you 
had  honorable  motives.  Who  will  believe  it?  Flee 
this  day,  and  the  longest  life  cannot  wear  out  your  dis- 
grace 1  Choose  ye  this  da}'  what  you  will  be!  We  are 
robbers,  or  we  nmst  be  conquerors!'  and  the  speaker 
in  despair  turned  his  back  upon  his  receding  compan- 
ions. With  new  hope  they  rallied  around  the  despond- 
ing s])eaker,  made  him  their  connnander,  their  chief; 
and  his  next  words  commanded  the  taking  of  the 
fort.'  Subsequently  "the  three  leaders  of  the  party 
of  the  ])rimitive  plan  of 'neutral  conquest'  left  us  alone 
in  our  glory."  I  find  no  reason  to  doubt  that  this  ver- 
sion, though  somewhat  highly  colored,  is  in  substance 
accurate;  that  Merritt,  having  captured  horses  ami 
prisoners,  was  content  to  rest  on  his  laurels;  that 
Grigsby  was  timid  about  assuming  the  responsibility 
of  declaring  independence  without  a  positive  assur- 
ance of  Frdmont's  cooperation;  that  Semple,  while  in 
favor  of  independence,  preferred  that  Sacramento 
should  be  the  centre  of  operations,  unless — what  Va- 
liejo  and  Leeso  also  favored — Fremont  could  be  in- 
duced to  establish  his  lieadquarters  at  Sonoma;  or 
finally,  that  Ide  and  his  associates  infiuenced  the  ma- 


THE  PRISONERS. 


119 


or  l>y 
aniiot 

)0.        I 

.s  any 
to  the 
swore 
swore 
[ed  for 
lan  for 
effort, 
len  re- 
s;  sad- 
ilinako 
efort;  I 
:ing  ail 
hicves, 
say  you 


jority  to  complete  their  revolutionary  work  and  take 
no  backward  steps.  I  think,  however,  that  Ide  and 
all  the  rest  counted  confidently  on  Fremont's  support; 
and  that  Semple  and  Grigsby  were  by  no  means  re- 
garded as  abandoning  the  cause  when  they  left  So- 
noma. 

It  was  about  11a.  m.,  on  June  14th,  when  the  three 
]»risoners,  accompanied  by  Leese  as  interpreter  at 
their  request  and  that  of  the  captors — not  himself  a 
prisoner  as  has  been  generally  stated — and  guarded 
by  Grigsby,  Semple,  Merritt,  Hargrave,  Knight,  and 
tour  or  five  others,^  started  on  horses  from  Vallejo's 
herds  for  the  Sacramento.  It  will  be  most  convenient 
to  follow  them  before  proof'eding  to  narrate  later  de- 
velo[)ments  at  Sonoma.  Before  starting,  and  on  the 
way,  Vallcjo  wo.g  often  questioned  by  Californians  as 
to  the  situation  of  affairs;  but  could  only  counsel  them 
to  remain  quiet,  announcing  that  he  would  probal)ly 
return  within  four  or  five  days.  His  idea  was  that 
Fremont,  after  releasing  him  and  his  com|)anions  on 
parole,  might  be  induced  to  establish  his  headquarters 
at  Sonoma,  an  idea  shared  by  Semple,  Grigsby,  and 
Leese.  Relations  between  captives  and  ca})t()rs  were 
altogether  friendly,  except  in  the  case  of  some  hostile 
feeling  ainono;  a  few  individuals  aijainst  Don  Salvador.^" 

They  encamped  that  night  at  Vaca's  rancho.  Xo 
special  pains  was  taken  to  guard  tiie  prisoners,  wiio 
with  Leese  slept  on  a  pile  of  straw  near  the  camp. 
Vallejo  had  desired  to  travel  all  night;  but  the  men 
declined  to  do  so,  having  had  no  skt'p  the  night  be- 
fore.    Before  dawn  on  the  morning  of  the   15th,  a 


Ibe  in- 
lia ;  <  >r 
lie  nia- 


^Liinccy  names  Kit  Carson  as  one  of  the  guard,  falling  into  tlio  error  frum 
ilie  fact  that  Carson  accompanieil  Morritt  from  Froii.ont's  camp  to  Siittir's 
b'ort.  There  were  probably  none  of  Fremont's  men  iu  the  party  that  took 
Sonoma.  Iile  says  tlio  r  '  \  contained  10  men;  Leoso  says  alxnit  I'i  men. 
Both  Ide  and  Ford  state  v  .,  the  force  left  beliiml  was  \'A  men,  wliich  would 
indicate  that  the  guard  numbered  9. 

'"Several  writers  state,  without  any  foundation  in  fact,  tliat  Don  Sulviidor 
was  arrested,  not  at  Sonoma,  but  at  his  Xapa  rancho  on  tlie  way  to  Sacra- 
mento. 


120 


BKAU  FLAG  REVOLT— TAKING  OF  SONOMA. 


i 


Californian  succeeded  in  reaching  the  captives,  and 
informed  Vallcjo  that  a  company  of  his  countrymeii 
liad  been  ororanized  to  effect  his  rescue,  and  only 
awaited  his  orders.  The  colonel  refused  to  permit 
isuch  an  attempt  to  Se  made,  both  because  he  had  no 
reason  to  fear  any  unpleasant  results  fi-oni  his  on- 
forced  visit  to  the  Sacramento,  and  because  he  feared 
retaliation  at  Sonoma  in  case  an  attempt  to  escape 
should  bring  harm  to  any  of  the  guard.^^  On  the 
1 5th  the  party  reached  Hardy's  place  on  the  Sacra- 
mento. Here  Merritt  left  the  others,  intending  to 
visit  Fremont's  camp  and  return  next  morning;  but 
as  he  did  not  come  back,  Leese  with  one  companion 
started  in  the  forenoon  of  the  16th  also  in  quest  of 
Fremont.  Arriving  at  Allgeier's  place,  they  learned 
that  the  captain  had  moved  his  camp  to  American 
River;  and  starting  for  that  point,  they  rejoined  their 
companions  before  arrival.  Here  Grigsby  presented 
an  order  from  Fremont  for  Leese's  arrest,  for  which, 
so  far  as  known,  no  explanation  was  given.** 

Late  in  the  afternoon  they  reached  the  camp,  and 
the  prisoners  were  brought  into  the  presence  of  Fre- 
mont. That  officer's  reception  of  them  was  very  dif- 
i'crent  from  Avhat  had  been  anticipated.  His  words 
and  manner  were  reserved  and  mysterious.  He  denied, 
M  hen  Vallejo  demanded  for  what  offence  and  by  what 


M: 


"  Leexf's  Bear  Flmj,  MS.,  8-9.  This  writer  thinks  tiiat  Vallejo's  course 
saved  the  lives  of  all  the  guard,  as  the  surprise  would  iiave  been  complete, 
aud  there  were  some  desperate  characters  among  the  rescuers.  Revere, 
Tourof  Diitii,  05,  heard  a  similar  version  from  a  person  who  waa  present,  and 
that  the  Californians  were  under  the  connnand  of  Juan  Padilla,  who  was  al.«i) 
the  messenger.  Also  Laiicei/'s  Cruise,  .57.  Vallejo,  Jfitf.  Cnl.,  MS.,  v.  126- 
7,  and  Cayetano  Juarez,  Karrative,  MS.,  and  iixSavmji',  Doc,  MS.,  i.  39-40, 
tell  us  that  Juarez  posted  himself  at  the  i'ortezuela  witli  a  small  force,  send- 
ing his  brother  disguised  as  a  woman  to  notify  Vallejo  of  his  design  to  cft'ect 
a  rescue,  if  permitted.  By  Boggs,  Napa  ReijUter,  April  (5,  187-,  we  are  in- 
fonned  that  GO  or  70  of  Castro's  men  sent  to  drive  out  the  settlers  intercepted 
the  guard  near  Higuera's  rancho,  but  were  kept  off  by  Vallejo's  shouts  tluit 
ho  was  in  danger  of  Ijeing  shot  if  they  came  nearer!  And  in  the  Sacra meiit') 
lii'cord-Uniou,  March  1,1,  1870,  we  read  of  the  attempted  rescue  at  Napa, 
which  faileil  by  reason  of  Grigsby's  coolness  in  threatening  to  shoot  the  pris 
oncrsl 

•^Leese's  account  is  confirmed  by  a  letter  written  by  Vallejo  while  in 
prison,  to  be  noticed  later. 


lA. 

ptives,  and 
ountrynieii 
and  only 
to  permit 
he  had  no 
ni  his  OM- 
he  feared 
to  esca[)e 
On  the 
jhe  Sacra- 
ending  to 
ning;  but 
onipanion 
1  quest  of 
y  Jearncd 
American 
ned  their 
^resented 
T  which, 

imp,  and 
i  of  Frd- 
yery  dif- 
is  words 
3  denied, 
by  what 


authority  he  had  causftH  tu  ■  "" 

;'ny  way  responsible  for  whit  WjT''  f^^  ''"  »"«  in 
hat  they  were  prisoners  of  Vh!    ^?  '^™«.-  declare,^! 
jinven  to  revolt  for  seZrL„,^  P^°P'«'  '"ho  had  Cn 
W  paroles;  and  sent  tC  tt?'  ""^"""^  *°  ^^^P 
•»  guard  composed  in  nart  ?f      .  ^"'^  "«H  under 

;"<'°-7Kt  Carson  a„5j&erritll°'  '"'""^  "^  '"«  "«"[ 
to  be  looted  up  at  SutS&^*°*'»  advance- 

«'4  P,-..,n.„  ,.^,  .^;;Jt,z't  Jte-.gfcf.^E 


ejo's  course 
II  complete, 
3.     Re'ere, 
resent,  ami 
ho  was  al.xo 
S.,  V.  126- 
.,  i.  39-40, 
bree,  send- 
^n  to  efl'ect 
we  are  in- 
Dteroeptcd 
liouts  that 
'ocnniieiifo 
at  Napa, 
t  the  pris- 

•  while  in 


. 


• 


CHAPTER  VI. 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED— AFFAIRS  AT  SUTTER'S 
FORT  AND  SOUTH  OF  THE  BAY. 

JajfE-JuLY,  1846. 

Sciter'8  Position — The  Prisoneks — Trir.m  Treatment — Correspondencb 
OF  THE  Captives — Events  at  Nev  Ket.vbtia — SorTii  of  the  Bay — 
Rosa  Sent  by  Vallejo  to  Montg    •'  Iisroon's  Mission' — Offi- 

cial AND  Piuvate  Correspondence — <.  »'s  Phoclamations — Mil- 

itary Preparations — Three  Divisions  a  j  Retake  Sonoma — Torre 
Sent  across  the  Bay — Manuel  Castro's  Mission — Insui:gents  at 
San  Francisco — Weber's  Arrest — Montgomery's  Policy — Pico  at 
Santa  Barbara — The  Anoelinos  not  Warlike — Foueigners  Of- 
fended— The  Assembly — Pico  and  Larkin — Pico  Marches  North 
— Meets  Castro — Embrace  of  Governor  and  General. 

Captain  Sutter  was  still  nouiinally  in  command  at 
the  fort.  The  turn  affairs  were  taking  sadly  inter- 
fered with  his  plans  of  selling  the  establishment, 
though  he  was  not  without  hopes  that  the  revolt 
might  in  one  way  or  another  be  made  to  advance  his 
personal  interests.  Had  his  plans  in  this  respect,  and 
especially  his  recent  advice  to  Castro  to  garrison  the 
fort  against  Americans,  been  fully  known  to  the  in- 
surgents, he  also  would  have  been  put  under  arrest. 
As  it  was,  while  he  was  not  fully  trusted,  neither  was 
he  much  feared.  He  doubtless  gave  to  Hensley  and 
others  assurances  of  secret  support,  and  was  there- 
fore excused  from  active  participation,  though  he  was 
closely  watched  the  while.  It  is  well  known,  being 
also  admitted  by  himself,  that  his  relations  with  Fre- 
mont were  not  friendly.*     What  understanding  had 

•Sutter,  Person.  Rem'tn.,  MS.,  140-50,  iu  a  very  inaccurate  sketch  of  these 
times,  claims  to  have  been  acting  in  good  faith  as  an  ally  of  the  I'.  8.,  renounc- 


■ 


ITER'S 


SPONDENCB 

mE  Bay— 
ION'— Offi- 
o\s— Mil. 

lA — TOKRE 
liGENTS    AT 

—Pico  at 

!MEES     Of- 

Es  North 


land  at 
'  inter- 
'iment, 

revolt 
ice  his 
"t,  cancl 
311  the 
he  in- 
irrest. 
3r  was 
y  and 
there- 
e  was 
being 

Frd- 


THE  PRISONERS. 

.'^een  reached  at  the  tinio  nf  n  ,  '"" 

'«  '^ot  known;  but  w    "     1^^'^'*"  «  ^^rival  or  earJi.r 

-njl%  obeyed  Vr6rn^^Jt^T'''''^^'^>  ^utt" 
''>cked  up   ,1  one  of  fJ>«     '"'^'^^  ""^^tions,  and  thov  w.J 

;;S "'  h  -;•  t^  birrcii^"'  ■■"«'  ^  ^^^ 

tunate  condition,  nini.ri.vi .  . '  .'«"'"'™ons  on  their  unfor 
I'^i  "ot  availed  ke  ni/t'  '^a  f  "'"'  ^T^'  *•>»" t  v 

""■■  '"oat  wl.iel,  they  «ero Z.    ."'\^  P"'  "f  sou, 
l"->oe,l,     wntes  the  .ven.J'.l    "*i    .    r''"''"'*  Cfod  liad 

;:„  ,;".;i,  '^'-'^  ."o..th '•on;^^ ,;  ^^  {;;-  i84c  „,,» 

Hav^,n<r  ouce  opened  holfi  v     *""?^''  *^^<^  ^"^ptive.  ^' 

'P^  ;^>  '^o  blamed    or  «!  ''  ^^'^'^^«'  *^^«  filibusters  a  e 

."'^^  Mexican  officers-  'u  fj  ^  ^'^"""^'^  ^^^  ^^r  arresti  c^ 

;^  -^^«  perhaps  fo    tile  b    ^^"^^^  ?^?  '^^^^^^ed  ?he  f 

'•••'"f  "to;  or  at  Jeast  Tt  is   L'f"''  *'^^"^  *«  ^he  Sac-' 

'^^'"^^'   ->t  -ntrol   thd"   ^  .5^;;f^tl..tthelead::;^ 

'«^'  associates  and    were 

'"F  lii.s  allegiance   to  Ar     •       . 

;  r^'^r^!.- .v.:,^^';2n.,^- ±1-  ">-"  ts::  ^i/:--  j-t  <- 


^■■"  t' apt.  M-;  UMVv  •  '  •''^'''^'^  t"  tl.o  ,^^J'^'y'r'  '^^^'^r  t  urn  :^ 

■ ' '  ^';  '■"  "«  tliat  N,  Ut" .     ..  ,"1  ^'""'P'""-".^.     iii.toJl    r '"r  '■^'  •"■^app.-ov cl 
itlv  ilivr^i ,  ,;^"iiti  iiml  .lt.iif>i,,,,.„.i  ^,     /■"•'" oil,  (  „/_  ^^^  ,c,    ■ ;        ^ 


W  -' ,  tcLs  us  that  N,  ttt       ..     1  '''""r«"i<'i''^.     iii,/;  dl ^';  'T  '>'  •''■sapp.-ov cl 
-"'••'tly  .1  .snleasp.l  v?.  '""'  ''t'liouiiced  tl...  f.!i  V  '^ '■"^-  '« -/.S  i/-  v   \rs' 


'About  Kern',  ""«''t  ««  and  i, 

'""t-     Possihk.T     '^"'"'"•■"iiUt  the  fort  f I,        • 


124 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  COXTIXUED. 


forced  to  break  a  solemn  atjreoinent.  But  once  at 
Sutter's,  for  Frdmont  and  his  fellow-revolutionists  to 
put  the  captives  in  prison,  and  keep  them  there,  dis- 
regarding past  pledges,  demands  for  justice,  or  expla- 
nations, and  especially  Vallejo's  rank  and  well  known 
sympathies  and  honorable  character,  as  well  as  Lecse's 
nationality,  was  a  gross  and  inexcusable  outrage.  It 
was  a  severe  blow  to  Vallejo's  pride,  and  a  most  un- 
generous return  for  his  many  acts  of  kindness  to 
American  settlers,  his  influence  in  behalf  of  annexa- 
tion to  the  United  States,  and  the  ready  contidence 
with  which,  counselling  his  countrymen  against  resist- 
ance, he  had  given  his  parole,  and  intrusted  himseH' 
to  the  protection  of  a  man  whom  he  regarded  as  an 
officer  and  a  gentleman. 

The  Sonoma  prisoners  remained  in  confinement  at 
New  Helvetia  until  August,  being  released,  under 
circumstances  to  be  noticed  late) ,  after  the  revolution 
was  at  an  end,  and  the  conquest  by  the  United  States 
had  begun.  Jns6  Noriega  and  Vicente  Peralta,  mak- 
ing their  appearance  at  the  fort  shortly  after  the  out- 
break, were  added  to  the  number;  and  Julio  Carrillo, 
Vallejo's  brother-in-law,  coming  later  from  Sonoma 
under  a  passport  to  assure  the  colonel  of  his  family's 
safety,  shared  the  same  fate.  Respecting  the  prison- 
ers' experience  and  treatment  during  their  confine- 
ment, evidence  is  meagre  and  contradictory.  I  attach 
but  little  importance  to  the  complaints  of  later  years, 
coming  from  the  prisoners  themselves,  and  exagger- 
ated by  their  friends,  complaints  involving  gross  ill- 
treatment  and  cruelty;  nor  on  the  other  hand  do  I 
credit  the  statement  of  Sutter  that  the  captives  "were 
placed  in  my  best  rooms,  and  treated  with  every  con- 
sideration; took  their  meals  at  my  table,  and  walked 
out  with  me  in  the  evening;  their  room  was  not 
guarded  night  or  day,  nor  did  any  guard  accompany 
them  when  they  walked."  There  is  no  reason,  how- 
ever, to  doubt  that  Sutter  himself  was  disposed  to 
treat  them  kindly,  or  perhaps  that  he  was  chided  by 


t  once  at 
ioiiists  to 
here,  elis- 
or expla- 
11  known 
s  Leese's 
■age.     It 
most  un- 
Ine.ss    to 

annexa- 
'nfidenco 
5t  resist- 

liimself 
~'d  as  an 

ment  at 
,  under 
r'olution 
1  States 
a,  niak- 
he  out- 
'arrillo, 
jononia 
amilv's 
prison - 
onfine- 
attach 
years, 
agger- 
3SS  ill- 
Jdol 
"were 
Y  con- 
alked 
s   not 
ipanj 
how- 
3d  to 
;d  by 


TREATMENT  OF  VALLEJo. 


"'"I  H»  eo,„pa„i„„,  were  ken?'  *?"' ''»'  "'"*  Vnlleio 
r'--  ,  -They  ,vero  fed  with    '  ''"="nvenieiit  r,ua,- 

Tiio  fe«-  letters  allowed  io  !,!'/"<">''^   »'•   famili  " 

<---  -  --eti„„  £■««-*;  ex™  1 

Sutfer's  Per-   p     •  '^'-"JonUl 

; 'ilH'.     Leese,  /?«'„;.  /•/' ""a  '  ^  '^'1"°"'  t''reatencd  to  h    ?^^^'  *''*^  prisoners  t 

t'  c  Missourian  heart  '    n     •'    ^''^^  3"<^i»'  Ijt'foro  |„  r  ?/    .^^  i"*^  '*cen  preatlv 
■"I"»«e,l,  eachoft-hicl.  ,?",  °"*' ?ccasion.  loaves  "f  if  ■'*';'^''' '><« ''«  P^ace  n 

tiat  Aallejo  exaifcrcrafp,  +  "^    ^  ^.Vmpathv Tm,l  I-;,,!      ''^'  *^'"'  gained  y., 

•^e  It  the  Vlamnedffre'ispro  "'^^t'leconiiiirrnf  f  r  ^  "  ^'''i"  on  most 

at  Somin«_,|,at  i,,  very  K%  "  ''"  ''"J 


ni-^ 


120 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED. 


was  reaping  the  rewards  of  long  'coquetting' witli  the 
Americans.  I  liavo  some  of  the  letters  written  by  the 
captives,  which  I  cite  briefly  in  a  note.  To  the  Cali- 
fornians  they  wrote  that  all  was  well  with  them,  urg- 
ing submission  ratlier  than  resistance;  to  others  they 
spoke  only  of  their  arbitrary  and  unjust  imprisomnent, 
demanding  release  or  a  specification  of  the  charges 
against  them.  The  absence  of  complaints  of  personal 
ill-treatment  has  perhaps  no  significance,  as  such  com- 
plaints would  not  have  been  allowed  to  pass.  Fui-- 
ther  correspondence  relating  to  tlieir  release  will  be 
noticed  in  due  time.* 

Before  returning  to  Sonoma,  let  us  glance  briefly 
and  in  chronologic  order,  first,  at  events  on  the  Sai-- 

*  June  '28th,  Priidon  to  Joa(5  do  la  Rosa.  He  and  the  rest  still  held.  1  toes 
not  know  how  long  it  is  to  continue.  Not  allowed  to  communicate  witii  any 
one.  Vullrjo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  '228.  July  6tli,  Vallojo  to  liis  brother,  Jost'- dc 
•  li'sus  V.  Tlicy  are  not  dead  as  has  been  reported.  l{ol)t  Ridloy  is  named 
as  one  of  the  prisoners.  Tlieir  situation  is  not  very  liad,  but  indinpensal)k' 
lor  the  new  order  of  things.  There  is  reason  to  believe  there  will  be  an  entire 
iliiinge  founded  in  justice,  which  will  raise  the  country  from  its  miserable  con- 
dition. They  will  all  be  eternally  grateful  to  Sutter  for  kindness  shown.  Tiiey 
have  been  solenndy  promised  that  their  persons,  property,  and  families  shall 
lie  rcs])cctcd.  The  writer  charges  his  brother  to  makcall  this  public.  Vullijo. 
Dnr.,  MS.,  xxxiv.  '210.  July  0th,  W.  A.  Bartlett,  Sonoma,  to  Vallejo,  at 
whose  house  he  aiul  Dr  Henderson  are.  Mrs  V.  as  cheerful  as  could  bo  ex 
pcctcd.  All  hoping  for  his  early  return.  Id.,  xii.  2'29.  July  10th,  V.  to  Fic 
niont,  complaining  that  F.  had  not  come  to  see  him  as  he  jjromised.  Our  ini 
prisonment,  'as  you  know,  has  been  made  more  severe,  with  .absolute  iuconi 
nuinication  since  June  10th.'  Is  it  to  end  now  that  the  U.  S.  flag  is  ilyiuL; 
over  the  fort? — insuring  .as  he  hopes  a  prosperous  futiU'C  for  his  country.  Blot- 
ter in  Jlinr  Fla<]  /'a/ii  rx,  MS.  July  '2;id,  Prudon  to  Larkin  from  the  'Prison 
of  the  Sacramento,'  complaining  of  an  '  unjust,  severe,  and  prolonged  imprison- 
ment. '  and  a.sking  L.  to  use  his  intlucnco  for  their  liberation.  'Our  situation 
is  most  lamentable,  and  its  horrors  are  augmented  by  our  absolute  incounnu- 
nication,  so  that  wc  could  not  know  what  was  passing  outside,  or  others  what 
we  were  suffering  within.  I  have  written  a  journal,  which  at  the  proper  time 
Mill  come  to  light.'  They  li.ave  reoeivod  Liirkin's  letter  of  the  10th;  and  they 
send  a  representation  for  Com.  Sloat,  who  is  doubtless  not  .aware  of  their  iii- 
iijuitous  treatment.  Lnrhbi,  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  '221-2.  July  '23d,  V.allejo  to  Lar 
kin  of  same  general  purport.  Cannot  undei'stand  why  they  are  still  detained 
now  that  he  has  .seen  tlie  U.  S.  flag  flying.  Alludes  to  the  written  guai'anties 
gis'en  on  June  14th,  which  arc  still  in  his  possessi<in,  and  which  were  violated 
'before  the  ink  of  the  signatui-es  had  time  to  dry.'  Their  cattle  have  been 
driven  off  during  their  imprisonment.  Spanish,  and  translation,  in  Larkiii's 
l)o<:  ,  MS.,  iv.  219,  22.'{.  No  date  (Jidy  '2;{d?),  Vallejo  to  (Sloat?)  giving  a 
brief  and  clear  narrative  of  their  cajiture  and  unjust  coniinement.  This  ac 
idunt  con  Arms  Leese's  narrative  in  all  essential  parts,  though  less  eoniiilete. 
The  -writer  puts  his  wrongs  in  a  very  strong  light,  and  cannot  believe  that 
those  wrongs  are  continued  with  the  knowledge  of  U.  S.  officers.  Blotter  in 
Jhar  Fl.Kj  fapcrx,  MS.,  O.'^-O. 


EVENTS  OX  THE  SACRAMENTO. 


l-'T 


raiiuMito,  and  then  at  occurrences  south  of  the  bay 
thuiiij.^  the  whole  revolutionary  period,  though  some 
of  them  have  been  or  will  be  noticed  more  fully  else- 
where. It  was  on  June  10th  that  Arce's  horses  were 
taken  on  the  Cosumnes.  On  the  1 1th  Hensley  and 
Reading  arrived  at  the  fort  from  up  the  river;  and 
this  afternoon  or  the  next  Merritt  and  his  men  left 
(•ani[>  for  Sonoma.  On  the  12th  or  13th'  Gillespie 
arrived  from  Yerba  Buena  in  the  Poi^tsmouf  lis  launch, 
accompanied  by  several  officers  of  the  navy,  and  bring- 
ing a  boat-load  of  supplies  for  Fremont,  proceeding 
w  ith  Hensley  in  the  launch  to  the  American  River. 
Frtjmont  came  down  with  a  part  of  his  force,  as  Gil- 
\vs\no  states,  on  the  13th,  encamping  near  the  mouth 
of  the  American;  while  the  main  body  encamped  on 
the  15th,  eight  or  ten  miles  farther  up  that  stream. 
The  captives  taken  at  Sonoma  on  the  14th  reached 
Fremont's  camp  in  the  afternoon  of  the  IGth.  Car- 
son and  Merritt  started  at  once  for  Sutter's,  while 
Hensley  and  Reading  were  despatched  ostensibly  on 
u  lumting  tour,  but  really  to  talk  politics  with  Marsh, 
and  learn  the  situation  south  of  the  bay.®  The  pris- 
oners were  locked  up  in  the  fort  at  nightfall,  as  we 
liave  seen.  On  the  I7th,  the  supplies  having  been 
<Ielivered,  Gillespie  and  Fremont  went  up  the  Amer- 
ican to  join  the  main  body,  while  the  Portsmouth's 
hiunch  started  for  Sauzalito.  The  supplies  in  ques- 
tion were  furnished  by  Montgomery,  on  tire  requisi- 
tion of  Frdmont  as  an  officer  of  the  United  States. 
It  was  on  its  face  a  perfectly  legitimate  transaction; 
and  I  know  of  no  reason  to  suppose  that  ^Montgomery 
was  informed  by  Gillespie  of  the  revolutionar}^  pro- 
ject on   foot."     This  same  day,  the  17th,  tliree  men, 

'  In  X.  Helvetia  Diary,  -MS.,  .51,  and  Sii/tfr'n  Diarii,  8,  the  latter  d.-ite  is 
given;  the  fiirmcr  in  Gillespie's  testimony.  FnmonVn  Cal.  Claims,  20-7. 

"Tiio  ilates,  etc.,  are  iixcd  by  the  diaries;  the  motive  by  Hensloy's  tes- 
timony.  IWinont^  Cal.  Clalnm,  ',U. 

'  III  liirt  letter  to  Benton,  Xiles'  licrj.,  Ixxi.  101,  Fremont  says  he  wrote 
t"  Montgomery  by  the  returning  launch,  'describing  to  liini  fully  my  position 
:iiul  intentions,  in  order  that  he  might  not  by  supposing  me  to  be  .acting  un- 
iliT  orders  from  our  govt  unwittingly  commit  himself,'  etc. 


' 


■11- 


128 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED. 


Wise,  Ferguson,  and  Stebbins,  arrived  at  the  fort 
from  Sonoma,  presumably  with  news,  as  they  started 
at  once  for  Frdmont's  camp.  On  the  18th  a  courier 
came  from  Sonoma  with  a  letter  from  Captain  Mont- 
i^omery.  Frdmont  with  twenty  men  visited  the  fort 
on  the  19th;  and  Jose  Noriega,  a  Spaniard  from  San 
Jose,  made  his  appearance  and  was  detained;  and 
next  day  Vicente  Peralta,  coming  back  from  a  visit 
up  the  river,  shared  the  same  fate.  It  was  also  on 
the  20th  that  Hensley  and  Reading  returned  from 
below,  hastening  to  Fremont's  camp  with  the  report 
that  Castro  was  preparing  for  a  hostile  movement,  a 
report  confirmed  by  John  Neal,  who  brought  news 
that  a  force  was  crossing  the  bay  to  attack  Sonoma. 
It  was  on  or  about  this  date  that  Julio  Carrillo  arrived 
and  was  imprisoned.  On  the  21st  Fremont  arrived 
near  the  fort;  and  next  day,  leaving  a  small  garrison 
— his  company  being  reenforced  by  Hensley,  Reading, 
and  many  trappers  and  settlers — he  marched  for 
Sonoma.^  On  the  23d  a  party,  including  Bidwell, 
was  sent  toward  the  Cosumnes  to  learn  whether  any 
foes  were  approaching  from  below,  and  to  make 
arrangements  for  a  watch  to  be  kept  by  the  Indians. 
Friday  the  2Gth  was  marked  by  the  arrival  of  Lieu- 
tenant Revere  and  Dr  Henderson  of  the  Portsmouth, 
who  came  up  from  Sauzalito  on  the  ship's  launch;'^ 
and  also  by  that  of  a  small  party  of  immigrants  from 
Oregon.  Next  day  Henderson  departed  for  Sonoma 
with  a  small  party;  on  the  28th  Lieutenant  Bartlett 
and  Dr  Townsend  arrived  from  Yerba  Buena;  and 
on  the  29th  Bartlett  started  with  Bidwell  for  Sono- 

*  In  his  letter  to  Benton,  Fremont,  says  he  broke  camp  on  the  American 
Fork  on  the  23d.  This  may  mean  that  at'tei  leaving  Sutter's  he  camped  at 
the  mouth  of  that  stream  and  started  next  morning  for  Sonoma.  Lancey, 
Cruisf,  G4,  conlirms  this,  and  speaks  of  Harrison  Peirce  coming  into  camp  on 
the  2.3d  with  news  of  great  alarm  at  Sonoma. 

"  Revere,  Tour  of  Duty,  60-75,  gives  no  dates  and  few  details  of  occur- 
rences from  his  own  observations  on  this  trip.  Ho  had  an  interview  with 
Vall'^jo,  '  which  it  was  easy  to  see  excited  a  very  ridiculous  amount  of  sus- 
picion on  the  part  of  his  vigilant  jailers,  whose  position,  however,  as  revolu- 
tionists was  a  little  ticklish,  and  excited  in  them  that  distrust  which  in  dan- 
gerous times  is  inseparable  from  low  and  ignorant  minds.' 


h'Mi- 


SOUTH  OF  THK  BAY. 


129 


i";I:',f J,?;-- -turned,,,,,,,  ,,,  „.,^„.     ,     " 

-•■■S;     It  «'as  on   July     oil     .1       '."""'''■'■  °f  Pris,,,, 

;'    Iio  stars  and  strinos  at   '^f"  V"""-'  "'  "»'  ''""in.' 

that  flag  ,va.s  raised  oler  Suit!,?' r-'''  "'"'  "«*  d"? 
more  anon.  ^"«<"- «  Fort,  of  «.|„V|.  event 

■Soutli  of  the  bav  1^  „  „  1 
;;■"»  directed  nminly  on  IhoZV"'''',-  f"^^'""  ""«'tiou 

'-».'i"g  date  of  Co  5  ,  "rrT*  "f"  ""«  -'  '  " 
;;•  |0"  (ro„>  Sub-prefeitt  ,„,,^^,^  f::'  ''^  "  »".."U  i-' 
1»<I  I'eoe.ved    the  tidings  "t   V  'A"  '"''••'^'^^t-     H. 

'""•foaquin  Carrillo,    he  seeoll     ;'  n""""  "^b^di; 


"•'■"  ''»d  -run  away-;i,;rr™;;  f^'''^'^'  "'  «™ 

";  first  alcalde."     Thelc  '  f '''-"'  "f  ^er- 


(>■ 


^t  San  Josd.     Ho  obtained  hiw        ^^'"^^'^'  ^^chcco 

the  Portsmouth  at  Sauza  i/n  K  ?    ""^  '''"  '"terviow  on 
^^oniery  and   Jose   de    h  P.^'*?P"  Captain  Mor  t 
^^'^•v'ng  as  interpreter  -ud         \  ^'^^tenint  Bart  etfc 
■^ent  hy  Villo,-^    \^ter  and  sooretarv.     Ro>..,  i.    j  V 

V    vaiJcjo — Tust  beff»rn  fi>     y\\      ^^'^'^'^  ^lad  been 

--an.ento,tho4Ctdttt:;;^S^^^ 

;y)"c^h  is  uninteJl  Jble'    'uV'  l*?^^''  *'"^t  Bartlett  'r..-.     •     , 

p:^£sr^^?^^^i^si^  z.  '""■  "■'■■ ««..  i«  2» 


^! 


F 


E 


■■5 


l.W 


BEAU  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED. 


Sonoma  until  3  p.  m. — to  inform  ]M()nt<]f()mory  of  what 
liad  occurred,  "and  to  ask  of  liim  to  oxerciso  his 
authority  or  use  his  influence  to  prevent  the  eomniis- 
.sion  of  acts  of  violence,  inasnmch  as  they  seemed  to 
be  without  any  effectual  head  or  authority;  and  to 
this  end  he  hoped  for  an  officer  to  bo  sent  to  the 
place,  or  a  letter  that  would  have  the  effect  of  saving 
the  helpless  inhabitants  from  violence  and  anarchy." 
The  captain's  response,  which  Rosa  promiseil  to  de- 
liver to  Vallejo  at  the  earliest  possible  moment,  was 
to  disavow  in  the  most  explicit  terms  any  knowledge 
of  or  authority  for  the  movement  on  the  part  of  the 
United  States,  of  himself,  or  even  of  Frdmont;  to  de- 
clare that  he  could  not  officially  interfere  in  any  man- 
ner with  local,  political,  or  criminal  affairs  in  no  way 
concerning  his  government;  but  to  proffer  personal 
sympathy  and  express  his  willingness  to  exert  his 
individual  influence  for  the  protection  of  innocent 
persons, '•'' 

Besides  the  message  sent  back  by  Rosa,  Montgom- 
ery decided  to  send  an  officer  as  requested.  He 
selected  Lieutenant  John  S.  Misroon  for  the  mission, 
and  his  instructions  given  on  the  evening  of  the  15tli, 
with  a  supplement  next  morning,  form  the  fourth  of 
the  records  to  which  I  have  alluded.  Misroon,  being 
fully  informed  respecting  Rosa's  report  and  the  reply 
that  had  been  given,  was  directed  to  visit  the  insur- 
gent leader;  to  make  known  the  "state  of  apprehen- 
sion and  terror"  into  which  the  Californian  people  had 
been  thrown  by  the  late  movement;  to  "request  from 
mc  that  he  will  extend  his  protecting  care  over  the 
defenceless  families  of  their  prisoners  and  other  inof- 
fensive persons  of  Sonoma;"  to  impress  the  minds  of 
those  in  power  "with  a  sense  of  the  advantages  whi<3h 
will  accrue  to  their  cause,  whatever  its  intrinsic  merits 
m.ay  be,  from  pursuing  a  course  of  kind  and  benevolent 

"Juno  15,  1846,  record  of  interview.  Copy  of  original  by  IJitrtlctt. 
Rosa  s.aid  there  were  80  men  in  the  party;  otherwise  his  version  was  a  very 
accurate  one.  Montgomery  in  iiis  reply  expressed  a  belief  that  there  was 
im  danger  of  violence  to  non-combatants.  livar  Flag  Pai^ers,  MS.,  40-9. 


U'i 


ii. 


MISROON'S  MISSION. 


131 


.tment  of  prisoners"  aiui  ot'tljo  Calit'oriiians  i^oner- 
aliy;  and  Hnally,  to  explain  Ins  mission  fully  to  the  civil 
authorities  of  Sonoma,  eonveyin*^  to  tiiem  such  assur- 
inwes  as  lie  might  have  obtained  from  the  insurgents, 
but  avoiding  any  discussion  or  remarks  respecting  the 
merits  of  tlie  revolt."  The  lieutenant  was  convi^ye«l 
across  tJie  bay  in  the  ship's  boat,  reache<l  Scuioma  late 
on  the  IGth,  remained  until  the  next  noon,  and  at  sun- 
set of  the  1 7th  was  back  at  the  ship.  Of  his  experience 
at  Sonoma  I  shall  have  more  to  say  later;  but  his  re- 
port was  most  reassuring,  being  to  the  effect  that  the 
insurgents  intended  no  violence  to  the  persons  or  pn)p- 
crty  of  noii-conibatants;  that  the  "utmost  iuirmony  and 
good  order  prevailed  iti  camp;"  and  that  Vallejo  was 
held  merely  as  a  hcwtagc.'''  Before  Misroon's  de- 
parture William  1j.  Todd  had  arrived  as  a  courier  from 
Ide  direct  to  Montgomery;  and  he  went  back  in  the 
same  boat  with  Misroon. 

The  tidings  from  the  north  of  course  spread  rap- 

'  '''^  in  the  next  f  w  days,  and  were  the  topic  of  many 

'nunications,  both  among  natives  and  foreisfners.'" 

"June  ir)tli,  ICth,  Montgoinery's  instructions  to  Misroon.  Bartlctt's  or- 
iginal copy  in  Bear  Flmj  Pajivr.t,  MS.,  50-'2. 

■''.luno  18,  184(»,  Misroon's  reiwrt  to  Montgomery.  Bear  Fid;/  Papers, 
MS.,  r)3-7.  The  report  included  a  copy  of  Ide's  proclamation,  and  described 
thojiag. 

'"June  1(5,  1840,  Capt.  Montgomery  to  Larkin,  givinffa  brief  account  of  the 
airair  at  Sonoma,  as  reported  by  Rosa  and  Todd.  Lttrkin's  Dor.,  MS.,  iv.  158. 
Prefect  Castro  to  alcaUlv.s.  Tells  tlio  news,  and  orders  a  meeting  of  aynnt. , 
that  the  people  may  be  called  to  arms.  Cn.ttro,  Doc,  M.S.,  ii.  117.  (Jen. 
Castro  to  alcalde  S.  Jo8(?.  Is  adopting  measures  to  resist  the  foreign  inva- 
sion which  has  begun.  S.  Jo'^i',  Arch.,  Looxe  l^a/ieni,  MS.,  47.  Gen.  Castro 
to  his  soldiers.  Refers  to  the  Sonoma  outrage.  Trusts  they  will  march  en- 
thusiastically to  break  the  chain  that  is  being  wound  alwut  them.  Jh/it.  St. 
Pii]>.,  MS.,  vii.  58-9.  Juno  17tli,  Leidesilorff  at  Verba  Ruena  t(j  Ljirkin. 
Gives  no  details,  as  Montgomery  has  written.  Gillespie  will  proimbly  bo 
back  in  a  few  days.  Castro  is  at  Sta  Cruz  preparing  to  go  up  the  Sacramento 
and  put  tilings  right.  The  writer  is  very  bitter  airuinst  ('apt.  Hinckley,  who 
is  a  Mexican  at  heart,  and  who  has  said  'the  Californians are  fools  if  they  do 
not  at  once  take  the  same  number  of  Americans  prisoners.'  (Hinckley  died  .-v 
£ew  days  later.)  lAtrkiii'n  Due.,  MS.,  iv.  UtO.  Same  day,  Lcidesdorlfa  receipt 
for  $;{0.'25  from  U.  S.  consul  for  a  messenger  giving  the  news.  Afoiifrrr;/,  Coii- 
mihiti'  Arch.,  MS.,  ii.  10.  Fran.  Arcc  to  Manuel  Castro  from  Sta  Clara. 
The  hour  of  the  country's  sufTering  has  now  arrived.  They  are  invadcil  on 
all  sides.  Ca-'ftro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  rJ2.  Prefect  Castro  to  min.  of  rcl.  Inva- 
sion of  the  northern  frontier  by  BV(5mont,  aided  by  the  commander  of  the 
Portsmouth.  All  that  is  possible  being  done  for  defence.  Hopes  Mexico  will 
not  abandon  Cal.  /(/.,  ii.   1*21.     Juno  ISth,  Larkin  to  sec.  state.     Does  not 


1.12 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CO^TINUE^. 


The  current  ideas  of  what  had  liappetied  were,  as  a 
rule,  tolerably  accurate.  It  was  underKtood  that 
Frdmont  was  at  the  bottom  of  the  movement;  and 
this  led  many  of  the  Californians  to  believe  errone- 
ously that  he  acted  under  instructions  from  the  j^ov- 
ernment  at  Washins^ton,  and  that  Montj^omery,  es- 
pecially as  he  had  just  sent  a  boat-load  of  supplies  to 
Fremont,  was  also  in  the  plot.  The  reported  raising' 
of  a  strange  and  unheard-of  flag  by  the  insurgents 
was  alarming  to  many  of  the  natives,  but  much  less 
so  than  if  it  had  not  been  supposed  that  the  bear  and 
star  were  but  a  temporary  substitute  for  the  stars 
and  stripes.  Even  Americans  were  disj)osed  to  think 
that  Fremont  was  acting  uuiler  instructions,  else  their 
surprise  would  have  been  much  greater. 

The  first  measure  of  defence,  naturally  from  a  Mex- 
ican standpoint,  was  a  patriotic  proclamation.  Gen- 
eral Castro  issued  two  of  them  on  June  I7th  from  his 
headquarters  at  Santa  Clara.  I  reproduce  them  in  a 
note.*"     The  first  was  an  appeal  to  the  Californians  to 


t  ^   i 


know  if  the  reports  are  true  or  not.  Fn'imont  and  Gillespie  suspected  of  be- 
ing at  the  root  of  the  matter.  Many  lielieve  the  U.  S.  cousul  has  known  of 
the  planm  all  along.  Larkin'nOff.  Oorrexp.,  MS.,  ii.  65-6.  June  19th,  Leides- 
dortr  to  Larkin.  Gives  an  account  from  'the  only  authentic  sources.'  No 
disoi'dcra  at  Sonoma.  Full  guaranties.  All  property  taken  paid  for,  etc.  /(/. , 
Doc,  MS.,  iv.  167.  June  '20th,  Montgomery  to  Lcidesdorff.  Is  surprised  to 
learn  by  his  letter  tl"  t  '200  men  have  been  collected  t<)  oppose  the  insurgents. 
The  launch  has  returned  from  Fremont.  Tiie  prisoners  were  taken  to  his 
camp  by  the  rfquest  of  Vallejo.  Fremont's  neutral  position  tiiJ  not  allow 
ills  taking  charge  of  them,  so  they  were  removed  to  Sutter's,  where  they  are 
detained  as  hostages.  .Sutter  has  joinetl  the  insurgents.  The  insurgent  force 
must  have  increased  considei-ably.  Doubts  that  they  can  ejusilybe  surprised. 
The  men  know  how  to  use  their  arms.  '  My  position,  you  know,  is  neutral.  I 
am  a  more  observer  of  ))a8sing  events.  .1  know  no  way  consistently  witii 
this  view  of  doing  what  you  name,  but  feel  not  much  concerne<l  on  that  ao 
count,  for  rea.sons  liefore  sfcited.'  Shall  move  to  Yerlw,  Buena  (from  Sauza- 
lito)  next  week,  if  it  be  found  expedient'.'  Fitch,  Doc.,  MS.,  304. 

"  The  original  of  the  fii-st  is  found  in  /Jc/rf.  St.  Pup..  MS.,  vii.  '230,  appar- 
ently ill  Arco  8  writing  with  Castro's  signature.  In  respect  of  style,  gramnuir, 
anil  ortiiograpliy,  it  is  very  bad,  defying  literal  translation.  I  have  found  no 
original  or  Spanish  copy  of  tlie  '2cl  proiTamation.  Three  sets  of  translations 
are  extant:  one,  inaccurate  in  some  respects,  in  the  Monterey  VnUforman, 
.Sept.  1'2,  IH4(5;  and  S.  F.  <'iJi/nrninii,  June  .5,  1847;  another,  slightly  cor 
rected,  in  Bnian*'/*  What  f  Saw  in  Cal.,  '29;<-4,  foUowe:'  with  slight  cliange." 
in  Lancc;i\t  Vntine,  6'2-3;  Marin  Co.  Jlint.,  77-H,  and  otlier  local  histories;  and 
a  third  was  that  made  for  Larkin  from  the  original,  more  nearly  literal  than 
the  others,  in  Ijarkin**  Off.  Cnrrcyi.,  MS.,  ii.  70-1;  Sawi/er'n  Dnr.,  MS.,  5'2, 


CASTRO'S  PKOCLAMATIONS. 


ere,  as  a 
:)od  that 
ent;  and 
e  errone- 

the  gov- 
luery,  os- 
iipplies  to 
ed  raising 
nsurgents 
much  loss 
)  bear  and 

tilt;  stars 
d  to  think 
,  else  their 

mi  a  Mex- 
[on.  Gen- 
ii from  his 
them  in  a 
iforuians  to 


luspected  of  Iw- 

L  has  known  "f 

le  19th,  Leides- 

j  sources.'     No 

[ilfor,  etc.  /</., 

]  la  surprised  t<> 

the  insurgents. 

1  taken  to  hi« 

did  not  allow 

(vhero  they  arc 

jisurgent  force 

ybosurprisetl. 

'  is  neutral.    I 

sistently  with 

]cd  on  that  ac 

a  (from  Sauza- 

Iji.  '23!>,  appa' 

lyle,  gramniai', 

Vavo  found  no 

[f  translations 

CiiUforniati, 

slightly  cor 

llight  change." 

Ihisttiries;  and 

Iv  literal  than 


fioht  in  defence  of  their  country;  and  the  second  a 
jiromise  of  protection  to  all  foreign  residents  taking 
no  part  in  the  revolt.  Both  documents  were  of  the 
type  usually  employed  in  such  cases  by  officers  of  Latin 
liice — and  by  many  of  other  races — to  arouse  the  pa- 
triotism of  those  under  their  conmiand,  and  to  'save 
their  responsibility'  witli  superiors.  They  were  in 
substance  what  circumstances  required,  and  by  no 
means  so  absurdly  bombastic  as  it  has  been  the  fashion 
to  regard  them.  It  is  true  that  the  outrage  at  So- 
noma was  attributed  to  the  'contemptible  policy'  of 
tlie  United  States;  but  Castro  had  every  reason  to 
suppose  Frcjiuont  to  be  acting  under  instructions,  and 
hud  this  been  so,  the  policy,  in  connection  with  the 
nseent  acts  and  utterances  of  Larkin  and  other  agents 
of  their  government,  would  Jiave  been  indeed  'con- 
temptible.' 

(iO  I.  The  following  version  varies  sliglitly  here  and  there  from  either  of  the 
tliiee: 

'The  citi/en  Jos«5  Castro,  licut-col,  of  cavalry  in  thi-  iNlexican  army,  and 
<u)inandanto  general  ad  interim  of  the  dcpurtment  of  C.ilifornia.s.  Fellow-cit- 
i/eiis:  The  contemptible  policy  of  the  agents  of  tlio  ^'overnment  of  the  U.  S. 
of  tlie  north  has  induced  a  numlMir  of  ad\-enturcrs.  regardless  of  tlie  rights  of 
men,  to  boldly  undertake  an  invasion,  by  ])usscssing  tlu''  iselves  of  the  town 
of  Sonoma,  and  taking  by  surprise  the  militiiry  commander  of  that  frontier, 
Col.  l)on  .Si.  O.  Vallejo,  Lieut-col.  Don  Victor  I'rudon,  (,'apt.  Don  Salvador 
\  iilU'jo,  and  Mr  Jacob  1'.  Lee.se.  Fellow-cimntrymen:  Tlie  defence  of  our 
lilierty,  of  the  religion  of  our  fathers,  ami  of  our  independence  impels  us  to 
saeritice  ourselves  rather  tlian  losutlieso  inestimable  ble.ssiiigs.  I^ini.slt  from 
your  hearts  all  ))etty  resentments;  turn  and  behold  those  families  and  children 
unfortunately  in  the  hands  of  our  foes  -snatciied  from  tiu^  bosoms  of  their 
fathers,  wiu)  are  prisoners  anmng  foreigners,  and  wljo  loudly  call  on  us  for 
Kuecor.  1'here  is  yet  time  for  us  toris<!en  masse,  irresistible  ami  just.  Doubt 
not  that  divine  providence!  will  guide  us  to  ^'lorv.  Nor  should  you  doubt 
th:it  in  this  lie:id(|uarters,  notwithstandini;  the  >,mallne.s.s  of  the  garrison,  the 
tirst  to  saeiilice  himself  will  bo  your  fellow  citizen  and  frieml,  Josi'  ('astro. 
llea(l(|uarters  at  Sta.  Clara,  ,I\ine  17,  1S41».' 

''J'iie  citi;;en  .lose  Castro,  etc  All  foreij^'uers  resiuing  among  us,  oecnipied 
ill  their  business,  may  rest  assureil  of  jirotectiou  from  all  authorities  of  tlio 
department  so  long  as  they  Uike  no  j)art  in  revolutionary  movements.  The 
toinaniloiii'ci  in  my  charge  will  never  ])rocced  lightly  attains!  hwj  person  what- 
ever, neithef  will  it  be  intlucnccd  by  mere  wonls  w  ithout  proof.s;  deelaiations 
shall  bo  taken,  proof  exi;  'ted,  anil  the  liberty  and  rights  of  the  la'idrious,  ever 
eoimnendalile,  sliidi  be  pioteeted.  Let  the  I'ortune  <»f  war  take  it-*  chance 
with  those  ungrateful  persons  who  with  arms  in  their  hands  have  attaeketi 
tlie  country,  forgetting  that  in  former  times  they  Mere  treated  by  the  .luder- 
signedwith  Ids  characteristic  indulgence.  Im|>artiai  inhabitants  of  the  ilept 
are  witnesses  to  the  ti'uth  of  this.  1  have  nothing  to  fear;  duty  lu:ids  me  to 
death  or  victoiy.  I  am  a  Mexican  soldier,  and  I  will  be  freu  and  iiulepeml- 
eiit,  nr  die  with  ple.isiire  for  those  iuestiin.'dili'  blessings,     .lose  ( ';istio,"  I'tc. 


134 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED. 


ft':^!^ 


Prefect  Manuel  Castro  cooperated  with  the  gen- 
eral in  his  efforts  to  prepare  for  defence,  as  did  the 
different  alcaldes  to  some  extent;  but  the  response  on 
the  part  of  the  people  was  not  a  very  hearty  one. 
With  considerable  difficulty  Castro  succeeded  in  in- 
creasing his  force  to  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  in 
ten  days ;  a  force  organized  in  three  divisions  under 
the  command  of  J.  A.  Carrillo,  Joaquin  de  la  Torre, 
and  Manuel  Castro  respectively.^*     It  was  his  inten- 

"Caatro  ic  a  letter  to  Pico  ou  June  2oth  gives  160 as  tlietot.alof  hisforco. 
Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  127.  There  is  uo  other  definite  contemporary  record 
on  the  subject.     I  give  the  following  r(5suin<S  of  correspondence: 

June  17,  1846,  Gen.  Castro  to  Pico.  An  earnest  appeal  for  P. 'a  coopera- 
tion. All  resentment  should  be  dropped.  Let  us  act  together,  and  give  an 
exampleAf  patriotism.  Dep*.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  60-1,  lli>.  June  17th,  bando 
posted  by  Alcalde  Escamilla  of  Monterey.  All  subordinate  local  officials 
must  call  upon  the  citizens  to  rise.  Every  one  having  horses  must  contril)- 
ute  them  by  10  o'clock  to-moiTow,  also  supplying  arms,  etc.,  as  they  can.  A 
record  to  be  kept  of  all  contributions  and  receipts  to  be  given.  Dept.  St.  ''-ap., 
Mont.,  MS.,  iii.  121-2.  June  17th,  Sub-prefect  Guerrero  to  alcalde  of  S.  Jost?, 
describing  the 'bear  flag,' and  warning  against  dangers  at  S.  Jos»5.  S.  Joxe, 
Arch.,  Looie  Pap.,  MS.,  37.  June  19th,  Manuel  Castro  leaves  Monterey  with 
citizens  for  S.  Juan  to  take  part  in  the  campaign.  I}ej)t.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii. 
29.  June  2l8t,  Castro  to  Pico,  nrgijg  him  to  come  north  with  all  the  force 
lie  can  raise.  If  he  will  not  do  it,  let  him  say  so  at  once,  so  that  time  and 
men  may  not  be  wasted  ic  sending  despatches.  Id.,  vii.  56-7.  Leidesdorif 
to  I^irkin.  Sutter  has  joined  the  rebels.  'I  am  told  that  some  of  the  Cali- 
fomians  liave  driven  all  their  horses  off  to  the  coast,  so  that  Castro  will  not 
get  them.'  Zari'tw'.'*  Z>or.,  MS.,  iv.  171.  Larkin  toll.  S.  consul  at  Honolulu. 
Sends  his  wife  and  children  for  protection.  The  Californians  talk  of  seizing 
him;  and  at  any  rate,  war  has  broken  out.  Id.,  Off.  (Jorrcup.,  MS.,  i.  Il(>. 
June  22d,  Prefect  Castro  to  alcalde  of  S.  Jos6.  Is  cooperating  with  the  gen- 
oral.  The  citizen  who  makes  rxcu.ses  is  a  traitor.  Volunteer  companies  of 
.''lO  men  may  choose  their  officers.  Our  homes  must  be  defended.  S.  Jonf,  A  reh. , 
Loose  Pap.,  MS.,  28.  Jtme  2.3d,  same  to  same.  Let  the  men  march  to  Sta. 
Clar->  at  once.  Id.,  ^iQ.  Let  fire-arms  be  collected  at  the  ranches.  Id.,  20. 
To  Pedro  Chaboya.  Let  a  list  be  sent  him  of  those  making  excuses.  Id. ,  ',i't. 
June  24th,  Ijirkin  to  sec.  state.  Castro  has  200  men  at  Sta  Clara;  got  Ijut 
few  from  Monterey.  No  news  of  any  increase  in  Ide's  forces.  Castro  will 
probably  not  go  north.  .^awyer\-<  Doc,  MS.,  .55-7.  June  24th,  a  messenger 
paid  $G."j  for  carrying  expresses  from  Monterey  to  S.  tIost5  and  to  LeidesdorfF 
and  to  Montgomery.  Mr,nterqi,ConxulateArch.,lX^.,\\.  15.  Same  date,  hotter 
to  the  Ilonctulu  Iriend,  iv.  109-70,  from  a  Yerba  Buena  correspondent,  giv- 
ing a  very  good  account  of  what  had  occurred,  including  Castrc'a  proclama- 
tion, and  Misroon's  visit  to  Sonoma.  He  says  tiiat  idc  and  Castro  are  .said 
to  have  each  about  I. 50  men.  Forty  or  .50  of  Castro's  men  crossed  the  l)ay  to- 
day (or  perhaps  on  the  23d),  and  a  fight  will  soon  occur.  Juhc  25tli,  Manuel 
Castro  to  Pico,  'en  route  for  .-(ononia  '  Has  been  to  Sta  Cruz  to  get  horses 
and  stii  up  the  people.  Second  division  organized  and  on  the  marcli.  Urges 
I'ico  to  render  aid.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  10.  Same  date,  Gen.  Castro  to 
Pico,  100  men  moving  on  Sonoma.  He  is  marching  in  the  rear  and  oiguniz- 
ing  a  reserve  force  to  guard  against  a  repulse.  Fr6mont  with  400  ( !)  riflemen 
on  hiii  way  to  protect  Sonoma.  Pico  has  now  a  chance  to  immortalize  his 
name  if  ho  win  but  listen  to  Castro's  advice.    Castro,  Dor.,  MS.,  ii.  127;  Drpt. 


CASTBO  AT  SAN  PABLO 

for  that  purpose  the  Jauncif  KpI        "^  ^^^'  employing 
the  raneho.     The  otW "r   •  •  ^°"^^"g  *«  the  owner  of 

Castro  also  follotd'aly  7^0  K^ "  ^r  "^"-' 
Pablo,  but  did  not  s.ttf.^L/  '^^''  ^  ^r  as  San 

a' Y*'-- o'ear""  Ltn.'*°J-:-    •'^''^»''*>  -"«" 
son  by  some,  and  bv  othZ.  '«.i'iven  as  t!ie  rea- 

bave  been  quite  as  strono.  if  ft,  ''™' *«"''' ««rtainly 
that  of  the  others.  Th?truth  i'  "'^'  "^  '^"■'••^  »»  i" 
™ssmg,  to  be  followed  bylcll^f''T"^^y  "'"*  tto 
"oma,  was  to  take  place  eftb..  '?'  "^^^  »"  So- 

fdV  to  be  fixed  b/ W  fe  b%*  "".!''  '''y-  "'  -" 
""  '^'-  "'  ^<'^-  -r  -nmunlafc^t  Ltl:' 

'5'.  Ai;5.,  MS.,  vii  67      V«f    i  t>- 

■Wth,  LeulesdorfftoLarth,     if  r^  '^2^^^^^<-h.,  Loose  PaT  {7^   Allctizens 

M.ut  tl...  ,„in««"«'"J»-     Hf  received  a  leiterfom  pf"""  •^'''  ^^rki  ,  to 

Quid  be  to  act  like  "is  Elt":/:.''?  ^'-"""^  J""': 


:''ut  the  nTost  I  could  do  ;    ^f  .•'^^^'-^J  a  leiteV  f  om  Pi'  •^'''  ^rki    to 
lamation. .     I  am  ^  1      •''°"'''  ^  *«  act  like  iZ  I'Tu'''''  '^''"  '^'•""es  hin.  • 

IJears  inaydestrnv  i^    P™H''.*i°'''  ^oist  liia  flair  nn  ii     i  •  ^alifoiniaus  to  call 
!^?^rp,vast:'^av^;^'  t-t  en;  ,00  i^^S^s"  JS^;,  ±;'^^';>id.S 


'orff  to'Urkin  ^•'s"r">  f"-'  ^-^  «"vr..«.  Ms"T  To-""  *'°""t'-yineD,  or  the 
C-ostrowaftoW^r^^f^f  *'^'j"»'  '^^  ^"3 'rS^s  !?;«  ^T  ^Oth.  Leides? 
^^''th  i'im.'  Tone  was  al-  Tf  •^"'"^  ^'•°'"  «.^Pa hlo  Tf  tTV'?  ."*  Sonoma, 
'pmmand  at  Sutter^  Sn  J?  ''^\?  '^""^ked  Sonoaa  v.l  /'"''  '*  >«  "a"  "P 
tlie  force.    /,/     n^"^^.^-  ii.™'ng.  "^^nsley,  ancl  al  /h^  l**''"''''^-     B'J«cll  in 

« '^plained  in  my  text)      A   "      ^  /'^"'^"^  —''  ^1  at  of  tl,^  «n       '>"•     ^^ack 
"8  a  convsionado  to  tL  "'?''''  "^  ^-nr  has  .IccidoJ  I       °'  '7  '''visions  (as 

Sro'S^s^;t??^^'S-^M  i:'i4^'i  s^ 

'lis  hands.     Tlici,,o„  "' ''^'^fy  American  iiii.l'!,?  .      '""''^  "as  inter- 

'^^•  July  uu'lTo  v"  s"""^  ^'V*^'-  -*fains  S  rJ"^'^J}.""l"  *''«*  f^il  into 
Panof  e„^  .^„^t«  l^- f^.  consu  at  Honolulu  k/pS';,^^-.,  MS.,  iv. 
tlir>  !>„.._.  ,'.  b       i-"*!:  18.  to  inn.  i..„  ii..       ,.  ^-Apiaiiis  Castro's  former 

IS  With  the  iin>ivv>= . Li.    . 


M,S.,i.  125. 


i:»!; 


JJEAl:  FLAG  REVOLT  COXTIXUED. 


(juin  could  bo  obtained,  that  officor  hiniself  recrossed 
the  bay  in  retreat,  reporting  that  the  insurgent  force 
was  too  strong  to  be  attacked  with  any  hope  of  suc- 
cess. Torre's  experience  on  the  north  side  will  be 
narrated  in  the  next  chapter.  His  return  was  on  the 
29th,  on  which  date  all  three  divisions  were  back  at 
tijc  San  Tjorenzo  rancho;  and  next  day  at  the  old 
headquarters  at  Santa  Clara.  A  council  of  war  de- 
termined that  the  old  plan  of  operations  must  be 
abandoned,  and  that  a  new  one  must  include  the 
cooperation  of  Pico  and  his  southern  forces.  Manuel 
Castro  was  chosen  as  the  man  most  likely  to  bring 
Don  Pio  to  his  senses  and  to  eft'ect  a  reconciliation ; 
and  a  few  days  later  with  a  small  escort  he  started  on 
liis  mission,  meeting  the  governor  at  Santa  Ines. 
Meanwhile  the  general  moved  with  his  army  south- 
ward to  San  Juan,  where  he  was  on  Julv  8th,  when 
news  came  that  Monterey  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
Americans — news  that  sent  Don  Jose  in  some  haste 
still  farther  southward. 

Besides  the  not  very  brilliant  achievements  of  Cas- 
tro's army,  and  the  correspondence  of  which  I  have 
given  a  resume,  there  is  but  little  to  be  noted  during 
the  revolutionary  )>eriod  of  what  happened  in  the 
central  districts.  On  July  1st  and  2d,  San  Francisco 
was  twice  visited  l)y  insurgent  parties  from  across  the 
bay,  one  of  whicli  spiked  the  guns  in  the  abandoned 
fort,  and  another  took  Kobert  Kidley  from  his  house 
at  Yerba  Bueiia,  carrying  him  as  a  prisoner  to  the  Sac- 
ramento. This  was  doubtless  done  at  the  instii^ation  ot" 
l^eidesdorff,  whose  sympathy  for  the  revolutionists  was 
imconccaled,  and  who  was  verv  bitter  aijainst  liidlev 
and  Hinckley,  who,  being  Mexican  officials,  did  not 
agree  with  the  vice-consul's  views.  Hinckley  escaped 
arrest  by  having  died  a  day  or  two  before.  Anothei* 
arrest  of  these  times  was  that  of  Charles  M.  Weber 
with  two  «»thers,  Washburn  and  Burt,  at  San  Jose,  by 
Castro.  Little  is  known  of  this  aflair  beyond  the  fact 
that  Weber  was  arrested  and  carried  south  as  a  pris- 


137 


WEBER'S  OPERATIONS. 

^ner,     A^cordino-  t  '^ 

™anate  from  l,r„„e)f!  WeC  W  ""'',  '"l'P°«'-'d  *" 
■Sonoma  revolt  on  JuL  7  0fh  i  '^l"'  '"""-d  "f  tlie 
tenant  Bartlett,  went  t„  V  u^  ?;'""«■•  fro™  Lie  ! 
-o-  to  Sun  Rkfacilltre  I  e^?  ?"«'!'''  ''»<'  thl^  • 
I'.reniont,  and  by  that  offil         7"?  *"  "iterviow  witi, 

™  .ity  of  San  Josf  totk'al""  ^^'"--^  '"""' 
ITotection  of  Ameriean  famflie«  [  ""ru  f"''''"^  f"--  *''-• 
»an,e  time  inviting  Pal  r„f%?  f""' '•^gi"".  at  tin, 
'"■««  and  join  hin,^  Jt  ™  vl.f  ?,"  •^'""^  '"  '^>^<>  a 
?  7"^,  »'■'■--•*<),  hi.  life  ^^'t  "'?  '";'P'"3'ed  that 
<  a  tro'.,  personal  fnondsh,^  "^  ^T"*  ,°"'i>'  '^'"'»««'^  "f 
lpf.m«d.a  eon>nns«i„„  a.  "LaiT  f"  '"f,<^  P'-eviouslv 
<,aI;lornian  army."'     The.o  I  ^^'liaries  in  tl/e 

Weber  and  othe1-s  mr^Z^^  '"Tl  '"  ''""''t  that 
,  r  r  •!? "•-P'-oteetion^  tldin,    tl"'"''''', ""  "'■g'""«'- 
"ess  for  the  results  likely  to^i.-'''f'''™-''  ""'•^adi- 
>^l>.el,,  however,  nrnny  „?  t  e.f   "P  'T  "'"^  --"".It, 
»  as  a  enrrent  idea  amonJ  t  e  r.hf    ""*  Wrove.     It 

"T  -  pennuti„gSt.Srr!;;:f  t;.!: 


;, "  ^^>inw,i  that  40  of  f  l,nm  "''''"  •'"''fi'de.    JJv  Ion,)  ♦     .      r  .""^'  ^l'"^- 

tl'e  «a,„e  tlui...  J,e,e  at  V,..       ,,'"*'  ''""''^y  t"  tapturt  S  'r    l^«"?  "^  foreigners 

■"neiito.  /,/.,  .-jf,    '  x.„     1.  ""y,  or,  as  houI.I  I.,.  „„  V     "^  "*  '>ot  known 

tliatover  Joo  i,a,i  ^^     '  li  "  *"  Ins  airosf      LI     '/.'""'*"  J'<i^»'i;iveii 

-.th  «i,e  of  tie t;  ""^'  «••«---'  -ndo.-  ^^ d.^' jji^l'^'-.f ';/'•  ^•^^'  -  " 

.     Aoconntsof  (Scfi...  ..  '         '•  ■"'•'  "t'leis  on  tlie 


188 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED. 


il 


\Vi 


mouth's  boats  to  aid  the  insurgents;  but  though  the 
sympathies  of  the  naval  officers  were  clearly  shown  in 
their  correspondence,  there  is  no  proof  that  they  were 
remiss  in  duty.^ 


20 


Governor  Pico  was  at  Santa  Bdrbara,  engaged  in 
making  ready  for  a  march  against  Castro,  when  on 
June  23d,  by  a  violento  extraordinario  from  Monterey, 
he  received  the  prefect's  communication  of  the  19th 
making  known  the  taking  of  Sonoma.  He  immedi- 
ately issued  a  proclamation,  which  I  append  in  a  note.''^ 

'*Osio,  Hist.  Col.,  MS.,  406-7,  states  that  the  PorfinoiUfi's  boats  were  en- 
gaged in  preventing  the  crossing  of  the  Californiana.  Torre,  Rendn.,  MS., 
145-6,  says  that  Torre  on  his  retreat  was  pursued  by  Montgomery's  Iraats.  In 
several  communications  between  Californian  otiicials,  their  belief  in  Muntgom- 
cry's  cooperation  is  manifest.  Lancey,  Cruise,  7--',i,  quotes  from  James  W. 
Marshall  an  account  more  amusing  than  probable,  to  the  effect  that  when  the 
rebels  applied  on  the  Portsmouth  for  ammunition,  they  were  met  with  an  in- 
dignant refusal ;  but  were  told  wlicrc  a  large  quantity  of  powder  would  be  put 
on  shore  to  dry.  By  a  pretended  surprise,  they  overcame  the  guard  and  took 
the  powder,  wliereupon  the  ship  went  through  the  form  of  firing  four  guns  in 
their  direction ! 

"  '  The  constitutional  governor  of  the  dept  of  Californias  addresses  to  its 
iidiabitants  the  following  proclamation:  Fellow-citizens:  The  national  honor 
being  gravely  wounded  and  compromised  in  the  highest  degree  at  tlie  present 
time,  I  have  the  glory  of  raising  my  voice  to  you,  m  the  firm  persuasion  that 
you  are  Mexicans,  that  there  burns  in  your  veins  the  blootl  of  those  venerable 
martyrs  of  the  country,  and  that  you  will  not  fail  to  shed  it  in  defence  of  her 
liberty  and  independence.  At  this  moment  your  dept.  govt  has  received  the 
unfortunate  news,  otlicially  communicated  by  tlic  political  authorities  of  Mon- 
terey, and  dated  four  days  ago,  that  a  gang  of  Nortli  American  adventurers, 
with  the  blackest  treason  that  the  spirit  of  evil  could  invent,  have  invaded 
the  town  of  Sonoma,  raising  their  flag,  and  carrying  off  as  prisoners  four  Mex- 
ican citizens.  Yes,  fellow-citizens;  and  who  t)f  you  on  hcai'ing  of  such  fatal 
perfidy  will  not  quit  the  domestic  heart!),  and  fly,  gun  in  hand,  to  the  field 
of  honor  to  avenge  the  country's  honor?  Wdl  you  be  insensible  to  the  oppres- 
sion in  which  masters  so  vile  wish  to  put  us?  Will  the  grievous  groans  of  the 
country  not  move  you?  Will  yon,  with  serene  brow,  see  destroyed  the  fun- 
damental pact  of  our  sacred  and  dear  institutions?  No!  No!  Far  from  mo 
every  sucii  suspicion!  I  do  not  l)elieve  from  your  patriotism,  your  blind  love 
of  country,  that  you  will  pennit  the  beneficent  and  fruitful  tree  of  sacred  lib- 
eHy  to  be  profaned.  The  North  American  nation  cjin  never  be  our  friend. 
Slio  has  laws,  religion,  language,  and  customs  totally  opposed  to  ours.  False 
to  the  moat  }oyal  friendship  which  Mexico  has  lavished  upon  her,  to  interna- 
tional law,  and  to  the  soundest  policy,  putting  in  execution  her  piratical 
schemes,  she  has  stolen  the  dept  of  Texas,  and  wishes  to  do  the  same  with  that 
of  Cal. — thus  to  iniquitouslydismendjer  the  Mexican  territory,  to  tarnish  the 
flag  of  the  (res  f/aranliaa  and  raise  her  own,  increasing  the  numl>er  of  its  fatal 
stars.  Fly,  Mexicans,  in  all  haste  in  pursuit  of  the  treacherous  foe;  follow 
him  to  the  farthest  wilderness;  punish  his  audacity;  and  in  case  we  fail,  let 
us  form  a  cemetery  where  posterity  may  rememl)er  to  tlie  glory  of  Mexican 
history  the  heroism  of  her  sons,  as  ia  remembered  the  glory  won  by  the  death 
of  that  little  Imnd  of  citizens  posted  at  the  Fobs  of  Thermopylae  under  Gen- 


IP 


.liic  document  wcasninni.  ^'''^ 

'l<i  "ot  entirely  beliflvl  ;    .?  '"^wdinate  place      H 
Imposed  to  regard  It       "  """^  ^^noma  revoU'u  ?" 

-.n.pt,o„  of  social  ^owe" '""g /^^P^'-ations  and  t 

'-to  trcLaf :  .f --w^  i^'ptr^^'- 
?"vtS'-£'"'Sttt*5r; 

'"""an  could  eonto      "  r."''-^-  ^o  far  as  a^y  c""' 
;-^;'t  expressed  in  a  tubJe  'ue'ri' .f  "'<'  "'^ttt^^t 

^e  oM  "  P''''""'o»t  citS  of  r  "r  ""'*«''  by 
"<^«  "f  '"«  P'-ocIamation.^  ' V,V'°f,  ^"ff^'ios  in  de- 
Si.  fe".'-    H„,  .„. ^  '"  *''o  S''''cmr«  ap. 


have  died  lio-'„    Wear  their  motto-  •<«*.  '^  " 


imrr/hl?  ?""«e"*  t'^afc^thr,!o,Tf;      '^"'■"-  "o  "ot  imitetrTr""""?"'*  that  we 


^  «nov  also  who  is  the  a„. 


i 


i5.S 

'li'' 


..ft 


'   1 

■Li 


1 1 

*     i 


140 


BEAR  FLAG  RKVOLT  CONTINUED. 


peals  of  these  days  to  forgot  past  resentments  and 
unite  for  the  country's  defence,  it  does  not  appear  that 
the  governor  made  any  reply  to  them.  •  On  the  23d 
and  following  days  he  wrote  several  communications, 
in  which  he  a})pealed  to  the  patriotism  of  citizens, 
summoned  the  members  of  the  assembly  to  Santa 
]3arbara,  and  above  all  urged  the  send ing-for ward  of 
men  and  munitions  for  his  expedition  to  the  north."'' 

The  response  to  Pico's  appeals  in  the  south  was  not 
more  satisfactory  than  that  to  Castro's  in  the  north. 
Not  more  than  a  dozen  or  fifteen  men  were  sent  from 
Los  Angeles,  after  much  correspondence.  There  was 
difficulty  even  in  finding  guards  to  preserve  order  in 
the  city.  On  Pico's  departure  from  the  capital  the 
foreign  residents  had  taken  upon  themselves  that  duty, 
and  had  rendered  mo.st  effectual  service;  but  now,  hav- 
ing no  wish  to  serve  under  Pico  in  the  north,  espe- 
cially when  it  might  become  necessary  to  fight  against 
their  countrymen,  they  chose  to  be  offended  at  the 
governor's  denunciation  of  Americans,  and  threatened 
to  leave  the  city  to  the  protection  of  native  citizens. 
Alarmed  by  the  disaffection  of  the  foreigners,  promi- 
nent men  sent  to  Pico  their  protests  against  the  tone 

tlior  of  so  many  evils,  and  are  aware  of  the  many  appeals  which  the  govt  has 
made  to  end  them.  And  what  lias  the  govt  ohtiiined  but  insult  and  outrag*' 
niton  outrage?  Is  is  not  true  that  he  found  great  aid  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
foi'cigncrs  to  carry  his  point  with  the  natives?  and  that  for  this  reason  50  Bar- 
barenos  were  eager  to  march  north  under  tlie  gov.,  while  before  not  one  would 
enlist?  The  govt  is  by  no  means  ignorant  that  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  repel 
the  invasion  of  foreigners  should  they  attempt  one;  bat  with  the  force  now 
volunteering,  we  can  march  without  fear  to  tlie  north  and  punish  the  audac- 
ity of  the  com.  gen.,  tiio  cause  of  all  our  misfortunes.  Can  you  doubt  that  had 
it  not  Ijceii  for  tlie  affair  of  the  foreigners  the  general  might  already  have  tri- 
umphed over  the  govt,  in  tlieso  parts?  At  the  head  of  70  men  well  supplied 
with  nil  lesources  he  was  ntarching  toward  these  towns,  aided  by  men  to  be 
feared  for  their  dcvotedness  to  vengeance.  The  news  about  the  Americans 
made  him  change  his  route,  and  here  we  have  the  old  saying  applicable,  "  No 
hay  malquc  por  Lien  no  vciiga.'" 

■"June  23,  1840,  Pico  to  sub-prefect  of  Angeles.  He  is  to  march  at  <mc" 
M'ith  the  alcaldes  and  .">()  men.  The  northern  adventurers  must  be  taught  a 
lesson.  Dcpf.  Si.  Pap.,  M.S.,  vii.  20-30.  June  2.3d-24tli,  ];'ico  appoints  sev- 
eral officers  to  serve  among  the  difensores.  J.  1'.  Ayala,  Luis  Arenas,  anil 
Josti  Fernandez,  captains.  /(/.,  vii.  ,'{3,35,  ."JC-T.  June  23d,  Pico  to  Figueroa. 
Trusts  that  he  and  the  other  diputados  will  come  immediately.  Id.,  vii.  2S. 
June  23d,  PicotoBandini.  A  patriotic  effusion,  announcing  the  news  and  the 
duty  of  all  CalifomiiUis.    llunlini,  Do-.,  M;  .,  79. 


VL 


I 


K.KU.VO  .„.  .soUTHKK.  .„„,,„,,,, 

T  -  thcry  bCp™"  ,  J^f  »"<'  against  Catf 
JJa>";ol  Castro  eouM  ,^^^t  |,1      T^^^'  *""ing  tit 
("It  alto.,  defending  his""*  ',?''    '."'-'"  "'"»  <lo«iv« 
...tl,  ,„,  general  prfneil^a' ?""";."  "^  """'«  '••'"ift   ' 
r  I  ave  c,te,l,  1,„  ofFored  towiT  ""^T"'ia'  pfea  that 
"  had  „„t  already  hJL'^h}^t'T  ""^^  •'"eumont   f 
«ha   extent  tho  A„,ori",f"^'  *''''"'-••"'  '''  ha-'"    T 
<-onc,hatod  by  tl.oox™  et  of  h''T'  "'"'""elves  to  h" 

>>J>wt  to  thoui,   ,«  not  oxioiU    1  '"^'»aco  or  ,lisrc.- 

t^"n   that  "either  thoy  ^,,7      ""'^'"'   '^"^^  ^^  •'«  cer 

natives  couJd  bo  huluU^V^^^  ''"""bor  of  tho 

fan-  service  than  s  d '',   .v    ""^'^'^^  ^*"  ^'^^^  other  nw' 

*^'*  "'«  the  nicinbero  ,.f  *!, 
summons  to  Santa  Birbam    e'  "''"',"'''.>■  '>''ey  Pico's 

—'til,  iianriini  *„  H   '    .   .""»-"  coinmiiniV.o<-;„:,    <■  ,'      e"_'^'"'i.  ■Stearns  Botell 


—'til,  iianuiiii  fn  i>       »  J-"*-"  coinmiinicatimw.*  r      e"^'""',  Stearns  Rnf«i! 


;'js.>,^.ents  and  the  eennJi  S"'/'»io  the  north  *;.  li:::  ^A"     •^"  ^  'st.  Bnn- 


if  >»;«t  the  tone  of  t  ,e  nrlf  ""T^"'  resistance  Thn  ^'  ^"V  ^'»^^"«  to  AJo 
;jf  ello,  ^«a/e«,  MS  S'""?*'"^^  ««  too  severe  J/o  J'^'^'J^'-  ««^"timent  i. 
tins  penod.  *•  ''^7,  g.ves  a  good  account  orr""'  f  "'"••  ''^'•^-  I'M:' 

Juno  24th-9th,  miscellan  ^"«*^''''  «ff«"s  at 

(•aide  C'ota  anA    'j..   "^•^^"Wieous  correiin    K„* 


14-J 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED. 


i :: 


rfr 


I 


ema  of  the  country  against  those  who  do  not  come 
to  its  defence,"  and  "holding  you  responsible  before 
(jrod  and  the  nation  if  under  trivial  pretences  you  do 
not  set  out  at  once."  There  are  some  indications  that 
tlio  governor  still  had  hopes  of  securing  a  meeting  of 
the  consejo  general,  before  which  body  he  had  a  secret 
project  to  urge.  The  assembly  was  convened  to  con- 
sider Pico's  request,  backed  up  by  eight  documents 
on  the  Sonoma  revolt;  and  by  Francisco  de  laGuerrti 
and  Joaquin  Carrillo,  who  had  come  as  comisionados ; 
but  the  decision  reached  was  that  their  presence  was 
not  necessary  at  Santa  Bdrbara,  especially  as  Pico 
would  be  absent  on  his  expedition ;  that  more  com- 
plete information  was  needed  respecting  aflfairs  in  the 
north;  and  that  under  the  circumstances  a  weekly 
mail  should  be  established!*** 

Meanwhile  Don  Pio  went  on  with  his  warlike  prep- 
arations in  spite  of  the  Angelinos'  lukewarmness  in 
the  cause.  He  also  wrote  a  letter  to  Consul  Larkin 
on  June  29th,  complaining  in  bitter  terms  of  what 
Americans  had  done  at  Sonoma;  announcing  his  sus- 
picion that  the  government  of  the  United  States  was 
concerned  in  the  acts,  which  "have  the  appearance  of 
downright  robbery;"  blaming  the  consul  for  not  hav- 
ing interfered  in  some  way  to  prevent  such  scandalous 
proceedings;  and  hoping  that  for  the  honor  of  his  na- 
tion he  would  promptly  make  a  satisfactory  explana- 
tion. Larkin  in  reply  denied  that  he  as  consul  had 
any  influence  over  the  Americans  who  had  broken  thf 
laws  at  Sonoma;  and  that  his  government  was  in  any 
way  concerned.  In  fulfilment  of  his  duty,  he  had  prof- 
fered his  aid  to  the  general  and  prefect,  by  whom  it 
had  been  refused."*     Not  much  is  recorded  of  the  gov- 

'•'*  June  29th  July  14tli,  miscellaneous  records  on  the  convoking  and  acts 
of  the  assembly.  Some  fault  was  found  by  Bandini  and  others  witli  the  tone 
adopted  by  Pico  toward  the  assembly.  Dept.  Si.  Pap.,  MS.,  viii.  112-13, 
117-18,  122;  vii.  12-13,  9o-l;  Id.,  Pre/,  y  Jiizg.,  ii.  1()2;  Leg.  Rec,  MS.,  iv. 
358-62;  Bandini,  Doc.,  MS. ,  83.  Even  Guerra,  a  member  residing  at  Sta  B. , 
declined  to  attend  the  session  on  pretext  of  illness.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii. 
121. 

"June  29,  1846,  P.  to  L.     English  translation  in  Larkin'a  Off.  Corresp., 


MANUEL  CASTRO  AND  DON  I'lO. 


14» 


ornor's  last  days  at  Santa  Bslrbara;  but  it  appears 
that  by  the  beginning  of  July  he  had  about  100  men 
ready  for  the  march,  raost  of  whom  were  despatched 
immediately  under  Captain  Andrds  Pico.  Don  Pio 
followed  on  or  about  July  6th,  and  two  days  later  was 
at  Santa  Inds.  Here  Manuel  Castro  met  him,  hav- 
ing been  sent  by  the  general  to  effect  a  reconciliation, 
as  alieady  stated,  and  having  passed  Don  Andrds  with 
his  advance  force  at  Los  Alamos.  The  prefect,  as 
chief  civil  authority  in  the  north,  as  a  partisan  of  Pico 
in  most  of  the  past  controversies,  and  as  a  near  rela- 
tion of  both  chiefs,  was  by  far  tUe  most  effective  me- 
diator that  could  have  been  employed.  Don  Manuel 
worketl  hard  to  make  the  governor  understand  the 
true  position  of  a£fairs,  to  show  that  reported  dangers 
were  real  and  not  mere  pretences  on  the  general's  part, 
to  explain  the  absolute  necessity  of  united  action,  and, 
most  potent  argument  of  all,  to  make  clear  to  Don  Pio 
the  unenviable  position  he  must  occupy  in  the  eyes  ol' 
all  Californians  and  Mexicans  should  he  allow  his  re- 
sentment to  outweigh  his  patriotism  at  such  a  time. 
Pico  was  convinced  against  his  will,  not  that  Castro 

MS.,  ii.  167;  Sawyer's  Doc,  MS.,  65-8;  SouH'h  Annals  of  S.  F,,  93-5;  Dim- 
har's  Romance,  34-0;  Litncey's  t'ruine,  71.  July  5th,  L.  to  P.  Larkin's  Off. 
( 'orrenp.,  MS.,  ii.  13'2;  Sawyer's  Doc,  MS.,  68-70.  Larkin  seoms  disposed  to 
fill)  Pico's  feeling  against  Castro,  not  only  by  claiming  that  lie  had  refused  his 
;ii(i,  but  by  implying  tih-vt  the  gen.  might  easily  have  retaken  Sonoma,  and 
also  th.it  if  he  would  have  furnished  men  Larkin  would  have  captured  an 
ei|uul  number  of  Americans  to  hold  as  hostages  for  the  good  treatment  of  Va- 
llejo  and  the  othera. 

June  '27th,  Pico's  bando,  requiring  great  precautions  and  ^  strict  enforce- 
ment of  the  passport  regulations.  S.  Litis  l)h.,  Arch.,  MS.,  9-10.  June  "iStli, 
gi«v.  to  sub-prefect,  urging  that  the  50  men  under  Gallardo  be  sent  at  once. 
Ill'  has  only  68  men,  mostly  raw  recruits — not  enough  for  his  expedition. 
J>ij)t.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  30.  June  30tii,  Sta  Bdrbara,  the  Spanish  consul 
will  advise  all  of  his  nation  to  place  their  lives  and  property  in  security  in 
view  of  foreign  invasion.  /(/.,  vii.  37.  July  '2d,  Moreno  to  Andrtis  Pico.  A 
most  bombastic  letter.  Bloody  battle-fields,  dying  for  the  country,  etc.  Gal- 
lardo is  on  his  march  with  13  'columns'  (one  man  in  a  column  ?)  from  Angele-s. 
l'ii;o  and  the  writer  will  start  Monday.  Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  89.  July  3d,  J. 
M.  B'iores  to  Pico.  Has  no  doubt  thatCal.  is  to  share  the  fate  of  Texas.  Re 
fiis  to  Ido's  proclamation.  There  is  no  doubt  that  supplies  are  furnished  by 
the  U.  S.  men-of-war.  The  consul  has  publicly  declared  that  the  U.  8.  will 
get  Cal.  Dcpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  68-9.  July  3d,  Pico  to  Capt.  Ayala.  Or- 
ders to  march  to  join  Andres  Pico.  Id.,  viii.  136.  July  8th,  Pico  at  Sta  In^s 
to  Sub-prefect  Steams.  Declares  traitors  all  who  do  not  enlist  for  the  country's 
defence.  Id.,  vii.  34. 


If 
li 


If 

'i 


144 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT  CONTINUED. 


was  acting  in  good  faith,  but  that  h\»  ofHcersand  men 
could  not  be  depended  on  to  fight  the  general;  and  at 
last  he  reluctantly  promised  to  forgot  past  dissensions, 
and  to  unite  with  Castro  against  the  foreigners."' 
Then  they  marched  northward  until  the  two  armies 
met  on  or  about  July  12th  at  the  Santa  Margarita 
rancho,  near  San  Luis  Obispo.  Castro  brought  news 
that  Monterey  had  been  taken  by  naval  officers  of  the 
United  States;  the  governor  and  general  gave  each 
other  a  public  but  not  very  cordial  embrace  of  recon- 
ciliation; and  all  turned  mournfully  toward  the  capital 
to  devise  new  plans  of  resistance  to  los  extranyeras. 
I  shall  follow  them  later. 

"Castro,  Strvicion  Pub.,  M.S.;  Id.,  Relacion,  MS.,  201-6. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 

JnNK-,InLY,  18-16. 

Ide  in  Command — Bannkr  foh  thk  Nkw  RKPnnuc— Stak  and  Grizzly — 
Raisinc  of  the  Bear  Flao — Thk  Flags  as  Rklics — Idk's  Proclama- 
tion— J    >L8KHOODANI>  liOMBAST — FORlllKRORtlANIZATION  — MiNOB  HaI- 

peninoh—Iue's  Version — Treaty  v.  -"h  Alcaldk— Todd'h  Mission  to 

MoNTCJOMEKY — MiSROON  AT  SoNOMA  — MoRMOMSM— A  NkW  PROCLAMA- 
TION—KiLLINU  or  CowiE  ANU  Fowler  by  the  Caluornians—Padili.a 
axdCarrillo — Sortie  BY  Ide— Other  Captives— (tiBsoN's  Expedition 
TO  Santa  Rosa — Insuroknts  Reenkorced — Land  Laws— Orkjsby'h 
RETnuN — Ford's  Campaign — Padilla  Joined  by  Torre — A  Surprisk 
-Fight  at  Olompali — Torre  Defeated  by  the  'Bears.' 


We  h'i't  \A  illiaiu  B.  Ide  with  twenty-four  men  in 
possesHiou  .  t  Sonoma.  The  alcalde  and  many  citizens 
were  under  arrest.  Three  Mexican  officials  had  been 
sent  as  prisoners  to  the  Sacramento.  This  was  just 
hefore  noon  on  the  14th  of  June.  For  four  or  tivo 
days  it  does  not  appear  that  there  was  any  incrcas«j 
in  the  insurgent  garrison ;  but  during  that  time  several 
weighty  matters  of  state  were  disposed  of  by  these 
soi-disant  founders  of  a  reimlilic.  A  Hag  was  devised, 
manufactured,  and  raised ;  a  proclamation  was  written, 
embodying  the  principles,  plans,  and  motives  of  th'j 
insurgents;  the  imprisoned  Californians  were  perhaps 
released  under  certain  stipulations;  and  diplomatic 
messengers  were  despatched  and  received  by  the  com- 
mander. Many  details  respecting  each  of  tliese  mat- 
ters are  involved  in  more  or  less  uncertainty,  as  might 
be  expected  from  the  very  nature  of  the  records,  chiefly 
the  memory  of  individuals  concerned;  but  I  proceed 


Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    10 


(H5) 


146 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT-ArFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


to  throw  on  the  whole  suhioct  such  liurht  as  oxistiiiij 
<'viileiico  can  he  made  to  i'uniisli,  hoping  to  reihioo 
prevalent  doubts  and  discrepancies  of  testimony  to  a 


nunimuni 


1-    ! 


The  need  of  a  banner  was  naturally  one  of  the  first 
suufuested.  The  insuri'ents  had  no  rii^ht  to  unfurl 
the  stars  and  stripes,  as  many  of  them  would  doubt- 
less have  i)referred  to  do;  yet  any  Hag  devised  by  Amer- 
icans nnist  needs  have  at  lejist  a  star  and  a  stripe;  and 
the  aj>propriateness  of  a  lone  star  could  not  fail  to  sug- 
gest itself  to  men  amiliar  with  the  history  of  Texas, 
and  the  similarity  of  condition  between  that  country 
and  what  they  hoped  to  make  of  California.  A  sim- 
ple copy  would  not,  however,  sulHce,  and  an  additional 
emblem  was  re(|uired.  Somebody  proposed  the  griz- 
zly bear,  an  animal  then  connnon  in  those  regions,  and 
whose  reputation  for  "strenijfth  and  unyielding  resist- 
ance"  c»)uld  be  attested  by  every  one  of  those*  n  solute 
hunters  from  personal  experiiMice.  For  materials  they 
took  what  they  could  find;  that  is,  a  piece  of  coinmon 
unbleached  cotton  doth,  the  inanta  of  the  ^[exieans, 
somewhat  K'ss  than  a  yard  in  width  and  five  fivt  long, 
and  some  s(rij>s  ol'  wd  flaniu>l  about  four  inches  wide. 
The  flannel,  (he  stri[)e  of  the  flag,  nuide  of  the  requi- 
site length  by  [)iecing,  was  sewn  to  the  bottom  of  the 
cotton.  In  the  upper  left-hand  corner  of  the  white 
field  was  outlined  in  ink,  and  filled  in  with  red  pniiit, 
an  irregular  livu-pointed  star,  fifteen  inches  in  its  great- 
est diameter.  Just  to  the  right  of  the  star,  and  facing 
it,  was  paintetl  in  like  manner  what  was  ititendcd  for 
a  bear,  statant,  though  it  has  l>een  pronounced  more 
like  a  hog  by  experts  who  cared  little  for  the  feelings 
of  the  last-named  animal.  Under  the  two  emblems 
was  ruilely  lettered  in  black  iidv  CALiFi^uNiA  Republic. 
Such  was  the  famous  Bear  I'Ma*;,  which  has  jjivon  a 
name  to  the  revohilion,  and  which  caused  the  insur- 
gents to  be  known  to  the  natives  as  Osos.  [  think 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  Williani  L.  Todd  was  the 
artist  who  jiainted  it;  but  respecting  the  accuracy  of 


MAKIXd  OF  THE  FLAO. 


147 


many  other  current  tletails  orave  (lt)ul>ts  arisi-  iVoni 
iontlietinijf  testimony.  Who  Hrst  suu;ge8te<l  the  ooni- 
jionent  enil)lenis  of  the  banner;  who  furnished  the  eot- 
tt)n,  and  who  the  Manuel;  whence  came  tlie  red  paint; 
was  the  i'h)th  new  or  old;  had  the  tlaimel  <^raccd  the 
unilerj^arnient  of  a  fair  and  patriotic  lady,  or  had  it 
tilled  an  humbler  station  as  part  of  a  man's  red  shirt : 
wlio  manipulatetl  the  needle  and  thread;  who  merely 
'stood  around'  in  the  artist's  way ;  whose  knife  was  bor 
rowed  to  cut  the  stuti';  and  was  that  knife  ever  returned 
to  its  owner — these  ave  questions  that  I  cannot  answer 
so  detinitely  as  miij^ht  be  desired  ;  b'lt  on  some  of  them 
the  reatler  may  lind  liy^ht  in  the  .;|)|>ended  note.' 

'  Wm  L.  'I'imM  ill  ii  letter  of  Juno  l(:,  1S7'J,  to  Win  Ikililridgo  wiys:  'At  a 
eoiiipany  ineetiiii^  it  \\:us  deteniiiiieil  that  wu  hi.  uilil  ijiiso  a  ilu.u;;  iiiul  itHlioiiliI 
lie  a  luNir  fii  /his.tiiiif,  with  uiiestar.  Oiio  nf  the  ladiesat  tho  ^ani.Hoii  gave  u* 
a  |ii(ee  of  lirowii  (loinoatie,  ami  Mra  ("apt.  John  Sears  gave  na  sonio  strips  of 
leil  llannel  ahoiit  four  inelieH  wiile.  Tlio  doinestio  was  new,  hut  tlio  llaniiei 
«a.-t  .siiiil  to  ha\  i'  li>'en  part «  f  a  petticoat  worn  hy  Mrs  Soars  aoross  tho  inonn- 
taiiis.  For  ii  i-oi'iol)orati<n'  >f  tlieso  facts,  I  refer  to  t J.  1'.  Swift  niul  I'at  Me- 
riii'istian.  i  took  iv  \hm\,  .iikI  with  ink  drew  tho  outline  of  tho  hoar  aiul  star 
upon  tho  white  cotton  olotli.  Liiiseoil  oil  and  Venetian  red  were  found  in 
tlio  garrison,  and  I  jmintcd  the  hoar  and  stjir.  To  tho  host  of  uiy  rei'olloe- 
tiim,  I'eter  Storm  was  asked  to  pjiiiit  it,  hut  he  declined;  and  as  no  otiior  per- 
son would  undort-idvo  to  do  it,  I  ilid.  Hut  Mr  Storm  witli  several  others 
assisted  in  getting  tlje  inatorials,  aiiil  I  helioved  Storm  mixed  tlio  paint. 
I'lnli-rneatli  the  hoar  and  star  were  printed  with  ii  pen  tho  worils  "Californiu 
iu'piil'lie."  in  Uoinan  letters.  In  painting  the  words  I  first  lined  out  tho 
leliiis  wit!i  a  pen,  leaving  out  the  letter  "  i '"  ami  piitiiiig  "o"  where  "i" 
s)ui;ild  have  hecii,  ami  afterwai'ds  the  "  i"  over  the  "  c."  It  was  made  with 
ink,  and  as  we  had  nothing  to  remove  the  marks  of  tiie  false  letter,  it  now 
remains  ho  on  the  tlag.'  In  A'd/xi  lin/istii;  tluly  (»,  187-.  In  :i  letter  of  .Ian. 
II,  1S7S,  to  the  /.o.s'  Aiiijili's  Kri>ri.s!>,  reprinted  in  many  other  jiapera,  Todd 
tills  the  same  Htory  in  wonls  hut  slightly  dill'eront,  sa\ing:  'The  folloving 
111  rsons  perforiiiod  tho  work — (iranville  V.  Swift,  I'eter  Storm,  ileiiiy  I.. 
r'ui'l,  ainl  iny.silf. '  He  also  eonliriua  the  same  voi-sion  in  a  letter  of  March 
•>,  H7S,  to  tho  secrot.'iry  of  the  Territorial  riiiiicers.  ('opy  in  />.((»•  F/ii;/ 
/'"!'..  MS..  H.  l<\n<l,' lli'iir  /•'/,;,;  Hn-o/.,  MS.,  |'.»-1;|,  gives  an  account 
"  Inch  agrees  so  far  as  it  got s  with  that  in  my  text;  and  ho  claims  fm-  liiinsolf 
the  honor  of  having  suggested  the  gri//Iy  lie.ir.  hie,  /lioi.  Shlr/i,  hiO-l; 
and  also  i:i  a  (plot  >tion  from  the  MS.  heforo  piihlication  furnished  to  the 
see.  "f  tho  territorial  |iiiiiieers  in  a  letter  of  .\pril  1(>,  1S7S,  from  .lim  (i. 
I'.ieak  of  .St  (loorge,  Utah —a  letter  that  has  heen  often  reprinted— credits 
I'oild  with  having  done  the  work;  says  tho  tl  iniiel  was  from  the  red 
shirt  of  one  of  the  men;  and  orroncously  states  that  the  lettering  was  in 
reil  luiiit.  In  tho  UiM  Hear  i'7a;,'.  wo  road:  'A  natimiid  llair  ^mis  agrecil 
upon — its  ha  MO  a  hrowii  stripe,  ne\tahov>'  a  wiile  stripe  uf  green  cut  so  as  to 
r-'picsi'iit  grow  iiii;  ■/'((/.(,•  the  upper  |iart  white  to  represent  the  clear  hoii/on, 
on  the  end  of  tlio  tlag-statF a  rising  star,  and  in  the  hrovt  n  stripe  the  words 
in  ciipitnls  "California  Heimhlic'"  l^iihlridgo,  /'(ii/t  o/'J'-',  MS,,  i.  \ii.  ,S, 
ai"l  III  A'((/«t  A'l  ;;i.<^  c,  April 'J7,  IS7-,  who  did  not  reach  Sonoma  u.vil  some 
days  after  tho  llag  was  raised,  hoard  tin  account  on  arrival  contirmiiig  Todd's 


148 


BE.UI  FLAG  liE VOLT— AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


The  Bear  Flag  has  been  preserved  for  many  years 
in  the  hall  of  the  California  Pioneers  in  San  Francis- 
co; that  is,  I  have  found  no  reason  to  question  tiie 


^H; 


very  nearly,  except  that  ho  understood  tiio  flannel  to  have  been  furnished  by 
a  native  Califomian,  Cheim.  Matthews,  wife  of  \\m  Matthews.  Baldridgo 
complains  that  some  of  his  statements  of  fonner  years,  correcting  popular 
errors,  were  not  so  generally  credited  a."*  they  kIiouIiI  liave  been.  McChris 
tian,  Narraiive,  MS.,  1-5,  tells  us  tliat  ('apt.  Scott  proposed  to  make  a 
flag  if  Mrs  Hudso.i  would  givo  tl>o  stuff,  though  Mrs  Sears  gave  the  wliito 
domestic.  Phelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  284-0,  says  tlie  flag  was  a  gri/zly  rampant 
done  on  a  white  cotton  sheet  with  lamp-black.  In  the  West  Shore  Oazftti , 
13,  we  are  told  that  Mrs  Kclscy  furnialicd  the  worn-out  cotton.  Thompson, 
Hilt.  Sonoma,  15,  has  it  tiiat  Mis  Elliott  supplied  new  cotton  and  flaimcl.  In 
the  Movlerry  CaltJ'ornian,  Feb.  13,  1847,  we  rnad  that  the  painting  was  donn 
with  lamp-black  and  poke-berries;  and  that  tin;  letters  were  on  (lie  ton. 
According  to  Gillespie,  in  c.Vi/.  Pioierrn  Sv.  An-li.,  MS.,  l.'!7,  the  white  body 
of  the  flag  was  made  of  the  chemise  of  Mrs  \Vm  Hudsmi,  and  the  llaniiel 
came  from  Mrs  Sears'  petticoat.  A  chewed  stick  was  used  tor  a  brush.  .Mc- 
(icorge,  in  PcUiluma  Crescent,  Sept.  10,  187*2.  Tutliill,  //i.^/.  Cal.,  ]l'2-:i, 
speaks  of  a  pot  of  Iwrry  juice.  An  account  from  Semplc's  MSS.  in  Hesperinn. 
iii.  389-lH>,  liaa  it  that  the  red  stripe  was  stained  with  berry  juice,  and  under 
it  were  the  words  'The  IVoplc's  Rights.'  In  an  article  prepared  for  the 
Pioneer  Society  by  its  historiun,  HittcU  described  the  bear  as  standing  nearly 
upright,  confounding  the  original  flag  with  another.  S.  F.  Alfa.  .bin.  8,  1S7S. 
and  in  many  other  ]>apers.  According  to  a  'true  history  of  the  IV-ar  Fla:,'.' 
in  the  Sunta  Itona  Sonoma  Democrat,  Aug.  8,  1874,  copied  i.'j  Nni,n.  Ite.yinttr, 
Aug.  1."),  1874,  and  in  other  papers,  we  are  told  that  the  i)roject  ui  a  tla:.' 
came  up  in  a  'casual  convi  rs/ition '  between  Todd,  Dewell,  and  Cowie. 
I  H'Well  obtained  from  Mrs  \V.  U.  Kl'iott  the  tlannel,  domestic,  and  needles  and 
thread.  Blue  tlrilling  was  obtained  elsewhere.  C'owie  and  Dewell  had  Ikjiu 
saddlers,  and  the  three  young  men  i>roccciled  to  make  the  flag  without  con 
suiting  any  one  else,  by  sowing  togetlicr  alternate  strips  of  r»!d,  wjiite,  and 
blue  (I),  Todd  painting  a  star  in  the  upper  corner  and  a  Insar  in  tlio  lower. 
Swasey,  Cal,  '-^J-6',  MS.,  Uti.  f^ems  to  have  adopted  the  version  just  given 
Peter  Storm  has  often  been  credited  with  having  iiiunted  the  Hear  Flag.  At 
a  celebration  in  Napa,  So>»t.  0,  1.S73,  Storm,  intrmluced  by  Ihannan,  stood  up 
and  was  cheered  as  the  artist,  at  the  same  time  waving  a  couiiteriNirt  of  the 
original.  iVa/)?! /iVj/i's')/',  Sept.  13,  1873.  In  1871  also  Storm,  visiting  S.  P., 
was  honored  as  the  painter  of  the  flag.  CnHxtufja  Tfitmnr,  Dec.  21,  1871.  It 
would  seem  that  Storm  did  |iaint  a  flag,  but  .somewhat  later  and  at  Napa. 
IJaldridgc,  Daijx  of '^'(i,  MS.,  i.-vi.  S,  and  in  Xa/tii  i'i;iixt(r,  April  '27th, 
tells  us  that  it  was  jiainted  on  a  piece  <  f  greenish  fabric  at  Xa])a  in  1848  for 
the  use  of  a  party  going  to  Sonoma  for  a  celebration  of  July  4th.  He  thinks 
it  is  one  of  the  flags  presei'ved  by  the  pioneers  at  their  hall  in  .S.  F.  A  cor- 
respiiudent,  ]ierliaps  IJiildiidge  .also,  gave  the  same  vei-sion  to  the  Nujia  l!<  ■ 
jiortcr,  and  elaiuis  to  have  furnished  the  mat  "rials,  lit,'  says  that  Todd's  flag 
was  made  of  '  Dirty  Matthews' wife '.s  red  ilannel  iH'ttico.it.'  Fowler,  Bear 
Fliiii,  MS.,  *2-4,  says  the  material  came  from  a  b1o<»p  at  the  mouth  of  \apa 
Creek,  the  writer  being  i>rescnt,  Storm  doing  the  work,  uiul  the  In'ar  being 
represented  as  standing  on  its  hind  legs.  Fowler,  however,  says  that  this  flag 
was  made  lK?foro  June  14th,  and  wa.^  the  ono  lioijted  at  Sonoma.  Knight, 
Sld/cment,  MS.,  'J,  thinks  thiit  Storm  was  the  jiuinter.  In  <i  letter  of  Feb.  '20, 
1;S74,  Gen.  .Joseph  W.  llevere  writers  to  the  sir;,  of  Gab  pioneers:  'At  the 
BUggestiiui  of  Gen.  Shermmi,  I  In-g  leave  to  send  to  ytmr  ?)ciety  forthwith  a 
guidon,  formerly  belonging  to  tiio  Sonoma  troop  ot  thu  Cal.  battalion,  I84(i. 
for  proservation.  riiia  iV'iidon  1  fouml  amoni;  tiu'  oQ'ects  of  the  troop  when 
1  hauled  down  thu  Bear  Flag  at  Sonoma  and  .lubstitutjd  the  flag  of  the  U. 


() 


'TOEX   ,VAS  T8E  Pwo  HOISTED. 

gotmrneiiossofthofla.Tfl,  "' 

r""  VJ^^'lv,  18  drawn  'rainn.n/'  7  .     •'    '''''^'  ^^^  bear 
'"««  -naoeuratc   than    i     ToL'  ""^^"'^^^  ^"<^''"e«  nZll 
pmbability  that  this    s  Zi'  ^^^'^-     ^^yond  th 
'^^«7^  as  indicated  in  ,m"  ^-  P^'"^<^d  t>y  Pete  ■ 
l-;!f  respecting  its  oHc'"^  "%f   ^^'^  ^ound      , 

?  «'ik.     The  bear,  statant  Z  .  ^«^d  and  stripe 

aoos  auayfrcn  the  s  ur  '.nj"''""  ^^'^  ''"script  o,  ' 
^''an  the  ori.rinal      n  !i     '  ^"''  '"^  "i"cli  better  Jr.. 

«"« "•"' itC^ad:  c'r ' "'"!  «-ut '  li- 

"""la,  and  probably  aft .,     *^'^^"'"<'t'»  amval  at  S 

;;"-'^-"  almost  ,.x,.  S-  to  f  ,  ''T^  '''=^"*-"'  "^^' 
"'.Sonoma.     Obf.;..;.  •    ^  ^ho  date  of  th..  <..!-• 

'"■'"s '"".V  o»t..biisb,,i  I ;  C, :;, ""  ii"-ii'i.'  .loult  ■ 

•:; .1..  70,  „  „,  ,„„  ,^.  "'"".^-  "•■'fe"»al  .lo™n,o  ,ts 


■ 


'A 
I'i 


! 


!tj     I 


if-     • 


150 


BEAR  FLAG  RE  VOLT- AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


I  Iiavo  prosentetl — they  have  roganlecl  their  diligent 
investigations  as  rewarded  with  conclusive  proof  that 
the  flag  was  unfurled  on  the  same  day.  No  such 
conclusive  j  r^of,  however,  exists.  The  question  is 
whether  th'*  flag  was  raised  on  the  ilay  of  the  capture, 
the  next  day,  or  later.  There  is  no  contemporary 
record  on  the  subject  of  earlier  date  than  June  I7th, 
when  Misroon  found  the  flag  flying;  and  no  witness, 
testifying  from  memor}',  has  had  his  attention  called 
directly  to  tlie  question  at  issue.  Lie  states,  though 
not  in  a  diary  as  has  been  claimed,  that  the  flag-rais- 
ing was  on  the  14th.  Ford  also  implies  that  the  flag 
was  raised  before  night  on  the  first  day,  tliough  he 
also  states  that  it  was  hoisted  at  sunrise  next  morning. 
Bid  well's  testimony  favors  the  theory  that  it  was 
probably  not  raised  on  the  first  day.  A  few  in  later 
times  tell  us  that  it  was  several  days  after  the  taking 
of  Sonoma;  but  most  sav  ni>thing  on  the  subject. 
The  balance  of  testimony  is  therefore  in  a  sense  in 
tjivor  of  the  14th;  but  the  evidence  is  very  slight  in- 
deed; and  it  must  be  regardeil  as  doubtful  wliether 
the  insurgents  had  time  on  that  Sunday  afternoon  to 
devise,  manufacture,  and  hoist  their  new  banner; 
(•s[)ecially  if,  as  some  say,  the  halyards  were  broken, 
so  that  the  flag-staft"  in  the  plaza  had  to  be  lowered 
ami  raised  again.^ 


l! 


I[ 


A  proclamation  was  deeme<l  no  less  essential  than  a 
flag.  Some  wished  to  wait  until  their  force  should  be 
iticreased,  or  until  a  few  })rominent  persons  could  be 
induced  to  join  the  movement,  or  until  Fremont's 
views  could  be  ascertained.  But  the'  majority  felt 
that  what  thev  had  doni!  bore  on  its  tace  too  strong:  a 
resemblance    to   a  mere   filibusterinir    movement   for 


'In  the  course  of  the  discuseion  allu'letl  to,  the  sec.  of  the  t-crritorial 
jiioneera  published  the  statemont  that  'Bancroft,  the  Pacific  coast  liistdniin,' 
liad  fixed  the  date  as  June  15th;  and  thin  statement  bus  l>con  repeated  liy  a 
dozen  writers.  While  duly  flattered  l>y  the  jomplinicntiiry  title  thus  circu- 
lated in  connection  with  my  name,  1  must  protest  that  I  had  never  formed  or 
expressed  any  such  opinion. 


IDE'S  I'ROCLAMATIOX. 


161 


plunder;  at  least,  it  was  sure  to  be  so  represented  by 
enemies,  and  "how  were  our  forces  to  be  augmented, 
and  who  would  conie  to  the  assistance  of  those  who 
were  oidy  represented  as  robbers  and  rebels?"'  Ac- 
cordingly a  pronunciamiento  was  decided  on.  It  was 
written  by  Connnander  Ide,  and  bore  the  date  of  June 
Ijth,  having  been  jtrepared,  as  the  writer  states,  be- 
tween the  hours  of  one  and  four  that  morning.  Many 
copies  were  made  during  the  next  few  days,  in  which 
vast  improvements  were  made  in  orthography,  and 
some  slight  verbal  changes  were  introduced.  A  sup- 
l)lemental  proclamation  was  issued  on  the  18th;  and 
possibly  that  date  was  also  attached  to  some  copies  of 
the  original,  a  circumstance  that  has  led  writers  on 
the  subject  into  great  confusion.  I  reproduce  the  docu- 
ment, and  add  some  notes  upon  the  successive  stages 
<»f  its  development.*     This  proclamation  consisted  first 

•  '  So  here  wc  were;  by  our  flaj;  proclaimed  'the  California  Republic '!  24 
»elf-c(»ii.sccrate<l  victims  to  liiv,  g(iil  of  equal  rights,  unkuown  by  any  mortal 
l)fing  except  10  men  who  had  di.ssenti-d  from  our  plan  and  ilcd  to  the  prott  i- 
tiiin  of  Fr«5mont'»  camp  [except  30  or  40  Spaniards  who  had  from  a  brief  ac- 
i|iiaiiitaiice  sworn  fidelity  to  our  cause],  exposed  not  only  to  tlic  wrath  of  GOO 
ai'UK'l  men  (I),  wliom  we  were  compellci),  in  order  to  avoid  the  just  imputa- 
tion of  violence  and  crime,  to  defy  in  open  light,  but  to  the  imminglcd  sc(jm 
'•f  all  iioiioralile  men  whether  Mexicans  or  Americans,  if  we  failed  to  represent 
our  true  eliaracter,  and  tlie  circumst;inee!<  whicli  compelled  us  to  assume  such 
iin  unuNiiul  {losition.  Was  it  prudent  to  delay  a  just  representation  to  the 
puldic  •■ar'"' etc.  lilts  JiUtij.  Skihh,  l.'J.VT. 

•  What  purjKirts  to  be  an  original  in  Ide's  own  writing — Louis  K.  Lull  cer- 
tifying to  xhe  lianiUu'iting,  Mauuil  t'a.stro  aiiinning  that  it  was  the  one  sent 
liim  as  i)refect  and  remaiiiing  in  his  possession  since  184(5,  and  tlicre  being  no 
reason  tiiat  I  know  f«f  to  doul>t  its  genuineness — is  preserved  by  tlic  pioneer 
soeiety,  I'ull/uriiia  I'liiiirrrs,  Arch.,  MS.,  71  i");  and  was  printctl  in  the  iS.  /'. 
.l.V'(,  J.in. 'JO,  IsiKi.  Kxeejit  in  its  outrageou.sly  bail  spelling  and  punctuation, 
it  agrees  with  the  one  I  print  below. 

One  of  the  early  copies,  oi'  originals — for  they  appear  to  have  Ijeen  copied 
l">th  by  Mo  and  by  others  of  the  garri.son — reached  Monterey,  and  was  copied 
liy  or  for  I.;ukin  at  liie  time.  This  copy  is  found  in  LarMn's  t tff.  Currcsp., 
.MS,,  ii.  tJ!(  71 ;  ami  S'ii."i,i  r's  Jjai-.,  MS.,  4!)-."»l.  It  was  also  sent  up  the  coast, 
iinil  w.is  flint  pri  ted  in  the  Ori'imi  Sjirriu'vr,  July  •!',],  1840.  Tiiis  is  the  ver- 
sion Mliich  I  reprotluce,  <lifrering  from  tiie  original  in  orthography  only, 
Wlictlier  tlie  con-ections  were  introduced  wholly  or  in  part  at  Monterey,  there 
are  no  means  of  knowing. 

A  tiiird  version  is  the  one  that  has  been  most  widely  circulatol,  and  alway.s 
under  date  of  June  18th.  It  is  in  substance  the  same  as  tlic  jireceding,  but 
shows  several  slight  verbal  diflerences;  and  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the  last 
three  paragraphs  are  written  in  tiio first  person,  '1  also  solemnly  declare, 'etc., 
instead  of  'he  also,'  etc.  This  version  lirst  ap]ieared  in  the  ^'■  Jircy  Cull/or- 
tiiun,  Sept.  ."i,  184<i;  and  later  in  Uryaii/'a  ]\/iat  ISairht  dil.,  '290-1;  Souk's 
Aiiiuttno/S.  J'. , '.f2-'.i:  /..<».tfy'«tV»<f«p,  (>;i;  and  in  several  of  the  recent  county 


1.-).' 


BEAK  FLAG  REVOLT-AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


of  a  statement  of  the  inducements  under  which  the 
revolutionists  had  settled  in  California — false  from 
beginning  to  end;   second,  charges  of  deception  and 


lii^toricD.  Tliat  such  a  version  was  eirciilatcd  is  indicated  by  two  Spanisli 
triinslations  in  Savtitji',  Dor..,  MS.,  i.  41;  and  Bandini,  Doc.,  MS.,  73.  One 
is  a  copy  of  u  translation  ceitiiieil  by  Dolores  Pachcco,  and  the  other  a  copy 
(if  what  was  understood  to  be  a  translation  by  Hartncll.  They  differ  from  on»! 
another,  and  nro  inaccurate;  but  liotii  bear  the  date  of  June  18th,  and  lM)tU 
are  written  jiartly  in  the  first  person. 

Finally,  we  liave  the  version  civen  by  Ido  in  his  letter  to  Wainlwugh.  as 
printed  in  liis  liior}.  Sketch,  l.'i8-40.  This  contains  many  variations  from  tlic 
original,  not,  however,  niutlifying  the  general  purport,  most  of  which  I  intro- 
duce in  brackets.  The  proclamation  was  ;ih  follows:  'A  proclamation  to  all 
])ursonH,  citizens  of  Sonoma  [inhabitants  of  the  county  (?)  of  Sonoma  and  coun- 
try around— or  in  version  no.  3 — and  citizens  of  the  district  of  Sonoma], 
recjuestin^  thcni  to  remain  at  peace  an<l  to  follow  [pursue]  tlicir  rightful  occu- 
pation without  fear  of  molestation.  The  commander-in-cliief  of  the  troops 
assembled  at  the  fortress  of  Sonoma  [com.  at  Sonoma]  gives  his  inviolable 
)>Ir>dgo  to  all  (Hiraons  in  Califontiu  not  found  under  arms  [l>earing  arms  or  in- 
stigating others  to  take  up  arms  against  him]  tiiat  they  sliall  not  lie  disturbed 
in  their  jwrsons,  their  property  [religion],  or  social  relations  one  to  another 
[to  each  other],  by  men  umlcr  his  command.  He  also  [hereby  most]  solemnly 
declares  his  object  [the  object  of  his  movement]  to  be,  first,  to  defend  him- 
self [our  women  and  children]  and  [his  brave]  companions  in  arms,  who  Mere 
invited  to  tliis  country  by  a  promise  of  lands  on  wliich  to  settle  themselves 
and  families;  who  were  also  promised  a  republican  governniei,-t;  who,  when 
having  arrived  in  California,  wore  denied  even  the  privilege  of  buying  or 
renting  lands  of  tiieir  friends;  who,  instciid  of  being  allowed  to  participate  in 
or  being  protected  by  a  republican  government,  were  oppressed  by  a  military 
despotism;  who  were  even  threatened  by  proclamation  from  the  chief  officer 
[one  of  the  prini'i]ml  officers]  of  the  aforesaid  despotism  [oppressive  govern- 
ment] with  extermination  if  tiiey  wo\dd  not  depart  out  of  the  country,  Icav 
iiig  all  their  property,  their  arms,  and  l>casts  of  burden;  and  thus  deprived 
[were  thus  to  be  des|H)iled]  of  tlie  means  of  lliy;ht  or  defcuc!.',  we  were  to  be 
[to  have  been]  ilriven  tin-ough  deserts  inhabiteu  by  hostile  Indians  [savages] 
t.i  certain  death  [destruotion.]  To  overthrow  a  government  which  has  icized 
upon  the  property  of  I roblieil  and  despoiled]  the  missions  [and  apprv^ijnated 
tlie  property  thereof]  for  its  individual  aggrandizement  [of  its  favorites]; 
I  which  has  violated  gooil  faitli  liy  its  treacliery  in  the  l>cstowment  of  public 
lands];  which  has  ruined  and  shamefidly  oppressed  the  laboring  [ami  produc- 
ing inhuljitunts]  people  of  California  by  their  enormous  exactions  [of  tarill] 
on  goods  imported  into  the  country,  is  the  determined  [this  is  the]  purpose 
of  tlie  brave  men  who  are  associated  under  his  command.  Ho  also  solemnly 
declares  [I  also  declare,  etc.,  in  vei-sion  no.  ',\\  his  object  in  the  second  place  to 
bo,  to  invite  all  j>eaceable  and  good  citizens  of  Califoriiia,  who  arc  friendly 
to  the  maintenance  of  good  order  and  ennal  rights,  and  I  <lo  hereby  invite 
them  to  repair  to  my  canip  at  Sonoma  without  delay  [and  he  hereby  invites 
all  good  and  patriotic  citizi'us  in  California  to  assist  him  to  establish,  etc.  |, 
to  assist  ns  in  establishing  ami  perpetuating  a  republican  [liberal,  just,  and 
lionoi"able]  government,  wlii<'li  shall  secure  to  all  civil  and  religious  [and  pev- 
.sonal]  liberty;  [which  shall  insure  the  security  of  life  ami  jiropertyj;  whicii 
.--hall  detect  and  punish  crime  [and  injustice]:  which  shall  encourage  indus- 
try, virtue,  and  literature;  which  shall  leave  unshackled  by  fetters  [shall 
foster]  connnerce,  manufactures,  anil  mechanism  [by  guaranteeing  freedom  to 
commerce].  He  further  declares  [proclaims]  that  he  relies  upon  the  recti- 
tude of  our  intentions  [justice  of  his  cause]:  the  favor  of  iieaveu;  [ujwn  the 
vi.sdom  and  good  sense  of  the  people  of  California;]  and  the  bravery  of  those 


ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  REBELS. 


1S8 


lich  the 
se  from 
ion  and 

wo  Spanish 
}.,  73.  One 
>ther  a  copy 
fer  from  oiif 
h,  and  hotli 

[iinbough.  as 
>n8  trom  the 
hich  I  iutro- 
nation  to  all 
iia  and  coun- 
iif  Sonoma], 
ightful  occu- 
)f  the  troops 
lis  inviolable 
T  arms  or  in- 
bo  disturbed 
10  to  another 
33t]  Bolonmly 
defend  him- 
iis,  who  wore 
e  theiaselves 
,;  who,  when 
of  buying  or 
i)articipato  in 
)y  a  military 
chief  offici'r 
laivc  govern- 
luntry,  leav 
iius  deprived 
e  were  to  be 
.ns  [savages] 
ih  has  wized 
pprv-jjriateil 
favorites]; 
lit  of  public 
:\iu\  produo- 
[a  [of  tarill'l 
lie]  purposi- 
Iso  solenuily 
knd  place  to 
lire  friendly 
In'by  invito 
leby  invites 
Itlish,  etc.  I, 
(,  just,  and 
,  [and  pel  ■ 
Ity];  whicli 
Tagf  iudus- 
^tcrs  [shall 
recdom  t<> 
the  recti- 
[[upon  the 
'  of  those 


oppression  by  the  authorities — equally  false,  but  in 
one  or  two  particulars  really  credited  by  some  of  the 
men;  third,  some  general  criticisms  of  the  existing 
tifovernmout — well  founded  in  certain  respects,  but 
involving  no  wrong  to  the  rebels,  and  absurd  as  com- 
ing from  them;  fourth,  bombastic  promises  of  reform 
and  of  protection  lo  non-combatants — commendable 
enough,  and  of  the  type  usually  made  a  feature  (»f 
.such  effusions.  As  a  whole,  in  truthfulness  and  con- 
•sistency,  as  in  orthography  and  literary  merit,  it  was 
below  the  plane  of  Castro's  and  Pico's  proclamations. 
In  respect  of  bombast  and  general  absurdity,  it  stood 
about  midway  between  the  two;  but  it  derived  some 
ihgnity  from  the  fact  that  it  came  from  men  who 
meant  to  fight  as  well  as  talk.  As  a  product  of  fili- 
busterism,  pure  and  simple,  it  deserves  praise  not  to 
l)e  awarded  from  any  other  standpoint. 

Ford  tells  us  that  after  raising  their  flag  the  men 
completed  their  organization  by  electing  himself  first 
lieutenant;  Samuel  Kelsey  second  lieutenant;  Gran- 
ville P.  Swift  and  Samuel  Gibson  sergeants.  Next 
morning  at  sunrise,  after  the  flag  had  been  hoisted 
anew  and  the  guard  relieved,  Lieutenant  Ford  ad- 
dressed his  men  on  the  responsibilities  of  their  posi- 
tion and  the  necessity  of  strict  discipline.  All  prom- 
ised implicit  obedience  to  their  oflicers,  as  did  also 
fifteen  new  men  who  came  in  that  evening — according 

^\ho  are  bound  to  and  associated  with  him  by  the  principle  of  self-preserva- 
tion; by  the  love  of  truth  [their  lovo  t)f  lilwrty],  ami  by  tlie  hatn-d  of  tyranny 
-for  his  hojM.'s  of  success.  lie  further  declares  [premises]  that  he  bdievos 
that  a  government,  to  bo  prosperous  ami  liappifyiiii;  [f-arkin  loaves  this  word 
"Ut;  while  Mo  substitutes  aiiiclfiornthiijl]  in  its  tendency  must  originate  with 
|aiii()iig|  its  jieople,  wiio  arc  friendly  to  its  existence;  that  its  citizens  are  its 
;!iiar(lians  [last  I'i  words  omitted],  its  ofhcers  are  [should  bo|  its  servants, 
.iiiil  its  mlory  their  reward  [its  common  reward].  William  i$.  Lie,  coinman- 
d  r.     Meadfiuarteis,  Sonoma,  .Iuud  1."),  1840.' 

Ill  the  various  eommenls  on  Lie's  proclamation  I  find  nothing  th.it  seems  to 
I'l'ipiiie  niiticc,  unless  it  may  be  the  i-emark  of  Baldridge,  that  Lie  had  u  mania 
liir  w  ritiiiL,'  and  for  orgaiii/ation  of  govt,  all  his  proceedings  being  regarded  by 
the  men  as  an  amusing  farce,  'ruthill  pronounces  it  'crude  in  style,  and  in 
its  iillcgations  ijuite  unsupported  by  facts,  yet  commondably  explicit  and 
direct;'  and  several  writers  nave  noted  its  untruthfntncsa. 


IM 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— AFFAIllS  AT  SONOMA. 


^ii 


to  this  writer's  statement,  which  is  probably  an  error.'' 
This  is  all  Ford  tells  us  of  events  down  to  the  counn<^ 
of  Misroon;  and  with  the  exception  of  a  sliorht  rdsunid 
in  another  narrative,  as  appended,®  we  have  no  other 
definite  authority  on  the  subject  than  Ide  himself 

Following  Ide,  the  general  accuracy  of  whose  narra- 
tive there  is  no  good  reason  to  doubt,  though  it  is  over- 
burdened with  patriotic  eloquence,  bombastic  egotism, 
and  special  pleading  designed  to  strengthen  his  cause 
against  Fr(5mont,  we  return  to  the  departure  of  Grigs- 
by  and  his  prisoners  for  the  Sacramento  at  11  A.  m. 
on  June  14th.  After  Todd  and  his  assistants  had  been 
put  to  work  on  the  flag,  and  while  the  rest,  divided 
into  two  companies,  the  '1st  artillery'  and  the  '1st 
rifles,'  were  puting  their  arms  in  order,  the  commander, 
after  posting  guards  and  sentinels,  "directed  his  leisure; 
to  the  establishment  of  rules  of  discipline  and  order, 
and  of  a  system  of  finance  whereby  all  the  defenceless 
families  might  be  brought  within  the  lines  and  sup- 
ported. Ten  thousand  pounds  of  flour  v.ore  purchased 
on  the  credit  of  the  government;  an  account  was 
opened  for  the  supply  of  beef  on  terms  agreed  upon; 
whiskey  was  altogether  a  contraband  article."  He 
also  found  time  to  harangue  such  men  as  could  be 
spared  from  other  tasks  on  their  duties.  Then  with 
an  interpreter  he  went  before  the  thirty  or  forty  im- 

'' Ford' li  near  Flay  AViW.,  MS.,  U-15. 

*  'Ciipt.  Ide  was  eiiipowcri'd  hy  the  trooi)«  to  proviile  provisions  for  their 
subsistence,  and  to  ilraw  orders  in  lieluilf  of  tiie  republic,  which  were  to  bo 
hereafter  paid.  IJcrreyesii.  the  Mexican  alcalde,  was  sent  for,  dismissed  from 
that  othce,  and  reiippointed  to  the  same  by  the  new  govt.  IJerreyesa  pledged 
inniMclf  tiiat  the  Mexican  population  of  the  district  of  Sonoma  .sliould  not  in- 
terfere in  the  revolution.  Some  further  measures  were  adopted,  limiting  du- 
ties on  foreign  importations  to  one  fourtii  of  the  existint;  rates.  Horace  San- 
ders was  appointed  couunisairy.  A  national  ll;ig  wjis  agreed  uikju,  etc.  Capt. 
ide  was  made  captain  general;  nieiisiires  wei(!  taken  to  secure  public  and  pri- 
\iite  jiropcrty;  and  in  case  private  property  was  used  by  the  govt,  to  a<iopt 
measures  for  compensating  tlie  owners  therefor. .  .  The  general  in  chief,  on  the 
Kith,  sent  Mr  Todd  ou  a  mission  to  Capt.  .Montgomery. .  .for  the  purptose  of 
obtaining  a  quantity  of  powder. .  .He  (leclined  fiirnishing  it. .  .At  the  same 
time  measures  were  adopte<l  by  (ien.  Ide  in  ndation  to  the  national  domain, 
making  arrangements  for  establishing  a  land  office,  surveying  the  country, 
and  reserving  to  those  who  served  the  state  ranchos  <»f  some  leagues  in  extent. 
In  the  evening  Mr  Totld  returned  with  Lieut  Misroou,'  etc.  IJiM.  Bear  Fhuj, 
by  ide,  Grigsliy,  and  Xash. 


;t«  i.o  pronounced     he   n '  np     ?'?J^.  *^*^  eonimander 
though  to]d  they  uo'eaf  I;k    /^  Washington 'ij  and 
--    Berreyesa'a  d  his  ctn^  '"  ^'eparCthe  in  p  is 
■;ntd  a  treaty  could  he  n^^X"' '^"^^  ^'^  ^^^^ 
tlie  "powers  of  the  four  dnn.   ^  ""  unanimous  vot. 
Here  conferred  on  /h  "    ^^P^rtwents  of  governnJ^ul'' 
f^^  th,.  flag  tee'n^ris^rit '•  -^^'h-~ 
respecting  a  proclamation       '  '^'"^""^  '"  discussio.ts 
.ine  i)rocJaniation  as   vvn  k 

kX<    1^  "'"■  '■■"■•"""Stance  of  ,„,';!"*•  »''*''""t 

""«>Py  "f  which  iliCrr'  ."'*•■'''-■  «t'l'"lutif  "I 
"'Wtioned    by  Ide  -a  """">''  ""<!   which    .,■ . 

-■■'•uri(,v  i;„.  payment  ?m-^'      '•"  "^"-''"g  "scl  solely    ' 

'"    "'voluntary  tilvitm,,       '  ™''    '"'officials;   (burti, 
;^l«' .'.inls  „n,|  Cah-fofni,    s'^.:"  ''' ^.-^-^^^i'^s  l«s<,  all 

-«'':er-r9^'^'^=^:tt^ 

l^ty  ,n  „,„k,      t,,^.^^  stinilati„I\!,'i'i  '"'"  ,""«^''  'nffi- 

y "  ;"  at  first  onlS  t"X„-'-^  sou.e  If  ZuZ 
-■--""'-.  propose.  tottClnflXet 


106 


BKAll  FLAG  REVOLT -AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


i.    J 


house  of  Vallejo,  .still  earnestly  contended  that  a  Span- 
iard had  no  right  to  liberty  and  but  very  little  right  to 
the  enjoyment  of  life."  In  fact,  it  was  necessary  for  Idf 
to  conduct  the  negotiations  without  the  full  knowledge 
of  thw  garrison,  he  being  sustained  in  the  command 
only  for  want  of  any  other  man  who  could  insure 
obedience. 

Monday  morning  a  messenger  was  needed  \,o  carry 
the  letter  to  the  naval  officer  in  command  at  the  bay. 
This  letter,  as  Ide  insists,  was  not  a  recjuest  for  aid, 
but  a  statement  of  their  acts  and  [)ur[)oses,  being  in- 
tended chieHy  to  prevent  any  unwarratitable  ir  corfer- 
ence  of  the  United  States  officers  by  the  assurance  of 
an  intention  ultimately  to  "unite  this  fair  land  with 
that  of  our  birth."  In  order  to  obtain  a  courier, 
however,  it  was  necessary  to  create  an  impression  that 
his  mission  was  to  obtain  powder.  William  Todd  vol- 
unteered, and  on  his  departure  was  especially  charged 
by  the  commander  not  to  ask  for  anything,  but  simply 
to  bring  back  what  might  be  given  him  I  No  news 
was  heard  from  the  outside  world  during  the  first  four 
days.  The  time  was  spent  in  translating  and  re- 
translating treaty  and  proclamation.  "  The  men  were 
divided  into  four  night-guards  of  six  men  each,  and 
into  eight  day-guards  of  three  men  each.  One  half 
of  the  men  were  at  all  times  by  day  employed  in  cam)t 
duty;  the  other  half  guarded  and  slept."  As  no  our 
irom  abroad  came  within  hailing  distance  from  Sonoma, 
so  it  appears  that  no  one  was  permitted  to  depart,  not 
even  Berreyesa  and  his  companions. 

At  sunset  of  Tuesday  the  IGth,  not  on  the  1 7th  as 
Ide  states,  Lieutenant  Misroon  arrived  by  boat  from 
the  Portsmouth  at  anchor  at  Sauzalito.  He  was  sent 
by  Captain  Montgomery,  as  already  recorded,  at  the 
request  of  Vallejo,  to  prevent,  so  far  as  the  personal 
infiuence  of  the  naval  officers  could  go,  any  violence 
to  families  and  non-combatants,  being  strictly  charged 
to  avoid  any  meddling  with  the  merits  of  the  revolt.    It 


f4 


MISROON'S  MISSION. 


157 


3pan- 

rht  t«» 

>r  ItU' 
'ledgo 
maiul 
insure 


carry 

0  bay. 
31-  aid, 
ng  in- 
ceri'er- 
ince  o\' 

1  with 
ourier, 
m  that 
dd  vol- 
harged 
simply 
o  news 
st  tour 
nd  re- 
n  were 
h,  and 

e  half 

cam) » 

ino  our 

noma, 

rt,  not 


|7tli  as 

from 
lis  sent 
it  the 
Irsonal 
)lence 
^arged 
It.    It 


is  probahle  tliat  Todd  reached  the  ship  before  Misroon's 
departure,  and  returned  to  Sonoma  with  him ;  but  there 
i-^i  no  allusion  to  him  or  his  mission  in  the  lieutenant's 
i  istructions  or  report.  According  to  that  report  Mis- 
r  jon  first  called  on  Ide,  and  obtained  from  him  not  only 
a  copy  of  his  proclamation,  but  both  a  vtirbal  and  a 
written  pledge  to  prevent  all  violence  to  the  persons 
or  property  of  peaceful  inhabitants.  Then  he  visite<l 
the  alcalde,  to  whom  he  explained  in  writing  his  mis- 
sion, presenting  at  the  same  time  the  pledge  obtained 
from  Ide.  And  finally,  he  "called  upon  the  family  «)f 
General  Vallejo,  and  moderated  their  distress  by  the  as- 
surances of  safety  for  the  general  which  I  had  received, 
and  informing  them  that  the  prisoners  were  held  as 
hostages."  At  his  request,  the  Senoru  de  Vallejo 
was  permitted  to  send  an  open  letter  to  her  husband 
by  her  brother  Julio  Carrillo,  who  also  earried  an  ac- 
count of  Rosa's  interview  with  Montgomery,  and  who, 
notwithstanding  his  [)as8port,  was  thrown  into  prison 
on  his  arrival  at  New  Helvetia.  Misroon  finally  left 
Sonoma  at  noon  on  the  17th.  His  report  of  the  next 
day  contained  copies  of  the  i)roclamation  anil  pledge, 
a  description  of  the  flag,  a  statement  that  the  gar- 
rison- consisted  of  about  twenty-five  men,  and  an 
cxj>ression  of  his  opinion  that  not  only  was  there  no 
danger  of  outrages  being  connnitted,  but  that  the 
Californians  were  very  well  contented  with  their 
position.^ 

'June  ISth,  16tj,  Montgomery's  instnictiona  to  Misroon.  June  18tb,  M.'.s 
rrport.  lienr  Fl":/  Papern.,  MS.,  4(5-.'»7.  Tlio  pledge  given  by  Ido  was  as  fol- 
lows: 'I  pledge  inyaelf  tliut  1  will  use  my  utnxwt  exertion  to  restrain  unil 
prevent  the  men  in  iirnia  under  my  conmiand  (all  of  wlioui  present  acknowl- 
ed^'e  my  authority  and  approve  the  measure  of  forhearanco  and  humanity) 
from  perpetrating  any  violence,  or  in  any  manner  molesting  the  peuceahle  in- 
liiiliitiints,  in  person  or  property,  of  Cal.  while  we  eoiitinue  in  anus  for  the 
lilMityof  Cal.  Wm  U.  ide,  commander.  Sonoma,  June  17,  ISKi.'  In  a  let- 
ter of  .June  19th,  from  Leidesdorfl'  to  Larkin,  Lnrkiii'n  hoc,  MS.,  i\ .  107,  he 
descrilK's  Misroon's  visit;  sayM  it  was  partly  duo  to  Todd's  an-i  val;  that  all  was 
found  in  perfect  order  at  Sonoma;  and  tells  an  anecdote  of  one  of  the  insurgents 
being  promptly  fined  $30  for Khooting  ahorse  that  kicked  him!  According  to 
the  IliKt.  Bear  Fiaij,  Misroon  'stated  that  Capt.  Montgomery  was  in  ex- 
pectation of  important  news  from  Mexico,  and  that  in  the  event  of  war  he 
would  place  all  the  resources  of  his  ship  and  half  of  his  men  under  ticn.  Ide's 
coinniand'!  Fortl  simply  says  that  Misroon  arrived  and  'complimented  the 
party  tor  their  onlerly  conduct.'  Bear  Flaij  Recol.,  MS.,  15. 


IM 


BKAR  FLA{»  RKVOLT-AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


Lie,  i<(iioiin»;  altoj^etlier  Valk'ji)'s  inosscntffr  uikI 
tlio  tiU(!  naturt'  of  Xlisroon's  luisHiou,  as  woll  as  hi:, 
ffforts  at  iiu'diatioii  aiul  the  documoiits  wliich  he  ob 
tained  and  wrote,  ropresonts  tliat  officer  as  haviiij; 
come  with  Todd,  and  in  consequeuce  of  Ins  inessaj^e, 
to  bring  and  explain  a  letter  from  Montgomery,  the 
letter  and  explanations  being  to  the  effect  that  no  aid. 
not  even  a  charge  of  powder,  could  be  furnished : 
though  on  receipt  of  news  that  war  had  been  declared, 
the  captain  would  gladly  put  half  his  men  under  Ides 
command,  and  cooperate  with  his  ship  against  th( 
common  foe.  Todd,  greatly  to  the  sorrow  of  Ide  as 
he  claims,  had  asked  for  powder,  thus  doing  incalcn 
able  harm  to  the  cause  in  some  manner  not  very  in- 
telligibly explained.  Indeed,  it  is  impossible  to  follow 
Ide  in  his  ravings  at  this  |)art  of  his  narrative,  as  at 
some  others.  At  night,  Misroon  was  enthusiastic 
enough  in  the  cause,  oti'ering  to  aid  in  circulating  the 
proclamation.  But  next  morning  a  change  had  come 
over  his  mind.  He  had  been  talking  with  the  garri 
son;  it  was  thought  best  not  to  issue  any  proclama 
tion;  and  the  lieutenant  even  spoke  of  finding  some 
way  to  relieve  the  insurgents  from  their 'disagreeable 
situation.'  Ide  was  in  a  state  of  terrible  anxiety. 
Evidently  Misroon  had  heard  something  of  current 
charges  against  the  commander.  "He  had  been 
charged  by  Captain  Fremf)nt  with  being  a  Mormon, 
and  his  scheme  was  denounced  as  an  artifice  to  betray 
the  whole  country  into  the  hands  of  the  Mormons. 
And  it  was  known  that  most  of  the  garrison  believed 
the  foul  slander."^     But  the  lieutenant  was  persuaded 

•Several  early  Califumiaua  speak  of  Ide  as  a,  Moi-muu,  but  there  is  nothing 
iiuthoritiitivc  on  the  subject.  Many  confoundeil  him,  I  think,  with  Orson 
Hyde,  .ind  possibly  this  was  the  only  foundiitinn  for  the  charge  of  Mormon- 
i.snx.  In  the  Oinjun  Sjiectutor,  July  '2',i,  1S4(!,  in  connection  with  his  piocJ'i- 
iiiution,  Ide  is  said  to  bo  a  Mormon,  one  of  'Jo  Smith's  I'i  apoxtlcs,' and 
the  query  is  raised  whether  the  promiws  alluded  to  had  been  made  to  the  set- 
tler.s  as  Americans  or  as  Mormons.  Itle  does  not  make  it  quite  clear  whether 
the  'foul  Blr.uder'  was  the  charge  of  being  a  Mormon,  or  that  of  being  engaged 
iu  a  scliemo  to  win  Cal.  for  that  sect,  or  both.  It  does  not  matter  whotner 
lie  was  a  Monnon  or  a  Methodist.  Tho  silence  of  his  biographer,  and  the 
peculiar  manner  of  his  own  references  to  the  subject,  leave  some  doubt  a.s  to 
tlie  truth. 


A  NKW  PROCLAMATION. 


1.10 


[  as  Imn 
I  he  ob 
havin*; 
iosHa*;o. 
3ry,  the 
,  no  aid, 
•liiHhetl ; 
oclaresl . 
lor  Idi's 
Inst  till' 
['  Itle  us 
incalcu 
very  in 
io  folloNv 
ve,  as  at 
[lusia.stic 
iting  the 
lad  coiiu 
10  garri 
roclama 
uij  some 
>^roeablt' 
lanxiety. 
current 
id    been 
llornion, 
)  betray 
[ornions. 
)eliove(l 
Irsuaded 

!  ia  nothing 

vith  Orson 

If  Mormon- 

Ihis  pioc!  I- 

Iwtles,'  anil 

1  to  the  set- 

lir  whether 

lig  cngiicod 

Ter  whether 

tr,  anil  the 

loubt  as  to 


to  r»'M  I  the  proclanmtioii;  it  conquered  liiin;  lie  n;ad 
it  aloud  to  the  garrison;  all  a|>im)ved  it;  "jt)y  and 
aninmtion  were  kindled  in  every  heart;"  triumph  was 
assured;  "the  battle's  won;  we'll  triumph  still,  in 
spite  of  fears  of  Mormonism!"  Of  course  it  is  not  to 
be  believed  that  Ide's  statement  is  true,  and  that  Mis- 
roon  thus  oponly  gav*;  his  su|)i)ort  to  the  insurgents, 
fanaticism  clt)sely  verging  on  insanity  is  here  and 
there  indicated  by  the  commander's  writings. 

On  June  1 8th  a  now  proclamation  was  written, 
though  Ide  mentions  only  the  copying  of  the  old  one. 
ami  was  sent,  together  with  a  document  bearing  the 
signature  of  AlcaUlo  Berreyesa,  to  be  circulateil  wilh 
translations,  both  of  this  and  of  the  original  proclama 
tion,  south  of  the  bay.  A  man  namcnl  liooki'r,  lioker. 
or  IJrooker,  was  chosen  as  mcssi-nger;  and  a  week 
later  ho  posted  the  documents  at  Monterey.  1  give 
them  in  a  note.'     Thissecond  proclamation  was  much 

* '  A  proclamation.  All  persons  who  will  remain  peaeeahlo  slinll  in  no  wjsi' 
)>u  miilosted  or  injured.  The  cunmnuider  of  tho  company  of  Holdiers  now  in 
poMosHion  of  .Sonoma  promises  on  hia  word  of  honor  to  nil  tho  Califm-nians 
who  do  not  tako  up  arms  against  him  peace  and  Hccurity,  un<l  in  ciise  any  of 
tiio  ciiiiitnander's  pcopli;  sliould  in  any  wi^so  injure  any  piTAoii  wlio  is  not  con- 
rt'i'iu'd,  on  application  l)eing  made  to  the  alH>vo  mentioned  autliority,  the  of- 
Iciiiier  or  otlenders  shall  ho  punished,  tlio  party  injured  ntit  having  taken  up 
iiruis.  Theconnaantlur  wishes  to  establish  itgiMid  government  for  the  |)roiiipt 
.iduiini.stration  of  justice,  and  with  striet  attention  to  individual  ri;.;hts  and 
lihei  ties,  iind  not  with  tho  intention  of  molestingor  permitting  to  ho  molested 
any  p(>rson  on  account  of  their  religio\i.s  opinions.  The  new  government  «  ill 
toil  iudefatigahly  to  [ho  end  of  acipiiringeveiything  tliat  may  l»!  I)eneliei;il  to 
tliu  cotmtry.  Ihis  government  will  reduco  tho  marine  dutif's  three  or  four 
liiirts  in  a  thousand  (?).  It  will  def'end  its  rightful  intentions,  with  the  favor 
of  (led  and  tho  valor  of  its  adherents.  'I'lio  govermnent  of  tho  country  has 
I'lilcied  us  to  retire  the  same  way  wo  came,  and  as  this  is  impossililc  on  ac- 
"oinit  of  our  poverty,  we  have  determined  to  make  this  I'ountry  independent, 
and  to  eatahlish  a  system  of  government  that  will  l>o  more  faxor.ilile  to  us 
tiian  such  a  dangerous  and  long  road  hack.  I  order  that  this  lie  pulilislird 
with  a  translation,  likewise  that  of  the  l.'dh  of  the  pre.sent  month  in  Knulish 
and  in  Sptvnish.     William  B.  Ide,  connuander  in  »<onoma,  Juno  IS,  ISKi. 

'The  14th  day  of  tho  present  month  this  presrnt  commander  took  po.sses- 
■•^ioii  of  the  town  of  Sonoma,  and  up  to  this  date  there  has  not  been  the  lea.st 
disorder,  there  having  been  nothing  taken  but  arms,  nnnuunition,  and  horses; 
and  for  whatever  clso  they  may  have  reipiired  they  have  solicited  it  of  indi- 
viduals, tnider  a  promise  of  piyment  in  full  value  tho  moment  the  government 
is  properly  installed  in  the  republic  of  California,  which  they  are  determined 
to  do.     Jose  S.  Herreyesa,  1st  alcalde  in  Sonoma.' 

These  doc.  uro  found  in  Larkin'aOff.  ''urn'"/!.,  .MS.,  ii.  7-;  Saw!j€i'«  Doc, 
.MS.,  ,"(:i-4,  ."t9-C0,  with  a  memorandum  by  Larkin  that  they  were  found  posted 


i*  !■■ 


tti 


it 


:i 


160 


BEAK  FLAG  REVOLT— AFFAIRS  AT  SOXOMA. 


more  moderate  in  its  tone  than  the  first,  the  writer 
omitting  all  the  former  I'alse  statements  but  one,  and 
coniining  himself  for  the  most  part  to  promises  of  re- 
form iii  the  government.  The  earlier  document  had 
heen  intended  mainly  for  foreign  settlers,  and  for  effect 
in  the  outside  world;  while  this  one  was  for  the  Cal- 
ifornians.  Ide  tells  us  that  it  "was  written  and  re- 
written, and  sent  as  far  as  San  de  Angelos,"  causing 
more  than  half  of  Castro's  army  at  Santa  Clara  to  de- 
sert within  three  days  I 

Between  the  departure  of  Misroon,  on  Wednesday 
till!  17th,  and  the  arrival  of  Fremont,  on  Thursday 
tlie  2oth,  in  addition  to  a  few  minor  events  confusedly 
iveorded  by  Ide  and  F<jrd,  there  were  two  about  which 
much  has  been  written;  tliough  botli,  so  fur  as  details 
are  concerned,  are  still  involved  in  some  obscurity. 
The  first  was  the  killing  of  Cowic  and  Fowler,  and 
the  secor  1  a  fight  between  Ford  and  Joaquin  de  la 
Torre.  On  the  1 8th  or  I9th,  Fowler  and  Thomas 
I'owie  were  sent  by  Ide  to  obtain  a  keg  of  powder 
Irom  M<tses  Carson  at  the  Fitch  rancho  on  Russian 
River.  Disregarding  the  advice  of  Ide  and  Ford,  they 
ai-e  said  to  have  neglectetl  all  precautions,  and  to  iiavi; 
t'ollowt'd  the  main  I'oad.  Before  i-eaehing  their  desti- 
nation they  weie  captured  by  a  party  of  Californians 
under. luan  X.  Padilla  and  Kanion  Carrillo.  These 
men,  twenty  «>r  iliirty  in  number,  luul  been  for  some 
days  rai.giiig  through  the  country,  awaiting  develop- 
ments at  Sonoma,  and  expecting  reenforconieiits  from 
Castro.  Paililla  was  a  Mexican  barber  of  no  influence 
or  standinLr  uliatever,  and  C^ariillo  wi's  a  vountj  Cali- 

ou  one  of  ilia  1>ui1(Hi:;^h  on  tlu^  inoniing  uf  tliu  '27th.  Tliis  hiui  bi-en  doue  by 
ISoki-r  of  Ml'.  Id-  N.  II.,  w!it)  was  ono  of  the  origiiml  party  tlmt  f.o(»k  Sonoma, 
iiiiil  who  hail  idinc  noiith  to  raisi-  ii  force  at  .Sta  ("riiz,  ete.  He  »ai(l  that  Ide 
wan  living  in  Leewe's  Imiise;  aixl  tliat  the  patty  intended  to  insist  on  Frt^niont 
rumini;  foiward  openly  tn  take  eonniiand,  else  iL-^y  woidd  either  organize 
wiilioiit  hiin  or  hrt-ak  up  and  i-.'tirc  from  tho  coiiU'nt.  Ide  in  las  letter  te 
WainlioULdi  mention.s  tin; alcalde's  K'tter  and  tho  praciamation  as  Imvini;  been 
f^ul  i>y  Itiookei',  tiiongli  liu  implnM  that  it  wa^  the  original  pruclumation. 
'i'uHtin,  Jticiill.,  MS., ',),  mention!)  a  Henry  liouker  livin>{  oii  tho  Souramento  in 
i^4ti,  and  tiiis  n>ay  have  lieen  the  inexsenj^er  in  (jnestion. 


!(  I" 


MURDER  OF  COWII-;  A\D  FOWLLi:^. 


Uil 


vriter 
),  and 
of  re- 
t  had 
effect 
BCal- 
nd  ro- 
uising 
to  de- 


nesday 
ursday 
usedly 
i  which 
details 
jcurity. 
er,  and 
1  do  la 
Thomas 
powder 
lussiaii 
d,  they 
o  have 
desti- 
)rnians 
These 
Ir  some 
volop- 
4  tVoni 
luenoe 
Cali- 

ilouc  liy 
|Siin<>inii, 
Itliiit  I<U' 

lovgiinizc 
1  letter  te 
lini^  l>een 
Liiiiitiuii. 
Incnto  ill 


roitiiau  ii»»t  noted  for  his  good  qualities.  The  company 
was  composed  mostly  of  wild  and  irresponsible  young 
fellitws,  ;jm»i  included  several  desj)crate  characters;  but 
so  far  as  can  be  known,  tliey  had  connnitted  no  hostil- 
ities  on  the  lanchos  round  about,  as  thev  might  easily 
have  done.  It  was  near  Santa  Rosa  that  th(!  two 
Americans  were  captured,  under  circumstances  <»l 
wliich  nothing  is  known.  1'hev  were  killed  by  tiieii- 
captors,  and  they  are  (said  to  have  been  mutilated  in 
a  most  horrible  maimer.  Some  state,  without  iletalL  or 
known  authority,  that  their  remains  were  fouFid  ial.er. 
.V  noted  desperado  named  Bernardino  CJarci'a,  or  'four- 
tinj^ered  Jack,"  afterward  described  the  tletails  of  tlif 
murder,  I'epresenting  tlu;  prisoners  as  having  been  tie<l 
to  tires,  stoned,  and  cut  to  pieces,  one  <>f  them  having 
IiIn  broken  jaw  dragged  out  with  a  reata.  His  version, 
'"I  s(»  much  ol'  it  as  could  decently  be  put  in  print,  has 
been  the  current  one  ever  since.  That  the  ( 'alifor- 
iiiaiis.asa  l)ody,  or  their  leaders  could  have  committed 
II  li'iirible  a  deed  it  is  impossibh;  to  coneeiNc  In  the 
aiSst.'Uce  of  positive  original  i\  ideiice  t<i  the  contrary, 
I  (hoose  to  believe  that  Cowie  and  Fowler  were  killed 
ill  an  altercation,  in  an  attempt  to  escape,  or  by  an 
indiviihial  des|i(>rado.  Testimony,  as  the  n-ader  will 
see,  is  vague  and  contradictory.  This  affair,  Iioucnci', 
did  much  to  stivngthen  the  insurgent  causi-,  forcing 
liu'  settlers  through  fear  to  take  r'>l"ugt'  with  their 
laniilies  at  Sonoma.'" 

'"Tlio  version  ;;ivi'ii  by  ( Jiircia  was  >riiitt'»l  in  tlir  .l/n/i^/vy ''"/'/<"'"""  . 
sppt.  I'J,  iVIli;  WHS  rcpoated  in  Unjuii  What  I  Saw  in  'V(/.,  •JlM-'J;  and  hit" 
nfti'ii  1)0111  i'eimi(hu'oil  in  tin-  imjHjrs  of  JaU'r  times.  Soijio  .tdiiitlKiial  linntuv. 
tiiiiii  an  niniiown  Houn'o,  won?  ^'iviii  in  tlioiS'.  /■'  .!//>,  .Inly  'A\,  IS.Vt;  ;iii  I 
niH'utoil  in  '.(iiKyi/'i  Cniim',  {i\--2.  Valli'jo,  l/isr  Cil..  MS.  v  l'JI-:{,  |.,1 
IiiWimI  liy  .\1\  xiaiio,  t/iil.  ('«/.,  MS.,  v.  "Jm-'i,  (U'sirons  nf  .•nurse  to  ilear 
<  .inillo,  his  wii  '"s  lucitlii.,  from  tiie  i'liar','c,  states  that  the  hsuieni  had  iii> 
I'ha  of  jnittini,'  tlie  men  to  death,  hut  while  all  were  holding'  :'  eoiiiuil  i'>:  {>< 
"liiit  should  he  di  ic  with  the  prisoners,  who  were  left  tied  to  trees  out.-id< , 
•  Inrci.i,  u  hlood-thi  .ty  villain,  the  terror  of  the  w  hole  region,  !'.  .-iriiin  tint  tluv 
woulil  lie  released  went  out  and  killecl  them  with  his  dafJ;^'er.  and  returned 
fiilioastof  his  net  This  version  is  at  least  inure  plausible  tli:in  theotlni. 
Oil  Aiiu'.  'JO.  1S4((  1!  anon  Carrillo  made  a  sworn  Htuteuieiit  befoio  Judi;e 
Sintiajjo  K.  Ari,'iie  lo  at  S.  Hiego  about  the  northern  eampaiv'ii.      He  stated 

that  before  the  (.'a,    ure  of  ('owieaiul  Fow  Kr  two  other  pris ■<  had  bi  rti 

token;  ^h.'t  the  Hear  jKirtv  had  seized  the  horses  at  ra>lilla's  >aiKho;  uud  al-o 
lllsi.  I'AL.,  Vol.  V.     II 


»(i.! 


BKAIi  VLMi  RKVOI/r  -AFKAIKS  AT  SONOMA. 


Lie  claims  to  havi*  mad*!,  {ippan-iitly  just  after  tlio 
clc[tiirturo  (tf  Cowio  aiul  FowKi',  a  nHumiioissuiKMi  with 
ten  men  for  the  purposi!  of  prote(;tiii<^  tiie  famihcs  of 
settlers,  and  to  have  discovered  a  party  of  twenty-live 
('aiifornians,  who  t(»oiv  alarm  and  iUul,  notwithstand- 
in*^  the  elfoits  made  to  approach  them  un<)l»served. 
This  expedition  may  or  may  not  i^xphiin  the  pursuit 
mentioned  hy  Uamon  CarriUo,  and  the  shot  tired  at 
the  retreatin*^  C.'alifornians.  At  any  rate,  Ide  was 
ct)nvinced  "that  any  attenipt  to  fjfet  a  fij^ht,  just  for 


(# 


tliat  tlic  Ikiar  Flag  iiicii  Imd  purHiiu«l  Miiriano  Klizalilo  niid  Hliot  n  liulli-t 
tliMMi^li  liJH  hat.  (^iirrillo  took  tlio  two  iiK'ii  mill  ilolivcriMl  tliciii  tn  i'mlillii. 
v\  III),  u^iiiiiMt  liiH  uilvii'c  mill  that  nf  otlit'i'H,  iiiNiMti'il  <iii  liiiviiig  tlii'tii  hIiuI. 
Knur  iiii'ii  iiiiiltT  a  c(ii'|Hii'iil  wow  Hunt  to  Mliiiot  iiiul  iiiiry  tliciii.  Ni'xt  ilns 
Cairillii  uiiH  Hi'iit  ti>  rc|)i>i't  tlio  iiU'air  to  <':kKtn>,  vvlio  upiU'iivfil  \«  lial  lnul  Imtii 
tloiii'.  Original  tliii'iiiiii'iit  t'liiiiiil  liv  lUtiij.  lluvcHiii  IH.'rfi,  in  N.  />ii.'/",  .t/'/uri'i, 
MS.;  m-f  .V.  />(>./„  /«,/,.,■.  MS.,  l):i;  //«i/..s'  S'olrs.  'JOS;  /«/.  .S'. /•.■/.  Imnls,  t'nl. 
A'i>''.'i,  iv.  I'Jir).  Hut  ill  jsiil,  ilui'iii>;  tlio  I'Xi'itciiiriit  riiurti-il  liy  i:;iiuii!i  ( 'iii'- 
I'illii'it  tiratli  at  tin'  liainl.H  ut   \  i;{ilaiiti>!4,  Dun  •liilio,  IiIm  ln'iitliii',  itiiliiiHlittl  ;k 

■»(/,  .liiiii!  4,  IStit,  ilriiyiii^  liiat  l{ai i  iiail  any- 


111  ill  tin"  .sVa  A'l 


/V 


tliiii>{  to  ili>  with  till'  iiiiirili'i-  nf  IH4(>,  i>r  that  iio  kiii-w  aiiylliiu;{  nt'  i\w  ra|itiii'i 
until  aftt-r  tli<>  iiirii  wiTr  killi'.l.  Hit  claiiiu-il  to  liavt'  |iriMifn  of  thin.  Sro  als.i 
Si)iini,iii  Co.  Hint.,  I(»7  S.  In  a  It'ttiT  of  .Inly  Ititli  to  Mniitgoiiiriy,  (lrin«liy 
Huy^,  '  Wr  liavu  fouiiil  \\w  tun  iiifii  who  wrru  loMt  on  tlitt  Sta  ikorvi  lai  in,  lior 


nlilv    man 


;l<'il.'      Ml-    names,  a.s   I'oni't'riifcl    in    tlio    niiirilrr,    |{ 


Ml 


Poinin^o  Mi'M.'t,  .hiaii   I'aiiilla,   Itainon  ('arrillo,  ami  lU'rnanlino  Oarcfa,  all 
now  lii-lii>\  I'll   to  lie  Hoiitli  of  till'  liav;   iinil,    a|i|iiii'('iilly,    Klax    Aiiftrlino,    ii 


liMiiii;  l''iaiii'iHi'o'riliiaii  ('i,  Ivnario  Valcii/uela,  .luaii  IVraltii,  .Inaa  SoU«t,o  (?), 
Inagiii'ii  i'')  i'anillo,  Man.nio  Miraiiila,  Franciai'o  (;airfa,  Ii»iun'ii»  Sti)4f,'oro  (?t, 
all  ill  tlie  iioi'tli.  I!y  Moiit^'o>iitM'y'i4  ll'lt^^^4  of  July  IStli,  'J(kIi,  it  ii|>|ic:ii'i4 
that  '  fourtinnfri'il  Jack  '  «.im  in  iiiImoii  at  .Sonoma.    llVir  nuth  M<r.,  A''/»/.i, 


I  Ojii  r  iliiiinot'  n.  S.  \iiriil  I'lir 


ISK 


fU,  .\ 


"K- 


.S,    is;  I;  s 


'-<.! 


).  "jr*  0.    Ill  till. >v-i  /,'..<ri  /», 


iiiitiii'i  <'ii.   Hill  ,  107,  otc,  it  ii»  ntjitcil  that  the  leui 


were  Imiieil  vs  lieii'  they  fell,  almut  two  miles  north  of  Stu  iJo.sa,  on  the  faini 
lielon^'iu^  in  1S7I  to  John  Uniliihill,  ami  later  to  (iiMi.  Moore.  Me,  lUaii 
'<k-'li-h.  1(17  S,  Muy.s  the  men  were  nent  to  l>r  Halo's  |>la<e  for  the  jiowiler. 
They  were  iliHeovereil  ami  ea|illlliil  without  resiMtAliee,  haviiii,'  tiiisliil  the 
|ii'omiMe  of  the  enemy  that  if  they  wouhi  ;;ive  up  their  ariiiH  they  slioiiM  ih' 
leive  no  harm.'  He  saya  they  Htjirteil  oii  tlie  l!>th.  FonI,  liiitr  I'luj,  MS,, 
l(>  17.  Hays  It  was  on  the  I.Sth;  ami  that  the  news  was  liioii),;ht  liaek  liy  >Seri;t 
iJilison,  wlio  was  sent  out  on  the  vMllh.  lt,ili!riilL;e,  Ihiif  of''  }i!,  MS.,  .">7  H, 
hoai'ilof  noili'linite  proof  that  the  hoilies  uere  iniitilateil.  IteHaya  that  I 'ail  ilia, 
on  letiiriiiu^  to  Sonoma  aitert  lie  w.ir,  w.is  nearly  killeil  liy  omiof  the  Hear  Flu 
im-ii.  ( 'uroiiel,  ' '(M(()i  i/c  Cul.,  M.S.,  |,"i,'»  t'lO,  ^ivex  a  loii)(  account  of  tlio  att4U! 
(m  Faililla  in  a  saloon  at  Sonoma,  the  writer  lieiiiK  |)ivsent  at  the  oceurronee. 
lie  sjiys  that  lioth  I'aililla  and  ( 'arrillo  assureil  liim  tlu'y  were  not  guilty  as 
ihaijiuil.  i\iu^iht,  Sintt-nii  lit,  MS,  7  II,  tells  ns  that  ( 'owie  aiel  Fowler  left 
.So">()ina  af^ain.st  tlio  ailvico  of  their  fiienJn  in  aHpirit  of  hravnclo.  tl.iiiiez,  /,<) 
',>'"'  Siific,  M.S.,  SO-I,  claims  that  I'aililla  confeMeil  tho  mutilation  of  tlio  vic- 
tims. Several  state  that  the  two  men  vvere  on  their  way  to  Hoile.^.i  when 
•aptureil,      I   do  not  deeiii  it  iieci'ssary  to  yivc  a  loni<  list  of  r.'feniices  to 


t 


lUlhoiiticM  which  merely  turntion  thin  alia 
line  touching,'  on  the  iiAoliition 


It  would  include  in 


l\  evory 


onciin.iFroi,,, 


•■'  ^•■""I'l"  "f  uliat  c,.„|,|  |„. ,,  ,  '"•' 

,     """»■'"'  ••■»  •■'-Iv:,,,, ,  •  ;,  ,"  ""'-X " .m.v 


■^'"-"•""     'iil> »i   I,    .■,"''■    "'    "'"    -Will    s,.,„ 

'''■'•••''"'- ''■<w-::l::^;;'n;:'';:;.:::r.t'''^ 


J  'II : 


>     .         -1 


P 


11-: 


164 


BEAR  FLAi;  llICVOLT -AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


back,  and  near  Santa  Rosa  was  attacked  l)y  a  small 
party  of  Mexicans,  one  of  whom  was  wounded,  and 
another  brought  captive  to  Sonoma.  It  was  from  him 
that  inlormation  was  iirst  obtained  about  the  murder.'^ 
It  is  a«(rced  by  all  that  from  about  the  19th,  the  in- 
surgent force  rapidly  increase<l,  ani(»unting  witliin  a 
few  days  to  about  one  hundred  men;  that  many  fam- 
ilies were  brought  into  Sonoma  for  protection;  and 
that  (Jrigsby  returned  about  the  i!  1st  to  be  put  in  com- 
mand of  the  rifle  company.  Iile  al.s<j  fountl  time,  as 
he  sa^'s,  to  reconstru<'t  somewhat  his  financial  system 
so  as  to  furnish  rations  to  all:  ami  to  provide  for  the 
future  by  promising  at  least  a  s<juare  league  of  choice 
land  to  every  man  who  luul  not  already  that  quantity, 
resolving  at  the  same  time  that  the  mi.ssions  should 
be  considered  public;  properly,  except  so  much  as  had 
been  properly  vested  in  the  several  ehurches! 

This  brings  us  to  the  si;con<l  prominent  subject  to 
which  I  have  alluded,  namely.  Lieutenant  Ford's  cam- 
paign against  the  (Jalifornians.  Particulars  about  it 
will  be  found,  as  in  all  that  occurred  in  thest;  days, 
unsatisfactory.  It  was  on  the  mornin^^of  June  23d'' 
that  Ford  left  the  fort  with  seventeen  or  ei<j[hteen 
volunteers.'*  His  purpose  was  to  rescue  the  prison- 
ers. Reports  were  currt*nt  that  Castro  was  cro.ssing 
the  bay  with  his  main  force.  The  <langer  of  an  at- 
tack on  the  garrison,  an<l  the  less  apj>arent  danger  that 
a  larger  party  would  <*ause  the  «leath  of  the  prisoners, 
are  tli(^  leasons  given  by  Ide  fbi-  not  .><ending  njon^ 
men  or  taking  command  himself;  and  he  also  repeats 
at  some  length  his  orders,  doubtless  for  the  most  part 

^'Fonl'Hlimr  Fluij  /leool.,  MS.,  Ili-IH. 

"  He  oiiIIh  ifc  tlic  '2'.M  hiiiiAclf,  hut  then;  i.i  some  m-i<loncc  that  lie  ia  wrong. 

'•lihi  snya  there  \V(m-o  IS  hcNiilus  the  lca<lor;  F<>nl.  17;  thecoiiiiriDn  version 
hiiH  it  '22;  Hnhlridge  tiiiiikM  there  were  10;  antl  tlie  ( '.'tliforiiians  talk  of  'lO  oi 
(>0.  lialilridge  jigrees  with  Me  that  one  in  every  live  wa.s  chosen,  all  wishing 
to  go;  anil  he  giv<'s  an  aniuxing  account  of  the  selection,  and  of  the  MiiceeHM- 
ful  eH'ortH  of  one  Fiadger  .Smith  to  join  the  jKirty  against  the  wisiies  of  most, 
iind  in  H|)itc(  of  the  fact  that  the  lucky  nuuilM-r<>f  5  ilid  not  fall  to  hi.<*  lot. 
Ford  and  Swift  nuide  Home  changes  in  the  men  after  the  first  division.  Itald- 
ridge  waH  one  uf  thoMt;  who  remained  Iwhinil:  Imt  he  giv<'.s  the  I M-st  account 
extant  of  the  uxjMidition  in  many  of  its  jtliaivs.    Jmiu*  </  'J».'.  M.S.,  ,"iS-7I. 


BATTLK  OF  OLOMPali. 

"'"•e.     It  .|,„,,  „„t  ipiCr  thif.r  ''''•■''•^■"'  '■'"""r. 

'  osa   u„d„r  tl,e  fr^iZll    ;.;'::;*'"''  '"»ard  San  a 
••ner  taken  by  Gibson,     j'tw-,        '  "■;'•"■"'  "*'  "'^  p.i" 

'"•y  lia.l  l,.|t  a  fe>v  „,u„k„('      "'  "'^'i''  <ain|.,  thou.-J, 
oie  destroyed.     FollLt , ,:      '  ''""^f  '"^^"•-  '"•.  «ln-H 
Uoars'i-oacbed  Pa.bll..>     *  .       '""'  at  »nn,sct  H 
'"dian  that  the  4™  vV;:,';'';''*'' i"',''  '^'a-nod   h,  .'/.^ 
;|^;;"»  "f  San  AnS,,:""';;/::  ;;'  %  can,,,  nea.^'ti 
"'i"t  at  a  point  .so,,,,.  ,,.,,,.  ""■.  P<irsue,-s    »,„,„(   ,,,„ 

y;-'^'    |is  ...arch  l,v  Mi.. ht     ,      .  '"  "'^■"  '^''^'•-'  <nnt  n 
•in-refl      Tli,.  .         •      *"     "•  '•'"'    when.   <l.      »•    i! 

i:;:"f '-  ft  ti-e'Iou.,^,"'  ;;;;:-;\»-^'  •■at.-,,;' : '1. ;.' 
y-'y ;"■-'-  l!i  ;■;;'";■':';■  ""i-''' a dia .,,.;;: ,; ;;'■ 

''  ^^'"'v,sc.on  n,   (|,t.  ,,,r. 


16S 


liEAH  FLA(i  UKVOLT    Ari  AIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


lal.  lie  know  nulliiiig  of  Tonv's  fore*.',  and  i-voii  il 
tli<j  place  were  garrisoiuni,  «'XiH;cto<l  to  moot  «»iily  Pa- 
<lillas  company;  twonty-fivi*  at  the  nu>st,  Thoso  in 
sight  hurriovlly  rotiied  behind  a  elnini)  of  trees;  and 
Ford,  on  reaching  the  corral  and  the  trees,  was  sur- 
prised to  see  at  the  house  near  hy  an  armed  force  of 
iorty-six.  The  Bears  were  ordered  to  dismount  and 
take  refuge  behind  the  trees,  where,  concealed  by  the 
underbrush,  they  awaited  an  attack  with  their  rifles 
leady.  The  Calii'oi  aians  made  a  charge,  but  at  the 
tirt,fc  discharge  of  the  rifles  Alferez  Manuel  Cantua 
was  killed,  and  Agaton  Ruiz  was  badly  wounded. 
Torre's  ineii  retreated,  tiring  iVom  their  sathlles  in  a 
random  way;  and  tiie  tiring  was  continued  for  some 
time  at  long  range  on  both  sides,  no  harm  beini'' 
done  to  the  Americans,  but  seviral  of  the  Califor- 
iiians  probably  receiving  slight  wounds.''"     Presently 

''^Ttio  earliest  account  of  t!iu  iiiruir  iliiit  1  liiivu  foiiixl  itt  that  given  in  n 
letter  of  tiie  next  tiay,  .)iin<.'  '2.">tii,  .roni  ii  correH|t(iiiilcut,  '  Fur  \V«'8t,'  unit 
printed  in  tlio  /loiiuluiu  J-'rieml,  l)e.'.  1,  IS4tl.  ''I'lio  (list  Idood  .slicd  in  iNVtUo 
Ml  Cal.  lliiweil  y'.'st<'nl:iy  on  the  ])lain!)  of  Sonimia.'  Twenty  ruvohitinnists  at- 
tiu'ketl  and  defeated  V7  (.'ulifurnians,  killir^'  'J,  wounding'  -,  and  Itwing  -. 
• 'aj(t.  Montijoniery,  in  a  leltei-  I'l  I.arSdn  of  .luly'-d,  t»!lM  tho  story  hriefly. 
I''itteen  insurgents  attacked  liy  T**  ( 'alifvirniauM,  who  surprised  them  just  as 
they  had  put  their  horses  in  a  <«irral,  Imt  wc'n^  (h  feated.  liiBin^;  4  in  killed  and 
wounded,  L'lrLiii'n  /'<«•.,  MS.,  iv.  lll'J  .Inly  Ith,  l.arkin  lo  I '.  S.  eonsul  a) 
ilonoJrUi.  Torre,  drivinji  aheail  "x  r;i  horses,  i  anie  suddenlv  uixxi  l">or'J(t 
iiien  o'  Ide's  party;  Imth  lired  and  p.-irte.i,  i  he  foreij^nersearryiuj,' nil"  the  extra 
horses,  losing  a  ('.madian,  named  I'raneis  Voun;^,  iind  an  Aiijeriean,  while 
tho  ( 'alifoinian  lost  Cantua,  Itni/,  i  nd  !  ".di/ro.  Iil.,  itjl'.  Cornn/).,  MS.,  i, 
I'Jo.  .Inly  Sth,  Liikin  to  Stearns.  Kenresents  the  two  luirtiea  as  havini,'  eonie 
unexpeelcdly  upon  eaeh  other,  tired,  ai:<l  retreat'-d — the  Aniericans  intoa  eor- 
ral;  while  'I'orre  -  seeint;  that  he  liad  !/.<t  (K)  men  apiinst  l."> —tore  oil'  his 
HhouMerstiapH,  and  dicl  nut  deem  himself  safe  vntil  half  (i  nule  out  iu  tho 
liay    /(/..  /)>„•.,  MS.,  i\    202. 

In  a  di'position  ni.ide  l>y  i!ani'>n  (,'arrillo  before  .lud^e  Ar^'tiuUo  on  .\u.l'. 
'.'0,  lS4(i,  li'ijiis  Sini/i-liDoh,  Cttl.  .Vd'ct,  iv.  l-o,  he  saiil:  'Next  day  [.'iftei' 
the  sli(M>tin>{  of  Cow  le  and  t'owle;)  r.uldla  sent  me  to  Sta  Clara  to  report  to 
< 'astro  what  had  ha|)pened.  Then  C  istro  approved  the  aet.  I'adilla  in  Ma 
report  urj^ed  Castro  to  srnd  iiini  reenforccments  aucl  hasten  his  mareh;  thi-re- 
tore  he  sent  oO  men  iindei-  .liiai|uin  ile  la  ToiM'e.  Woerosseil  to  the  other  side, 
and  had  a  in^etin<  witli  a  party  of  fon-iuners  at  Nonpali.  .Vftcr  joining 
raililla  I  proposed  to  hnn  to  set  tri'<>  his  pri-^oners,  and  he  did  so  liefore  the 
li;;ht.  Then  the  foe  fell  upim  us  11  lieiii;,'  undwr  the  ciiinmanil  uf  Torre,  who 
ordered  us  to  mount  and  tire:  hut  seeing'  that  he  eould  ^ain  no  advantjige, 
sinee  nioMt  of  his  men  ran  away,  he  ordered  the  lost  to  retire.  We  formed 
u^iiin  in  the  plain,  where  we  werr  not  attiu'iied;  and  then  we  retreated  to  San 
ICufiud,  with  one  man  killed  and  twu  wouiuled.' 

The  earliest  prutted  aeeount  was  that,  in  the  Moiiti'ri  i/  ('uli/oniidii,  Atlu'. 
l.'i,  IH40;  and  another  appeared  in  the  »iinn'   imper  of   Sept.  \'2,  I84t!.     Tiie 


FORI)  AM)  TOKKl!:. 


167 


Torre's  force  ^li^sa^)[»oare<l  in  tlie  direction  of  San  R:i- 
taol,  an«l  the  Bears  came  out  from  their  cover.  Tliey 
alteiinited  no  pursuit,  hut  sccuhmI  such  lioises  as  they 
neeiled,  and  returned  to  Sonoma,  where  they  arrived 
ill  tlie  af'ternoofi  ot'  the  same  (hiy,  confulent  that  they 
ha<I  killed  at  least  el<4ht  or  ten  ot"  the  toe.  Thoui^h 
Foril  says  nothiiitr  of  the  American   prisoncis,  one  of 

latter  was  repiiiitoil  in  the  .S'.  F.  < 'ali/ornian,  .Iiim-  .">,  IS47;  was  givon  in  sub- 
Htuucu  ill  /In/iiiil'n  H'hnl  I  Haw  inCal.,  '20'J-.'<;  nml  htw  lieeii  oftvii  rcpoattMl  in 
lliu  iu>WMi>up<!i'8,  Tlm-to  acciiiiiit.t  rt'iiresuiit  flu-  force.-*  cii),'iim'tl  an  '2- or  Is 
ii^'iiiiist  8."i,  and  tlio  nuiiilit^rof  killfil  as  8;  t'lo  Anu'rioanstirin;;  IS  or  •JOMhotf, 
iiiul  tiic  CulifiiriiiuiiH  '2(K).  Konl  in  xuitl  to  Imvu  ciiarguil  mi  tlii'iii  witli  xcvpntl 
iiii'ii,  '  ill  HiU'ii  a  iiiauiuM'  lui  to  dniw  tliciii  to  tin;  i'clj,'o  of  llif  W(m><I,  wImto  tli"' 
ii'iiiaiiiilt'i'  of  tin-  force  was  Mtationcd.'     Tiio  pri^toiirrs  wciv  n'sciicd. 

In  my  tuxt  i  have  followi.'il  Font's  linir  Flinj,  MS.,  IS  'J'J,  with  hoiiic  slii^lit 
iiKHliticatioiiH  ili'iivc'il  fnnii  llahlritdji''*  Dai/n  n/  '.ji:,  .M.S.,  TiS-TI,  and  otln  r 
Miiircc'.M.  Ford  Mayii  that  af tt^r  loaviiij^  nuurd.n  for  his  ."i  nrimmcrHand  4<*  horsi-*, 
li<' hail  only  14  clluctivc  men;  tiiat  tliu  .McxicanH  took  Ilia  movement  to  lliu 
\MH>dtt  aH  a  retreat,  and  iiiim<'diat«ly  eiiar^'eil;  that  his  lirst  li'-e  killed  7  and 
llio  second  volley  •'<:  and  that  tinally,  ttie  enemy  l)ein«  out  of  ranj^'e,  he  took 
liis  iin.toners  and  -KM)  liorMcs,  and  returned  to  .Sonuma.  lie  HJiys  notliin;{  of 
tlie  re.icued  American  prisoner.^.  Italilrid;.'e  j.'ives  a  full  narrative  frmii  the 
^tory  told  by  the  men  on  their  return.  He  sayn  they  were  Hcattored  and 
.  .irele.ss,  nut  expecting  to  tind  any  toe  at  the  rancho.  Theirunarne  wa.s  on  the 
.  iiTal.  to  prevent  the  horses  beiii^  turiieil  loose;  but  fortunately  tht;  \v<hh1  w;im 
■,i[  hand  for  their  protection,  'riioso  tiiat  were  behind  had  a  narrow  cseaiic, 
and  mij;lit  have  been  cut  olV  had  tlie  ( '.ilifornians  actecl  promptly  'I'ho  lattii 
leiiewed  their  tire  from  a  hill  out  of  musket-ran>.'e,  but  the  rilles  did  smne 
"liijhl  execution.  Iluiijes.s,  Williaiim,  and  l!ad«er  Smith  were  among  tiio.si; 
lieliind  the  main  font',  the  litter  di-^tin;,'iiisliiiii,'  himself  liy  his  desperate 
iiiiirau'i'.  Tochl  escaped  fidin  the  raiuho  house  and  joim  d  his  fiicnds  whilo 
tiio  li^'lit  was  piin^' on,  his  eoiii|ianioii.  an  l'.iiL.'lishm,tn.  i>  liisiiiL;  t'>  make  the 
iiltempt.  Tod  I  I'laimed  to  have  saved  Ills  lit'i"  while  i  lapfiv^-,  solely  by 
ilireateiiing  the  retaliation  ot  his  fellows  on  Vallejo  and  others  at  Sonoma. 
I'liey  did  not  taki-  the  liors«.'.s,  or  even  H'l  over  tlie  Kittle'  lieM,  or  vijtit  tlio 
lioiise.  Swittw.'is  ill  reality  the  leadiliic  spirit  of  the  enterpri.st;.  Luneey, 
I '/•iii.ir,m,  follows  also  Kurd  ami  lliildridj^e  through  the  medium  of  nowsjmpir 
iiticU's. 

Luist  iernian,  SiirfnoK,  MS.,  lH-'24.  is  the  only  niitive  ( ■.iliturni.in  who  gives 
:i  toler.ibly  aceur.ite  acctnmt  of  the  alliiir.  in  which  he  took  part.  He  thinks, 
liowevi-r,  that  tin  re  were  40  or  .'.(I  Ani'iiiMii-,  aii<i  sjiys  they  tiled  Irom  the  coi  - 
ral  as  well  as  from  the  wood.  The  nUiei'rs  deeiiii.l  it  im|Missil)Je  with  tlieire<- 
i.ipi'tas  and  lances  and  horses  to  defeat  men  li^htiiiu;  from  eovi  i  with  rillo-; 
.lid  therefore  ordered  a  retreat,  .'^ueli  otiiert 'aliioriiians  ,is  iiiention  the  mat- 
ter give  no  details,  contenting  themselves  witli  simplv  stating  that  Torre  \\:is 
-Uiprifeil  and  ilefeateil  by  the  Hears,  j.'inerally  ov  iistiitiiii;  the  force  of  the  lat- 
ter, and  sever.il  of  them  severely  ciil  iiisin;:  Torre  (>si>',  //J."/.  I'll/.,  Ms,, 
171  .'t,  thinks  I'ord  was  thinking  of  surrender  when  'I'orre  oi<lered  a  i-etreati 
See  al.-<c)  (  n.tlro.  A'./.,  .MS.,  I!t.'»-!t;  A/.,  S,  rririui.  MS.;  Mniriulo,  llUt.  Cnl.. 
MS.,  V.  l!t<l  -JtM);  f.ninmliz,  Cwm  ./.•  (Vj/..  .MS..  ia:i-."i;  t///ar/or.  .l/'w.,  MS  . 
1(50-7;  ll'niiU,  .Urm.,  MS.,  ;t-4;  d'alinilit,  A/>niii'i.  MS  .  ,V)-<I;  /Vfin.-i,  /.Vi-i- 
■  nloi,  .MS.,  J)  10;  <;,imcz,  Loijii,  Sa!>f,  MS.,-Jvl-|;  /V/^/, ,  .I/.'/k/..  MS.,  I(H». 
Vallejo,  //i.il.  r.,1,^  MS.,  V.  I'_*1»  .'t.1,  tells  us  that  Ford,  liiidiiiu'  the  Califoi- 
niaiis  taking  their  siesta,  fortilied  tliemselves  ii-  a  eornil  and  opened  tin;  n|ion 
the  sleeping  foe!     .\fli  r  a  stubborn  i-i-sist;iihe  i.l  an  horn  and  ,i  half,  in  win   !i 


11  ti^ 


I' 


i' 


ir>8 


UKAU  I'LAii  REVOLT- AFFAIRS  AT  SONOMA. 


tliem,  Todd,  .soenis  to  have  boon  rcacuod,  and  perhaps 
the  other  also.  This  fight  at  Oloinpali  reflected  no 
credit  on  Torro  or  iiis  men,  nor  discredit  on  Ford  and 
ids  littlo  ("onipany;  yet  tho  cowardice  of  the  one  and 
the  heroic  doods  of  th(;  other  have  been  greatly  ox- 
{liXjXeratcd  in  current  accounts. 

two  Americans  ami  oiio  Californiiin  foil,  tliu  liittor  rotrcated.  Ruiz  was  takuii 
citptive,  ordereil  uliut,  uuil  left  with  tiMt  ItulU't.s  in  him,  hut  finally  rccovureil 
lifter  treatment  on  tho  Porf.iniouth!  Then  tho  Kcui-m  siickuil  tho  rancho  nn>l 
heat  toileiitli  till!  \'c'nui"<ihlo  Diininso  Rodriguez  heforo  the  ftioo  uf  his  diuightcrti 
and  grauddttUjihtors!  Tho  hiuiio  Rinlrigiu'/,  liowovcr,  on  .Juno  'JHth  roudors 
an  account  of  cattle  un<l  other  property  Utkcu  from  hio  riincho  by  Fremont's 
111.11.  to  tho  value  of  8I.1'4;{.    Viilt.Jo,  JJo\,  MS.,  xii.  •2'-'7. 

Ide.  ltii>;f.  Sirtrh,  l7»>-4,  HSHcrtK  that  Ford  rendered  aroiwrt  to  him  as  fol- 
lows: '  I  have  diiue  exactly  as  you  ordered.  Wo  have  wnip|K'd  tiiem,  and 
tlutt  without  receiving  a  scrateli.  \V«  took  their  whole  hand  of  horses,  but 
owing  to  the  f'let  that  altout  one  half  the  men  (?)  retreated  with  all  possible 
hiutto,  I  did  ni>t  think  Insst  to  en<-umlH>r  ourselves;  so  wo  only  picked  out  each 
onea  gcjijd  horsi.'  'Very  well  <iuiiu!  I  did  notorderyou  to  bring  the  horses,' 
etc.,  was  Lie's  reply.  In  tho  //ixt.  /ti'itr  Fl'iij  Rernl.,  wo  read:  '  Lieut  L.  H. 
Ford  was  <lespiitclu'<l  iu  pursuit  of  a  comi)any  of  Mexicans,  and  fouiul  them; 
they  proved  to  In-  'JOO  iu  number;  gave  them  a  light,  killcil  Hand  wounded  L'{; 
:!fter  which  they  tied.  This  victory  gave  ii  decided  character  to  the  revolu- 
tiou,  iiiid  convinced  the  .Spaniards  that  it  was  not  prudent  to  attempt  the  caji- 
ture  of  any  more  prisoners.'  Fowler,  /Pur  I'arh/,  NLS.,  4-."),  says  that  the 
men  were  with  ditiieulty  restrained  from  pluiideriiig  the  rain'hoa.  In  the  S. 
!■'.  ('nli/orniuii,  .May 'i'.t,  1847,  it  is  explained  that,  tlie  number  of  killed  was  in 
iiirrectly  estimatcil  from  tho  ridcrlcMS  horses.  Ijiiti'r  it  was  learned  tiiat  only 
■J  were  killed  .ind  '1  wounilotl.  Martin,  yarr.,  .MS.,  '27-H,  riaima  to  hav', 
lieen  one  of  the  party  that  had  the  light,  uuder  thecummand  of  Uib.-ion.  (ill- 
lespie,  Fniiiiuil'.-i  I'nI.  Cl'iini-i,  '.*.')-!•,  mentions  the  skirmish,  in  which  'J4  .set 
tiers  hail  defeated  70  Mexieaiis,  killing  I,  wounding  4,  and  rescuing  '1  pris- 
oners. Hoggs,  iu  Sdjia  I'di'mtrr,  .\{\v\[  lit,  1S7-',  tells  US  that  tho  wounded 
('aliforniaii  (I'uiz)  was  shot  throuu'h  the  lungs  by  Swift  while  trying  to  crecii 
up  a  gully  towaid  the  Mcars.  lie  recovered,  being  treated  on  board  a  U. 
S  vessel;  and  the  writer  h;is  often  .seen  him  and  .Swift  drink  together  iu  later 
timei,  the  wound  being  exhibited  aud  the  circumstances  being  ii.irrated. 
Hongs  represents  the  ( 'aliforui.iiiM  as  using  cannon.  The  sec.  of  war  in  his  re- 
port of  l>ec.  .")th.  .'.''//(  f  '.</(;/.  ..'■/  Sfus.,  II.  J:'.i:  l)o<:  .',,  p.  ol,  also  says  that  Tori'e 
on  his  retreat  lost !(  pieces  of  artillery!  A  writer  in  the  Xn]ut,  I'l  iioiiir,  Oct. 
I'J.  1.S7-,  n:iiMi's  (irigsby  as  the  commander.  .Seo  al.so  incntinu  in  TiilhiH' 
lli-'t.  ('ill,  I7-:  -^'t''.  Union,  \\n-\\  •J7,  l>>">.">;  and  many  of  the  recently  pub 
lishcd  county  histories.  Tutliill,  ."^muckii',  ami  others,  besides  speaking  of 
the  capture  of  e.'iuuouand  of  transports,  tiliiibute  F()rirs  campaign  to  I'i'iinont 
or  to  men  despatclii'd  by  liini.  Fremont  liimself  implied  as  minh  iu  his  cor- 
respcmdonce.  Fonl  accuses  ji  Frenchman — an  old  mountain  man  known  by 
must  of  the  party,  who  11  veil  near  the  town,  !ippaieutly  Reaulieu,  one  of  Fli- 
mont's  old  party  -of  having  .•u-ted  .is  a  spy,  bi  :>r  allowed  to  pass  iu  and  out 
of  the  fort  ircoly.  On  returning  from  Olompali,  I'oid  fouinl  a  wounded  horse 
in  Vallejo'a  corral,  left  there  by  the  Frenchman,  who  had  reported  tho  fight, 
but  could  not  give  a  clear  account  of  his  o«n  wheroalwuts  and  actions.  He 
was  arrested  aud  put  in  irons. 


I 


mil,. 


t; 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT-FRKMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 
1840. 

OOMI'LAINTS  AT  SONOMA-    l'"ol!I>'s  LkTIKII— FREMONT  ON  TlIK  SaCRAMKNTO— 

FuRCED  TO  Act — Makch  to  Sonoma — Tiik  San  Rafaki,  Campauiv  — 
MnuDKKop  Berhkyksa  am>  tiik  Haho  lliioTiiKits— a  Dastardly  Ait 

BY    FkKMONT    and   IIIH   MkN      ToKUK's  RisK— TiIR  I>S1  liOKN  ts  Sknt  TH 

toNoMA--A  Fausk  Alarm— Shiki no   the  (!itn«  ok  .San   Francisco — 

(.'AITIItK  OK  UoBKRT   RlDLEY  — FolJRTII  OK  .hl.Y  AT  SoNOMA-  MiLlTAIIY 
Rei'HOANIZATIoN— ClIANOK    OK    ADMINISTRATION  —  FRtMONT     A.SSirMK>» 

TIIK  CiMEK  Command— Idb'h  Vkrsion—Tiie  Rattamon  Oroanized  — 

FllfcMoNT's    DksION^— NK\V.S     FROM    MoNTEREV— BlBLIOOIIAI'IIY    OK  TUB 

Bear  Flau  Revolt. 


SoMK  (liiy.s  bel'oro  startinj^  on  his  oxpeditioti  aguiiist 
the  Califoriiitins,  Lieutenant  Fortl  had  sent  a  nies.sen- 
\Tov  to  the  Sacramento,  with  an  announrcnient  tliat 
(astro  was  said  to  h«j  erossiny;  the  hay  witii  tht^  intun- 
tion  of  attacivin<»'  .Sonoma.  Ford  liimselt' tells  ns  that 
his  letter  was  directed  to  Merritt,  re(juestin,i>'  him  to 
raise  a  force  and  come  to  the  ixari'ison's  reliel".  Ide 
states,  howe\er,  that  tiie  message  was  addri'ssed  to 
l"'i  '-moiit,  informing-  that  otKeer  "that  the  mi-n  of  the 
garrison  had  no  eontidence  in  the  ahility  of  Mr  Ide  tt) 
uianaL^e  matters  at  tiie  fort  at  Sonoma,  and  that  tiiey 
were  in  jjreat  danyei- of  l)i'in<'- hetraved  into  tho  hands 
(»f  the  Spaniai'ds,"  since  the  commander  liad  erred  in 
niaiuni;'  conditions  of  peace  with  natives  of  the  rcLjion. 
It  is  douhtle.ss  true  that  Idt;  was  re-^arded  i>v  many 
of  the  insurgents  as  too  much  a  man  of  theories  and 
dreams  for  his  actual  position,  a  man  who  re«^arded 
himself  as  a  ^reat  leader  engageil  in  foundini»'  a  re- 


170 


BEAR  FLAG  HE  VOLT- FREMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


piiMio,  nitlnr  tluiii  a  fililmsti  r  clni'f.  At  any  rate,  he 
was  (Uu'iiietl  tH'ciMjtric,  and  wa.s  not  popular. 

Moaiiwhilo  Fremont  was  waiting  an<l  watciiiiijur. 
Possibly,  hi;  thought,  it  might  not  b«!  necessary  for 
him  to  interfere  at  all ;  v»r  Castro,  by  marehing  direetly 
against  him,  might  give  his  interference  thi'  <lesiri!(l 
form  of  self-defence,  or  bring  about  a  state  of  war  be- 
tween Mexico  and  tiie  United  Stat(;s.  But  on  the 
same  day,  June  20th,  there  arrived  Ilensley  and  Read- 
ing from  Marsh's,  and  John  Neal  from  Sonoma,  witii 
news  that  the  attack  was  to  be  directiul  against  the 
insurgents;  and  in  fultihnent  of  promises  which,  as 
already  explained,  he  had  made,  Fremont  felt  himself 
called  upon  to  act.  On  Sunday  he  came  down  to  Sut- 
ter's Ft)rt  to  make  some  tinal  arrangements  respecting 
the  garrison,  and  to  leave  such  )>art  of  his  linjH'dlnioifd 
as  was  not  needed.  Next  day  he  returned  to  his  cani[> 
on  Auierican  River,  and  on  Tuesday,  the  23d,  he 
started  with  his  own  company,  and  a  reenforcemeiit 
of  si!ttleis  under  Hensley,  some  ninety  men  in  all,  for 
Sonoma,  where  he  arrived  early  in  the  morning  of  the 
25th.  This  was  Fremont's  tirst  o|)eu  cooperation 
with  the  insuigents;  though  a  month  later,  when  tiie 
insiniection  seenu'd  t«)  have  l)een  successfullv  merjufed 
in  the  coiKjuest,  he  virtually  claimed  in  his  letters 
that  all  had  been  done  by  iiiin  or  under  his  orders.' 

On  June  2()th,  h'viMnont,  reenforced  by  FtM'd's  men 
jiiid  ntiiers  iVoin  tin-  ronstantly  int.'ri'asing  garrison, 

'  Frt'^nioiit  to  IWntoii.  ami  15.  to  jiri's,  Xil<'n'  /{nj.,  Ixxi.  IT.'t— ♦,  1!>I.  I  <lo 
not  give  rcfi'ii'iiti's  for  Fn'mont'H  iii;u\li  from  Sac.  to  Sonoma,  as  thcro  arc 
iicitliiT  <loul)tM  nor  (k'tails  to  Iki  iiicscnti'il,  Iilc,  Irttrr  to  Wan>lHiU|L{li,  ItlU 
us  that  Fi'i'mont  at  tirHt  cnticixcMl  auil  riiliciilccl  tlio  |>ro(;liimation  ami  all  that 
hail  Ik'imi  (loiif;  Imt  vrry  soon  prcti'iiiiiiil  to  a|>|>i(ivo  all,  i-xcfjit  that  hia  own 
{.'lii'Tanccs  At  CaMtro't*  iiaml.s  had  not  hem  aihh'il  to  tlio  li»t  namccl  in  tliu  ])ri»'- 
laniation,  which  iu!  t'oinplimt'Utcil  without  limit  ns  to  stvh'unit  matter!  Hut 
I' rrmont  iliil  not  yet  proivwo  to  tiikc  any  part  in  the  rt'voliition,  dcsiiing  sim- 
ply to  visit  tho  hay  aa  an  fxplorcr,  an<l  to  accompany  the  insurgent  urniy 
untlt-T  Ford  !  Idc's  idea  was  that  Fr/'Uiont  had  expected  (lastro  to  scuttur  tho 
insurgents  and  then  atUick  him,  a  neutral  party;  that  he  came  t(>Sunoniauud 
to  ban  Rafael  gtill  intentonlyon  geltin;;  himself  attacked  and  thus  provokiiig 
a  war,  and  that  he  linally  pretended  to  join  tin;  movement  when  all  thu  work 
had  Itoeii  done,  merely  to  appropriate  to  himself  tho  glory;  in  fact,  that  he 
used  the  Hears  as  cat'-i-paws  to  get  his  chestnuts  from  the  lire  -and  there  was 
i^irtainiv  a  i'ol.>r  ..f  truth  in  all  this. 


KiUiNC  u.  „,K  HAKO,  AM,  BEKRKVm. 


^^'hi«'Ji    wag   ?'i      *  '171 

' '."'"''  "-^.^  >""l«.,to5  ,f7."."''  /^•^^f'--  Torre  „,„l 
»nnl,t  1...  oxpccte,!  to  come  with  ih'""'  '""-•'■  f-^^f" 
No  .nomy,  |,„„^,,,    ,,,  ™^ J  "'  "■<=  rest  of  Im  ar.uv. 

Xunt  f;,rce  ,v,„,.i,„..|  ?,™  [';''"««■  »""•«  the  i„.s„ 

"■;'  'I^V'"    'f  ""••■-t    to    Tos  t  ,      u''"'"^^'     f astro  <|i,| 
-l;oreahout.,„fT„,n.;,.t  ,';;'.  bay.  ""''  "'«   -xa. 

■;:".'  "•■■'»  ■•'PParently  .,teerh.,/K,;';:'','"'r'  ''""'■   »'«" 
Ivnt    San    IV,lr„:  „,.,.?'    K,'  ",'""'"«••''"■•"«,; 

;  |"teree,.t  then,/  .^W   Z-,''''     ";"'-'  -•■"'"Pa>"..ns 

'<''<po  tostift.  Jaspe    O'l  :    'V;-  C'"^""    turne.l 

'".""k  Fremont,  "Can  ,1,,         ,',";""  <0'"-«itnes.,-_ 

''••y;"lvanee<l,  ah-.|,t,.,|  ,       "     ":  l'ri.s„ne,x"     Th..„ 

;;  .'  ';■  »"-^".^'or.s,  who  i  a     .  .,,  '|''''T"'^''y  »l'"t  H.ree 
"~  ""•  niissien.     The      ,  ■""'  '""''-■  approa.-h 

;;■"''■  "'  ■^""   '•'ran,  .se,        ,  ",:","^V'  ;""'  'onne.  al- 
'•■>'■":'.  an   „1,|   ,„.,„  „..    '  '""I  •lose  ,le  l„s  ]{,,,...,   U,.,. 

y^'«--l--.si„„ha,|,|one     ne.yr"'r;""'  ''">■  "^  <!"■ 
""■'■«l  to  earry  a  niess-l        t   ""-■.  '^aro  l,„vs  volim 
""^a^re  „3|,,,ti  ,„  ^    «r  ^"/'"T"'  '!'•  In  Torre       1 

'""'"•':  an,l  share  his  ,-"L'^'T,  '"  ,a«-"n.pany  his 


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172 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— B'REMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


nephews.  His  son  was  alcalde  of  Sonoma,  reported 
to  be  a  prisoner  of  the  Osos;  and  the  anxiety  of  a 
father  and  mother  had  impelled  him  to  leave  his 
home  and  seek  an  opportunity  of  visiting  Sonoma. 
One  of  the  Castros  of  San  Pablo  carried  them  over 
in  his  boat,  left  them  at  the  landing,  and  returned; 
while  the  others  started  on  foot  for  San  Rafael, 
knowing  nothing  of  its  occupation  by  the  insurgents. 
Their  fate  has  been  told.'"^ 

*Fitinont,  letter  to  Benton,  Niles'  Re<j.,  Ixxi,  191,  says  simply:  'Three  of 
Castro's)  party,  having  landed  un  the  Sonoma  side  in  advance,  were  killed 
near  the  beach;  and  Beyond  this  there  was  no  loss  on  either  side.'  Benton, 
Id.,  174,  mentions  the  killing  of  Cowie  and  Fowler,  'in  return  for  which 
three  of  De  la  Torre's  men  being  taken  were  instantly  shot.'  Gillespie,  Frr- 
mont's  Cat.  Claimx,  28,  says  that  on  the  afternoon  of  the  "iGth  '  letters  were  in- 
tercepted which  disclosed  their  plans,  and  required  De  la  Torre  to  send  horses 
to  the  point  the  next  morning  to  mount  80  men  who  would  be  sent  over  at 
that  time. '  These  letters,  if  there  be  no  error,  were  probably  those  brought 
by  Haro.  Jasper  O'Farrell,  in  the  Los  Amjeles  Star,  Sept.  27,  1856,  perhaps 
taken  from  another  paper,  besides  narrating  the  facts  of  the  murder  as  in  my 
text,  states  that  Carson  claimed  to  have  done  the  act  unwillingly  by  Fre- 
mont's order.  In  the  same  paper  is  a  letter  from  J.  S.  Bei'reyesa,  in  which, 
after  narrating  the  circumstances  of  the  killing,  he  states  that  the  clothing  of 
his  dead  fatlier  and  cousins  was  stripped  from  tiieii-  bodies  by  their  murder- 
era,  and  that  Frdmont  refused  to  order  tlie  giviug-up  of  his  father's  sarape, 
which  one  of  the  men  was  wearing,  and  which  the  son  finally  bought  for  $2."). 
June  30th,  Leiiiesdorfi'  writes  to  Larkiu  of  the  shooting,  which  took  place 
'  day  before  yesterday. '  Ho  names  Sergt  Manuel  Castro  as  one  of  the  killed. 
This  report  seems  to  have  been  current  for  a  time.  Larkin'a  Doc,  MS.,  iv. 
189.  j'.ico,  Mem.,  MS.,  19-23,  gives  the  most  detailed  account  of  the  depart- 
ure of  tlio  messengers,  Rico  having  been  the  ofBcor  immediately  concerned  In 
sending  the  messenger.  The  first  news  of  '  had  happened  was  brought 
by  Torre  the  next  day.     Ford  is  silent  on  natter.     Ide,  in  his  letter  to 

\\'ambough,  Bioij.  Sketch,  190,  says:  '  Tlu  iig  Spaniards  drew  lots  among 

their  number,  and  three  men,  prepared  with  letters  (intended  to  deceive  tli*- 
Bears)  in  their  boots,  put  themselves  in  the  power  of  their  pursuers,  threw 
away  their  arms,  and  fell  on  their  knees  begging  for  nuarter;  but  the  orders 
were  to  take  no  prisoners  from  this  band  of  murderers,  and  tiie  men  were 
shot,  anil  never  rose  from  the  ground . . .  One  of  tlie  men  declared  with  his 
dying  breath  that  he  expected  death,  that  he  came  on  purpose  to  die  for  tlic 
benefit  of  his  countrymen'!  Bidwell,  Val.  m  IS4I-S,  MS.,  170,  and  several 
others  name  C  P.  Swift  aa  one  of  Carson's  companions.  Hargrave,  Vol.  in 
'40,  MS.,  8,  thinks  Carson  and  a  Frencluuan  were  alone  responsible  for  tin- 
deed.  Swasey,  Fremont's  devout  admirer,  Cat.  \'fo-G,  MS.,  10,  thinks  that 
'  the  firing  was  perfectly  justiiiable  under  the  circumstances '!  Fowler,  Bear 
Party,  MS.,  5,  who  was  present  at  t'.ic  :ime,  says  that  Carson  and  the  Cana- 
dian, who  were  alone  responsible,  were  drunk.  Martin,  Narr.,  MS.,  29,  who 
claims  to  have  been  the  sentinel  who  first  saw  the  boat,  and  one  of  the  five  who 
captured  and  shot  the  men,  as  well  as  Chas  Brown,  Early  Events,  MS.,  25-G, 
who  maiTied  a  sister  of  the  Haros,  and  several  Californiane,  state  that  the  bodie.s 
of  the  victims  were  allowed  to  lie  unburied  where  they  fell  for  several  days. 
Phelps,  Fore  and  Aj't,  280-90,  seems  to  have  originated  the  absurd  story  that 
on  one  of  the  men  N^as  found  an  order  from  Castro  to  Torre  to  kill  every  for- 
iiigner  lie  could  find,  man,  woman,  and  child;  and  this  story  has  beau  ro- 


i:lH!^ 


A  MURDER  BY  FREMONT. 


173 


The  killing  of  Berreyesa  and  the  Haros  was  a 
brutal  murder,  like  the  killing  of  Covvie  and  Fowler, 
for  which  it  was  intended  as  a  retaliation.  Its  perpe- 
trators put  themselves  below  the  level  of  Garcia  and 
Padilla.  The  Californians,  or  probably  one  desperado 
of  their  number,  had  killed  two  members  of  a  band  of 
outlaws  who  had  imprisoned  their  countrymen,  had 
raised  an  unknown  flag,  had  announced  their  purpose 
of  overthrowing  the  government,  and  had  caused  great 
terror  among  the  people — the  two  men  at  the  time  of 
their  capture  being  actively  engaged  in  their  unlawful 
service.  In  revenge  for  this  act,  the  Bears  deliber- 
ately killed  the  first  Californians  that  came  within  their 
reach,  or  at  least  the  first  after  their  own  strength 
became  irresistible.  The  three  victims  wore  not  mem- 
bers of  Padilla's  party,  nor  were  they  suspected  of 
being  such,  nor  charged  with  any  ofTence.  As  mes- 
sengers between  Castro  and  Torre,  their  mission  was 
a  perfectly  legitimate  one;  and  so  far  as  was  known 
at  the  time  of  the  shooting,  they  were  not  engaged  in 
any  public  service  whatever.  They  were  in  no  sense 
spies,  as  has  been  sometimes  implied.  The  statement 
that  they  brought  orders  to  kill  every  man,  woman, 
and  child  of  the  foreigners  was  an  absurd  fabrication ; 
but  had  it  been  true  that  such  papers  were  found  on 
then.i,  or  even  had  it  been  proved  that  they  had  been 
the  very  murderers  of  Cowie  and  Fowler,  these  facts 
would  afford  no  justification  to  those  who  killed  them, 
because  such  facts  could  not  have  been  known  until 
after  their  death.  They  were  given  no  chance  for 
defence  or  explanation,  but  killed  in  cold  blood  at  long 
rifle-range.  Viewed  in  its  most  favorable  light,  the 
act  was  one  of  cowardly  vengeance.     Members  of  the 


peated  by  Lancey,  CridHt,  68,  and  copied  from  him  in  Marin  Co.  Jlist.,  83, 
and  several  other  works.  The  newspapers  have  often  mentioned  this  afiair  in 
connection  with  the  famous  Haro  claim  to  lands  in  S.  F.  Tlic  Californians, 
as  a  rule,  give  an  accurate  account  of  this  occurrence.  See  Castro,  Rel., 
MS.,  190-9;  Alvarado,  Hist.  Col.,  MS.,  v.  207-10;  Vallcjo,  Hist.  Cal.,  MS., 
V,  138-41;  Berreyesa,  Relation,  MS.,  1-7;  Beritnl,  Mem.,  AIS.,  1-3;  Oalindo, 
A/inntes,  MS.,  56;  Sanchez,  Notas,  MS.,  ir>;  Juarez,  Narratire,  MS.;  Ama- 
(lor,  Mem.,  MS.,  167;   Vallejo,  Notas,  MS.,  llJ-16. 


174 


BEAR  .LAG  REVOLT- FREMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


i 


Bear  party,  and  apologists  of  their  acts,  have  wisely 
had  but  little  to  say  of  the  matter,  always  refusing  to 
go  beyond  vague  generalities.  Of  course  John  C. 
Frdmont,  as  commander  of  the  insurgents,  is  to  be  held 
responsible  for  the  murder.  That  he  personally  gave 
the  order  which  led  to  the  result  depends  on  the  tes- 
timony of  one  person,  a  man  whose  reputation  for 
veracity  was  good.  Injustice  to  Fremont,  it  is  fair  to 
say  that  the  testimony  was  first  publicly  given  during 
the  pohtical  campaign  of  1856,  at  a  time  when  preju- 
dice was  generally  more  potent  than  love  of  truth; 
but  justice  also  requires  me  to  call  attention  to  the 
fact  that  Fremont  has  never,  so  far  as  I  know,  denied 
the  accuracy  of  O'Farrell's  assertion. 

Meanwhile  scouting  parties  from  the  camp  at  San 
Rafael  were  trying  to  learn  of  Torre's  whereabouts. 
They  were  not  very  successful;  but  late  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  same  day  the  messengers  were  shot  they 
captured  an  Indian  on  whose  person  was  found  a  let- 
ter in  which  Torre  announced  his  intention  of  attack- 
ing Sonoma  early  the  next  morning.  This  letter, 
together  with  the  one  that  had  previously  been  inter- 
cepted, having  been  taken  perhaps  from  Haro's  dead 
body,  making  known  Castro's  plan  of  crossing  before 
the  hour  of  the  proposed  attack,  caused  Frdmont  to 
fear  that  Ide's  garrison  was  in  danger  ;*  and  he  at 
once  set  out  with  nearly  all  his  force,  perhaps  against 
the  judgment  of  Ford  and  Gillespie,  for  Sonoma, 
where  he  arrived  before  sunrise  on  the  29th.  There, 
also,  if  we  may  credit  Ide's  account,  a  letter  had 
been  intercepted,  addressed  to  some  of  the  natives, 
and  disclosing  the  plan  of  attack.  The  citizens  were 
in  great  terror,  and  wished  to  leave  the  town.  This 
was  not  permitted;  but  as  night  came  on  they  were 
allowed  the  jail  as  a  shelter  for  the  men,  and  Vallejo's 
house  for  the  women  and  children.  The  garrison 
meanwhile  made  every  preparation  for  defence;  can- 


'July  30th,  Leidesdorff  to  Larkin  also  wrote  that  Torre  was  to  move 
against  Sonoma  'yesterday.'  Larhin'a  Doc,  MS.,  iv,  189. 


A  FALSE  ALARM. 


175 


jre 
o's 
son 
111- 


lion,  ririe,  and  inusket  were  loaded  and  primed,  and 
sentinels  were  posted.  Jast  before  dawn  the  ad- 
vanced sentries  heard  the  distant  tramp  of  horses. 
Clearly,  the  threatened  attack  was  to  be  a  reality. 
Without  vouching  for  its  accuracy,  I  quote  Ide's 
melodramatic  narrative  of  what  followed.  "Thus 
prepared,  in  less  than  one  minute  from  the  first 
alarm,  all  listened  for  the  sound  of  the  tramping 
horses — we  heard  them  coming! — then,  low  down 
under  the  darkened  canon  we  saw  them  coming!  In 
a  moment  the  truth  flashed  across  my  mind;  the 
Spaniards  were  deceiving  us!  In  a  moment  orders 
were  given  to  the  captains  of  the  18-pounders  to  re- 
serve fire  until  my  rifle  should  give  the  word ;  and,  to 
prevent  mistake,  I  hastened  to  a  position  a  hundred 
yards  in  front  of  the  cannon,  and  a  little  to  the  right- 
oblique,  so  as  to  gain  a  nearer  view.  'Come  back; 
you  will  lose  your  life !'  said  a  dozen  voices.  '  Silence !' 
roared  Captain  Grigsby;  'I  have  seen  the  old  man  in 
a  bull-pen  before  to-day!'  The  blankets  of  the  ad- 
vancing host  flowed  in  the  breeze.  They  had  ad- 
vanced to  within  200  yards  of  the  place  where  I 
stood.  The  impatience  of  the  men  at  the  guns  be- 
came intense,  lest  the  enemy  came  too  near,  so  as  to 
lose  the  effect  of  the  spreading  of  the  shot.  I  made 
a  motion  to  lay  down  my  rifle.  The  matches  were 
swinging.  'My  God!  They  swing  the  matches!' 
cried  the  well  known  voice  of  Kit  Carson.  'Hold 
on,  hold  on!'  we  shouted, ' 'tis  Frdmont,  'tis  Frdmont!' 
in  a  voice  heard  by  every  man  of  both  parties,  we 
cried,  while  Captain  Fremont  dashed  away  to  his  left 
to  take  cover  behind  an  adobe  house;  and  in  a  mo- 
ment after  he  made  one  of  his  most  gallant  charges 
on  our  fort;  it  was  a  noble  exploit;  he  came  in  a  full 
gallop,  right  in  the  face  and  teeth  of  our  two  long 
18's!"* 

It  did  not  take  long  for  Fremont  to  convince  him- 
self that  he  had  been  outwitted;  and  after  a  hasty 

*  Ide's  Biog.  Sketch,  187-90. 


176 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— FREMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


mi 


l^^ii 


breakfast  he  set  out  aj^aiii  for  San  Kafael,  where  he 
arrived  within  twenty-four  hours  of  the  time  he  left  it 
— to  learn  that  Torre  had  made  good  use  of  his  time  to 
recross  the  bay  and  rejoin  Castro  with  all  his  original 
force,  and  such  residents  of  the  northern  frontier  as 
chose  to  accompany  him.  The  wily  Californian  had 
written  letters  expressly  intended  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  Osos,  and  thus  facilitate  his  own  escape. 
After  retreating  before  twenty  rifles,  he  had  no  wish 
to  face  two  hundred.  He  left  San  Hafael  just  be- 
fore Fremont's  first  arrival;  and,  as  Castro's  force 
did  not  arrive,  he  soon  began  to  consider  his  position 
a  critical  one.  Facilities  for  cros.sing  the  bay  were 
s(j  uncertain  that  it  was  not  safe  to  be  seen  at  any 
landing  while  the  mission  was  occupied  by  the  foe ; 
therefore  Don  Jcmquin  feigned  an  advance  into  the 
interior  toward  Petaluma,  and  wrote  the  letters  to  be 
intercepted.  The  ruse  was  entirely  successful ;  and, 
Fremont's  force  having  been  sent  to  Sonoma,  the  Cali- 
fornians,  to  the  number  of  75  or  80,  appeared  at  Sauza- 
lito  in  the  morning  of  June  29th.  Captain  Richard- 
son had  an  old  launch,  or  lighter,  lying  at  anchor  there, 
which  he  declined  to  lend,  but  which  he  permitted 
Torre's  men  to  'take  by  force;'  and  all  were  soon  afloat. 
Wind  and  tide  were  not  favorable,  and  for  a  long  time 
they  lay  near  the  shore,  in  great  fear  lest  Fremont 
should  return,  and  no  less  apprehensive  of  pursuit  by 
the  boats  of  the  Portsmouth.  Some  were  so  frightened 
that  they  believe  to  this  day  that  they  were  thus  pur- 
sued. But  long  before  the  Bears  had  returned  to 
San  Bafael  the  Californians  had  landed  at  San  Pablo, 
whence,  with  the  other  divisions  of  the  'grand  army,' 
they  marched  next  day  to  Santa  Clara." 

^Luis  Geiinan,  Sucesoi^,  MS.,  18-24,  gives  the  most  connected  and  de- 
tailed account  of  Torre's  cacape.  Fr(5raont,  in  liis  letter  to  Benton,  followed 
by  the  set  of  authorities  that  obtained  their  information  from  that  letter, 
claims,  in  a  general  way,  the  credit  of  having  driven  Torre  away,  besides  de- 
stroying hia  transports  and  spiking  his  cannon  south  of  the  bay,  as  will  pres- 
ently be  noticed.  Gillespie,  FrvinoiU's  Cal.  Claimi*,  28,  has  the  assurance  to 
write:  'Capt.  Frt^mont  returned  to  Sonoma,  leaving  a  force  to  protect  Sau 
Riiphael.     This  movement,  executed  witli  so  much  promptness,  alirmcd  De 


Ml 

I; !«'  ''■■■'■ 


SPIKING  THE  GUNS  AT  SAN  FRANCISCO. 


177 


Havinj?  thus  'driven'  Torre  and  his  men  awav, 
Frdmont  and  the  Bears  had  no  further  opposition  to 
fear  north  of  the  bay,  and  no  reason  to  remain  longer 
at  San  Rafael;  yet  before  their  departure  for  Sonoma 
two  minor  enterprises  were  undertaken,  which,  if  they 
served  no  other  purpose,  figured  somewhat  attractively 
in  reports  of  this  grand  campaign.  On  July  1st  Fre- 
mont and  Gillespie  visited  Phelps  on  board  the  Mos- 
coiv,  and  having  removed  that  gentleman's  scruples  by 
the  assurance  that  war  had  really  been  declared,  and 
that  they  were  "acting  in  obedience  to  orders  of  the 
United  States  government,"  obtained  his  cooperation 
ibr  a  movement  on  San  Francisco.  Phelps  furnished 
his  vessel's  launch  with  a  crew,  going  himself  as  pilot, 
to  carry  Fremont  and  about  twenty  of  his  men  across 
to  the  old  Castillo.  Wading  ashore  through  the  surf, 
and  boldly  entering  the  fort,  this  band  of  warriors 
proceeded  to  spike  the  ten  guns  found  there,  and  to 
wade  back  to  the  boat.  In  the  absence  of  a  garrison, 
with  no  powder,  it  is  not  surprising  that,  so  tar  as  can 
bo  known,  not  one  of  the  ten  cannon  offered  the 
slightest  resistance.  But  the  energies  of  the  insur- 
gents were  not  exclusively  directed  against  abandoned 
guns;  for  next  day  ten  of  their  number,  under  Sem- 
ple,  appeared  in  the  streets  of  Yerba  Buena,  at  noon, 


la  Torre  to  such  a  degree  that  he  fled  with  his  command  in  the  most  cowardly 
manner  to  Sausalito,  where  he  stole  Mr  Richardson's  launch,  and  escaped 
across  the  bay'l  Phelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  280-92,  was  at  Sanzalito  at  the 
time,  in  command  of  the  Moscow,  and  he  gives  an  inaccurate  version  of  what 
occurred,  which  has,  however,  been  considerably  used  by  later  writers.  He 
says  that  Fremont  sent  him,  Phelps,  word  that  he  would  drive  Torre  to  San- 
zalito that  night,  whence  he  could  not  escape  without  the  Moscow's  boats. 
Phelpa  proceeded  to  make  all  safe,  and  took  the  precaution  to  anchor  farther 
out  a  launch  lying  near  the  beach,  putting  some  provisions  on  board  for  Fre- 
mont's use!  But  when  Torre  arrived  in  the  morning,  a  boat  waa  mysteri- 
ously procured  from  Yerba  Buena,  and  the  launch  was  reached.  Phelps  in- 
formed the  connnander  of  the  Portsmouth,  but  he  declined  to  intercept  tiio 
fufiitivea.  Montgomery,  writing  to  Larkin  July  2d,  Larkin'a  Doc,  MS.,  iv. 
102,  speaks  of  Torre  as  having  been  chased  by  FrtSmont,  barely  escaping  by 
his  good  luck  in  finding  a  large  freight  boat.  Ford,  Bear  Fin;/  Revolutiov, 
MS.,  22-5,  claims  that  he  and  Gillespie  opposed  the  march  to  Sonoma.  The 
Hist.  Bear  Flag  agrees  for  the  most  part  with  Ide — naturally,  as  Ide  was  its 
chief  author.  It  speaks  of  Castro  having  sent  2()0  men  across  the  bay.  Lar- 
kin, Of.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  125,  in  a  letter  of  July  4th  to  the  U.  8.  consul  at 
Honolulu,  speaks  of  Torre's  defeat,  and  of  tlie  trick  by  whicli  he  escaped. 
Hist.  Cal.,  Voi,.  V.    12 


178 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— FltEMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


and  captured  Robert  Ridley,  captain  of  the  port,  who 
was  taken  from  his  house  and  sent  to  New  Helvetia. 
This  was  doubtless  done  at  the  instigation  of  Vice- 
consul  Leidesdorff,  who,  as  we  have  seen,  had  repeat- 
edly denounced  Ridley  and  Hinckley  as  "more  Mex- 
ican than  the  Mexicans  themselves,"  in  their  opposi- 
tion to  the  Bear  movement.  Hinckley  would  doubt- 
less have  shared  Ridley's  fate  had  he  not  died  two 
days  before.  Obtaining  such  supplies  as  were  to  be 
found  on  the  Moscow,  together  with  cattle  from  the 
ranches  of  the  region  about  San  Rafael,  Fremont  re- 
turned with  the  whole  insurgent  force  to  Sonoma. 
Through  Benton  he  ingeniously  contrived,  without 
quite  committing  himself  to  a  falsehood,  to  create  the 
impression  among  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
not  only  that  he  had  been  in  active  command  of  the 
revolutionists  from  the  first,  but  that  finally,  after  de- 
feating Torre,  he  had  driven  him  across  the  bay,  spik- 
ing his  cannon,  destroying  his  transports,  and  break- 
ing up  all  communication  between  the  north  and  south 
— thus  making  the  whole  campaign  a  brilliant  suc- 
cess!' 


^ipt- 


The  4th  of  July  was  celebrated  at  Sonoma  by 
the  burning  of  much  gunpowder,  reading  of  the 
declaration  of  independence,  and  a  fandango  in  the 
evening.  Fremont  and  his  men  returned  from  San 
Rafael  that  day,  or  more  probably  the  evening  be- 
fore; at  any  rate,  in  time  to  take  part.m  the  festivi- 
ties.^    Next  day,  though  some  say  that  also  was  on  the 

•Fremont  to  Benton,  and  B.  to  pres.,  in  NiM  Reg.,  Ixxi.  173,  19L 
Montgomery,  in  two  postscripts  to  a  letter  of  July  2d  to  Larkin,  mentions  the 
spiking  of  the  guns  and  capture  of  Ridley.  Larldn'a  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  192. 
Phelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  285-92,  gives  the  fullest  account  of  the  first  affair — in 
fact,  all  wc  know  of  it,  so  far  as  details  are  concerned.  See  also  Bryant'x 
What  I  Saw  in  Cat.,  294-6;  TuthilVa  Hist.  Cat.,  173-4;  Lancei/a  Cruise,  70, 
72;  Upham's  Life  Frimoit,  2.33-4;  Yolo  Co.  Hist.,  16. 

'Fr6mont  in  his  letter  to  Benton,  and  Gillespie  in  his  testimony,  say 
that  the^  returned  on  the  evening  of  the  4th  ;  but  the  latter  speaks  of  the 
salutes  fired  during  the  day.  According  to  the  Iliat.  Bear  Flag,  the  return 
was  on  the  3d.  Baldridge  says  that  the  declaration,  a  copy  which  the 
v.'riter  had  brought  over  the  mountains,  was  read  by  Lieut  Woodwon  h  of 
the  navy. 


W 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  REBELS. 


179 


by 

thu 

the 

I  San 

be- 

I  *      * 

bivi- 
the 

191. 
M  the 

192. 
fcr — iu 

\e,  70, 

say 
bf  the 
leturu 

the 
t\h  of 


4tli,  the  people  were  called  together  to  deliberate  on 
matters  of  public  importance.  Respecting  details  of 
what  was  accomplished,  our  evidence  is  meagre  and 
contradictory  to  a  certain  extent;  but  it  is  certain 
that  a  new  military  organization  was  effected,  and 
that  Fremont  was  put  in  command  of  the  insurgent 
forces,  Ide's  authority  terminating  on  that  day. 
Fremont  himself  says:  "In  the  morning  I  called  the 
people  together  and  spoke  to  them  in  relation  to  the 
position  of  the  country,  advising  a  course  of  opera- 
tions which  was  unanimously  adopted.  California 
was  declared  independent,  the  country  put  under 
martial  law,  the  force  organized,  and  officers  elected. 
A  pledge,  binding  themselves  to  support  these  meas- 
ures and  to  obey  the  officers,  was  signed  by  those 
present.  The  whole  was  placed  under  my  direction. 
Several  officers  from  the  Portsmouth  were  present  at 
this  meeting."®  William  Baldridge  claims  to  have 
been  chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  names  John  Bid- 
well  as  secretary."  Bidwell  tells  us  that  Frdmont — 
after  a  speech  in  which  he  expressed  his  willingness 
to  cooperate,  criticised  some  irregularities  of  the  past, 
and  insisted  on  implicit  obedience — named  Ide,  Read- 
ing, and  the  writer  as  a  committee  to  report  a  plan 
of  organization.  Unable  to  agree,  each  made  a  re- 
port of  his  own,  with  the  understanding  that  Gillespie 
should  select  one  of  the  three.  He  chose  Bidwell's, 
perhaps  on  account  of  its  brevity.  As  presented  by 
tlie  author  from  memory,  it  was  a  simple  agreement 
to  render  military  service  in  support  of  independ- 


vnce 


10 


°F.  to  B.  Niles'  Reg.,  Ixxi.  191.  Benton  made  some  improvements  on 
this  as  on  other  parts  of  the  same  letter  as  follows:  'The  north  side  of  the 
bay  was  now  cleared  of  the  enemy,  and  on  July  4th  Capt.  Frdmont  called 
the  Americans  togetlier  at  Sonoma,  addressed  them  upon  the  dangers  of 
their  position,  and  recommended  a  declaration  of  independence,  and  war 
upon  Castro  and  his  troops  as  the  only  means  of  safety.  The  independence 
was  immediately  declared,  and  war  proclaimed.'  These  statements  were 
repeated  in  substance  by  the  secretary  of  war,  and  by  many  other  writers, 
some  of  whom  go  so  far  as  to  say  that  Fremont  was  elected  governor ! 

» Ilaldridge's  Dmjs  of '46,  MS.,  6. 

""To  be  signed  by  all  willing  to  prosecute  the  war  already  begun,  to 


180 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— FREMONT  S  CAMl'AMJN. 


The  document  signed  at  Sonoma  op  July  5th,  so 
far  as  I  know,  is  no  longer  extant;  nor  have  we  any- 
written  contemporary  record  of  that  day's  transactions. 
Yet  it  appears  clearly  to  me  that  no  radical  changes 
were  effected  in  the  plan  of  revolt;  that  nothing  like 
a  new  declaration  of  independence  was  made;  that 
there  was  no  official  act  ignoring  wliat  had  been  al- 
ready accomphshed.  It  was  simply  the  formal  and 
public  assumption  by  Frdmont  of  a  conmiand  which 
by  most  of  the  insurgents  he  had  been  expected  to 
assume,  or  even  deemed  tacitly  to  hold  from  the  first. 
He  had  virtually  thrown  off  his  mask  of  caution  by 
his  San  Rafael  campaign,  and  it  was  hardly  possible, 
even  had  he  desired  it,  to  draw  back  now.  Naturally 
he  required  pledges  of  obedience  and  discipline ;  and 
military  reorganization  was  of  course  necessary  for 
active  operations  against  Castro. 

To  one,  however,  William  B.  Ide,  this  day's  doings 
were  of  no  small  import,  since  they  put  an  end  to  all 
his  greatness.  He  characterized  them  as  "events  and 
circumstances  which  changed  the  character  of  our 
enterprise,  and  presented  California  to  the  United 
States  as  a  trophy  of  that  species  of  conquest  that 
wallows  in  the  blood  of  murder,  or  of  that  ignoble 
traffic  that  makes  the  price  of  liberty  the  price  of 
blood,  instead  of  presenting  the  same  fair  land  on 
terms  of  honorable  compact  and  agreement,  such  as  all 
the  world  can  participate  in  without  loss  or  dishonor, 
by  the  free,  frank  expression  of  voluntary  consent  and 
good- will  of  the  parties."  Ide  regarded  himself  as  the 
leader  of  the  revolutionists,  and  as  the  founder  of  a 
republic.  He  moreover  regarded  the  revolution  as  a 
complete  success.  In  his  eyes  the  triumph  had  al- 
ready been  won;  California  had  been  wrested  from 

wit:  the  undersigned  agree  to  organize  and  to  remain  in  service  as  long  as 
necessary  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  and  maintaining  the  independence  of 
California. '  This  was  signed  by  all  iit  Sonoma,  including  Fremont's  men, 
and  was  signed  by  others  later  at  the  Mokelumne  River  on  the  march  south  ; 
since  which  time  it  has  not  appeared.  BidweWa  GaJ.  in  I84I-S,  MS.,  171-4. 
This  author  puts  Fremont's  speech  on  the  4th,  and  the  fandango  on  the  even- 
ing of  Sunday  the  5th,  after  the  organization. 


lu 


IDE'S  DISAPPOINTMKNT. 


181 


Mexico.  There  remained  (inly  the  trifling  formality 
of  taking  possession  of  that  part  of  the  country  south 
of  San  Francisco  Bay,  and  this  would  alreaay  have 
been  wellnigh  accomplished  had  Fremont  not  pre- 
vented the  sending  of  reenforcements  to  Weber  at 
San  Jos^."  It  was  Ido's  plan,  as  he  claims,  and  as 
there  is  no  good  reason  to  doubt,  when  once  he  had 
fully  established  a  free  and  independent  government, 
to  apply  for  admission  to  the  American  Union  on  terms 
to  be  settled  by  negotiations,  in  whicli  o^  course  ho 
personally  would  play  a  prominent  role.  This  method 
of  annexation  in  his  view  would  not  oidy  give  him  the 
fame  and  profit  to  which  he  was  entitled,  but  was 
more  honorable  to  the  United  States  and  just  to  the 
Californians  than  the  planof  conquest  finally  adopted. 
Naturally,  holding  these  views,  Ide  regarded  Fre- 
mont's *  unwarrantable  interference '  as  a  grievous 
wrong.  His  theory  was  that  Fremont,  finding  that 
his  original  plan  of  provoking  an  attack  by  Castro 
had  failed,  and  that  the  revolutionists  had  succeeded 
without  his  aid,  had  deliberately  plotted  with  other- 
United  States  officers  to  obtain  commani'  of  the  move- 
ment. His  purpose  was  believed  to  be  twofold :  first, 
to  gain  for  himself  glory  as  conqueror  of  California; 
and  second,  to  give  the  country  to  the  United  States 
without  the  troublesome  negotiations  and  treaty  stip- 
ulations which  would  be  necessary  in  dealing  with 
ail  independent  government. ^^     As  to  the  means  by 

"  Ide's  Biog.  Sketch,  191,  etc.  He  saya  three  men  had  arrived  on  July  Ist, 
•with  news  of  preparations  sc  tli  of  the  Ijay.  He  at  once  made  ready  a  boat 
til  send  arms  and  other  aid;  b;  Fremont  managed  to  prevent  the  measure  on 
one  pretext  and  another,  really  to  prevent  the  complete  success  of  the  revolu- 
tion until  he  could  obtain  exclusive  control.  Ide's  editor,  his  brother,  says: 
'Tlie  civil  and  military  authority  of  Mexico  had  been  tlioroughly  wiped  out; 
(.'iiliforuia  was  not,  and  had  not  been,  from  the  ir)th  of  June  to  the  5th  of 
July  under  Mexican  rule.  She  was  what  her  rude  national  flag  liad  from  day 
to  day  proclaimed,  the  California  Republic.  During  these  *J0  tlays  tliere  was 
no  obstruction,  by  a  conflicting  party  to  the  exorcise  by  tlie  Bear  Flag  gov- 
eniment  of  its  entire  functions  and  prerogatives  of  national  independence '!  p. 
•207. 

''^ Ide's  version  of  the  'second  edition  revised  and  corrected'  of  Fre- 
mont's plan  is  as  follows:  '1st,  secure  the  command  of  the  independent 
forces  01  the  Bear  Flag  republic.  2d,  hoist  the  U.  S.  flag,  and  follow  up 
to  the  entire  conquest.     3d,  if  no  war  between  Mex.  and  the  U.  S.  ensue. 


18.' 


1U<;AR  FLAO  RKVOLT-FRfiMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


I:      M 


■'£(:■' 


which  the  plot  wu.s  carried  out,  Ide  gives  the  follow- 
ing explanation  :  The  people  were  assembled  at  Sal- 
vador Vallojo's  house,  Fremont's  72  men,  with  ciglit 
or  ten  'gentlemen  officers'  from  the  ships,  under 
arnjs  in  one  room;  and  about  280  of  the  Bears  un- 
armcid  in  another,  with  an  armed  sentry  between  the 
two.  Then  Frdmont  entered  the  larger  room  with 
Gillespie  and  others,  and  made  a  speech.  He  still 
declined  to  meddle  in  California  politics,  but  was 
willing  to  render  aid  against  Castro,  whom  he  de- 
nounced as  a  usurper,  on  condition  that  the  insur- 
gents would  pledge  themselves  to  "  abstain  from  the 
violation  of  the  chastity  of  women,"  to  conduct  the 
war  honorably,  and  to  obey  their  officers  implicitly. 
Ide  then  made  a  speech,  consenting  to  the  pledge  ot 
obedience,  to  draft  which  a  committee  was  chosen. 
The  larger  assembly  named  Ide  on  this  committee, 
whereupon  the  smaller,  'the  council  of  friends,'  named 
two  of  their  number.  In  committee  meeting  the  ma- 
jority, being  and  representing  men  who  were  not  con- 
nected with  the  Bear  Flag  movement  at  all,  favored 
setting  aside  all  that  had  been  done  in  the  past  and 
starting  anew;  and  this  idea  was  embodied  in  their 
report.  The  reasons  urged  were:  1st,  that  July  5th 
immediately  follows  the  4th;  2d,  that  Frdmont,  as 
'advisory  leader,'  should  begin  with  the  beginning; 
and,  3d,  that  in  changing  the  'administration,'  a  new 
organization  was  prope:  — "  or,  more  definitely,  that 
we  who  are  out  of  office  may  have  a  chance  to  get 
in."  After  an  ineffectual  attempt  to  get  possession  of 
the  chair  by  the  representatives  of  the  smaller  bod}', 
the  majority  report  was  first  submitted  for  approval; 
and  then  that  of  the  minority — but  here  Ide's  narra- 
tive  abruptly  terminates.     We   have    no    means   of 

sell  out  all  the  military  stores  of  the  U.  S.  to  the  govt  of  Cal.,  and  obtain 
Cal.  by  treaty  with  the  new  govt;  but  in  the  event  of  a  war,  to  seize  and 
acquire  the  whole  by  the  right  of  conquest,'  The  oflScer  who  should  thus 
violate  national  honor  would  naturally  be  cashiered  by  his  govt ;  'yet  as  a 
solace  for  his  dishonor  [to  use  the  language  of  our  informant,  who  was  one  of 
said  U,  S,  oflScers],  he  will  be  in  town  with  a  pocket  full  of  rocks,'  Biog. 
Sketch,  195.     Ford's  narrative  does  not  include  those  matters. 


FRfiMONT  AND  IDE. 


in;» 


knowing  thin  author's  vtu'sion  of  the  final  result,  or 
of  the  methods  by  which  Fremont  succeeded  in  his 
main  purpose  of  obtaining  the  command,  notwith- 
standing the  numerical  strength  of  the  Bears  as  com- 
pared with  the  'council  t>f  friends.'  Perhaps  Ide 
would  have  represented  the  adoption  of  Bidwell's 
biief  pledge  as  a  victory  over  those  who  wished  to 
blot  out  all  that  had  been  done  before  July  5th,  and 
his  own  withdrawal  in  favor  of  Fremont  as  a  com- 
promise intended  to  prevent  dissensions;  or  perhaps 
his  claim  might  be  to  have  resigned,  in  disgust,  be- 
cause his  policy  could  not  be  fully  carried  out. 

The  truth  is  that  Ide  greatly  overrated  his  influence 
and  achievements.  He  believed  himscJ !  'utitled  to  the 
glory  of  having  organized  a  great  revolution,  won  a 
great  victory,  and  founded  a  great  republic.  His  ^^om- 
jtanions  of  the  original  Bear  par^v  looked  upon  him 
as  an  honest,  zealous,  but  eccentric  and  lomewhat  fa- 
Doiical  old  man,  whose  zeal,  good  sens^t^,,  and  education 
rendered  him  as  well  fitted  for  the  conmiand  as  any 
of  their  number  after  the  departure  of  Semple  and 
Grigsby,  and  whose  eccentricities  and  mania  for  theo- 
rizing and  writing  and  making  speeches  could  not  be 
logarded  as  a  serious  fault  on  the  part  of  a  garrison 
commander.  They  cared  nothing  for  his  political 
theories,  and  never  thought  of  him  as  in  any  sense  a 
lival  of  Fremont.  It  was  on  the  latter's  cooperation 
that  they  had  founded  their  hopes  of  successful  revolt 
from  the  first,  and  they  were  ready  to  welcome  his 
accession  to  the  active  command  at  any  time,  regard- 
ing it  as  practically  an  alliance  with  the  United 
States.  Sympathy  is  naturally  excited  in  Ide's  behalf 
by  reason  of  his  many  good  qualities,  by  his  devotion 
to  what  seemed  to  him  a  worthy  cause,  by  the  earnest- 
ness with  which  he  presents  his  wrongs,  and  by  the 
fact  that  Fremont  did  unquestionably  rob  him  of  a 
certain  portion  of  what  both  parties  and  the  world  at 
large  regarded  as  fame.  But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind 
that  his  cause  was  in  reality  "  bad  one — mere  filibus- 


134 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT-FKfiMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


I  r 


■iz:  ■ 


terism ;  that  his  influence  in  promoting  the  revolt  had 
been  much  less  than  that  of  Frdmont;  and  that,  far 
from  having  conquered  Cahfornia  as  he  beHeved,  he 
had  really  accomplished  little  or  nothing  toward  that 
conquest.  Moreover,  it  is  not  easy  to  comprehend  that 
his  plan  of  giving  the  country  to  the  United  States 
was  in  any  way  more  honorable  than  that  by  which  the 
annexation  was  effected,  and  which  he  so  violently 
denounces. 

Respecting  the  military  organization  effected  on 
July  5th  at  Sonoma,  I  have  found  no  contemporary 
records  whatever.  All  that  is  known  of  the  Califor- 
nia battalion  as  it  was  at  first  organized  is  that  it  num- 
bered about  250  men  of  the  Bear  Flag  party  and  Fre- 
mont's explorers;  formed  into  three  companies  under 
John  Grigsby,  Henry  L.  Ford,  and  Granville  P.  Swift 
respectively  as  captains;  all  under  the  command  of 
Frimont,  though  it  does  not  appear  what  was  the 
exact  rank  and  title — perhaps  acting  major — assumed 
by  that  officer;  and  with  Lieutenant  Gillespie  appar- 
ently as  adjutant,"  About  the  terms  of  enlistment 
we  have  only  Bidwell's  memory  of  the  paper  signed 
l>y  the  volunteers.  Ide  seems  to  have  joined  the  force 
as  a  private.  Something  more  of  detail  about  the 
battalion  in  a  later  stage  of  its  development  will  appear 
in  the  annals  of  the  conquest.  Captain  Grigsby  with 
50  men  or  more  remained  at  Sonoma.    The  rest  of  the 

"Fremont  says  nothing  of  the  force;  simply  mentions  that  it  was  organ- 
ized nnder  his  command,  that  officers  were  elected,  Grigsby  and  50  men  bein;^ 
left  at  Sonoma.  NIM  Jicj.,  Ixxi.  191.  Gillespie,  Fremont's  Cal.  Claims,  2M, 
says  that  four  com[)anie8  vvei-e  organized,  one  being  left  at  Sonoma,  and  that 
the  whole  force  was  '224.  Hensley,  Id.,  li'},  says:  'Wo  organized  the  "  Califor- 
nia Battalion,"  adopting  tlie  "grizzly  be.ir"  as  our  emblem,  requesting  Capt. 
Fri^mont  to  take  command  of  tlio  battalion,  and  of  all  the  forces  and  resources 
of  the  country,  which  command  he  accepted.'  In  a  contribution  to  the  Alta, 
July  3,  18G0,  Gillespie  gave  tlie  force  as  250,  70  being  left  at  Sonoma;  and 
names  himself  as  adjutant  and  ius])cctor,  with  rank  of  captain.  Followed  by 
Lancey's  Cruise,  73,  102.  In  tlie  Bear  Flag  Hint.,  we  read  that  the  volunteers 
were  'organized  into  three  companies  under  captains  Grigsby,  Ford,  and 
Swift,  leaving  a  small  artillery  company  to  take  charge  of  the  fort.'  Ide  says 
nothing  of  the  organization,  but  states  tiiat  there  were  about  3.50  men  at 
Sonoma.  Bidwell  mentions  tlie  election  of  captains  I'ord  and  Swift  only. 
Baldridge  says  there  was  some  rivalry  for  the  post  of  senior  captain;  but 
<  irigsby  was  chosen.  By  diSei'cnt  authorities  the  force  of  the  battalion  on 
arrival  at  Monterey  is  given  as  100  or  180  men. 


ii  :;.  i 


THK  BATTALION  AT  NEW  HELVETIA. 


185 


force  under  Fremont  started  July  6th  for  the  Sacra- 
mento, there  to  make  preparations  for  an  advance 
upon  Castro,  taking  with  them  such  horses,  cattle, 
and  other  needed  supplies  as  the  Bears  had  accumu- 
lated, or  as  they  could  find  in  the  adjoining  ranchos. 
Frdmont  and  his  battalion  arrived  at  Sutter's  Fort, 
and  moved  up  to  the  old  camp  on  the  American  River 
on  the  9th  and  10th  of  July.  It  was  the  avowed  in- 
tention to  march  with  the  least  possible  delay  against 
Castro  in  the  south;  and  it  is  of  course  impossible  to 
j)rove  that  such  was  not  Fremont's  real  purpose,  I 
suspect,  however,  that  he  would  have  found  a  plausi- 
l)le  pretext  for  delaying  the  movement  for  several 
weeks,  in  expectation  of  news  that  war  had  been  de- 
clared. He  was  by  no  means  afraid  of  Castro's  forces, 
nor  was  he  averse  to  a  fight  in  which  old  scores  might 
be  settled;  but  his  position  as  an  officer  of  the  United 
States  was  a  delicate  one.  By  postponing  hostile  ac- 
tion until  the  news  of  war  should  come,  he  might, 
thanks  to  his  past  caution,  set  up  the  plea,  if  by  rea- 
son of  official  censure  or  other  motives  it  should  seem 
safest,  that  he  had  not  instigated  the  revolt  or  taken 
any  active  part  in  it,  but  had  taken  the  nominal  com- 
mand at  the  last  for  any  one  of  a  dozen  reasons  which 
his  fertile  brain  would  suggest.  It  is  by  no  means 
impossible  that  he  might  have  found  it  politic  under 
certain  circumstances  to  assume  the  ground  imputed 
to  him  by  Ide,  that  he  had  gained  control  of  the  move- 
ment solely  to  remove  obstacles,  in  the  shape  of  an 
independent  government,  to  the  military  conquest  of 
the  country.  The  desired  tidings  arrived,  however, 
on  the  very  day  that  the  battalion  camped  on  the 
American;  so  that  the  movement  even  from  its  be- 
ginning at  Sonoma  has  been  known  as  a  'pursuit  of 
Castro,'  news  of  whose  retreat  from  Santa  Clara 
reached  the  Sacramento  at  about  the  same  time.  With 
the  news  of  Sloat's  operations  at  Monterey,  there  came 
a  U.  S,  flag,  which  was  raised  next  morning,  July  11th, 
over  Sutter's  Fort;  the  stars  and  stripes  had  already 


TW 


180 


BEAR  FLAG  REVOLT— FREMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


^i 


been  floating  at  Sonoma  for  two  days ;  the  Bear  Flag 
revolt  was  at  an  end. 

In  an  introductory  chapter  to  the  general  subject, 
and  in  the  course  of  my  narrative,  I  have  already 
said  quite  enough  respecting  the  causes,  effects,  and 
general  character  of  the  Bear  Flag  revolt,  and  I  do 
not  propose  to  reopen  the  subject  even  en  resume. 
Neither  do  I  deem  it  best  to  notice,  except  in  a  pass- 
ing glance,  the  actions  of  the  insurgents  respecting 
private  persons  and  property  while  in  possession  of 
Sonoma  and  the  surrounding  region.     It  is  not  possi- 
ble to  ascertain  the  exact  truth  in  this  matter.    Those 
connected  with  the  movement,  almost  without  excep- 
tion, both  in  statements  of  the  time  and  in  later  tes- 
timony, declare  that  no  outrage  or  excess  was  com- 
mitted; that  but  little  private  property  except  horses 
was  taken,  and  these  always  with  the  consent  of  the 
owners,  who  took  receipts  to  prove  their  claims  against 
the  new  government  later.     It  is  not  necessary  to  be- 
lieve that  all  this  was  literally  true;  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  small  quantities  of  plunder  were  taken  by 
the  insurgents  from  many  citizens  without  any  for- 
malities whatever;  and  it  is  not  likely  that  the  ran- 
cheros  were  eager  to  part  with  the'r  horses  and  cattle, 
even  in  exchange  for   the  Bears'  promises  to  pay. 
Yet  it  is  certain   that  the  leaders  did  their  best  to 
restrain  their  somewhat  unruly  followers;  and  their 
efforts  were,  all  circumstances  considered,  successful. 
Rarely  if  ever  has  a  filibuster  revolt  been  conducted 
with  so  much  moderation  in  respect  of  private  rights. 
I  might  introduce  here  a  long  list  of  statements  by 
Californians  about  outrages  committed  by  the  hated 
Bears;  but  it  would  serve  no  good  purpose.     Many 
of  these  accusations  are  evidently  and  absurdly  false; 
others  are  grossly  exaggerated ;  and  I  have  no  means 
of  distinguishing   accurately  the  comparatively  few 
that  are  well  founded.     As  to  the  obligations  con- 
tracted by  the  insurgents  for  horses  and  other  supplies 


BIBLIOGRAPHIC  NOTES. 


187 


from  June  14th  to  July  9th,  they  were  turned  over 
to  U.  S.  officials,  together  with  the  so-called  public 
property  designed  as  security  for  their  payment.  The 
matter  of  'California  claims'  in  congress  is  too  com- 
plicated to  be  noticed  here.  These  early  claims  were, 
however,  acknowledged  by  the  United  States,  in  con- 
nection with  more  numerous  and  important  obliga- 
tions of  similar  nature  incurred  during  the  conquest. 
The  two  classes  of  claims  are  so  blended  that  it  is  not 
easy  to  determine  from  existing  records  the  fate  of 
any  particular  claim  of  the  earlier  period.  Many  of 
the  rancheros  lost  their  receipts;  others  sold  theirs  to 
third  parties  at  nominal  prices;  and  others  still  pre- 
sented fictitious  claims.  Few  if  any  bona  fide  orig- 
inal claimants  ever  received  payment  for  the  property 
lost."  I  append  in  closing  some  notes  on  the  bibliog- 
raphy of  the  Bear  Flag  revolt.'® 

'*  111  Bear  Flag  Popem,  MS.,  21,  is  a  memorandum  of  sundries  taken  from 
some  one  on  June  2l8t  and  July  oth.  It  is  marked  '  taken  by  order  of  Ciipt. 
Fremont.'  In  Vallejo,  Hint.  Cal.,  MS.,  v.  141-(!,  and  Mrs  Leesc's  flht.  Hear 
Party,  there  are  Bomewhat  vague  accounts  of  troubles  between  tiie  Bear  Icad- 
I'rs  and  Mrs  Vallejo  and  family,  the  latter  being  accused  of  sending  anus  and 
iiinmunition  to  PadiUa  and  Carrillo. 

'^I  name  different  sources  of  information — already  often  referred  to  in 
till!  preceding  chapters — approximately  in  the  order  of  their  importance. 
'I'lio  Bear  Fktij  Pa^jer-^  is  a  collection  of  about  80  original  <locnment8  of  IS4G 
bearing  on  the  capture  and  occupation  of  Sonoma,  the  imprisonment  of  Va- 
llejo and  his  companions  at  Sutter's  Fort,  and  other  topics  closely  connected 
w  itli  tlio  revolt.  Almost  without  exception,  these  papers  contain  information 
not  existing  elsewhere.  Of  especial  value  are  the  original  capitulations  and 
piirolc  papers  signed  at  Sonoma  on  Juno  14th,  a  contemporary  nairativc  by 
Liese,  official  reports  of  Lieut  Misroon's  visit  to  Sonoma,  and  some  corre- 
spondence of  the  prisoners.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  putting  this  collection  at 
the  head  of  tlio  list.  For  the  preservation  of  such  valuable  Jiistoric  records 
the  public  is  indebted,  as  I  am  for  their  possession,  to  (Jen.  M.  G.  Vallejo. 
Lii'xc'if  Hear  Flmj;  Statement  of  Jacob  P.  Leese  to  Col.  J.  C.  Fremont.  Pro- 
ccedinijn  m  (Jji/trr  ( 'ali/ornia  /trevions  to  the  dedarntioa  of  the  war  in  thU  dc- 
jinrtmeul,  is  one  of  the  papers  of  the  collection  just  mentioned,  and  merits 
sjiecial  notice.  It  is  a  narrative  of  12  large  and  closely  written  pa^es  in 
I.eesc's  hand;  prepared  probably  in  1847,  under  circumstances  not  dclinitely 
known;  and  containing  a  more  defailed  account  of  the  taking  of  Sonoma,  in 
tortain  respects,  and  especially  of  the  journey  of  the  captives  to  Sacramento, 
than  any  other.  Lcese  s  statements  are  conhrmed  by  other  evidence  in  sonio 
jiarts;  and  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  their  accuracy  in  others. 

The  manuscripts  contained  in  Larkins  Dor.  Ilht.  Cal.  and  Larkin'K  Off. 
Correspondence,  which  bear  upon  the  matter  wmld,  if  brought  together, 
tnnii  a  collection  much  larger,  and  in  some  respects  more  important,  than 
that  just  mentioned.  They  consist  of  more  than  200  documents,  chiefly  cor- 
lespondence  of  Larkin,  Stearns,  Leidcsdorff,  Fr<?mont,  Montgomery,  Gillespie, 
.Muish,  anil  other  prominent  men,  dated  in  the  first  half  of  1840.     They  (ire 


1S8 


BEAK  FLAG  JIEVOLT-FREMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


invaluable  in  fixing  dates;  and  they  throw  much  light  on  every  phase  of  what 
was  occurring  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  JJurhanan's  Iimtructiova  to  Larlnn 
is  the  most  important  single  document,  though  belonging  only  indirectly  to 
the  Bear  Flag  revolt.  Satvycr'K  Documents  consist  of  copies  made  from  the 
Lurkin  ])apers  before  they  came  into  my  iK)S8e8sion;  but  it  includes  a  few 
papers  tliat  have  been  lost  from  the  originals.  They  were  given  me  by  the 
late  Charles  H.  Sawyer. 

Other  private  arcliivcs  particularly  rich  in  material  on  the  revolt  are 
Castro,  Doc.  IJiat.  Cal.;  Documento8  yara  la  Hist,  de  California;  and  VaUejo, 
Doc.  Hist.  Ca/.  Very  many  important  papers,  official  and  unofficial,  are  found 
in  these  collections  and  nowhere  el»e,  to  say  nothing  of  the  hundreds  of  petty 
communications  which,  in  the  aggregate,  help  so  much  to  perfect  the  historic 
record.  The  smaller  collections  of  Dor.  Hist.  Cal.,  bearing  the  names  of 
Guerra,  I'ico,  Bandini,  Olvera,  Moreno,  Corouel,  and  Carrillo  respectively, 
also  contain  each  its  original  and  contemporary  contributions  to  current  his- 
tory, with  special  reference  to  affairs  in  the  south.  The  Cal.  Pion.  Soc. 
A rchivin  and  the  Monterey  Consulate  Archices  furnish  each  a  few  items  not 
obtainable  elsewhere. 

Tlie  public  archives  of  the  CalLfornian  government  furnish  but  meagre 
information  respecting  the  events  of  this  period.  There  is  hardly  anything 
of  value  relating  to  events  on  the  northern  frontier  in  June  and  July.  The 
archives — notably  the  Lcijislative  liecords;  Depart.  St.  Papers,  fc^ni.  vi.-viii. ; 
Los  Angeles,  Arch.;  and  San  Josi,  Arch. — are  richer  in  matters  about  events 
preceding  the  outbreak;  though  even  in  tliis  respect  they  are  much  less  com- 
plete than  the  private  archives. 

Among  personal  narratives — that  of  Leese  having  been  noticed,  and  after 
a  passing  glance  at  four  Letters  from  California,  signed  'The  Farthest 
West,'  written  in  June  1846  from  Yerba  Bueua,  intended  for  a  New  York 
paper,  but  originally  published  in  the //o«oZ(//(t  Friend,  Oct.  15-Dec.  1.  1840, 
and  containing  much  interesting  information  on  current  events — that  of  Will- 
iam B.  Idc  merits  our  flrst  attention.  It  is  found  in  A  Biographical  Sketch 
of  the  lAfe  of  William  B.  Ide;  viUh  a  minute  and  interesting  account  of  one  of 
the  large-it  emigrating  companies  (3,000  miles  over  land)  from  the  ESast  to  tht 
Pacific  coast.  And  what  is  claimed  as  the  most  authentic  and  reliable  account  of 
'  tlie  virtual  conquest  of  California  in  June  IS46,  by  the  Bear  Flag  Party, '  as  given 
bij  its  Icau.r,  the  late  Hon.  William  Brown  Ide.  Published  for  the  subscribers. 
n.p.,  n.d.  (probably  Claremont,  N.  H.,  1880),  lGmo,240  p.  This  little  work  was 
edited  and  printed  by  Simeon  Ide,  a  brother  of  William  B. ,  and  may  be  noticed 
in  three  distinct  parts.  1st,  biographical  matter  contributed  by  different  mem- 
bers of  the  family,  and  includmg  original  letters;  a  most  praiseworthy  sketch 
of  the  life  of  a  prominent  pioneer,  containing  interesting  reminiscences  of  the 
overland  trip  by  Ide's  daughter,  Mrs  Healey.  2d,  an  account  of  tha  revolu- 
tion compiled  by  the  editor  from  various  sources,  and  of  no  value  whatever; 
since  the  aged  brother  in  his  New  Hampshire  home  had  no  facilities  for  ac- 
(luiring  accurate  information;  and  tin)  men  in  California  to  whom  the  proofs 
were  submitted  for  revision — or  at  least  those  of  them  whose  ideas  were  fol- 
lowed— wci-e  not  well  qualified  for  the  task.  And,  .3d,  Ide's  Letter  to  Senator 
Wamboiigh,  a  narrative  of  the  revolt  supposed  to  have  been  written  before 
1848,  and  devoted  maiuly  to  a  vindication  of  the  author's  reputation  as  the 
real  'Conqueror  of  California'  against  the  rival  claims  of  Capt.  Fremont. 
This  is  by  far  the  most  important  part  of  the  work.  In  many  respects  it  is 
a  more  complete  recoi'd  than  any  other  narrative.  It  is  most  eloquently 
though  quaintly  written.  There  is  every  reason  to  believe,  from  the  narra- 
tive in  question  and  from  other  sources,  that  Ide  was  an  honest  and  well 
meaning  man.  This  letter,  however,  is  a  piece  of  special  pleading,  everj'- 
where  colored  by  a  violent  prejudice,  sometimes  amounting  to  a  mania, 
against  Fremont,  whom  Ide  honestly  believed  to  have  i-obbed  him  of  hia  fame 
as  a  conqueror  and  fomider  of  a  republic.  Tlie  merits  of  the  case  have  been 
discussed  elsewhere;  but  the  author's  grievance  and  bitter  prejudice  doubtless 
leail  him  at  several  points  away  from  strict  accuracy  in  the  presentation  of 


i!i; 


AUTHORITIES  ON  THE  REVOLT. 


189 


minor  facts,  juul  tlius  detract  from  the  merit  of  the  narrative.  The  Wiini- 
bough  letter,  witli  some  editorial  comments,  containing  nothing  not  in  the  Jiiog. 
Sketch,  was  issued  separately  under  the  title.  Who  Conquered  California,  etc. 
Claremont,  N.  H.  (18i80),  I2mo,  137  p.  Mr  Ide  quotes  once  or  twice  a  diary 
kept  by  him  at  Sonoma.  It  is  not  very  unlikely  that  this  manuscript  may 
some  day  be  brought  to  light.  I  have  also  a  MS.  copy  of  Jde'n  liiog.  Sketi'h 
made  before  the  work  was  published. 

A  mantiscript  report  signed  by  John  H.  Nash,  John  (irigsby,  and  W'm 
13.  Idc  as  a  'committee'  of  citizens,  and  dated  Sonoma,  May  I.'l,  1847,  was  fur- 
nished to  the  Sangamon  (III.)  Journal,  which  paper  published  a 'brief  r(5sum<5' 
of  its  contents  reprinted  in  Niks'  Jlet/intfr,  Ixxiii.  1  l(J-ll,  157.  It  is  not  known 
what  has  become  of  the  original.  I  have  quoted  ti»c  summary  as  liislory 
of  the  Bear  Flaij  Revolt.  The  original  had  an  appendix  containing  'matters 
luid  things  which  ought  not  to  bo  published  at  the  present  time,' say  the  ed- 
itors. From  tlio  closing  paragraph,  it  appears  that  the  report  was  written  to 
favor  the  payment  of  the  'California  claims,'  and  to  obtain  a  'land  premium' 
and  other  remuneration  for  revolutionary  services.  It  was  probably  written 
chiefly  by  Ide,  and  in  general  purport  does  not  diflfer  materially  from  the 
Wambough  letter.  Henry  L.  Ford's  Bear  Flag  Revolution  in  Col.  is  a  MS. 
narrative  written  by  the  author  in  1851,  for  Kev.  S.  H.  Willey,  who  pub- 
lished a  summary  of  its  contents  in  the  .S'.  /'.  Bulletin  and  Sla  Cruz  Sentinel. 
My  copy  was  made  from  the  original  in  1877.  Ford  was  a  prominent  man  in 
the  revolt  from  the  beginning,  and  may  bo  regarded  as  a  trustworthy  witness. 
As  lie  wrote  from  memory,  his  dates  arc  inaccurate;  and  there  .are  some  indi- 
cations that  in  his  recollections  he  sometimes  confounded  what  he  saw  and 
what  he  read  in  the  early  papers;  still  Iiis  statement  must  be  regarded  as  one 
of  the  moat  important  extant. 

Among  tiie  statements  writteiv  by  Bear  Flag  men  from  memory  expressly 
for  my  use,  William  Baldridgc's  Ltat/n  of  '40  is  by  far  tlie  most  valuable  and 
complete;  though  some  useful  items  are  given  by  Knight,  Hargrave,  Fowler, 
ilcChristian,  Marshall,  Gregson,  and  others.  Bidwell,  CfUi/ornia  I84I-S, 
gives  testimony  that  has  been  of  great  service  to  mo,  being  somewhat  disap- 
pointing, however,  in  comparison  with  his  testimony  on  other  matters,  and  with 
what  might  naturally  bo  expected  from  a  gentleman  of  Bidwell's  intelligence 
and  opportunities.  John  A.  Sutter's  Personal  Reminiscences  are  not  very  val- 
uable in  this  connection,  except  as  showing  the  author's  views  on  certain 
points.  John  C.  Frt^inont  has  repeatedly  promised  and  as  often  failed  to  give 
me  his  testimony  on  the  subject.  Thomas  S.  Martin's  Narrative,  by  one  of 
Fremont's  men,  is  quite  extensive  and  interesting;  but  is  unfortunately  so  in- 
accurate on  many  matters  susceptible  of  proof  as  to  destroy  its  value  on  other 
airaira. 

Original  statements  by  native  Californians,  of  which  I  have  many  besides 
the  elaborate  histories  of  Vallejo,  (Jsio,  Alvarado,  Pico,  and  Bandini,  and  the 
hriefcr  recollections  of  Manuel  Castro,  B'rancisco  Arce,  Francisco  Rico,  Est6- 
\an  do  la  Torre,  and  Luis  German,  with  contributions  of  Antonio  F.  Coronel 
and  Narciso  Botello  in  the  south,  arc  on  tliis  subject  as  on  most  others  very 
uneven  in  quality.  Side  by  side  in  tlie  same  nari-ativc  are  found  the  most 
.ibaurd  and  evident  inaccuracies  on  one  point  and  valuable  testimony  on  an- 
I'ther.  The  Bear  Flag  revolt  is  on  an  avcr.age  more  fairly  presented  by  these 
:p"tU:ir,en  than  are  many  other  topics  of  California  history.  Their  statements 
..  ->^  aggregate  are  very  valuable  when  used  in  connection  with  and  tested 
o>  contemporary  records;  without  sucli  accompaniment  they  would  lead  the 
iiistorian  far  astray  on  many  points.  Of  course  I  have  no  space  liere  to  par- 
ticularize the  merits  and  weaknesses  of  so  many  narratives;  and  no  one  of 
them  is,  on  this  special  subject,  notably  superior  or  inferior  to  the  rest. 

The  New  Helvetia  Diary,  MS.,  is  a  record  of  the  time  which  fixes  several 
dates,  ami  is  otherwise  of  considerable  value.  Sutter's  Diary  is  substantially 
in  most  respects  a  r^suni(5  of  the  same  record.  Clyman'a  Diary,  MS. ,  contains 
."oine  items  bearing  indirectly  on  the  general  topic.  In  Niles'  Register  oi  1846- 
7,  vol.  Ixx.  p.  161,  Ixxxi.  p.  173-4,  187-ftl,  is  a  valuable  collection  of  corre- 


i 


190 


BEAR  FLAC;  REVOLT— FREMONT'S  CAMPAIGN. 


spondcnce  on  Fremont's  movements,  aome  of  it  not  elsewhere  found.  It  wan 
on  Fremont's  letter  to  Benton,  and  on  that  of  the  latter  to  the  president,  that 
were  founded  brief  mentions  of  the  subject  in  various  govt  reports  of  the  time, 
us  well  as  the  current  popular  ideas  for  several  years.  Fr^mont^a  Oeoa.  Memoir 
and  Kern' a  Journal  contain  some  matters  pertaining  more  or  less  directly  to 
the  subject;  and  Peters'  Life  of  Kit  Carson  may  be  regarded  as  containing 
some  original  matter  in  the  shape  of  Carson's  testimony,  though  of  little  value. 
Preniovt'a  C'al.  Claims  (30th  cong.  Jst  sess..  Sen.  llcpt  no.  75)  is  a  collection 
of  important  testimony  taken  in  1848  from  Frdmont,  Gillespie,  Hensley,  and 
many  other  prominent  men,  on  a  subject  growing  directly  out  of  the  revolt. 

Phelps'  Fore  and  Aft  and  Revere'a  Tour  of  Duty  are  books  written  by  men 
who  were  in  California  in  1846,  and  to  some  extent  actors  in  the  sceues  de- 
scribed. Both  authors  fall  into  some  errors,  doubtless  without  any  inten- 
tional nusrepreaentation.  The  Monterey  Califomian,  1846,  and  the  S.  F. 
Catiforiiian,  1847,  contained  a  good  deal  of  valuable  matter  on  the  subject, 
much  of  it  emanating  from  Dr  Semple,  editor  of  the  former  paper  an<l  a 
prominent  Bear  Flag  man,  a  narrative  from  whose  pen  appears  in  the  //cs/*t- 
rian,  vol.  iii.  Much  information,  in  a  certain  sense  original,  being  in  many 
instances  the  personal  recollections  of  pioneers,  and  in  a  few  cases  taking  a 
documentary  form,  lias  appeared  in  California  newspapers  of  later  date,  of 
wliicli  it  is  not  necessary  to  give  a  list  here,  the  S.  F.  Altaa.xid  SanJosd  Pio- 
neer being  prominent  in  this  respect.  It  is  well  to  mention  in  this  connection 
Tliomas  C.  Lancey's  Cruise  of  the  Dale,  published  in  the  paper  last  named. 
It  contains  more  matter  on  all  topics  connected  with  the  conquest  than  any 
other  publication  extant,  being  compiled  from  newspaper  and  other  sources 
by  a  gentleman  who  came  to  California  in  1846,  and  who  was  well  fitted  m 
many  respects  for  the  task.  This  work  merits  more  praise  than  it  will  ever 
obtain  in  its  present  form,  marred  by  many  typographical  blunders,  and  lack 
ing  systematic  arrangement.  Of  a  similar  nature  to  Lancey's  work,  though 
as  a  rule  inferior,  except  where  they  have  reproduced  it  literally,  are  the  local 
county  histories  of  California  published  during  the  past  few  years;  the  editors 
having  occasionally,  however,  obtained  items  that  were  new  and  of  some 
value.  John  S.  Hittell's  History  of  San  Francisco  should  be  noticed  here  as 
the  only  popular  work  of  late  years  in  which  a  correct  understanding  of  the 
character  of  the  revolt  is  shown. 

Such  are  the  sources  of  original  information  on  the  Bear  Flag  revolt;  and 
I  may  add  that  most  of  the  authorities  cited  treat  also  of  later  annals,  or  tlio 
conquest.  Miscellaneous  printed  works  treating  more  or  less  fully  of  both  the 
Revolt  and  the  Conquest— some  of  them  trustworthy,  and  others  trash,  pure 
and  simple;  none  of  them  containing  original  matter;  and  none  of  them  cited 
in  my  pages  except  occasionally,  to  show  the  author's  peculiar  views,  to  cor- 
rect an  error,  or  for  some  other  special  purpose — may  be  fonnd  in  great  num- 
bers in  my  general  list  of  authorities. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 

1846. 

The  War  with  Mexico — Beoinnino  of  Hostilities— Feeling  ijt  the 
United  States  Respectino  California — PoucY  of  President  Polk's 
Administration — Instructions  to  Commodore  Sloat  in  1845  and  1846 
—  Plans  for  Permanent  Occppation— The  Pacific  Squadron  at 
Mazatlan— Rumors  of  War — Services  of  Dr  Wood  and  John  Par- 
rott — The  'Portsmouth'  and  'Cyane'  Sent  to  Monterey— News 
from  the  Rio  Grande — Sloat's  Plans — His  '  Unwarranted  Inactiv- 
ity'— Changes  his  Mind — Starts  for  California  in  the  'Savannah' 
— English  Designs — The  Rival  Fleets — A  Race,  in  American  Imagi- 
nation— A  Protectorate — An  Unfounped  Conjecture — The  McNa- 
MARA  Colonization  Project— Ten  Thousand  Irishmen  for  San  Joa- 
quin. 


The  conquest  of  California  was  a  part  of  the  war  of 
1846-8,  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States.  Not 
only  was  California  a  portion,  and  the  richest  portion, 
of  the  territory  transferred  from  one  nation  to  the 
other  as  a  result  of  the  war;  but  it  was  also  the  prize 
chiefly  coveted  in  advance  by  that  element  in  the 
northern  republic  which  promoted  the  conflict.  It 
was  the  region  whose  loss  Mexico  most  dreaded,  and 
whose  prospective  annexation  to  the  United  States 
was  looked  upon  with  mont  disfavor  in  Europe.  There- 
fore I  might  appropriately — and  in  fact,  were  I  writ- 
ing a  detached  history  of  California,  should  be  obliged 
to — present  at  considerable  length  the  general  annals 
f  the  war,  and  particularly  the  causes  which  led  to  it. 
I  am  relieved,  however,  from  this  necessity  by  the 
fact  that  the  Mexican  war  is  in  its  i^foneral  features 

( 191 ) 


o 


192 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


111?  1 


fully  treated  in  another  volume  of  my  work;  and  I 
shall  therefore  confine  myself  to  a  brief  statement 
respecting  the  outbreak  of  hostilities,  and  then  pro- 
ceed to  consider  those  phases  only  of  the  subject 
which  directly  concerned  the  territory  to  which  these 
volumes  are  devoted. 

The  independence  of  Texas,  effected  in  1836  by 
Americans  colonists,  while  fully  recognized  by  the  lead- 
ing powers  of  the  world,  was  never  so  recognized  by 
Mexico,  which  nation  persisted  in  regarding  the  lone- 
star  republic  as  its  own  territory,  and  believed  that 
the  so-called  independence  was  but  a  pretext  from  the 
first  for  ultimate  annexation  to  the  United  States. 
When  the  question  of  such  annexation  began  to  be 
agitated,  the  Mexicans  of  course  were  confirmed  in 
their  belief,  and  the  popular  feeling  became  very  bit- 
ter. Over  and  over  again  the  government  of  Mexico 
declared  officiLlly  that  annexation  would  be  forcibly 
lesisted,  and  would  be  made  a  cause  of  war.  In  the 
United  States  it  was  not  generally  believed  that  thi.-s 
warlike  threat  would  be  carried  out.  There  was,  how- 
ever, a  strong  opposition  to  the  proposed  measure, 
founded  in  part  on  the  justice  of  Mexican  claims,  but 
mainly  on  the  danger  of  extending  southern  political 
power.  The  project  was  defeated  in  congress;  but, 
after  a  presidential  election  in  w^hich  its  friends  were 
victorious,  it  was  again  brought  up,  and  ratified  at 
Washington  in  March  1845,  receiving  the  final  ap- 
proval of  Texas  in  July  of  the  same  year.  Before  the 
end  of  1845  a  military  force  was  stationed,  not  only  on 
the  Texan  frontier,  but  over  the  line  in  disputed  terri- 
tory, which  Mexico  with  much  reason  claimed  as  her 
own,  whether  Texan  independence  were  recognized  or 
not.  In  Mexico,  meanwhile,  there  was  practically  no 
difference  of  opinion  on  the  merits  of  the  case;  but 
the  administration  in  power,  that  of  Herrera,  was  in- 
clined to  avoid  a  declaration  of  war,  and  to  favor  delay 
and  diplomatic  negotiations,  prudently  foreseeing  the 
danger  of  losing,  not  only  Texas,  but  other  parts  of  the 


THE  MEXICAN  WAR. 


108 


bit- 


national  domain.  The  popular  feelinj.^,  however,  was 
irresistibly  opposed  to  every  policy  of  concession;  the 
administration  was  forced  to  refuse  negotiation  witli 
Slidell,  the  American  minister,  whose  mission  it  hatl 
to  a  certain  extent  encouraged ;  and  finally  it  was  over- 
thrown by  Paredes,  who  took  advantage  of  the  public 
sentiment  in  favor  of  war  to  raise  himself  into  power. 
Another  effort  to  prevent  the  war  was  that  which 
aimed  at  a  treaty  by  which  Mexico  should  recognize 
the  independence  of  Texas,  in  return  for  a  pledgo 
against  annexation.  This  plan  was  instigated  by  the 
European  powers  clearly  foreseeing  the  result  of  a 
conflict,  but  it  was  rejected  by  Texas.  Early  in  Marcli 
1846  the  American  army  advanced  toward  the  Rio 
Grande,  impeded  by  protests  and  proclamations  and 
threats,  but  no  forcible  resistance.  Early  in  April 
the  Mexican  army  was  ordered  to  advance,  and  General 
Ampudia,  commanding  at  Matamoros,  assumed  a  hos- 
tile attitude,  ordering  Taylor  to  retire  at  once  beyond 
the  Nueces  until  the  question  of  boundaries  could  be 
settled.  The  order  was  not  obeyed.  Before  the  end 
of  April  blood  had  been  shed  in  several  minor  encoun- 
ters of  small  detached  parties,  and  a  considerable  part 
of  the  Mexican  force  had  crossed  the  Rio  Grande. 
On  May  3d  an  artillery  duel  was  begun  between  the 
fortifications  on  opposite  sides  of  the  river,  and  on 
May  8th  was  fought  the  first  pitched  battle  at  Palo 
Alto.  I  need  not  follow  the  record  of  military  opera- 
tions further.  It  was  on  May  13th  that  congress 
voted,  and  President  Polk  proclaimed,  that  "by  the 
act  of  the  republic  of  Mexico  a  state  of  war  exists  be- 
tween that  government  and  the  United  States." 

As  to  the  popular  sentiment  in  the  United  States 
respecting  the  acquisition  of  California,  there  is  little 
or  nothing  to  be  added  to  what  I  have  said  on  the 
same  subject  for  1845.^  The  threatened  war  had  lit- 
tle bearing  on  the  subject,  for  it  was  not  generally  be- 

'See  Hist.  Cal.,\'o\.  iv.,  chap.  xxv. 
Hist.  Cal„  Vol.  V.    18 


104 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


lieved  that  there  would  be  any  war.  It  was  felt  that 
California  was  a  most  desirable  province;  that  it  was 
not  destined  to  remain  much  longer  under  Mexican 
control ;  that  it  ought  for  many  reasons  to  belong  to 
tlie  United  States;  and  that  the  rapid  increase  of 
An)erican  immigration  would  inevitably  bring  about 
the  desired  result,  unless  it  were  prevented  by  Euro- 
pean interference.  Those  who  were  opposed  to  the  ac- 
quisition founded  their  opposition  mainly  on  political 
and  sectional  grounds;  but  many  of  those  who  favored 
it  hoped  to  see  it  accomplished  by  purchase  rather  than 
by  methods  bearing  a  dishonorable  taint  of  filibuster- 
ism.  On  two  points  there  was  wellnigh  unanimous 
agreement — that  England  was  no  less  eager  than  the 
United  States  to  obtain  California,  and  that  no  inter- 
ference by  that  or  any  European  power  must  in  any 
case  be  tolerated.  Of  course,  the  war  once  begun, 
there  was  but  little  disposition  on  the  part  of  any  to 
oppose  the  temporary  occupation  of  California  as  a 
military  measure;  indeed,  during  the  continuance  of 
the  conflict  public  attention  was  but  very  slightly 
directed  to  the  ultimate  fate  of  that  country,  though 
details  of  military  achievements,  there  as  in  Mexico, 
were  closely  watched.' 

Respecting  the  policy  of  the  administration  at 
Washington  with  regard  to  California,  we  are  left 
in  no  doubt  whatever.  From  developments  in  the 
Commodore  Jones  affair  of  1842,^  and  from  the  sub- 
sequent naval  operations  on  the  coast,  I  might  rea- 
sonably infer,  as  other  writers  have  repeatedly  done 
before  me,  that  naval  commanders  had  standmg  in- 
structions during  all  this  period  to  occupy  California 
in  case  of  war  with  Mexico,  and  to  prevent  in  any 

^The  feeliug  in  the  U.  S.  is  well  shown  in  an  article  on  'California, '  pub- 
lished in'the  American  Review  of  .Tan.  1846,  vol.  iii.,  p.  82-99,  in  which  par- 
ticular attention  is  paid  to  English  designs.  I  might  quote  extensively 
from  newspapers  of  tne  time;  but  I  find  no  such  material  which  throws  fur- 
ther light  on  the  subject  than  has  already  been  obtained  from  citations  of 
former  years.  Most  articles  on  the  Mexican  war  mention  California,  but 
only  incidentally. 

^  See  chap.  xii.  of  vol.  iv. 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  SLOAT  AND  LARKIN. 


195 


iiat 
.vaa 
can 

r   to 

]   of 

)OUt 

uro- 

eac- 

tical 

ored 

than 

ister- 

mous 

n  the 

inter- 

a  any 

►egun, 

my  to 

I  as  a 

nee  of 

ightly 

hough 

[exico, 


aia, '  pu^- 
Irhich  par- 
Uensively 
Irowa  fur- 
Eitiona  of 
Irnia,  but 


event  such  occupation  by  England  or  France.  But 
wo  have  no  need  for  inference  or  conjecture  on  the 
subject,  since  clearly  written  instructions  are  extant. 
On  June  24,  1845,  after  congress  had  ratified  the 
measure  which  Mexico  had  declared  would  be  a 
casus  belli,  Bancroft,  secretary  of  the  navy,  wrote  in 
'secret  and  confidential  instructions'  to  Commodore 
Sloat,  commanding  the  Pacific  squadron,  as  follows: 
"The  Mexican  ports  on  the  Pacific  are  said  to  be 
open  and  defenceless.  If  you  ascertain  with  certainty 
that  Mexico  has  declared  war  against  the  United 
States,  you  will  at  once  possess  yourself  of  the  port 
of  San  Francisco,  and  blockade  or  occupy  such  other 
ports  as  your  force  may  permit.  Yet. .  .you  will  be 
careful  to  preserve  if  possible  the  most  friendly  rela- 
tions with  the  inhabitants,  and. .  .will  encourage  them 
to  adopt  a  course  of  neutrality."*  In  later  coninm- 
nications  of  August  5  and  October  17,  1845,  Ban- 
croft called  Sloat's  attention  anew  to  the  importance 
of  carrying  out  the  previous  instructions  promptly, 
substituting  in  the  first  the  words  "in  the  event  of 
war,"  and  in  the  second  "in  the  event  of  actual 
hostilities,"  for  the  phrase  "if  you  ascertain  with  cer- 
tainty that  jTexicohas  declared  war."  The  receipt 
of  these  documents  was  acknowledged  by  Sloat  on 
January  28th  and  March  17th  respectively. 

In  October  of  the  same  year  Buchanan,  secretary 
of  state,  in  his  instructions  to  Confidential  Agent 
Larkin,  so  often  cited  in  previous  chapters,  implied 
clearly  that  California  would  be  occupied  in  the  event 
of  war,  stating  openly  at  the  same  time  that  Eu- 
ropean interference  would  not  be  permitted.  Accord- 
ingly Larkin  was  instructed,  and  orders  to  Frdmont 
and  Gillespie  were  of  like  import,  to  gain  the  good- 
will of  the  authorities  and  people,  that  they  might 
quietly  and  voluntarily  submit  to  the  proposed  occu- 

*S9th  Cong.,  MSeaa.,  H.  Ex.  Doe.  No.  19;  CutU'  Oonq.,  appen.  These 
instructions  are  often  referred  to  in  later  correspondence.  See  especially 
document  in  Clarke's  Speech  on  Cal.  Claims,  p.  8-9;  Frimoni's  Cal.  Claims,  71. 


I'M! 


rRKLIMINARIKS  OF  TIIK  COXQUKST. 


pation;  or,  if  there  should  he  no  war,  as  now  seonied 
niotst  likely,  that  they  iijight  be  induced  to  declare 
their  independence  antl  ask  for  annexation/'  Thus  the 
policy  of  the  United  States  respec^ting  two  distinct 
methods  of  acquiring  (Jalifornia  was  clearly  though 
not  publicly  announced  in  advance.  What  may  have 
been  the  secret  intention,  in  case  both  plans  should 
prove  unsuccessful,  we  may  oidy  conjecture;  but  as 
we  have  seen,  though  many  have  believed  the  con- 
trary, no  steps  were  taken  to  promote  the  acquisition 
by  means  of  a  settlers'  revolt  or  other  form  of  direct 
filibusterism.  Indeed,  it  was  fully  believed  by  the 
government,  as  by  its  agents  in  California,  that  tlie 
proposed  methods  of  acquisition  would  prove  amj)ly 
adequate  to  the  purpose. 

On  May  13,  184G,  Bancroft  wrote  to  Sloat:  "The 
state  of  things  alluded  to  in  my  letter  of  June  24, 
1845,  has  occurred.  You  will  therefore  now  be  gov- 
erned by  the  instructions  therein  contained,  and  carry 
into  effect  the  orders  then  communicated  with  energy 
and  promptitude."  Next  day  Buchanan  sent  to  Lar- 
kin  an  official  notification  that  war  had  begun,  and 
that  the  Pacific  ports  would  be  at  once  blockaded. 
On  May  15th  Bancroft  instructed  Sloat  more  defi- 
nitely, but  to  the  same  effect.  "You  will  consider 
the  most  important  public  object  to  be  to  take  and  to 
hold  possession  of  San  Francisco,  and  this  you  will 
do  without  fail.  You  will  also  take  possession  of 
Mazatlan  and  of  Monterey,  one  or  both,  as  your  force 
will  permit.  If  information  received  here  is  correct, 
you  can  establish  friendly  relations  between  your 
squadron  and  the  inhabitants  of  each  of  these  three 
places.  .  .You  will,  as  opportunity  offers,  conciliate  the 
confidence  of  the  people  in  California,  and  also  in 
Sonora,  t'  'ard  the  government  of  the  United  States; 
and  you  w  endeavor  to  render  their  relations  with  the 
United  Stf  os  as  intimate  and  friendly  as  possible.  It 
is  importan    that  you  should  hold  possession,  at  least 

^Buchanan\  ^.ttstntctiom  to  Larhbi,  Oct.  17, 1845,  MS. 


CALIFORNIA  TO  BK  TAKKN. 


107 


U.mI 

aro 
met 

)uia 

t  as 
con- 
ition 
iroct 
the 
i  the 

"The 
e  24, 
gov- 
carry 
nergy 
Lar- 
an«l 
:aded. 
dcH- 
isider 
md  to 
|u  will 
Ion  of 
force 
)rrect, 
your 
three 
[te  the 
llso  in 
states ; 
bh  the 
.     It 
least 


of  San  FraiiclHco,  oven  while  you  encourage  the  peop'.o 
to  neutrality,  sclf-govornnient,  and  friendHlii|)."  In  a 
similar  eoniniunication  of  June  8th  occur  the  follow- 
ing passages:  "It  is  rujnored  that  the  |)rovince  of 
California  is  well  dispose<l  to  accede  to  friendly  rela- 
tions. You  will  if  possible!  endeavor  to  establish  tijc 
supremacy  of  the  American  Hag  witiiout  any  strifi- 
with  the  people  of  California.  If  California  sepa- 
rates herself  from  our  imemy,  the  central  Mexican 
government,  and  establishes  a  government  of  its  own 
under  the  auspices  of  the  American  flag,  you  will 
take  sucli  measures  as  will  best  promote  the  attach- 
ment of  the  people  of  California  to  the  United  States. 
Vou  will  bear  i*^  mind  generally  that  this  country 
desires  to  find  in  California  a  friend,  and  not  an 
enemy;  to  be  connected  with  it  i)y  near  ties;  to  hold 
]>osse8sion  of  it,  at  least  during  the  war;  and  to  hohl 
that  possession,  if  possible,  with  the  consent  of  its 
inhabitants."  Still  earlier,  on  June  3d,  Secretary  of 
War  Marcy  ordered  General  Kearny  to  press  on 
overland  from  New  Mexico  to  California;  and  in  his 
instructions  he  was  directed  to  establish  temporary 
civil  governments  in  the  regions  occupied,  to  continue 
in  office  such  authorities  as  are  friendly  to  the  United 
States  and  will  take  the  oath  of  allegiance;  and  to 
"i.ssure  the  people  of  those  provinces  that  it  is  the 
wish  and  design  of  the  United  States  to  provide  for 
them  a  free  government,  with  the  least  possible  delay, 
similar  to  that  which  exists  in  our  territories.  They 
will  be  called  upon  to  exercise  the  rights  of  freemen 
in  electing  their  own  representatives  to  the  territorial 
legislature."  Later  instructions  to  Shubrick  and 
Stevenson  and  Stockton  were  of  the  same  tenor.^ 

The  preceding  communications  might  be  cited  more 
fully,  and  others  of  similar  purport  might  be  men- 
tioned.    Some  of  them  will  be  noticed  in  otlier  con- 

"  The  communications  cited  are  fotind  in  Larkin's  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  121; 
U.  S.  Govt  Doc.,  29th  cong.  2d  sesa.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  19;  Slat  cong.  IsLaess.,  H. 
Kx.  Doc.  17;  Cutts^  Coiiq.,  append.;  Stock-ton.'s  Life,  append.,  etc. 


m ' 


198 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


:?»! 


:?tt 


'  i^>' 


noctions ;  but  the  citations  given  suffice  for  my  present 
purpose,  fully  explaining  the  policy  of  the  United 
States,  before  indicated  with  sufficient  clearness  in  the 
instructions  of  1845.  Those  of  1846  have  no  practi- 
cal importance  in  connection  with  naval  and  military 
operations  on  the  Pacific  coast  in  that  year,  because 
they  did  not  reach  their  destination  until  later  than 
July.  In  spirit,  however,  and  in  some  instances  with 
remarkable  fidelity  to  detail,  they  were  all  obeyed 
long  before  they  were  received.  This  shows,  what  is 
otherwise  clear  enough,  that  the  policy  to  be  ob- 
served was  well  understood  in  advance — somewhat 
better,  in  fact,  than  could  naturally  be  accounted  for 
by  the  written  orders  extant — by  officers  and  agents 
in  the  west.  Naval  commanders  had  been  kept  ac- 
quainted with  that  policy  for  several  years;  and  there 
is  r  .  reason  to  doubt  that  Gillespie  brou^fht  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  communicated  to  leading  men,  exact  in- 
formation about  the  orders  to  Sloat.  It  is  to  be  noted 
that  the  orders  of  1846  go  somewhat  further  than  to 
prove  an  intention  to  maintain  a  purely  military  occu- 
[)ation  during  the  war;  and  indicate  a  purpose  to  re- 
tain, by  one  means  or  another,  permanent  possession 
of  California  The  selection  for  the  regiment  of  vol- 
unteers of  men  deemed  likely  to  remain  in  the  coun- 
try, like  other  circumstances  that  might  be  mentioned, 
illustrates  the  same  purpose;  and,  indeed,  as  early  as 
January  1847  the  secretary  of  the  navy,  in  a  com- 
munication to  Commodore  Stockton,  "foresees  no 
contingency  in  which  the  United  States  will  ever 
surrender  or  relinquish  possession  of  the  Californias." 
Thus  we  see  that  the  administration  at  Washington 
had  determined  in  case  of  a  war  with  Mexico  to  oc- 
cupy California,  and  as  a  result  of  the  war  to  hold 
that  country  as  a  permanent  possession.  If  peace 
should  continue,  a  scheme  had  been  devised  and  op- 
erations actually  begun  to  promote  a  revolution  of  the 
natives,  and  a  subsequent  appeal  for  annexation.  In 
any  event,  California  was  to  fulfil  its  '  manifest  des- 


THE  PACIFIC  SQUADRON. 


199 


tiny/  and  become  a  part  of  the  United  States.  Had 
both  plans  failed,  it  may  be  plausibly  conjectured  that 
ji  revolt  of  American  settlers  would  have  been  en- 
couraged; but  no  such  failure  was  anticipated;  and  so 
fur  as  can  be  known,  no  steps  were  taken  in  that  di- 
rection.'' 


ft 


The  Pacific  squadron  of  the  U.  S.  navy,  under  the 
command  of  Commodore  John  D.  Sloat,  included  in 
the  spring  of  1846  the  following  vessels:  the  ship  Sa- 
cannah,  flag-ship,  54  guns;  the  ship  Congress,  60 
guns;  the  sloops  Warren,  Portsmouth,  Ci/ane,  andi>- 
vant,  each  24  guns ;  the  schooner  Shark,  1 2  guns ;  and 
the  transport  Erie.  Five  of  these  vessels  had  visited 
the  California  coast  during  the  preceding  year,  as  wo 
liave  seen.  The  English  squadron  in  Pacific  waters, 
under  Admiral  Sir  George  P.  Seymour,  was  consider- 
ably stronger  in  vessels,  guns,  and  men.  The  two 
s(|uadrons  had  been  for  some  time  closely  watching 
<_ach  other's  movements  because  of  possible  difficulties 

'Most  writers  on  California  liave  something  to  say  on  the  matter  of  U.  S. 
liolicy;  but  I  find  it  necessary  to  make  but  few  references.  The  prevalent 
iipinion,  deemed  by  me  an  error,  that  the  government  did  promote  the  settlers' 
revolt  as  a  part  of  the  conquest,  has  been  fully  noticed  elsewhere.  Jay,  lUex- 
can  War,  154-7,  and  Mansfield,  Mexican  War,  9C-7,  argue  that  the  war  was 
iiiatle  for  the  sole  purpose  of  seizing  California,  presenting  the  prompt  obedi- 
ence of  orders  in  advance,  as  proofs  that  permanent  occupation  was  intended 
from  the  first,  and  that  plans  were  perfected  and  orders  given  long  before 
hostilities  began.  See  also  Thompson's  speech  of  Jan.  27, 1848,  in  Coiig.  Globe, 
1847-8,  \\  2(K);  Uwinelle's  Address  be/ore  Pioneers,  1806,  p.  9-20;  Thompson's 
Recollections,  232-5  Dwindle  says:  'There  are  gentlemen  of  the  highest  re- 
spectability residing  in  Cal.  who  came  here  upon  the  personal  assurance  uf 
{'resident  Polk,  in  1840,  that  the  war  should  not  bo  concluded  until  Upper 
Cal.  was  secured  by  treaty  to  the  U.  S.'  Wood,  Wandering  Sketches,  2ir), 
say^:  'For  ir  ny  years  before  Cal.  was  annexed,  the  impression  seemed  to  ex- 
ist in  the  U.  S.  Pacific  squadron  that  its  most  important  purpose  was  to  occu- 
py Cal.,  and  its  vigilance  was  directed  to  the  accomplishment  of  such  a  duty. 
Tlie  Britisli  squadron  Hcemed  to  have  an  equally  strong  idea  that  its  business 
was  to  preyent  any  such  act  upon  the  part  of  ours,  and  consequently  these 
squadrons  went  about  watching  each  other.'  In  Mexico  it  was  the  universfil 
belief  that  the  United  States  govt  was  determined  to  obtain  Cal.  by  filibuster- 
ing encroauhments;  and  most  regarded  war  as  tiie  only  means  of  resisting 
such  encroachment;  but  a  few  opposed  the  war,  because  they  believed  it  would 
only  hasten  the  calamity.  Hardly  a  newspaper  published  in  Mexico  tliat  did 
not  frequently  contain  the  most  bitter  articles  in  opposition  to  the  American 
policy  respecting  Cal.;  and  the  subject  was  continually  alluded  to  in  officiiii 
writings  and  discourses.  Quotations  would  be  bulky,  and  would  serve  no 
good  purpose. 


m 


200 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


to  arise  from  the 


Oregon 


question, 


if  for  no  other 
reason :  but  more  of  this  hereafter.  The  movements 
of  Sloat's  fleet  have  no  special  importance  for  our 
present  purpose  until  March,  when  all  the  vessels — 
except  the  Congress,  which  with  Commodore  Stockton 
on  board  was  at  Callao  en  route  from  the  States,  and 
the  Cyane,  which  had  lately  sailed  for  Honolulu — wore 
cruising  on  the  Mexican  coast,  being  praatically  all 
together  at  Mazatlan. 

Sloat,  with  the  Washington  'orders  down  to  Octo- 
ber 1845  in  his  possession,  was  awaiting  tidings  of  war 
which  should  enable  him  to  carry  out  those  orders. 
Lieutenant  Gillespie  had  arrived  at  Mazatlan  over- 
land in  February,  and  had  sailed  February  22d  on 
the  Cyane,  William  Mervine  commander,  for  Hono- 
lulu and  Monterey,  arriving  at  the  latter  port  in 
April  ;^  but  it  does  not  clearly  appear  that  he  brought 
instructions  to  or  had  any  official  relations  with  Sloat. 
Late  in  March  the  military  authorities  at  Mazatlan 
received  news  by  express  from  the  interior  that  war 
had  broken  out,  and  that  the  Mexican  Atlantic  ports 
had  been  blockaded.  This  report  caused  much  excite- 
ment, during  which  the  archives  were  removed  to 
Rosario,  whither  the  comandante  went  with  his  gar- 
rison, after  warning  the  people  in  a  bando  that  the 
Americans  were  about  to  blockade  the  port.  Sloat  had 
no  news  of  an  eastern  blockade,  neither  had  the  Eng- 
lish commanders,  whose  means  of  communication  were 
better  than  those  of  the  Americans,  and  who  had  be- 
fore given  the  latter  despatches  not  otherwise  received ; 
but  during  the  excitement  news  came  from  California 
of  Frdmont's  trouble  with  Castro,  and  on  April  1st 
the  Portsmouth,  Captain  John  B.  Montgomery,  was 
despatched  in  haste  to  Monterey,  where  she  arrived 

'  Details  about  the  exact  movement  of  most  of  the  vessels  are  but  meagrely 
rocordcd.  The  Honolulu  papers,  the  Polynesian  and  Friend,  afford  somo  in- 
formation. The  Cyane  arrived  at  Honolulu  March  13th  and  sailed  19th  'for 
Mazatlan ; '  but  as  Gillespie  says  he  came  via  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  as 
there  was  no  record  of,  or  indeed  time  for,  another  trip  by  that  route  before 
April  17th,  I  suppose  she  touched  at  Monterey  on  the  way  to  Mazatlan,  for 
which  place  she  sailed  April  19th. 


SLOAT  AT  MAZATLAN. 


SOI 


on  April  22cl,  remaining  there,  and  later  at  San  Fran- 
cisco.' The  alarming  or  reassuring  news  was  not 
confirmed  by  later  despatches  from  Mexico.  The  lo- 
cal excitement  passed  away,  and  the  naval  officers  re- 
sumed their  watchful  waiting  for  warlike  rumors. 
Meanwhile  the  Shark,  Lieutenant  Neil  M.  Howison, 
had  been  sent  on  April  2d  to  await  the  Congress  at 
Honolulu;  and  about  the  end  of  the  month  the  Cyain' 
returned  from  Monterey  with  news  that  the  Castro- 
Fremont  war-cloud  in  California  had  passed  away. 

At  the  beginning  of  May  William  M.  Wood,  late 
Heet  surgeon,  being  permitted  to  return  home  over- 
land through  Mexico,  was  intrusted  with  despatches 
to  the  government,  and  was  instructed  to  send  back 
to  Sloat  any  information  of  importance  that  might 
be  gathered  on  the  way.  Accompanied  by  John  Pai- 
rott,  U.  S.  consul  at  Mazatlan,  Wood  went  up  to 
San  Bias  by  sea,  started  inland  on  May  4th,  and  on 
the  10th  arrived  at  Guadalajara.  "Startling  news 
here  reached  us,"  writes  Wood,  "placing  us,  and  par- 
ticularly myself,  in  most  unpleasant  circumstances. 
In  triumphant  and  boastful  language  we  were  in- 
formed of  the  successful  attack  upon  our  forces  on 
the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  capture  of  some  of  our 
dragoons.  The  intelligence  reached  the  city  about 
the  same  time  with  ourselves;  and  soon  after  news- 
boys were  selling  extras  in  the  streets,  and  crying,  at 
the  highest  pitch  of  their  voices,  'Triumph  over  the 
North  Americans.'  In  every  respect  this  was  bad 
news,  mortifying  to  our  national  pride... Our  own 
position  was  a  cause  of  much  anxiety.  Here  was 
war,  and  we  in  the  centre  of  the  country;  I  with  a 
hostile  uniform  in  my  trunk,  and  despatches  in  my 
cap,  which  unfortunately  stated  that  one  object  of 
my  journey  was  to  collect  information  in  relation  to 
expected   hostilities.     What  was  to  be  done,  was  a 

* Larkiii's  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  107,  115,  l'2()-7,  containing  corrosp.  on  the  trip  of 
the  Portsmouth  and  the  news  brought  by  her  of  the  state  of  atfairs  at  Muza- 
tian.  See  also  Wood's  Wandering  Sketches,  34(i-8,  the  author  of  which  was 
at  Mazatlan  at  the  time  and  gives  some  particulars. 


.  i^ 


"! 


202 


PKELIMIXARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


f    '! 


p- ;. 


serious  question.  I  had  no  disposition  to  be  placed 
in  the  position  of  a  spy  in  an  enemy's  country;  and 
yet,  to  avoid  being  in  such  a  position,  I  should  at 
once  surrender  myself  to  the  authorities.  By  pur- 
suing this  course,  I  would  be  compelled  to  surrender 
or  destroy  the  despatches,  and,  what  was  worse,  would 
lose  an  opportunity  of  communicating  the  state  of  af- 
fairs to  the  commander-in-chief  in  the  Pacific.  The 
condition  of  things  left  by  us  on  the  western  coast 
seemed  to  demand  that  such  an  opportunity  should 
not  be  lost.  Whether  correctly  or  not,  it  was  be- 
lieved that  in  case  of  war  the  British  squadron  would 
attempt  to  take  California  under  its  protection . .  . 
After  due  deliberation,  it  was  determined  that  we 
sshould  continue  our  journey  through  the  country, 
and,  if  possible,  send  an  express  to  the  commander- 
in-chief  of  our  squadron  in  the  Pacific.  The  latter 
was  a  matter  of  some  difficulty,  as  all  expresses  must 
be  sent  through  and  under  authority  of  the  govern- 
ment post-office.  However,  Mr  Parrott  was  en- 
abled to  manage  the  matter  with  much  skill.  The 
express  went  through  safely,  making  ten  days'  ordi- 
nary travel  in  five  days,  and  delivering,  on  the  I7th 
of  May,  the  first  news  of  the  war  to  our  forces  on  the 
Pacific."  ^« 

Having  received  on  May  I7th  from  James  R.  Bol- 
ton, acting  consul,  the  despatch  sent  by  Wood  and 
Parrott,  Sloat  at  once  sent  the  Cyane  under  Captain 
Mervine  to  California.     She  sailed  on  or  about  May 

'"  Wood's  Wandering  Sketches,  348-69.  In  Mc  Whorter's  Incidents  of  the 
I  Tar  toith  Mexico,  a  small  pamphlet  of  10  pagea,  without  date  of  publica- 
tion, and  devoted  to  a  record  of  Wood's  services,  wo  find  Sloat'a  letter 
of  April  30th,  to  the  sec.  of  the  navy,  explaining  Wood's  mission;  and 
also  a  letter  from  Sloat  to  Wood,  dated  March  20,  1855,  in  which  the  doe- 
tor's  great  services  arc  acknowledged,  with  a  statemeut  that  the  news  re- 
ceived from  him  was  what  determined  the  writer  to  take  Cal.  Wood  was 
also  complimented  for  his  valuable  services  by  the  chairman  of  the  senate 
naval  committee.  Loncey,  Cruise,  74-8,  quotes  Wood,  and  gives  full  partic- 
ulars. The  services  of  Parrott,  Wood,  and  Jamea  R.  Bolton,  tho  latter  act- 
ing consul  in  Parrott's  absence,  are  also  recorded  in  the  S.  F.  Alta,  Feb.  25, 
1880;  and  by  A.  Williams,  in  Pioneer  Soc.  Arch.,  MS.,  120-2.  The  praise 
due  Parrott  and  the  others  for  their  service  has  been  somewhat  exaggerated, 
under  the  mistaken  idea  that  their  acts  saved  Cal.  from  being  takenby  Eng- 
land. 


\'A   . 


SLOAT'S  LETTER  TO  LARKIN. 


203 


laced 

and 
Id  at 

pur- 
jnder 
vould 
of  af- 

The 

coast 
hould 
IS  be- 
would 
on.  .  . 
at  we 
untry, 
andcr- 

latter 
8  must 
overn- 
as  en- 
The 
ordi- 
le  17th 

on  the 

Sol- 
id and 
laptain 
It  May 

Its  of  the 

1  publica- 
Jt'a  letter 
lion;  and 
ItLe  doc- 
Inewa  re- 
Vood  was 
le  senate 
Rl  partic- 
Itter  act- 
iFeb.  2'), 
he  praise 
Igerated, 
[by  Eng- 


18th,  and  reached  Monterey  on  or  about  June  20th. 
She  brought  a  letter  from  Sloat  to  Larkin,  dated  May 
1 8th  and  marked  'strictly  confidential'  The  original 
is  in  my  possession,  and,  as  the  best  means  of  making 
known  the  commodore's  intentions,  I  quote  as  follows : 
"From  information  I  have  received  from  Metamoras, 
it  appears  certain  that  hostilities  have  commenced  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande.  It  is  said  tho 
Mexicans  crossed  the  river  with  1,200  cavalry  and  400 
infantry,  and  fell  in  with  a  reconnoitring  party  of  our 
troops  of  50  men,  which  they  attacked,  killed,  and 
I'aptured  the  whole.  It  was  expected  in  Metamoras 
that  General  Taylor  would  bombard  the  town  next 
day.  It  is  my  intention  to  visit  your  place  immedi- 
ately, and  from  the  instructions  I  have  received  from 
my  government,  I  am  led  to  hope  that  you  will  be  pre- 
pared to  put  me  in  possession  of  the  necessary  infor- 
mation, and  to  consult  and  advise  with  me  on  the 
course  of  operations  I  may  be  disposed  to  make  on  the 
coast  of  California.  When  my  force  arrives  there,  I 
shall  have  the  Savannah,  Congress,  Portsmouth,  Cyane, 
Warren,  Levant,  and  Shark  Of  course  you  will  keep 
all  this  a  profound  secret  until  my  arrival,  as  no  offi- 
cer of  my  squadron  has  any  knowledge  of  my  intended 
movements.  They  are,  however,  aware  that  a  colli- 
sion has  taken  place  on  the  north  side  of  the  Rio 
(rrande  between  the  American  and  Mexican  troops; 
and  should  this  subject  get  into  circulation,  you  will 
make  as  light  of  it  as  possible,  saying  that  it  has  been 
only  a  mere  skirmish  between  the  reconnoitring  par- 
ties. I  shall  call  off  Monterey  first,  and  hope  to  be 
there  as  soon  as  this,  which  goes  by  tho  Cyane.  Her 
I'ommander  has  instructions  to  advise  with  you  whether 
it  is  best  for  him  to  remain  there  or  proceed  to  San 
Francisco.  I  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  write  more 
particulars,  as  I  am  confident  you  will  understand  my 
object.""     Sloat's  allusion  to  information  which  he  ox- 

"May  18, 1846,  Sloat  to  larkin,  in  duplicate  Larkin's  £>or.,  MS.,  iv.  122- 
3;  Sawyer's  Doe.,  MS.,  57-9. 


' 


,1 


i 


fl'. 


i'   'i: 


1134 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


pectecl  to  get  from  Larkin  doubtless  signified  that  he 
knew  the  nature  of  the  latter's  efforts  and  instructions 
as  confidential  agent,  and  hoped  to  be  told  by  him 
how  to  raise  the  flag  without  opposition  from  the  Cal- 
ifornians.  Larkin,  h /wever,  thought  the  allusion 
might  be  to  despatches  sent  him  from  Washington 
but  not  leceived;  and  he  therefore  notified  Leidesdorff 
and  others  to  be  on  the  lookout  for  missing  documents 
by  an  overland  courier." 

But  Sloat,  though  he  knew  that  hostilities  had  be- 
gun, and  had  once  made  up  his  mind  to  act  promptly 
in  obedience  to  his  orders,  changed  his  mind,  and  did 
not  start  for  Monterey.  It  is  not  known  that  he  re- 
ceived contradictory  reports  from  the  east,  or  that  he 
had  any  reasons  for  delay,  save  his  natural  indecision 
of  character.  On  May  31st  he  heard  of  General 
Taylor's  battles  of  the  8th  and  9th  on  the  Rio 
Grande;"  and  this  news  so  restored  his  wavering  de- 
termination, that  on  the  same  day  he  '"  ^ote  to  the 
secretary  of  the  navy:  "I  have  received  such  intelli- 
gence as  I  think  will  justify  my  acting  upon  your 
order  of  the  24th  of  June,  and  shall  sail  immediately 
to  see  what  can  be  done."^*  His  renewed  enthusiasm 
did  not  last  long;  though  about  this  time  he  de- 
spatched the  Levant  under  Captain  Hugh  N.  Page  to 
Monterey;''  and  we  are  also  told,  on  authority  not 
the  best,  of  a  short  cruise  off  the  coast  and  return  to 
Mazatlan,  all  with  intent  to  deceive  the  English  ad- 
miral.'^ 

''June  22d,  Larkin  to  Leidesdorff,  Montgomery,  et  al.  Larkiii's  Doc. ,  MS. , 
iv.  119-20;  Sauiyer's  Doc.,  MS.,  63.  June  20th,  L.  had  notified  Montgomery 
that  Sloat  was  to  come  at  once.  Larkin'a  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  115. 

"An  extract  from  the  Savannah's  log,  furnished  by  L.  W.  Sloat  to  Duti 
bar's  Romance,  38-9,  and  also  printed  in  Lancey'a  Cruise,  78-9,  contains  this 
entry:  'May  31,  1840,  receivecf  report  of  Gen.  Taylor's  victory  over  the  Mex- 
icans on  the  8th  and  9th  of  May.'  The  news  of  May  31st,  according  to  Will- 
iams, in  Cal.  Pioneer  Soc.  Arch.,  MS.,  120-5,  was  received  by  Bolton  from  :i 
Oerman  correspondent,  Fageman,  at  Durango. 

"May  31,  1846,  Sloat  to  sec.  navy,  in  Fremont's  Cal.  Claims,  70.  Sloat 
had  asked  on  May  6th  to  be  relieved  from  his  command  on  account  of  failing 
health.  Id.,  72. 

■*I  have  found  no  definite  record  of  the  Levant's  trip,  except  that  she 
arrived  at  Monterey  on  June  30th.  Larkin's  Off.  Corre-^p.,  MS.,  i.  96. 

'* Testimony  of  Lieut  Geo.  Minor,  in  fnmont'n  dil.  Claiins,  44.     He  says 


AN  IRRESOLUTE  COMMODORE. 


•205 


According  to  the  log  of  the  flag-ship,  on  Juno  5th 
tlio  news  of  Taylor's  battles  was  confirmed,  and  the 
capture  of  Matamoros  was  announced.  This,  how- 
ever, was  by  no  means  enough  for  the  irresolute  com- 
modore; and  he  wrote  next  day  to  Secretary  Ban- 
croft: "I  have,  upon  more  mature  reflection,  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  your  instructions  of  the  24th  of 
June  last,  and  every  subsequent  order,  will  not  justify 
my  taking  possession  of  any  part  of  California,  or  any 
liostile  measures  against  Mexico  (notwithstanding  their 
attack  upon  our  troops),  as  neither  party  have  declared 
war.  I  shall  therefore,  in  conformity  with  those  in- 
structions, be  careful  to  avoid  any  act  of  aggression  until 
I  am  certain  one  or  the  other  party  have  done  so,  or 
until  I  find  that  our  squadron  in  the  gulf  have  com- 
menced offensive  operations,"  announcing,  however, 
his  intention  of  proceeding  to  California  to  await  fur- 
ther intelligence.^"  This  extraordinary  determination 
was  of  course  not  approved  at  Washington,  and  brought 
out  a  severe  reprimand  for  the  dilatory  commander  of 
the  squadron.  "The  department  willingly  believes  in 
the  purity  of  your  intentions;  but  your  anxiety  not  to 
do  wrong  has  led  you  into  a  most  unfortunate  and  un- 
warranted inactivity,"  wrote  Bancroft,  after  dwelling 
on  the  previous  orders  and  hints  to  act  promptly;  and 
on  bhe  same  day,  by  reason  of  failing  health,  in  accord- 


that  when  the  Savannah  sailed  aii  English  vessel  at  once  started  for  San  Bias, 
apparently  to  notify  the  admiral ;  and  on  Sloat's  return  the  saino  manoeuv  re 
was  repeated.  Lancey,  Cruine,  78,  gives  a  'sailor's  story,'  to  the  eflfect  that 
Sloat,  suspecting  that  Seymour  was  closely  watching  his  movements,  resolved 
to  verify  nis  suspicion,  and  put  the  Englishman  off  his  guard  by  a  Yankee 
trick.  So  a  sham  trial  was  got  up,  and  a  man  condemned  to  death,  a  fact 
much  talked  about  whenever  English  hearers  were  present.  The  Savannxih  put 
out  to  sea  to  hang  a  'dummy'  at  the  yard-arm,  closely  followed  and  watchetl 
hy  a  vessel  of  the  rival  fleet.  Soon  after,  a  similar  affair  was  planned  and 
talked  about;  but  when  the  ship  sailed  to  execute  the  sentence,  the  English 
man  tliought  it  not  worth  while  to  watch  the  operation,  and  the  Savanimh 
started  unobserved  for  Cal. ! 

"June  6,  1846,  Sloat  to  Bancroft,  in  Frimont^a  Cal.  Clahm,  70.  Sloat 
contiuuss:  'The  want  of  communication  with  and  information  from  the  de- 
partment and  our  consul  render  my  situation  anything  but  pleasant;  indeed. 
It  is  humiliating  and  mortifying  in  the  extreme,  as  by  my  order  I  cannot  act, 
while  it  appears  to  the  world  that  wo  arc  actually  at  war  on  the  other  coast.' 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  '^HE  CONQUEST. 

auce  with  his  own  earher  request,  "and  for  other  rea- 
sons," Sloat  was  reHeved  of  his  coramand.^^ 

Yet  again  Sloat  changed  his  mind,  in  time  practi- 
cally to  nullify  the  censure  of  the  government,  and  to 
escape  the  dishonor  in  which  his  removal  must  other- 
wise have  involved  him;  for  long  before  the  commu- 
nications cited  above  had  reached  him  he  had  dono 
the  things  which  he  had  been  reprimanded  for  not 
doing,  and  thus  saved  his  reputation.  The  Savan- 
nah's log,  according  to  the  extract  published,  has 
this  entry:  "June  7th,  news  received  of  the  blookado 
of  Vera  Cruz  by  the  American  squadron.  At  2  p.  m. 
got  under  way  for  Monterey."  In  a  later  report  the 
commodore  writes:  "On  the  7th  of  June  I  received  at 
Mazatlan  information  that  the  Mexican  troops,  six  or 
seven  thousand  strong,  had  by  order  of  the  Mexican 
government  invaded  tlie  territory  of  the  United  States 
north  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  had  attacked  the  forces 
under  General  Taylor;  and  that  the  squadron  of  the 
United  States  were  blockading  the  coast  of  Mexico  on 
the  gulf  These  hostilities  I  considered  would  justify 
my  commencing  offensive  operations  on  the  west  coast. 
I  therefore  sailed  on  the  8th  in  the  Savannah  for  the 
coast  of  California,  to  carry  out  the  orders  of  the  depart- 
ment of  the  24th  June,  1845,  leaving  the  Warren  at 
Mazatlan  to  bring  me  any  despatches  or  information 
that  might  reach  there."^'  It  was  probably  the  report 
of  an  eastern  blockade  that  determined  Sloat's  action, 
since  in  his  letter  of  the  Gth  he  had  declared  his  inten- 
tion of  awaiting  such  news.  How  this  news  of  June 
7th  was  received  I  am  not  quite  certain.  Perhaps  it 
was  through  another  letter  from  Parrott  and  Wood, 
written  at  the  city  of  Mexico,  as  several  persons  state ; 
but  there  is  some  confusion  in  the  testimony.-"  I  shall 

"Aug.  13,  1846,  Bancroft  to  Sloat.  Fi-enionts  Cat.  Claims,  71-2. 

>' July  31,  1846,  Sloat  to  Bancroft,  in  War  with  Mexico,  Repts  Operatiuis 
of  U.  8.  Naval  Forces,  30tb  cong.  2d  sess.,  H.  Ex.  Dec.  no.  1,  ptii.  p.  2. 
Repeated  substantially  in  report  of  sec.  navy,  Dec.  5,  1846,  29th  cong.  2d 
sess.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  4,  p.  378;  and  often  elsewhere. 

'0  Wood  in  his  narrative  says  nothing  of  any  despatches  from  the  city  of 
Mexico,  but  implies  that  those  from  Guadalajara  were  the  only  ones  sent  to 


U 


ENGLISH  SCHEMES. 


207 


notice  later  the  possibility  that  no  such  determining 
news  was  received  at  all,  and  that  Sloat  did  not  make 
up  his  mind  until  after  his  arrival  at  Monterey.  At 
any  rate,  the  commodore  sailed  on  June  8th  for  Cali- 
fornia, whither  I  shall  follow  him  in  the  next  chapter. 

One  phase  of  Sloat's  experience  at  Mazatlan,  and 
his  voyage  to  California,  yet  remains  to  be  noticed;  it 
is  that  arising  from  his  relations  with  Admiral  Sey- 
mour, and  brings  up  anew  the  old  subject  of  English 
desisfns  on  California.  It  was  believed  at  the  time 
that  England  intended  to  take  possession,  in  the  event 
of  war,  or  at  least  to  assume  a  protectorate,  and  thus 
keep  the  territory  from  the  United  States.  It  has 
been  the  opinion  of  most  Americans  ever  since,  and 
has  been  stated  directly  or  indirectly  by  writers  on 
the  conquest  almost  without  exception,  that  the  rival 
squadrons  were  closely  watching  each  other's  move- 
ments at  Mazatlan  and  San  Bias  in  the  spring  of 
1846;  that  there  was  a  contest  between  the  respective 
commanders  as  to  which  should  first  obtain  definite 
information  that  war  had  been  declared,  and  with  it 
reach  California;  that  had  Seymour  in  the  Colling- 
wood  reached  Monterey  before  Sloat  in  the  Savannah, 
the  English  flag  would  have  been  raised  instead  of  the 
stars  and  strips;  but  that  the  commodore,  either  by 
i,'etting  the  first  news  overland,  or  by  sending  the  ad- 
miral off  on  a  false  scent,  or  by  a  trick  which  enabled 
him  to  sail  without  the  knowledge  of  his  rival,  or  by 
the  superior  speed  of  his  flag-ship,  won  the  race,  and 

>>loat.  Parrott,  in  an  interview  printed  in  the  <Sf.  F.  Alta,  Feb.  25,  1880, 
mentions  only  one  despatch.  Sloat  in  his  letter  of  1845  to  Wood  speaks  of 
the  news  from  Guadalajara  as  having  determined  his  action,  alluding  to  no 
other  communication.  This  letter  is  also  quoted  in  Willey's  Thirty  Years  in 
C(d.,  14-15.  Williams  and  Lancey,  however,  on  authority  not  stated,  men- 
tion a  communication  sent  from  RIexico  by  Parrott  May  23d  to  Bolton,  who 
received  it  June  7th.  Parrott's  letter  was  founded  on  one  received  from  a 
fiiend  at  S.  Luis  Potosf,  and  closed  with  these  wonls:  'You  can  tell  the  com- 
modore if  he  is  with  you  that  I  did  not  write  to  him,  because  there  is  too 
much  risk ;  that  he  has  a  field  open  to  signalize  himself,  and  I  wish  him  a  crown 
of  laurels.'  This  literal  citation  indicates  that  the  writers  saw  the  origiual 
letter,  which  may  have  Vjeen  furnished  by  Parrott  or  Bolton.  (In  a  later  con- 
vt'isation  I  understood  Mr  Williams  to  confirm  this.) 


1m 


208 


PRELIMINARIES  OV  THE  CONQUEST. 


saved  California  for  his  government.  The  tangible 
facts  in  the  case  are  the  belief  of  Americans  that  Eng- 
land intended  to  occupy  the  country;  the  presence  at 
Mazatlan  of  the  rival  fleets  closely  watchful  one  of  the 
other ;  a  trip  of  the  Collingwood  to  Monterey,  arriving 
about  a  week  after  the  U.  S.  flag  had  been  raised;  and 
finally,  that  an  Irish  subject  of  Great  Britain  was  at- 
tempting in  1845-6  to  obtain  Californian  lands  for 
colonization.  The  question  for  consideration  is  wheth- 
er these  facts  are  a  sufficient  foundation  for  the  cur- 
rent version  of  former  writers,  or  whether  that  version 
njay  be  deemed  to  rest  on  mere  conjecture  and  patri- 
otic prejudice. 

In  other  chapters  this  subject  of  English  schemes 
has  been  fully  treated  for  earlier  years;  and  our  inves- 
tigation has  shown  simply  that  several  travellers  had 
praised  California  highly,  haa  predicted  that  it  could 
not  long  remain  a  Mexican  possession,  had  shown  the 
ease  with  which  it  might  be  occupied  by  a  foreign 
power,  and  had  dwelt  on  the  advantages  to  its  people 
and  to  England  of  its  becoming  an  English  province 
lather  than  a  territory  of  the  United  States;  that 
some  popular  writers  had  echoed  the  desires  of  the 
travellers,  and  had  ridiculed  the  claims  of  the  United 
States  to  any  exclusive  rights  in  that  direction ;  and 
that  a  part  of  the  English  holders  of  Mexican  bonds 
had  favored  an  arrangement  by  which  Californian 
lands  for  colonization  could  be  taken  in  payment,  or 
as  security  for  the  payment,  of  the  debt,  though  it  has 
never  clearly  appeared  that  even  a  majority  of  the 
bond-holders  decided  in  favor  of  such  an  arrangement. 
In  1846  the  bond-holders'  scheme,  so  far  as  outward 
manifestations  were  concerned,  was  a  thing  of  the 
past,  unless  the  McNamara  project,  of  which  I  shall 
speak  presently,  might  be  in  some  way  connected  with 
it.  The  only  new  developments  of  the  year  in  this 
connection  were  the  undoubted  existence  of  a  party 
among  the  Californians  in  favor  of  a  British  protecto- 
rate, and  the  well  known  fears,  leading  to  some  diplo- 


A  BRITISH  BUGBKAR. 

iiiatic  efforts,  of  tho  Fr.  i-  u  ^ 

to  the  proy;etivlt^^;';t,*^'fl7"'™'  ^•'''  '-s-> 

the  United  States  in  „„  Mexican  teniton-  (,. 

(brmer  subject  t^  beCiXr""""'  "^  "'-'  "ar.     Tl  " 
-tier  requres  „„  fX  "  t'T "''''i.  "'r*''^- ^  «'" 
."•  ^e-'f  t  "'  her  perfect  V  „^""h  "",  F"?'""''  ma.lo 
'«vor  to  the  extension   J  An?    •     '"'  '"'S'ti'onte  dm- 

-ml  and  westward  a    tl^  eln'T'V  U '""'■^  ^""t'" 
.    I  find  nowhere  a  «m„I,:    "P"-"'"  "f  Moxco." 

■"dicate  that  EXltad'th  " rf  r'  ""«'»»««  to 
'I'-'siro  of  obtaining  California  bv^''^'"''-''  ''"*«»«<»'  •"■ 
•■r  that  she  ever  Lve  any  on7  '■■°"1»>^»t  or  purchase 
"...Eat ion  plans  of  her  CJT'T"''"'?"^  '<'  the  col- 
t..tal  absence  of  any  such  din  tol;"?  '"^''''-     I"  «'o 
"I  the  fact  that  tho  testi  nonv  ?  "f"'"^"'".  a»d  in  view 
scheme,  though  bulicv     1     ^  '"  fi»'0"-ofthe  English 
»^tei„entsofl,i,"Afc„^-™Posed  wholly  of  t. 

had  no  special  facilities  for  n',Z    *•''''''  "y^^"'  have 
">.  London,  I  have  no  heX^onf  "^'"^  "<""•'  ««'"''>ts 

XT  *''.-tJ^"S'a„d  did  not  deein  r^rr"'?  '"^  «°"- 

r'f  acquisition  at  the  price  „f       .^"''fornia  a  desir- 

v,th  another  nation ;  and    hat  !l.  T'"""  ""'"Piieations 

that  trouble  with  the  U, £]  Sh f"''  P''"'""''*'^  ^«" 

?'ert';ait-£^ 

t" jnato  Calif„rnia'a.rEngthCit  i"^—* 

:..   '"'.."^or  only  to  remarl-.  „*  «_   ..     . 


lil  II 


ii; 


tii 


h  if. 


I    ': 


210 


PRELIMINARIES  OP  THE  CONQUEST. 


In  its  phase  of  a  proposed  protectorate,  the  matter 
of  English  intervention  assumes,  it  must  be  admitted, 
a  somewhat  different  and  more  plausible  aspect.  Eng- 
land made  no  secret  of  her  opposition  to  any  further 
extension  of  American  territory  on  the  Pacific  if  it 
could  be  prevented  by  diplomacy  or  other  means  than 
war.  There  could  be  little  doubt  that  the  United 
States  would  seize  California  as  soon  as  war  began. 
There  was  a  party  of  some  strength  among  the  Cali- 
fornians,  including  the  governor,  in  favor  of  English 
interference;  they  would  likely  have  asked  for  protec- 
tion had  a  British  man-of-war  arrived  opportunely — 
perhaps  did  petition  for  it  through  an  agent  sent  to 
Mexico.'^'  The  question  is.  Had  the  British  govern- 
ment through  any  authorized  agent  encouraged  or  ap- 
l)roved  the  scheme?  Had  Admiral  Seymour  instruc- 
tions to  raise  his  flag  at  Monterey?  or  was  he  likely  to 
assume  the  responsibility  of  such  an  act?  If  he  in- 
tended to  do  it,  the  design  was  by  assuming  a  protec- 
torate, not  necessarily  to  secure  permanent  possession, 
but  to  set  on  foot  a  long  train  of  diplomatic  corre- 
spondence, to  prevent  the  United  States  being  in  pos- 
session at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  thus  indefinitely 
delay  if  not  prevent  the  dreaded  annexation.  The 
aim  and  the  methods  would  have  been  legitimate 
enough;  but  was  any  such  purpose  entertained  or  any 
such  means  devised  ?  As  I  have  remarked,  the  theory 
that  such  was  the  case  is  a  more  plausible  one  than 
that  favoring  conquest  or  purchase ;  but  that  is  about 
all  that  can  be  said  in  its  favor.  There  is  the  same 
absence  of  all  positive  or  documentary  evidence,  and 
the  same  exclusive  leliance  by  its  advocates  on  mere 

testimony  of  the  earlier  witarjses  of  both  classes,  or  more  frequently  have  in 
a  spirit  of  boasting  albjviod  io  England's  ambition  and  defeat  as  matters  of 
historic  record  requiring  no  support. 

"  Jos6  M.  Covamibias  was  sent  to  Mexico,  as  we  have  seen,  chap,  ii.,  in 
Feb.,  and  he  returned  at  the  beginning  of  July.  Bandini,  Doc,  MS.,  85.  Pio 
Pico,  Hist.  CcU.  MS.,  states  that  Covarrubias  was  instructed,  if  not  successful 
in  Mexico,  to  call  on  the  English  admiral  and  promise  a  revolt  of  California 
on  condition  of  an  English  protectorate;  also  that  Covarrubias  on  his  return 
reported  that  Admiral  Seymour  had  spoken  favorably  of  the  scheme. 


CIRCUMSTANTIAL  KVIDKNCK. 


211 


opinion  and  conjecture,     T  proceed  to  note  some  items 
of  circumstantial  evidence  bearinjjf  on  tlie  subject. 

First:  the  presence  of  an  unusually  strong  British 
Heet  in  the  Pacific  at  this  time,  and  the  close  and  con- 
stant watcii  kept  on  the  movements  of  the  American 
scjuadron,  are  amply  accounted  for  hy  the  pending 
('oin[)li('ations  of  the  Oregon  question,  which  it  was 
tlioutjht  might  at  any  time  result  in  war  between 
England  and  the  United  States.  Consequently  naval 
operations  of  a  general  nature  prove  nothing  respect- 
iiiii'  (lesions  on  California.  Second:  the  statements  of 
ditt'erent  writers  respecting  the  suspicious  actions  of 
the  English  naval  officers,  the  methods  by  which  Sloat 
outwitted  Seymour,  and  the  race  between  the  Savan- 
nah and  Collingivood,  are  so  contradictory  in  the  mat- 
ter of  details,  and  so  inaccurate  in  respect  of  minor 
facts,  as  to  more  than  suggest  their  lack  of  solid  foun- 
dation.'"^    Third:  some  of  the  theories  advanced  sug- 

'*  Lieut  Minor,  as  we  have  seeu,  Fremont's  Cal.  Claims,  43-5,  testified  that 
Sloat  so  inancBuvred  as  to  get  away  from  Mazatlan  without  Seymour's  knowl- 
oil^'c;  and  '  i\  sailor,'  Laiicey's  Cruise,  78,  explains  the  method  by  which  the  trick 
wds  played.  According  to  Minor  and  others,  the  CoUingwood  was  at  San  Bias. 
Ilciitoii,  Thirty  Ymrs"  View,  ii.  092,  says:  'Sloat  saw  that  he  was  watched  and 
imrsuod  by  Admiral  Seymour,  who  lay  alongside  of  him,  and  he  determined 
t'>  deceive  him.  He  stood  out  to  sea  and  was  followed  by  the  British  admiral, 
huring  the  day  ho  bore  west  across  the  ocean,  as  if  going  to  the  S.  I.;  Adm. 
Seymour  followed.  In  the  night  the  American  commodore  tacked  and  ran  up 
tliu  coast  toward  Cal.;  the  British  admiral,  not  seeing  the  tack,  continued 
"111  hid  course  and  went  entirely  to  the  S.  I.  before  he  was  undeceived.'  Ar- 
riving in  Cal.  from  Honolulu,  'to  his  astonishment  ho  beheld  the  American  flag 
Hying  over  Monterey,  the  American  squadron  in  its  harbor,  etc.  His  mission 
was  at  an  end.  The  prize  had  escaped  him.'  Randolph,  Oration,  says:  'The 
flag  of  tlie  U.  S.  was  no  sooner  flying  than  the  CoUingwood  entered  the  bay  of 
Monterey.  There  had  been  a  race.'  Wm  H.  Davis,  GUmpsem,  MS.,  343-6, 
learned  from  Capt.  Mervine  at  the  time  "t  Monterey  that  the  rivals  had  close- 
ly watclied  each  other;  and  that  the  Savannah  and  Ci/itnc.  left  Mazatlan  se- 
cretly by  night,  fearing  that  the  CoUingwood  might  liave  pursued  them  and 
arrived  before  them  at  Monterey.  But  we  know  that  the  Cyone  had  come 
loiiij;  before.  There  are  other  slight  inaccuracies,  showing  that  Davis  gives  the 
coiiiinou  report  rather  than  Mervine's  direct  testimony.  W.  S.  Green  pub- 
lished in  the  ColiiaaSuna,  statement — which  I  find  ir  the  Baker -ifield  Courier , 
Sept.  21,  1870,  and  which  was  published  in  several  o^her  newspapers— pur- 
jiovting  to  hare  been  derived  from  Sloat's  own  lips,  containing  the  following: 
\  eourier  arrived  from  Mexico,  bringing  despatches  to  Seymour  but  none  to 
Sluat.  Seymour  after  the  arrival  of  the  cornier  was  'all  in  all'  with  the  lead- 
iiit,'  Mexicans,  while  they  looked  daggers  at  Sloat.  The  commodore  watched 
the  movements  of  the  admiral.  Tlie  line-of-battle  ship  hove  short  on  her 
aueliors  and  made  ready  for  a  voyage.  The  two  little  American  vessels  did 
tlie  same.    The  CoUingwood  weighed  anchor,  and  with  clouds  of  canvas,  etc. 


212 


PRELIM1\AI5IK8  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


■*  :' 


I 


gewt  troublesome  questions.  For  instance :  Minor  and 
others  state  that  Sloat  left  Mazatlan  tor  a  short  cruise 
and  then  returned,  his  departure  being  promptly  made 
known  to  Seymour.  What  means  could  he  have 
adopted  more  likely  to  start  the  admiral  for  California, 
and  to  insure  his  arrival  there  in  advance?  Or  if,  as 
Benton  says,  Sloat  sailed  as  if  for  Honolulu,  but  took 
a  tack  in  the  night,  what  necessity  was  there  for  Sey- 
mour to  follow  exactly  the  same  route  as  his  rival  ? 
Moreover,  why  should  Seymour  have  been  so  anxious 
to  follow  every  movement  of  the  Savannah  f  If  he 
intended  to  raise  his  fla«f  at  Monterev,  was  it  abso- 
lutely  essential  that  Sloat  should  be  present  at  the 
ceremony?  Fourth:  Admiral  Seymour  seems  to  have 
paid  not  the  slightest  attention  to  the  departure  of 
the  Cyane  and  Shark awd  Portsmouth,  and  Q/t/ne again, 
and  the  Levant,  any  one  of  which  for  all  he  knew 
might  have  orders  to  raise  the  stars  and  stripes  at 
Monterey,  and  all  but  one  of  which  were  actually 
bound  for  California  waters.  Fifth:  for  a  naval  com- 
mander to  devote  all  his  energies  to  watching  a  single 
ship,  and  to  leave  unwatched  for  six  months  a  coast 
of  which  he  intended  to  take  possession,  and  whicli 
was  likely  to  fall  into  a  rival's  hands,  was,  to  say  the 
least,  a  peculiar  proceeding.  To  the  ordinary  mind 
California  would  seem  a  convenient  station  for  at  least 
part  of  a  fleet  whose  chief  mission  was  to  protect  or 
conquer  that  country;  and  there  is  no  indication  that 
the  commander  of  the  Juno  was  instructed  to  forestall, 
or  even  to  closely  watch,  the  action  of  the  three  Amer- 
ican ships.  Sixth:  Sloat,  as  we  have  seen,  delayed 
decisive  action  long  after  he  knew  that  hostilities  hail 

Within  half  an  hour  tlie  Saviniiah  and  Prrhh  (?)  were  ploughing  the  bosom  of 
the  deep,  while  the  mind  of  the  g.T,llant  commodore  was  made  up,  etc.  Sey- 
mour on  reacliing  Monterey  told  Sloat  that  only  himself  and  a  few  leading 
Mexicans  knew  of  the  existence  of  liostilities  when  ho  left  Mn/utlan!  Sci' 
also  Powers'  Afoot,  310-18.  Wivlpole,  Four  Years,  passim,  tells  us  that  the 
(Jolliuiiwood  was  becalmed  off  the  coast,  tlius  delaying  her  arrival.  Cronisi-, 
yat.  Wealth  o/Cal.,  69,  says  the  English  vessel  arrived  within  '24  liours  after 
the  Savannah.  Others  simply  say  tlic  Sarannah  outsailed  her  rival,  or  that 
Sloat  won  on  account  of  getting  the  news  of  war  first  througli  Parrott.  Thus 
it  is  seen  that  the  evidence  is  meagre  as  well  as  contradictory. 


Ill 


SLOAT  VERSUS  SEYMOUR. 


213 


i>eguu,  unable  to  make  up  his  mind,  and  disregarding 
his  instructions.  Are  we  to  suppose  that  Seymour, 
who,  as  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt,  knew  practically 
as  much  of  events  on  the  Rio  Grande  as  did  Sloat, 
was  equally  timid  and  irresolute?  Or  that  he  deemed 
it  his  duty  to  copy  his  rival's  stupid  blunders  as  well 
as  to  watch  his  ship?  Truly,  his  delay  was  inexcus- 
able if  his  mission  was  as  alleged;  and  there  was  no 
later  success,  as  in  Sloat's  case,  to  relieve  him  of  the 
l)lame.  Seventh :  what,  indeed,  was  the  need  for  the 
admiral  to  wait  for  definite  news  of  war  at  all?  Why 
might  he  not,  if  he  had  such  a  design  as  is  imputed 
to  him,  liave  raised  the  flag  in  June  as  well  as  in  July? 
The  ra[>id  increase  of  American  immigration,  or  cer- 
tainly til -3  acts  of  the  Bears,  afforded  a  plausible  pre- 
text foi-  acceding  to  the  request  of  Governor  Pico  and 
his  friends.  Sloat  of  course  required  positive  evidence 
of  hostilities,  because  his  proposed  action  in  California 
was  one  of  war,  and  by  acting  hastily,  he  might  com- 
promise his  government;  but  Seymour  had  no  warlike 
project  in  view;  he  was  merely  to  assume  protection 
of  a  people  at  the  request  of  its  authorities.  It  is  dif- 
ficult to  understand  in  what  respect  his  act  woul4 
liave  been  more  compromising  to  his  government,  or 
more  ott'ensive  to  the  United  States,  just  before  than 
just  after  the  declaration  of  war.  Eighth  and  finally: 
there  was  nothing  in  the  circumstances  attending  Sey- 
mour's visit  to  Monterey,  July  lGth-23d,  to  sustain 
the  theory  that  he  had  jneditated  interference.  Hc^ 
Mild  Sloat  exchanged  the  customary  courtesies  without 
the  slightest  distur!  mce  of  amicable  relations;  and 
liuving  obtained  from  the  Americans  a  set  of  spai's 
lor  liis  vessel,  he  sailed  away  for  the  Sandwich  Islands 
without  meddling  in  politics,  or  commenting,  so  far  as 
may  bo  known,  on  the  change  of  flag. °° 

■'III  reality,  littK;  is  known  of  the  Co//fH,7"'oo(/'.'<  trip,  oxcept  tlie  date  of 
licr  arriviil  at  Montcri'v.  Lieut  Fred.  Walpole  of  tliat  vessel  wrote  Four 
)  •  ill  f/ir  J'nrih',-,  l/)nil.  I.S4!>,  Svo,  2  vol.;  l)ut  ho  pays  little  or  no  utten- 
t.  ,1  politic  (  01-  to  ilotiiils  of  the  vessel'-s  movements.  Tliiit  part  of  liis  Iwok 
rtl.ulu!,'  to  ('ill,  i^<  f.nind  iu  vol,  ii.  p.  '204-1!).      lie  gives  :i  little  sketch  of  the 


m 


liii 


M 


1  n 


M.J-  ll 


214 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


I  would  not  flippantly  assert  that  previous  writers 
have  fallen  into  error  on  a  matter  like  this,  where 
from  the  nature  of  the  case  no  positive  proof  against 
them  can  be  adduced ;  but  in  the  absence  of  like  proof 
in  their  favor,  it  has  seemed  well  to  consider  the  at- 
tendant circumstances;  and  these,  as  I  think  the 
reader  will  agree,  point  almost  irresistibly  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  danger  of  English  intervention  in  any 
form  was  a  mere  bugbear;  that  the  race  between  the 
Savannah  and  CoUingwood  was  purely  imaginary. 
The  contrary  belief  has  been  a  fascinating  one  for 
Americans;  it  is  agreeable  to  dwell  on  a  contest  in 
which  we  have  been  the  winners.  But  the  satisfaction 
in  this  case  is  not  well  founded,  and  there  is  no  reason 
to  believe  that  there  was  any  intention  of  raising  the 
English  flag  in  California.  The  reason  why  the  pro- 
ject of  a  protectorate,  if  considered,  was  not  approved, 
was  probably,  as  in  the  matter  of  conquest  or  purchase, 
that  'the  game  was  not  worth  the  candle,'  especially 
as  the  candle  was  likely  enough  to  assume  the  propor- 

Bear  Flag  revolt  and  othtr  current  events,  noting  particularly  the  appearance 
and  character  of  Fremont's  trappers.  On  the  subject  now  under  consideration 
he  says:  'Ou  the  morning  of  the  ICth  of  July,  184C,  after  a  long  voyage,  we 
were  becnlincd  off  the  coast  of  Cal.  in  the  bay  of  Monterev,  and,  toward  the 
afternoon,  anchored  amidst  a  crowd  of  American  vessels  of  war.  To  our  as- 
tonishment wc  found  that  they  bad  only  a  few  days  before  taken  pijssessioii 
of  tlie  place,  hoisted  the  American  colors,  and  planted  a  garrison  in  tho  town. ' 
There  is  no  indication  that  tuo  vessel  came  by  way  of  Honolulu,  as  some 
writers  state.  Green,  in  the  newspaper  article  already  cited  as  purporting  to 
come  from  Sloat,  relates  a  conversation  l)etween  him  and  Seymour,  which  is 
to  be  regarded  aa  purely  imaginary.  In  his  report  of  July  31st,  Sloat  men- 
tions Seymour's  arrival  on  the  10th,  and  departure  on  the  23d,  and  the  inter- 
change of  friendly  courtesies.  .Sloat  thought  his  coming  strengthened  tho 
American  cause  by  convincing  the  natives  that  he  would  not  interfere.  Nilcs' 
lief/.,  Ixxi.  133.  July  23d,  Sloat  notifies  Montgomery  of  Seymour's  presence 
and  his  friendly  conduct.  War  with  Mex.,  Repta  Oper.  Xavy,  29.  Phelps, 
Fore  and  Aft,  295,  and  Dunbar,  liontance,  40,  state  that  Seymour  frankly  told 
Sloat  that  he  had  intended  to  raise  the  English  Hag.  Colton,  Three  Years,  p. 
13-14,  notes  the  holding  of  a  meeting  after  the  flag  was  raised  to  discuss  tiio 
question  of  asking  English  protection;  and  he  quotes  the  facetious  argument 
of  one  Don  Rafael  (Gonzalez ?)  against  it.  The  sar.:"}  writer,  however,  Dick 
and  Port,  393,  says:  '  It  has  often  been  stated  by  American  writers  that  the 
admiral  intended  to  raise  the  English  flag  in  Cal.,  and  would  have  done  it  had 
we  not  stolen  the  march  on  him.  I  believe  nothing  of  tho  kind;  the  allega- 
tion is  a  mere  assumption,  unwarranted  by  a  single  fact.'  Nidever,  Life  ami 
Adven.,  MS.,  130,  and  Swasey,  I'al.  '4^-6,  MS.,  13-14,  mention  an  exhibition 
of  markamanship  by  Fremont's  men  which  delighted  tho  cfUcers  of  the  CoUing- 
wood, and  reduced  their  store  of  silver  dollars. 


THE  McNAMARA  PROJErrT. 


215 


tions  of  a  forvjign  war.  It  is  well  to  note  finally  that 
the  conclusion  reached  deprives  the  Bear  Flag  cause 
of  the  only  merit  that  could  ever  with  any  plausibility 
be  attributed  to  it,  that  of  having  saved  California 
from  English  rule  through  the  influence  of  Fremont's 
action  in  hasteningr  Sloat's  movements. 


The  McNamara  colonization  scheme,  though  it  car- 
ries me  back  to  1845,  and  forward  some  days  past  the 
raising  of  the  stars  and  stripes,  is  treated  here  because 
it  has  commonly  been  considered  a  part  of  the  gen- 
eral scheme  of  English  interference.  Of  Eugene  Mc- 
Namara, except  in  connection  with  the  affair  in  ques- 
tion, we  know  only  that  he  was  "a  native  of  Ireland, 
catholic  priest,  and  apostolic  missionary."  Before 
August  1845,  and  probably  in  the  spring  of  that  year, 
he  asked  the  president  of  Mexico  for  a  grant  of  land 
in  California,  to  be  occupied  by  an  Irish  colony.  His 
avowed  object  was  threefold.  "I  wish  in  the  first 
place,"  he  said,  "to  advance  the  cause  of  Catholicism. 
In  the  second,  to  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  my 
countrymen.  Thirdly,  I  desire  to  put  an  obstacle  in 
the  way  of  further  usurpations  on  the  part  of  an  irre- 
ligious and  anti-catholic  nation."  He  eulogized  the 
Irish  as  the  best  of  colonists,  "devout  catholics,  mor- 
al, industrious,  sober,  and  brave."  He  proposed  to 
bring  over  one  thousand  families  as  a  beginning,  each 
to  have  a  square  league  of  land,  and  this  first  colony 
b>  i)o  located  on  the  bay  of  San  Francisco;  a  second 
woiild  be  established  later  near  Monterey;  and  a  third 
!>J.  Mantn  Bdrbara.  He  desired  for  a  time  exemption 
t'i  vin  hixes;  uid  claimed  to  have  the  approval  of  the 
urthliishop  of  Mexico.  There  being  some  hesitation 
on  the  part  of  the  government,  McNamara  again 
urged  the  advantages  of  his  project  and  the  necessity 
of  prompt  action.  "If  the  means  which  I  propose  bo 
not  speedily  adopted,  your  Excellency  may  be  assured 
that  before  another  year  the  Californias  will  form  a 
part  of  the  American  nation.     Their  catholic  institu- 


216 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


tioiis  wiii  become  the  pr  ^y  of  the  methodist  wolves; 
and  the  whole  country  will  be  inundated  with  these 
cruel  invaders;"  but  ten  thousand  Irishmen  "will  be 
.sufficient  to  repel  at  the  same  time  the  secret  intrigues 
and  the  open  attacks  of  the  American  usurpers."  In 
this  communication  the  petitioner  asked  for  land  to 
be  hypothecated  in  payment  of  the  colonists'  travel- 
ling expenses;  and  also  for  the  customs  duties  at  San 
Francisco  for  a  term  of  years.'^" 

The  government  was  disposed  to  look  with  favor 
upon  the  scheme;  though  of  course  there  was  no 
thought  of  granting  coast  lands,  or  least  of  all,  at  the 
ports  mentioned  by  the  priest;^  and  though  there 
were  not  wanting  those  in  Mexico  who  believed  Irish 
settlers  :  r-  ''kely  to  side  with  the  Yankees  than 
the  Mexica.  We  know  very  little  of  the  negotia- 

tions in  Mexic  .>,  but  on  August  1 1th,  Minister  Cue- 
vas,  in  a  communication  to  Jose  M.  Hijar,  announced 
ihat  McNamara,  highly  recommended  by  the  arch- 
l)ishop  and  others,  would  come  to  California  with  Ini- 
ostra's  expedition.  Hijar  was  instructed  to  treat  him 
well,  to  examine  his  project,  and  to  consult  with  the 
governor  with  a  view  to  advise  the  government  what 
was  best  to  be  done.^"  There  is  no  evidence,  how- 
ever, that  Hijar  ever  received  this  communication. 

In  January  184G,  under  a  new  administration,  Mc- 
Namara was  informed  by  Minister  Castillo  Lanzas 
that  his  memorial  and  plan,  in  accordance  with  the 

^•^  McNamara'a  petitions  to  the  president.  In  Spanish  with  translations,  in 
JWmont's  Cal.  Claims  19-21,  77-9.  Tlie  documents  have  no  date,  and  it  is 
not  stated  where  they  were  found;  but  there  is  no  I'cason  to  doubt  their  au- 
thenticity. Most  of  tlio  mutter  on  the  subject  is  given,  from  the  above  source, 
in  the  IJonolulii  Polynesian,  v.  lOo;  and  S.  F.  Californian,  Oct.  28,  Nov. 
4,  1848. 

"Dix,  in  his  speech  of  March  29,  1848,  Dix's  Speeches,  i.  262-81;  Comj. 
Globe,  1847-8,  p.  500-1,  reviews  the  subject,  and  conveys  the  impression  that 
tlio  final  grant  did  include,  besides  the  bay  of  S.  F.,  some  of  the  best  lands 
and  most  important  military  and  connnercial  positions  in  Cal. !  Mayer,  Afex- 
ico  Aztec,  i.  343-5,  says  '  the  govt  of  Mexico  granted  3,000  sq.  leagues  in  the 
lich  valley  of  S.  Joaquin,  cml)raciiig  S.  Francisco,  Monterey,  and  Sta  Bilrbara' ! 

''*In  the  Amigo  del  Pueblo,  Oct.  2."),  1845,  we  read :  'iTodavia  no  se  co- 
Doce  que  todo  61  que  liable  el  idioma  ingles  ha  de  t<sner  maa  simpatfas  hdcia  loa 
r.-ipaces  Yankees  que  hdcia  nosotros? ' 

''Aug.  11,  184.'),  Cnevasto  Hijar.  Fri'mont'n  Cal.  Claims,  2S. 


AX  HUSH  COLONY. 

°rl"s""    Tl  *''">  "°'""">  "-^"Id  be  submiH    I  * 
UKSs        The  docuiuentarv  result  ^"bmitted  to  con- 

whether  congress  acted  o^n  the  Jl^  ""t  "•"*""'•  ^ut 
ompresar,,,  doubtless  obtaLd  J"  •"""'  '"■  ""'■  the 
'Ut  no  positive  promiseslK^^''t '"^   encouragement 
lecommendatiou  to  go  to  Pn   f      •  S"™'-nment  with  a 
;*Ie  for  his  P«rpose,T„d  submtl/"'  '*''?'"  '""''^  «"'■*- 
'onn  to  the  departmental  w7     •  '•'  PrJ'""  '"  --egular 
expedition  notVeing  Ifci;'"*''""';''-       '^'"-*  ^'»c«te 
padre  took  paasage'on  H    B    v  "  ,  'T'  '''  <'™'-.  ">'■ 
terej,  where  he  trrived  'heft,.    Vf  "'' "'"'"'  '»'■  Hon- 
or possibly  at  the  e,S^:?>  ^ff^  "'«  '"'ddle  of  J„„e, 
tion  extant  about  the  r„J,^  ^'-  ./"«•■«  is  no  informa 
Monterey  „n  Jun      y^^r was" a  ' '^"T 'i"*  ^'>«  "« 
July    rt,  ano  -turning,  arrived  ,nT"f  ^'''•'''"■''  »" 
Irancsco'"     flaking  knowrlk       "'^  ""'  "'  San 
«"d  probably  to  otheS  McNtL       '"""•!'*'  '"  Parkin 
"^i'-w  for  the  south  t^see  thl"?  '*''<"'  ««"  "n  the 
with  the  governor.     On  J,    ,,'';'''??»"''  ''«go«ate 
>"■  submitted  his  proposuSn  !!  V    ^^"*^  ^^'^^^'< 
"'S  .Porimps  fi,^t  llroiched  the  s,  l"'".'^  *°  P'«°'  ''">•- 
oarher.™    His  plan,  whfch  ha^   ".'''"'"  *"  '"■""  '^  '^eek 
cooperation   of'^the   ve",erab^  JTZ"'^  ""  ^""^t^" 
'"«hop  of  Mexico,  andX  eordinl       '""''-"""^   "c^- 
su|>reu,e  government,"  was  "ou  t   T?^""'"''  of  the 
l'o.-.ble  2,000  Irish  fan,  fe,  or  10  ooo"^  T  •^°'"'  ^ 

■"Jan    19  ISM  r    .„  '  ™"'*''    "'"l    he 

„    "To  lirkin  on  1,1,  „riv,l  »,,v  ""■  ■"'  *"•■  •  *"■ 

';*r,ti.'."K;f'i;l;'"V«'"^^^ 


218 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


hi* 

m 

m 

Wn 

•i  :-■: 


asked  for  a  grant  of  the  land  selected  between  the 
San  Joaquin  River  and  the  Sierra  Nevada,  from  the 
Cosumnes  southward  to  the  extremity  of  the  Tulares, 
near  San  Gabriel.  This  petition  was  sent  by  Pico  to 
the  assembly,  with  documents  relating  to  the  project 
and  with  his  approval.^  Lataillade,  the  Spanish  vice- 
consul,  also  wrote  a  letter  describing  and  advocating 
the  colonization  scheme.*"  On  July  6th  the  matter 
was  brought  up  in  a  session  of  the  assembly  at  Los 
Angeles,  and  was  referred  to  a  committee  consisting 
of  Argiiello  and  Bandini.  Their  report,  rendered 
next  day  in  an  extra  session  and  approved,  was  favor- 
able to  McNamara's  petition,  and  recommended  that 
the  grant  be  made  under  certain  conditions ;  the  most 
important  of  which  were  that  land  should  be  granted 
only  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  colonists  present- 
ing themselves;  that  the  title  should  not  be  suscepti- 
ble of  hypothecation  or  transfer  to  any  foreign  gov- 
ernm«^nt  or  other  ownership;  and  that  sections  of 
good  land  should  be  reserved  in  the  region  granted.^^ 
The  committee  further  recommended  that  the  depart- 
mental government  should  petition  congress  to  allow 
the  colonists  exemption  from  taxes  for  a  number  of 
years;  and  also  for  the  introduction  free  of  duties  of 
§100,000  worth  of  merchandise  for  each  1,000  colo- 
nists. 

'*  July  1,  1846,  McNainara  to  Pico,  and  Pico  to  assembly.  FrimonVa  Cat. 
Claims,  23.     See  also  references  in  note  33. 

'*  July  2cl,  L.  to  Bandini.  Bandini,  Doc,  MS.,  84.  The  writer  says  there 
were  difficulties  in  Mexico  on  account  of  prospective  expenses;  but  now 
he  understands  that  the  English  crown  will  bear  the  expense.  He  favors 
the  plan,  because  it  will  create  a  barrier  both  against  the  Indians  and  the 
America^.  He  foresees  the  raising  of  the  stars  and  stripes  in  case  of  war; 
but  thinks  a  period  of  anarchy  will  ensue  until  a  regular  government  is  es- 
tablished, during  which  the  country  will  be  overrun  by  liordes  of  lawless 
strangers;  and  that  while  the  Irish  colonists  could  not  be  expected  for  sev- 
eral years,  the  title  to  lands  being  acquired,  England  would  protect  it  and 
keep  the  land!?  from  the  possession  of  adventurers. 

*'  July  7, 1846,  report  of  special  com.  on  McNamara  grant.  Original  blotter 
in  Bandini,  Doc. ,  MS. ,  87.  Also  in  Leg.  liec. ,  MS. ,  iv.  364-8.  The  tract  speci- 
fied within  which  the  colony  lands  were  to  be  selected — without  prejudice  to 
former  grants  and  with  the  reservation  of  alternate  sections — was  '  on  the 
river  San  Joaquin  and  towards  the  Tulares,  on  the  southern  extremity  of  the 
lagoons  or  said  tulares,  between  the  latter  and  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  on  the 
river  of  Las  Animas  and  its  region  as  far  as  the  Cajon  do  Muscupiabe,  near 
San  Bernardino. ' 


A  FRAUDULENT  GRANT. 


219 


n   the 
n  the 
ilares, 
•ico  to 
(reject 
li  vice- 
eating 
natter 
a,t  Los 
sisting 
udered 

favor- 
id  that 
le  most 
rranted 
>resent- 
dscepti- 
;n  gov- 
iions  ot 
anted.'« 

depart- 
allow 

iber  of 

ities  of 

0  colo- 

aotit'a  Cal. 

I  says  there 
but  now 

1  He  favors 

Is  and  the 

[ge  of  war; 
lient  is  es- 

I  of  lawless 
Id  for  scv- 

ect  it  and 

hal  blotter 
tract  speci- 
Yejudice  to 
Is  '  on  the 
lity  of  the 
Ind  on  the 
liabe,  near 


This  favorable  action  of  the  assembly  was  for- 
warded to  Pico  on  the  same  day.''  It  reached  Santa 
Bdrbara  probably  on  the  8th;  but  the  governor, 
it  will  be  remembered,  had  started  a  day  or  two 
earlier  for  the  north,  and  did  not  reach  that  town  on 
his  return  until  the  12th  or  13th.  Then  he  doubtless 
made  out  and  signed  in  due  form  a  grant  to  McNamara, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  national  government. 
The  terms  and  conditions  of  the  grant  were  substan- 
tially as  fixed  by  the  assembly,  it  being  specified, 
however,  that  the  tract  was  to  be  wholly  in  the  in- 
terior, twenty  leagues  from  the  coast;  that  each  of 
the  3,000  families — instead  of  2,000  as  before — 
should  have  one  league,  or  less  if  the  tract  should  not 
sufiice;  and  that  any  excess  should  be  reserved  by 
the  government.^  Thus  far  all  had  been  appar- 
ently regular  and  in  accordance  with  legal  formali- 
ties. But  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the  final  grant,  as 
extant  in  print — I  have  not  seen  the  original  manu- 
script— is  dated  at  Santa  Bdrbara  on  July  4th.  If 
the  document  was  really  signed  on  that  date,  it  was 
in  advance  of  legislative  action  and  invalid;  other- 
wise it  was  signed  after  the  12th,  and  fraudulently 
dated  back,  in  consequence  of  Pico's  having  learned 
on  his  northern  trip  that  the  United  States  flag 
had  been  raised  on  the  7th. 

With  his  grant  McNamara  went  up  to  Monterey. 
There  he  explained  to  Larkin  the  nature  of  his  scheme 
somewhat  more  fully;  informed  him  that  he  was  act- 
ing for  a  private  company  in  London;  showed  him 
the  title — bearing  date  of  July  4th,  which  shows  that 
date  to  be  not  merely  a  misprint — and  asked  his  opin- 
ion whether  the  United  States  would  recognize  its 

"July 7th,  Figueroa,  president,  and  Botello,  sec,  to  Pico.  Fr6mont^s  Cat. 
Olaima,  25.  July  8th,  Bandini  to  Latailladc,  in  renly  to  letter  of  2d,  already 
cited.  Has  done  what  he  could  for  McNamara,  who  appears  to  be  satisfied. 
Bandini,  Doc.,  MS.,  88.  July  8th,  Botello  to  Jloreno.  Has  been  busy  m  ith 
the  McNamara  affair,  which  he  warmly  approves.  Moreno,  Doc.  Hint,  t'nl., 
17-18. 

'"July  4,  184(5,  Pico's  grant  to  McNamara.  Translation  from  original,  in 
Fi&mont'n  Val.  Claiim,  23-5. 


220 


PRKLIMINARIES  OK  THE  CONQUEST. 


validity.  Larkiii  told  him  the  governor  could  not 
grant  more  than  eleven  leagues  in  a  single  deed ;  and 
tlie  reverend  cmpresario  sailed  on  the  ColUngwood  for 
Honolulu  en  route  to  Mexico.**  No  attempt  was  evei- 
made  to  secure  recognition  of  the  title  in  California. 
It  is  said,  however,  that  the  grant  was  in  Mexico  re- 
I'erred  to  tlie  'direcciou  de  colonizacion  d  industria,' 
which  hody  reported  adversely  on  several  grounds — 
thiefly  that  the  price  fixed  by  law  for  the  territory  in 
(|uestion,  but  which  McNamara  had  not  even  prom- 
ised to  pay,  was  about  $71,000,000!  In  spite  of  this 
report,  it  appears  that  the  colonization  committee  ol" 
<'ongress  approved  the  project;  and  that  is  the  last 
we  hear  of  it.*" 

Such  is  the  history  of  the  famous  McNamara  col- 
onization project.  It  appears  that  a  company  of  spec- 
vdators  in  London,  taking  the  hint  perhaps  from  the 
oftbrts  of  the  Mexican  bond-holders  in  past  years,  if 
not  composed  in  part  of  the  same  men— though  there 
is  no  evidence  on  that  point — and  foreseeing  that  in 
American  or  other  hands  Californian  lands  were  likely 
to  increase  very  rapidly  in  value,  resolved  to  become 
the  possessors  of  as  large  a  tract  as  possible.  To  avoid 
opposition  from  the  authorities  in  a  catholic  country, 
a  priest  was  employed  to  negotiate  in  the  name  of  an 
Irish  colony.     There  was  probably  no  expectation  of 

'"Aug.  22,  1840,  Larkin  to  sec.  state.  Larkiir.s  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  81. 

*"!  have  not  found  any  original  record  of  these  actions,  which  are,  how- 
ever, unimportant  on  account  of  their  date  after  the  American  occupation  of 
Cal.  I  find  the  information  given  above  with  some  details  in  the  Honolulu 
Polynesian,  iv.  50,  Aug.  11,  1847;  quoted  also  in  .*f.  F.  Californian,  Sept.  29, 
1847.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  in  this  account  the  legislative  action  is  dated  July 
3(1,  and  tlio  grant  July  4th.  On  S«pt.  27th  McNamara  wrote  from  Hono- 
lulu to  J.  A.  Forbes  a  letter  quoted  in  Hartmann^a  Brief  in  Mission  Cases,  65. 
After  raving  about  the  'asinine  stupidity  of  old  Aberdeen'  in  settling  the  Or- 
egon question,  and  referring  to  his  scheme  for  working  the  quicksilver  mines, 
lie  says:  '  I  am  also  very  desirous  of  doing  something  about  that  grant  of  land. 
I  will  give  the  Yankees  as  much  annoyance  as  I  possibly  can  in  the  matter. ' 
Velasco,  Sonora,  310,  says  tlio  grant  was  confirmed  by  Santa  Anna,  and  that 
McNamara  went  to  Europe  to  make  arrangements;  but  that  litigation  is  ex- 
pected. Besides  the  works  I  have  cited,  see  on  the  McNamara  scheme,  Bid- 
iveirs  Cal.  1S41-S,  MS.,  151-2,  170;  Coronel,  Cosas  deCal.,  MS.,  69;  Mrd 
Steamship  Pioneers,  170-1;  Jlespi  rian,  iii.  .187;  Upkani's  Life  Frdmont,  240-1; 
Cronise's  Nat.  Wva'th  Cal.,  Gd;  Lancey'a  Cruise,  !Ar-5;  Tinkham'a  Hist.  Stock- 
ton, 92;  Yiilo  Co.  Hist.,  25;  and  many  newspaper  accounts. 


POLITICAL  ASPECTS. 


•_>-21 


over  sonclinjjf  to  California  an  v  such  number  of  fanjilies 
as  was  talked  about;  but  it  was  thought  that  a  title 
might  be  acquired  to  lands  of  great  value.  In  order 
to  get  as  much  as  jiossibhi  on  the  most  favorable  con- 
ditions, and  with  the  least  possible  delay,  advantage 
was  shrewdly  taken  of  the  bitter  feeling  against  all 
that  was  American.  The  scheme  met  with  as  much 
favor  as  could  have  been  shown  to  any  measure  that 
had  to  be  submitted  to  two  opposing  administrations ; 
but  evoked  little  enthusiasm  even  in  Mexico.  And 
when  the  speculating  j^t'cslntero  arrived  in  California, 
where  colonization  on  a  large  scale  had  always  been  a 
|)opular  idea,  with  all  his  special  inducements  of  oj)- 
position  to  the  Yankee  invaders  and  lohos  metodistas, 
he  found  the  authorities  by  no  means  in  a  hurrv  to 
disregard  the  laws  and  put  him  in  possession  of  the 
whole  department.  He  obtained  little  more  than  any 
presumably  responsible  man  might  have  obtained  in 
ordinary  circumstances — the  concession  of  an  immense 
tract  of  land,  valueless  then  and  nearly  so  for  many 
years  later,  away  from  the  coast,  inhabited  by  gentile 
tribes,  of  extent  in  proportion  to  the  actual  number  of 
colonists  sent  to  occupy  it,  with  title  m)t  transferable 
— hampered,  in  fact,  by  all  the  legal  conditions.  The 
chance  for  speculation  on  a  grand  scale  was  not  very 
apparent.  It  may  be  doubted  that  the  London  com- 
pany would  have  cared  for  the  grant  even  had  their 
oltM-ical  agent  not  been  obliged  to  tell  them  that  it  was 
fraudulently  antedated.  At  any  rate  it  would  have 
I  teen  sold  at  a  low  figure  to  some  Yankee  speculator 
(luring  the  subsequent  years  of  litigation. 

Respecting  the  international  or  political  aspects  of 
the  McNamara  project,  there  is  not  much  to  be  said; 
though  it  is  to  that  phase  of  the  matter  th.at  writers 
have  chiefly  devoted  their  attention.  Most  of  them 
state  it  as  an  unquestioned  fact  that  the  colony  was 
simply  a  part  of  the  general  plan  of  the  English  gov- 
ernment to  get  possession  of  California ;  and  failed,  just 
as  the  main  plan  failed,  because  the  J^ritish  agents  were 


i 


222 


PRELIMINARIES  OF  THE  CONQUEST. 


too  late.  Had  there  been  any  such  plan — and  I  have 
proved  to  my  own  satisfaction  there  was  not — it  would 
still  be  necessary  to  pronounce  its  relation  to  the  colony 
scheme  purely  conjectural.  It  is  not  unlikely  that  t\u) 
promoters  of  the  colony,  like  the  bond-holders  of  earlic  r 
years,  hoped  to  acquire  a  title  which  should  eventually 
attract  the  attention  and  secure  the  protection  of 
the  British  government.  It  is  also  probable  that  in 
Mexico,  and  tolerably  certain  that  in  California,  Mc- 
Namara,  to  advance  his  interests,  sought  to  give  the 
impression  that  to  grant  his  petition  would  be  to  secure 
English  favor;  but  that  the  government  secretly  fa- 
vored the  scheme  in  any  way,  I  find  no  evidence.  In- 
deed, the  establishment  of  10,000  Irish  colonists  in  a 
country  as  a  means  of  acquiring  peaceful  possession 
of  the  same  was  hardly  a  method  that  would  at  any 
time  have  commended  itself  to  the  favor  of  her 
Britannic  Majesty. 

After  the  conquest  it  was  claimed  that  McNamara's 
intrigues  for  an  immense  land  grant  had  been  one  of 
the  chief  motives  of  the  Bear  Flag  revolt;  and  in  the 
investigation  of  'California  claims'  in  1848,  a  leading- 
point  made  by  Fremont  and  his  friends  was  that  the 
revolt  alone  had  prevented  the  success  of  that  scheme, 
and  had  thus  saved  for  American  settlers  an  immense 
tract  of  valuable  land.  A  dozen  witnesses  or  more 
testified  positively  that  such  was  undoubtedly  the  fact. 
I  do  not  believe  that  anything  whatever  was  known 
of  McNamara  or  his  scheme  north  of  the  bay  before 
June  14th,  if  indeed  it  was  known  before  July  7th; 
but  this  of  course  cannot  be  proved,  especially  if,  as 
Larkin  states  in  one  letter,  the  Juno  arrived  in  May  ;*' 
and  it  must  be  admitted  that  such  a  knowledge  would 
have  been  an  argument  of  some  force  with  the  set- 

*' June  18th,  as  we  have  seen,  was  the  earliest  date  on  which  anything 
appears  on  the  subject  in  contemporary  documents  at  Monterey;  and  June 
'J4th  in  the  south.  That  Larkin  knew  of  it  a  week  or  more  and  informed  the 
settlers  in  the  north,  before  ho  wrote  on  the  subject  to  the  sec.  state,  is  not 
very  probable.  I  suppose,  moreover,  that  his  statement  in  Off.  Corresp. ,  MS. , 
ii.  81,  that  McNamara  arrived  in  May  may  have  been  a  slip  of  the  pen  on  the 
part  of  his  clerk. 


THE  COLONY. 


223 


tiers.  However  this  may  have  been,  the  second  prop- 
osition that  the  revolt  ])ut  a  stop  to  this  and  other 
grants  by  Pico  to  Englishmen  is  a  manifest  absurdity ; 
since  not  only  is  it  certain  that  it  had  no  such  effect, 
but  obviously  its  tendency  must  have  been  to  cause 
the  governor  to  make  haste  in  disposing  of  the  public 
domam.  Moreover,  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that 
the  success  of  the  colony  and  a  recognition  by  the 
United  States  of  the  grant  as  valid  would  have  been 
an  unmixed  evil. 


:jii^ 


l| 


11 

Wk'W  H 
wi'l 

llll 

i  I 

11 

■■Hi    am 


CHAPTER  X. 

CONQUEST  BY  THE  UNITED  STATES— SLOAT-S  RULE. 

July,  1846. 

Abkival  OF  Sloat  in  the  'Savannah' — Events  of  a  Week— Morb  Hesi- 
tation— Fremont's  Claim— Larkin's  Infli'ence — DEspATOHsa  from 
Montgomery — Resolhtion — Occupation  of  Monterk.y— Sloat'b  Proc- 
lamation— The  Star-s  and  Stripes  at  San  Francisco — Documentarv 
Record— The  Bear  Fi.ah  Lowered  at  Sonoma — At  SrriKR'a  Fort — 
The  Change  at  San  Josfe — Fremont  and  his  Battalion  March 
Southward — Occupation  of  San  Juan — The  Bears  at  Monterey — 
Fremont  and  Sloat — The  Commodore's  Disappointment— The  Fili- 
buster's Dilemma — Comfort  from  a  New  Commodoke— Stockton 
Arrives  in  the  'Congress'— And  Assumes  Command— The  Battalion 
Mustered  in — And  Sent  to  the  South — Departure  of  Sloat. 


coming 


Commodore 
from 
he  found  the 
rant,  Captain 
gomery,  being 
July.  I  find 
which  is  the 
erence  should 


Sloat,  in  his  fiag-ship,  the  Save      ih, 

Mazatlan,  arrived  at  Monterey,  'c 

Ci/ane,  Captain  Mervinc,  and  the  Lc- 

Page — the  Portsmouth,  Captain  Mont- 

at  San  Francisco — on  the  1st  or  2d  of 

no  means  of  determining   accurately 

correct  date,  though  perhaps  the  pref- 

be  given  to  the  second.^     A  midship- 


'  Sloat,  in  his  r  sport  of  July  Slst,  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  Slst  con^j.  Ist  seas.,  H. 
Ex.  Doc.,  i.  pt  ii.,  p.  2,  says  ho  amvcd  on  July  '2il;  and  this  date  has  been 
taken  by  most  wt  iters  from  his  stfitement.  The  fragment  of  the  log  pub- 
lished by  Lancey  and  Dunbar  reads:  'July  Ist,  stood  into  the  harbor  of  Mon- 
terey and  came  to  iiuclior  at  4  p.  m.,  in  front  of  the  town. .  .The  captain  of  the 
port,  accompanied  by  Mr  Ilartwell  [Hartnell],  attached  to  the  custom-house 
called.  Cyaite  and  Levant  in  port.'  The  difference  between  sea  and  land 
time  may  be  made  to  account  for  this  entry  in  the  log;  but  Larkin,  in  several 
communications  of  the  period,  dates  the  arrival  on  the  1st;  while  in  an- 
other he  says  it  was  the  '2d.  Lieut  Minor  speaks  of  a  '  passage  of  '23  days,' 
leaving  Mazatlan  on  June  8th,  which  would  make  the  arrival  not  later  tlian 
July  Ist.     Midshipman  Wilson,  in  his  testimony,  says  it  was  July  '2(1. 

(224) 


ARRIVAL  AT  MONTERKY. 


205 


U. 
|8  been 
pub- 
Mon- 
i  of  the 
.house 
laud 
heveral 
lin  an- 
1  ilays,' 
Ir  than 


man  on  the  frigate  Btatos  that  the  oonjiuodorc  svut 
an  officer  ashore  to  tender  the  usual  civilities,  hy  <>f 
t'crinff  to  salute  the  Mexican  flag,  which  honor  was 


«ii'- 


1 


oi 


I'linecl  for  want  of  powder  for  a  return  salute.^ 
have  two  original  letters  before  n»e,  bearing  date 
.lu!y  2d,  one  of  them  in  Sloat's  handwriting,  asking 
if  there  is  any  objection  to  his  men  landing  for 
twenty-four  hours  in  squads  of  100;  the  other,  writ- 
ten by  his  son  and  secretary,  proposing  to  land  and 
take  a  ride  with  the  consul  next  morning.'  Accord- 
ing to  the  log,  it  was  also  on  the  2d  that  Larkin  mado 
;t  long  call  on  the  commodore,  and  on  his  departurt; 
was  saluted  with  nine  guns.  Next  day  Sloat  landed 
to  call  on  the  authorities.  Of  festivities  on  the 
4th,  we  know  only  that  the  ship  was  dressed  and 
salutes  were  fired.  Religious  service  was  performed 
on  Sunday,  the  5th,  by  Lieutenant  Trapin;  and  on 
the  same  day  the  Portsmouth's  launch  arrived  from 
Yerba  Buena  with  despatches  from  Montgomery. 
The  Gth  was  passed  by  Sloat  atul  Larkin  on  board 
the  frigate,  in  preparing  proclamations  and  corrc 
spondence,  of  which  I  shall  speak  presently.  Noth- 
ing more  is  known  of  actual  events  at  Monterey 
from  the  1st  to  the  Gth  of  July. 

Wo  have  seen  that  Sloat,  with  a  sufficiently  definite 
knowledge  of  hostilities  on  the  Rio  Grande,  had  long 
hesitated  to  obey  his  orders  from  Washington.  After 
several  changes  of  mind  on  the  subject,  he  had  on 
June  Gth  announced  his  intention  to  proceed  to  Cali- 
fornia, but  not  to  take  possession  until  he  should  hear 
of  a  formal  declaration  of  war  or  of  offensive  opera- 
tions by  the  gulf  squadron.  Next  day  he  received 
additional  despatches,  supposed  to  have  included  a 
report  that  the  gulf  ports  had  been  blockaded ;  and  on 

'Wilson's  testimony  in  Fremont's  Cat.  Claims,  40-1.  He  says  the  officoi-a 
wondered  tliat  Sloat  should  have  made  tliis  oflFer,  knowing  of  the  Mexican 
hostilities. 

Muly  2d,  Com.  Sloat  and  L.  W.  Sloat  to  Larkin.  Larkin's  Doc.,  MS., 
iv.  193-4.  The  consul  is  also  thanked  for  books  and  '(luicksilver  ore,  and  is 
informed  that  the  men,  if  they  make  some  noise,  will  also  spend  $1,000  or 
§1,500  in  doing  it. 

Hist.  Cai,.,  Vol.  V.    15 


i  I 


■  f        JS' 


22« 


CONQUEST  BY  THE  U.  S.— SLOAT'S  KULE. 


the  {."oh  he  sailed  for  Monterey.  According  to  his 
own  official  report,  he  had  resolved  at  the  time  of  sail- 
iu^  to  raise  the  flag  in  California  in  consequence  of 
the  latest  news.*  His  delay  of  six  days  after  arrival 
before  acting,  however,  in  itself  seems  to  indicate  that 
his  vacillation  did  not  end  with  the  departure  from 
!Mazatlan.  Frdmont  and  his  friends  point  to  Sloat-'w 
letter  of  June  Gth  as  t^howing  his  purpose  when  hv 
left  Mazatlan;  to  his  delay  at  Monterey  and  friendly 
relations  with  Mexican  authorities  there;  to  the  gen- 
eral im[)ression  on  board  the  ships  that  Sloat's  final 
action  was  determined  by  the  receipt  on  July  5th  of 
Montgomery's  despatches  announcing  the  acts  of  the 
revolutionists.  And  in  addition  to  this,  Frdmont  and 
Gillespie  testify  positively  that  Sloat  in  his  first  inter- 
view with  them  gave  them  distinctly  to  understand 
that  he  had  acted  upon  the  faith  of  their  operations  in 
the  north,  and  was  greatly  troubled  on  learning  that 
they  had  acted  without  authority.^ 

Thus  was  founded  a  claim  that  it  was  Fremont's 
acts  that  caused  Sloat  to  take  possession  of  California 
for  the  United  States.  The  claim  was  to  a  certain 
ext.ent  well  founded.  Fremont's  operations  did  un- 
(luestionably  have  an  influence  in  removing  Sloat's 
doubts  and  strengthening  his  ]>urpose;  tiiough  it  was 
by  no  means  the  only  influence  in  that  directiv)n;  and 
though,  had  it  been  so,  the  chief  merit  claimed  for  it, 
that  of  having  hdved  the  country  from  England,  <'aii- 
not  be  accorded  to  tJie  labels.  I  find  no  reason  to 
doubt  that  Sloat,  as  he  claimed,  left  Mazatlan  and 
arrived  at  Monterey  with  a  determination — as  strong 
as  such  a  man  in  such  circumstances  coul«l  entertain — 
to  obey  his  ortlers  and  si'ize  the  country.  His  hesita- 
tion, very  much  less  inexcusable  here  than  before  on 
the  Mexican  coast,  began  at  his  first  interview  with 

♦  Wni  with  J/cx-.,  Jfi'jiort  Xarat  (i/ierufioim,  p.  2.  Sloat  to  sec.  iiavv, 
July  Slst. 

»  Testiinoiiy  of  Frt'mioiit,  Gillespie,  Wilson,  aiul  Minor,  in  Fr^woiit'"  I'nI. 
Cl'iini'i,  I'A,  3-',  41,  44-5;  «•«  also  ltfiiton\t  Sj>cerlt  of  April  10,  1S48;  Comj 
Globe,  1847-8,  p.  (KH-G;  G.  II.,  in  .V.  /'.  Vol.  Star  and  Calif.,  Dec.  1),  1848. 


LARKIN'S  INFLUENCE. 


227 


Larkin,  arcl  was  largely  due  to  the  consul's  influence, 
lie  learned,  it  is  true,  that  the  American  settlers  wen- 
in  revolt,  and  that  the  Californian  authorities  were 
jiopulaily  believed  to  be  in  favor  of  English  interfer- 
'.'iice,  both  circumstances  calculated  in  themselves  to 
strengthen  his  purpose;    but   at    the    same    time  he 
learned  that  the  cooperation  of  Fremont  and  Gilles- 
pie with  the  insurgents  was  not  positively  known,  and 
that  Larkin  did  not  now  apprehend  any  trouble  from 
t!ie  McXamara  scheme,  or  from  Pico's  ftivor  to  an 
English  protectorate.     He  had  not  expected  definite 
HOWS  or  orders  from  the  Rio  Grande,  or  from  Wash- 
ington; but  he  hatl  hoped  to  find  something  to  support 
his  resolve  in  the  secret  instructions  of  Larkin  and 
(Jillcspie.      He    now    lea»^'ned    that    those  documents 
contained  nothing  in  addition  to  his  own  instructions, 
and  that  they  "were  devoted  chiefly  to  a  phrn  of  ac- 
(|uiring    the    country  by    voluntary  separation    from 
Mexico,  to  be  followed  by  annexatioii — a  plan  undei- 
which  Larkin  had  been  and  still  was  at  work  with 
much  hope  of  success.     Larkin  was  not  in  symj^athy 
with  the  Bear  Flai;  movement.     He  was  embarrassed 
in  liis  efforts  by  it,  and  jtuzzled  by  the  reported  connec- 
tion of  United  States  officers  with  it;  and  he  did  not 
favor,  or  later  wholly  approve,  the  forcible  occupation 
of  the  c(»untry,  wlu^n'  he  confidently  expected  to  see 
the  stars  and  stripes  raised  vi>luntarily   by  the  Cali- 
fornians.     That  the  views  of  so  jirominent  a  citi/.en, 
at  the  same  time  U.  H.  consul  and  confidential  aijfent 
<if  the  administration,  shouhl  hav<;  had  great  influence 
with  the  commodore  is  not  to  be  wondereil  at.     A 
much  more  resolute  man  might  have  wavered  under 
such    circumstances.      Both,    however,    were    wrong. 
LaiUin,  wi'll  founded  as  were  his  hopes,  had  no  right 
to  su[)pose  that  his  government  intended  to  put  ofl'  the 
military  occupation  in  ciiyo  of  war,  or  that  such  t>c3u- 
pation  could  under  the  circumstances  be  effected  in 
iiii'  inunediate  future  with  t!ie  entire  approval  of  the 


22S 


CONQUEST  MY  THE  U.  S.— SLOAT'S  RULE. 


-() 


inhabitants  and  authorities.  And  Sloat  should  have 
obeyed  his  instructions  literally  and  without  delay.* 
Both  Sloat  and  T-arkin  being  much  perplexed  as  t 
what  should  be  done — the  former  inclining  to  action 
and  the  latter  to  delay — on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday 
the  5th  the  Portsmout/is  launch,  under  Passed  Mid- 
shipman N.  B.  Harrison,  arrived  with  despatches 
from  Mt)ntgomery.     The  boat  had  been  delayed  by 

'Larkiii's  position  in  this  matter  ia  by  no  means  a  theory,  though  a;i 
such  it  might  ue  consistently  and  successfully  presented,  the  consul's  general 
views  being  clearly  enough  recorded.  I  have  a  statement  by  Larkin  himself 
l>earing  directly  on  the  subject.  Ho  says:  'It  was  known  to  the  commodore 
iind  the  U.  S.  consul  that  a  severe  battle  had  taken  place  at  or  near  Mata- 
moros, . .  .yet  there  was  no  certainty  in  Califoniia  that  war  was  declared.  On 
the  first  or  second  tlay  after  the  commodore's  arrival  in  this  port,  he  informed 
this  consulate  that  he  thought  it  of  the  greatest  importance  tiiat  he  shoiiM 
land  his  marine  force  and  take  possession  of  Monterey.  Without  official  in 
formation,  either  by  the  comniodoro  or  myself,  I  hesitated  to  take  possession 
of  California  by  force  of  arms,  and  preferred  that  the  civil  governor  and  mili- 
tary commandant  should  place  their  country  under  the  protection  of  our  gov- 
ernment. I'his  subject  had  been  canvassed  repeatedly  oy  myself  and  certain 
persons  in  command  on  shore,  and  partially  agreed  upon  should  t'mergencics 
create  the  necessity.  Some  of  tlic  town  authorities  and  a  few  principal  citizcn.s 
of  Mexico  in  Montorcj'.  while  the  Snvannah  lay  at  anchor,  favored  the  plan 
and  proposed  to  send  (expresses  to  Gen.  Castro  and  Gov.  Pico. .  .There  was 
during  tliis  period  a  rising  of  foreigners,  most  of  them  imknown  in  the  settle 
ments,  at  the  Sacramento  River  and  jurisdiction  of  Sonoma.  These  circum- 
stances urged  many  Californians  in  July  1846  to  view  with  high  favor  the 
plan  of  coming  under  a  peaceable  protection  of  a  foreign  government.  There 
was  a  fair  prospect  of  the  commandant  general  and  some  or  all  the  authorities 
of  Monterey  coming  into  the  arrangement;  but  it  required  at  least  ten  dajs 
to  come  to  a  conclu.sion.  On  the  4th  or  5th  of  the  month  a  proposition  ■«  as 
thought  of  in  Monterey  by  some  of  the  citizens  to  seize  on  the  American  con- 
sul and  carry  him  oil',  in  order  to  make  further  motives  to  the  ship's  forces  to 
land.  Com.  Sloat  l)Ccamo  more  and  more  anxious  to  land  and  hoist  our  lla^'. 
Early  on  Sunday  [it  should  bo  Monday]  morning  of  the  Gth  of  July,  he  sent  a 
boat  on  shore  for  tiie  U.  S.  consul,  who  was  received  in  the  commodore's  cal)in 
Mrith  the  exclamation,  "We  must  take  the  placel  I  shall  be  blamed  for  doiii},' 
too  little  or  too  much — I  prefer  the  latter. "  Copy  in  Saicyer's  Doc. ,  MS.  ,84- 
7,  of  what  seems  to  be  a  !!:emorandum  left  by  Larkin  among  his  papers.  It 
was  apparently  written  considerably  later  than  1846.  Ho  gets  into  confusion 
in  the  datcH,  making  the  Uth  and  7th  Sunday  and  Monday,  mstead  of  Monday 
and  Tuesday.  1  f e  also  makes  tho  Porl-<mouth'.i  launch  arrive  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day  that  he  spent  with  Sloat,  wliu  had  made  up  his  mind  in  the 
morning;  but  tluit  is  evidently  an  error.  He  adds:  'It  is  not  -mprobable  but 
tho  possession  of  the  country  would  have  been  postponed  a  few  days  longer 
hatl  not  Com.  Sloat  lieen  apprehensive  that  Admiral  Seymour  on  H.  M.  ship 
of  tho  lino  Collingwood  ■would  socn  Ik;  in  port  and  might  wish  to  hoist  the 
English  flag  there.'  In  a  letter  of  July  4th  to  the  consul  in  Honolulu,  I^ikin 
says:  'I  closed  my  Oahu  mail  last  night,  supposing  that  some  15  soldiers  sent 
iu  from  Castro  last  night  nnght  have  caiTied  me  oflF.  I  suppose,  however, 
they  did  not  think  of  it;  although  two  days  back  they  had  it  in  contempla- 
tion. In  the  mean  time  I  am  drcnnung  of  trying  to  persuade  tlie  '"'•.ilifomians 
to  call  on  tlie  commodore  for  protection,  hoist  his  flag,  and  I  •  his  country- 
men, or  tho  Hear  may  destroy  tliom.'  Larkin'n  Off.  Correxp.,  MS.,  i.  00. 


THE  COMMODORE'S  MIND  MADE  Ul'. 


229 


have 
elay.« 
as  to 
ictiou 
inday 
Mici- 
itchcs 
ed  by 

lOUgh  as 
a  general 
1  himself 
mmoiloro 
iar  Mata- 
ired.    On 
informed 
le  bUouM 
iflScial  ill- 
possession 
anil  Hiili- 
f  our  goy- 
nd  certain 
llergencic^^ 
al  citizens 
I  the  plan 
There  was 
the  settle 
se  circum- 
favor  the 
it.     There 
Luthorities 
[t  ten  days 
lition  was 
(rican  con 
forces  to 
our  ibf,'. 
he  sent  a 
ire's  caliin 
for  doing 
MS.,8»- 
.pers.     H 
confusion 
|f  Monday 
laftcmoon 
jfld  in  the 
bable  hut 
jya  longer 
.  M.  ship 
hoist  tlie 
|u,  Larkiii 
lUcrs  sent 
however, 
mtcmpla 
[liforuians 
country - 
90. 


contrary  winds,  having  perhaps  left  San  Francisco  on 
the  morning  of  July  3d.  The  despatches  to  Sloat,  if 
there  were  any  such,"  are  not  extant,  but  I  have  be- 
fore me  a  communication  from  Montgomery  to  Lar- 
kiii, datotl  July  2d,  with  two  postscripts,  in  wliieh 
w  ere  announced  Torre's  retreat  with  Frdmont's  latest 
achievements,  the  spiking  of  the  guns  at  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  the  capture  of  Ridley.**  This  document 
was  probably  brought  by  the  launch,  and  was  perha])s 
the  decisive  one.  At  any  j'ate,  there  can  be  littlu 
doubt  that  the  latest  news  from  the  northern  frontier, 
and  especially  the  definite  announcement  that  Fre- 
iii(»nt  was  acting  with  the  insurgents,"  was  the  last 
straw  which — strengthened  the  camel's  back  to  bear 
the  burden  of  responsibility.  With  clear  orders  from 
liis  superiors  at  Washington,  with  positive  knowl- 
etlijfe  of  hostilities  on  the  Rio  Grande,  with  the  ever 
jtrosent  fear  of  being  anticipated  by  the  English  ad- 
miral, and  with  importunities,  as  is  very  likely,  on  the 
|>art  of  his  commanders,^"  Commodore  Sloat  dared  no 
longer  hesitate,  especially  as  he  now  foresaw  the  oj)- 
portunity,  in  case  the  seizure  should  prove  to  have 
Ih'qu  premature,  like  that  of  Jones  in  1842,  of  throw- 
ing part  of  the  responsibility  upon  Fremont. 

'  Wilson  testified  that  the  arrival  was  on  the  fitli.  l.irkin  says  it  was 
Sunday.  Jjoncey,  Cruise,  79,  says  the  passage  was  .")<>  hmirs,  on  antliority 
not  stated,  la  any  case,  it  is  not  probable  that  Montgimieiy  knew  of  shtat's 
arrival;  yet,  as  he  expected  him,  he  may  have  addresseil  dcspatclu-H  to  him, 
all  the  same. 

"July 'Jd,  M.  to  L.  Larkiii\i  Dor.,  MS.,  iv.  I'J-.'.  He  writes:  'I  feel  very 
desirous  to  learn  something  more  definite  concerning  the  mysteries  referred 
til  in  them  (your  letters).  Were  I  enlightened  respecting  the  future  designs 
nl  our  go\  t,  or  concerning  the  actual  condition  of  afiairH  witli  Mex.,  1  could 
lirolwibly  >'.r.  ...-."^h  ill  the  present  crisis  toward  accomplisliing  objects  in  view. 
My  neut.nl  position,  while  all  is  stirring  and  exciting  alxnit  nie,  I'ciulirs  iis 
(|uict  spectators  of  passing  events.  1  am  looking  for  the  arrival  ut  this  jMirt 
ot  both  commodores;  a.s  this  must  bo  the  ]>oint  ot  all  ini|>ort'iiito|K.'ratiuns.' 

'••Larkin,  in  the  document  cited  in  note  (!,  Nays  that  dctinito  news  was 
u.iw  received  of  M'hat  had  before  l)een  mere  contused  rumors;  but  this  is  ex- 
agi^eration,  for  he  already  knew  tolerably  well  what  was  being  tloue  at  So- 
noma. 

'"Davis,  QlimptteM,  MS.,  345-<i,  learned  from  Capt.  Mervino  that  there 
WMs  a  c<'uiicil  of  war  on  the  night  of  the  Utii  (3th),  at  which  Sloat  showed 
liiiuself  still  irresolute  until  prevailed  upon  to  decide  on  action  by  Merviue, 
\\\i>>  used  very  stixmg  language,  telling  him  'it  is  more  tiian  your  commis- 
siou  is  worth  to  hesitate  in  this  matter. 


'2:iO 


CONQUEST  15 Y  THE  U.  S.— SLOAT'S  RULE. 


Accordingly  Laikin  was  suinmoned  on  board  tlie 
flag-shi|).  Tliu  day  was  spent  in  preparing  corre- 
spondence, orders,  and  proclamations;  and  before 
uight  of  July  Gth,  the  launch  was  started  back  for 
San  Francisco  with  copies  of  papers  to  be  published 
on  the  morrow,  and  a  despatch  for  Montgomery,  in 
which  Sloat  writes:  "I  have  determined  to  hoist  the 
Hag  of  the  United  States  at  this  place  to-morrow,  as 
I  would  prefer  being  sacrificed  for  doing  too  mucli 
than  too  little.  If  you  consider  you  have  sufficient 
force,  or  if  Fremont  will  join  you,  you  will  hoist  the 
Hag  at  Yerba  Buena,  or  at  any  other  proper  place, 
and  take  possession  of  the  fort  and  that  portion  ot 
the  country  "" 

Every  preparation  having  been  completed  the  night 
before,  at  7  in  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  July  7tli, 
Sloat  sent  Mervine  ashore  with  two  or  three  officers, 
bearing  a  formal  demand  for  the  surrender  of  the  post 
of  Monterey,  with  all  troops,  arms,  and  other  public 
property.  The  summons  was  addressed  to  the  mili- 
tary commandant,  and  was  delivered  to  the  old  artil- 
lery captain,  Mariano  Silva.  His  reply,  written  at  8 
A.  M.,  was  that  as  he  had  no  authority  to  surrender 
the  post,  and  as  there  were  no  troops,  arms,  or  other 
public  property,  the  commodore  might  settle  the  mat- 
ter with  General  Castro,  to  whom  the  sunmions  had 
been  sent.  On  receipt  of  this  reply  at  half-past  nine, 
Sloat  issued  to  the  crews  of  all  the  ships  a  general  ordei 
forbidding  in  the  usual  terms  all  plunder  and  other 
excesses  on  shore,  and  beginning  with  these  words: 
*'  We  are  about  to  land  on  the  territory  of  Mexico, 


"July  «,  1846,  S.  to  M.  U.  S.  Govt  Dor.,  'ilHh  cong.  2*1  scss.,  H.  Ex.  iKu-. 
no.  4,  p.  648-9.  A  writer  signing  himself  '  Vindcx,' and  claiming  to  liiivo 
Ijcen  at  Monterey  in  1846,  in  a  semi-ollieial  position,  M-ritos  to  the  Altd  of 
Sept.  II,  1870,  to  state  positively,  l)ut  erroneously,  that  Liirkiii  with  other 
prominent  Americans  called  repeatedly  on  Sloat  to  beseech  him  to  raise  tlio 
nag.  Mrs  Ord,  Ocurrenciw,  MS.,  14"2,  narrates  that  the  people  of  Monterey 
had  an  idea  that  the  place  was  to  bo  taken  on  July  4th;  and  one  man  was 
injuijed  by  the  crowd  rushing  out  of  evening  prayers  on  u  false  njarm  tliat 
tlic  Americans  were  innding. 


TAKING  OF  MONTEREY. 


231 


ird  the 
cono- 
bcfore 
ack  for 
iblislied 
lery,  in 
)ist  the 
TOW,  as 
o  much 
iifficient 
oist  the 
r  place, 
)rtion  ot 


he  night 
uly  7 til, 
:  officers, 
the  }>ost 
r  pul)lic 
the  inili- 
)ld  artil- 
:,teii  at  8 
iirreiuler 
or  other 
ho  inat- 
ons  had 
st  nine, 
al  ordei 
d  t)ther 
words : 
Mexico, 


il.  Ex.  Doc. 
[tie  to  have 
Itho  Altti  ct" 
Iwith  othi'i- 
_i  raise  tho 
Montiicy 
Jic  man  was 
Iniarm  tliat 


with  whom  the  United  States  are  at  war.  To  strike 
her  flag,  and  to  hoist  our  own  in  the  place  of  it,  is  our 
duty.  It  is  not  only  our  duty  to  take  California,  hut 
to  preserve  it  afterward  as  a  part  of  the  United 
States  at  all  hazards.  To  accomplish  this,  it  is  of  the 
first  importance  to  cultivate  the  good  opinion  of  tho 
inhabitants,  whom  we  must  reconcile." 

At  10  o'clock  250  men,  marines  and  seamen,  were 
landed  from  the  squadron,  under  Captain  Mervine, 
w  ith  Conmiander  Page  as  second.  This  force  marched 
directly  to  the  custom-house,  where  Sloat's  proclama- 
tion was  read,  the  flag  of  the  United  States  was 
raised — there  had  been  no  Mexican  flag  flying  for  two 
months — three  cheers  were  given  by  troops  and  spec- 
tators; and  at  the  same  time  a  salute  of  21  guns  was 
fired  from  each  of  the  three  men-of-war.  The  proi'- 
lamation  in  English  and  Spanish  was  posted  in  public 
places;  two  justices  of  the  peace,  Purser  Price  and 
Surgeon  Gilchrist,  were  appointed  to  preserve  order 
in  the  place  of  the  alcaldes,  who  declined  to  serve;  a 
summons  to  surrender,  with  an  invitation  to  present 
Jiiniself  for  a  personal  interview,  was  sent  to  Castro 
at  Santa  Clara;  duplicate  orders  were  sent  to  ^[ont- 
gomery  at  San  Francisco;  and  letters  of  information 
were  forwarded  by  Larkin  to  Fremont,  Ide,  and  oth- 
ers in  different  directions.  Thus  Monterey  became 
permanently  an  American  town. 

Next  day  more  correspondence  was  sent  out,  in- 
cluding communications  from  Larkin  to  Castro,  Al- 
varado,  and  Stearns;  police  regulations  were  per- 
fected; permanent  quarters  for  a  large  part  of  tho 
garrison  were  fitted  up  at  the  custom-house,  where 
Commandant  Mervine  also  had  his  headquarteis, 
w  hilc  Page  livetl  at  the  old  government  house;  and  a 
l)and  of  music  paraded  the  town  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  new  and  old  American  citizens.  (.)n  tho 
;>th  arrived  communications  from  Castro,  at  San  Juan, 
in  one  of  which  he  manifested  his  purpose  to  spare  no 
sacrifice  for  the  defence  of  his  country,  though  he  [no- 


CONQUEST  BY  THE  U.  S.— SLOAT'S  RULE. 


i 


I 

h  '.7 


I' 


f  ■    : 

Is  ii  ■■ 


posed  to  congult  the  governor  and  assembly  respecting 
the  means  and  methods  of  defence;  and  in  the  other 
lie  complained  bitterly  of  Fremont  and  his  *  gang  of 
adventurers,'  demanding  an  explanation  of  the  rela- 
tions between  the  insurgents  and  the  forces  com- 
manded by  Sloat.  This  may  have  indicated  a  dispo- 
sition to  treat  if  Sloat  would  disown  in  the  name  of 
his  government  all  Fremont's  acts;  but  it  was  more 
likely  intended  as  an  excuse,  and  it  was  really  a  suffi- 
cient one,  for  not  considering  himself  bound  by  past 
pledges  to  Larkin.  The  commodore  also  wrote  to 
JPico :  "  I  beg  your  Excellency  to  feel  assured  that  al- 
tliough  I  come  in  arms  with  a  powerful  force,  I  corao 
as  the  best  friend  of  California;  and  I  invite  your  Ex- 
cellency to  meet  me  at  Monterey,  that  I  may  satisfy 
you  and  the  people  of  that  fact." 

On  the  10th,  Narvaez,  Silva,  and  several  other  offi- 
cers left  Castro  and  returned  to  their  families;  and  it 
was  reported  that  many  of  the  general's  men  had  de- 
serted him,  while  others  were  about  to  do  so.  By  the 
1 2th  there  were  300  men  on  shore;  two  18-pound 
carronades  were  mounted  as  field-pieces;  a  stockade 
and  blockhouse  were  in  process  of  erection;  and  a 
cavalry  force  of  from  35  to  50  men  had  been  partially 
organized.  Orders  for  this  company  of  patrolmen  had 
l»een  issued  as  early  as  the  8th,  Purser  Daingerfield 
Fauntleroy  and  Passed  Midshipman  Louis  McLane 
being  put  in  command  as  captain  and  lieutenant  respect- 
ively. It  was  on  the  14tli  that  Sloat  announced  the 
)eceipt  of  intelligence  that  the  flag  was  flying  at  Yerba 
Buena,  Sutter's  Fort,  Sauzalito,  and  Bodega;  Commo- 
dore Stockton  arrived  with  the  Congress  on  the  15th; 
next  day  came  Admiral  Seymour  in  the  ColUngwood; 
on  the  I7th,  Fauntleroy  with  his  company  was  de- 
spatched to  San  Juan;  and  finally,  on  the  10th,  Fre- 
mont and  his  battalion  appeared  at  Monterey. 

Thus  without  opposition,  without  much  excite- 
ment,^^ without  noteworthy  incidents,  Monterey  had 

>'  The  French  consul,  Gasquct,  seems  to  have  objected  to  the  posting  of 


DOCUMENTARY  RECORD. 


233 


rting 
Dther 
ig  of 

rela- 

coni- 
lispo- 
me  of 

more 
,  suffi- 
r  past 
ate  to 
lat  al- 
\  come 
ur  Ex- 
satisfy 

er  offi- 
and  it 
lad  de- 
By  the 
pound 
ockade 
and  a 
irtially 
en  had 
erfield 
cLane 
spect- 
ed  the 
Yerba 
)inmo- 
15th; 
nvood; 
IS  de- 
Frd- 

pxcite- 
|y  had 

astlng  of 


fallen  a  second  time  into  the  hands  of  the  United 
States,  and  was  garrisoned  by  a  naval  force.  I  ap- 
pend some  bibliographical  matter  bearing  on  the  topic, 
i  iicluding  an  abstract  of  the  documentary  record.*' 

,1  sentinel  near  his  house.  Larkhi'.i  Off.  Correnp.,  MS.,  i.  138;  and  on  this 
•  uoumstance,  as  I  suppose,  Valloj^  aiiTAlvarado  build  up  a  serious  quarrel, 
ill  consequence  of  which  Gasqueto  wa3  arrested  and  exiled  to  S.  Juan. 

"  Sloat's  ollicial  report  of  July  Slst,  to  the  sec.  of  the  navy.  War  with 
Mexiro,  Repta  Operations  of  the  Navy,  2-4,  is  a  condensed  narrative  of  the 
events  noted  in  my  text,  to  which  little  or  nothing  has  been  added  by  later 
u'riters.  The  same  report,  slightly  disguised  as  a  'letter  from  an  officer,'  ap- 
pears in  Nilee'  lieg.,  Ixxi.  133.  The  report  of  the  sec.  of  the  navy  on  Dec. 
5th,  U.  S.  Oovt  Doc,  29th  cong.  2d  sess.,  U.  Ex.  Doc.  4,  p.  378-9,  contains  a 
still  briefer  account.  Each  successive  point  is  still  more  clearly  brought  out 
hy  tlie  documents  of  the  period  cited  below.  Swan,  in  Monterey  Republican, 
Jan.  0,  1870;  S.  JosS  Pioneer,  May  4,  1878,  tells  a  story  of  a  frightened  sentry 
at  the  custom-house,  who  one  afternoon  gave  an  alarm  of  an  enemy  coming  on 
seeing  the  approach  of  a  party  of  marines  who  had  landed  at  a  point  out 
of  sight.  There  is  a  notable  absence  of  incidents,  real  and  fictitious,  in  nar- 
ratives relating  to  this  period.  Ezquer,  Alemorias,  MS.,  26,  was  one  of  the 
(lispliiced  justices.  He  says  he  wan  put  under  arrest,  and  that  the  doors  of 
liis  otBce  were  broken  down.  Most  Californians  and  others  who  were  at 
Monterey  at  the  time  confine  their  statements  to  a  brief  mention  of  the  oc- 
cui)ation.  It  is  not  necessary  to  name  them.  Cults'  Conq.  o/C'al.,  111.,  etc. , 
having  been  published  in  1847,  deserves  mention,  though  it  contains  nothing 
except  what  was  obtained  from  Sloat's  report  and  the  accompanying  docu- 
ments. For  an  account  of  the  affair  as  reported  in  Mexico  in  August,  includ- 
ing a  translation  of  Sloat's  procl.,  with  amusingly  bitter  comments  by  the  ed- 
itor, see  Bustamante,  Mem.  Hist.  Afex.,  v.  84-90;  Id.,  Nuevo  Bernal  Diaz,  ii. 
58,  7G-81.  Other  Mexican  versions,  showing  no  notable  peculiarity,  in  Rivera, 
nisi.  Jalapa,  iii.  779;  Guerra,  Apunles,  354-6;  Dice.  Univ.,  viii.  157;  Res- 
taiiriidor,  Aug.  18,  1846. 

The  official  documents  are  found,  as  Sloat's  Despatches,  in  U.  S.  Oovt  Dof., 
'21)tli  cong.  2d  sess.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  4,  p.  640,  etc.;  and  Slst  <:'.ong.  1st  sess.,  11. 
Ex.  Doc.  1,  pt  ii.  p.  1,  etc.  Most  of  them  are  copied  in  Lancey's  Cruise,  79, 
etc. ;  and  many  have  been  often  reprinted  elsewhere.  I  do  not  deem  it  neces- 
sary to  make  any  further  reference  to  the  page  where  each  of  these  well 
kuo\\  n  routine  documents  is  to  be  found;  nor  to  give  more  than  a  mere  men- 
tion of  their  purport.  Somewhat  more  attention  is  given  to  documents  not 
before  published,  chiefly  found  among  Larkin's  jmpers. 

1.  July  7,  1846,  Sloat  to  com.  at  Monterey,  demanding  surrender.  2. 
Silva  to  Sloat  in  reply,  referring  him  to  Gen.  Castro.  Spanish  and  transla- 
tion. A  correct  coi)y  of  the  original,  the  printed  one  being  inaccurate,  in 
Larkin's  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  199.  3.  Sloat's  general  order  to  his  men  before land- 
inj,',  forbidding  plunder  and  disorder.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  70-1.  4. 
Sloat's  proclamation  to  the  inhabitants  of  Cal.  (see  my  text  a  little  later). 
Autograph  original  in  the  hall  of  the  Cal.  Pioneers.  Original  copies  as  circu- 
lated in  English  and  Spanish,  in  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xxxiv.  217;  Bamllni, 
Doc,  MS.,  sJO;  Sai'wje,  Doc,  MS.,  iii.  15,  etc.;  with  printed  copies  in  many 
works.  5.  Sloat  to  Castro,  in  same  terms  as  to  Silva,  demanding  surrender; 
nud  adding:  '  I  hereby  invite  you  to  meet  me  immediately  in  Monterey  to 
enter  into  articles  of  capitulation,  thatyouraelf,  officers,  and  soldiers,  with  the 
inhabitants  of  Cal.,  may  receive  assurances  of  ]>erfect  safoty  to  themselves  and 
property.'  0.  Com.  Mervinc  to  citizens,  ordering  that  all  stores  and  shops  be 
closed  for  two  days,  and  strictly  forbidding  retiiil  of  liquors.  Mont.  Arch., 
MS.,  viii.  58-9.  7.  Sloat  to  Montgomcrj';  'Your  launch  left  yesterday.  I 
enclose  two  documents.     I  lioisted  the  American  flag  here  to-d.iy  at  9  A.  M.  (?) 


234 


CONQUEST  BY  THE  U.  S.— SLOAT'S  RULE. 


Sloat's  proolaination  was  as  follows:  "To  the  in- 
habitants of  California:  The  central  tjovernment  of 
Mexico   havinj;   commenced   hostilities    ai^ainst    the 

Yoli  will  iinme<Hately  tak«  possession  of  Y.  B.,  and  hoiat  tlic  flag  within  reach 
of  your  guns;  post  up  the  proclamation  in  Itoth  languages;  notify  Onpt.  F. 
anil  others;  put  the  guns  ami  fort  in  order.  I  wisii  very  nuich  to  sco  and 
hear  from  Capt.  F.,  that  we  may  understand  each  other  and  coiiperate  to- 
getlier. '  8.  Ijarkin  to  Fn'-mont.  Desires  him  to  send  message  overland  on  a 
subject  of  which  lie  will  soon  be  informed.  'The  commodore  wishes  you 
nt  once  to  cooperate  with  him  under  the  new  state  of  ntTairM,  and  inform  him 
innnediately,  calling  on  Capt.  Montgomery  for  a  launch  if  you  need  it,  to 
bring  him  information  of  your  willingness  to  do  so.  Hy  land  immediately 
you  can  send  me  a  courier  with  a  letter  in  your  handwriCing,  without  signa- 
ture, merely  saying  you  will  fall  into  the  plan  offered.  .Show  this  to  Mr 
rJillcspie.'  Ldrkin'n  Off.  Corrcxp.,  MS.,  i.  10.').  0.  Larkin  to  .Montgomery, 
enclosingan  open  letter  for  Fn5mont,  to  be  read,  shown  to  (iillespic — who  is 
desired  to  come  down  in  the  launch — and  forwarded.  Lcttci's  in  writer's 
hand  to  1)e  deemed  authentic  if  not  signed.  Id.,  i.  102.  10.  Larkin  to  Lie. 
Com.  Sloat  'has  this  hour  (10  a.  m.)  raised  the  flag  of  the  U.  S.'  'I  presume 
you  will  be  inclined  to  desist  from  any  contemplated  movements  against  the 
natives,  and  remain  passive  for  the  present.'  'I  would  recommend  yon  to 
connnunicato  immediately  with  the  commodore. '  Id.,  i.  100.  II.  Larkin  Vj 
Weber  and  Stokes  at  S.  ,Fose,  enclosing  letter  for  Ide.  To  be  carried  or  scut 
at  once.  Pr  Marsh  also  to  be  notified.  'The  news  will  come  unexpected  to 
you;  but  I  hope  yon  will  be  ready  to  coiipcrato  in  calming  the  miinls  of  tiioso 
around  you. '  /a. ,  i.  101 .  1  "2.  I'assjwrt  or  certificate  of  Manuel  1  >iaz,  that  the 
bearer  has  a  communication  for  Lie  recommending  him  to  suspend  hostilities. 
/'/. ,  X)((C. ,  MS. ,  iv. '200.  111.  Sloat  to  Larkin.  Suggests  the  jwsting  of  relial do 
persons  on  each  road  a  few  miles  from  town.  Id.,  iv.  '201. 

14.  July  8th,  Larkin  to  Stearns;  with  an  account  of  what  has  occurred,  also 
latest  news  from  the  north.  Id.,  iv. '2iY2.  I.">.  I.iarkin  to  Sloat,  recommend- 
ing the  appointment  of  a  school -master  at  §1,000  salary.  lie  will  cimtribnte 
one  tenth.  Thinks  it  will  induce  the  natives  to  accept  office  umler  the  V.  S. 
Called  on  Castro's  wife,  and  found  her  very  inieasy.  Will  soon  know  all 
Castro's  plans.  The  gen.  will  prol)ably  be  at  S.  Juan  to-night.  Will  come 
on  boiird  to-morrow  with  David  Spenco  and  Dr  McKee.  Manuel  Dia/.  in- 
vited, but  prefers  to  wait  a  few  days.  /</.,  Off.  Corregp.,  MS.,  i.  100-1.  Ki. 
Larkin  to  Castro.  The  commodore  is  anxious  for  an  interview.  Assures  liini 
of  good  treatment.  /</.,  i.  IOS-9.  17.  Larkin  to  Alvarado.  Is  still  friendly 
to  him  and  Don  Jo8(5.  Hopes  the  latter  will  enter  into  u  convention  with 
Sloat,  as  he  may  honorably  (To.  lil.,  i.  100.  18.  Larkin's  circular  to  Ameri- 
cans, with  a  full  account  of  the  licar  Flag  revolt,  including  the  latest  news. 

19.  July  0th,  Slontto  Fr(5mont,  telling  him  what  had  been  done,  and  urging 
him  to  make  hasto  with  at  least  100  men.  Fri'mont'x  Cat.  Cla\m»,  ~'.\-\. 
( "astro  to  Sloat  (in  reply  to  no.  5).  S|)anish  and  translation.  '20.  Same  to 
siime,  asking  an  explanation  about  F'remont's  operations.  (One  of  these  two 
iloc.  appears  in  one  of  the  official  editions,  and  the  other  in  the  other,  each  as 
appendix  F. )  21.  Sloat  to  Pico,  enclosing  copies  of  summons  to  Castro;  .isk- 
ing  an  interview  and  assuring  him  of  good  treatment,  also  datc<l  12th.  22. 
Castro  to  Larkin.  His  letter  to  Sloat  contains  his  'ultimate  determination.' 
.9rtH'f/rr'sy>oc.,  M.S.,  77  8.  '23.  Alvarado  to  Larkin.  Thanks  for  kind  atten- 
tions. Cannot  disregard  his  obligations  to  his  general.  Refers  to  the  efl\)rts 
of  the  '  immort.'il  Washi  iigton. '  Id. ,  78-9. 

24.  July  10th,  Larkin  to  Sloat,  informing  him  of  the  return  of  Silva  and 
Narvaez,  and  reported  desertion  of  Castro's  men;  and  suggesting  a  procla- 
mation f>f  encouragement  f<n-  such  men.  Larkiti'n  Off.  Cornsp.,  MS.,  i.  10.'>. 

•2o.  July  r2th,  Sloat  to  Montgomery,  with  an  account  of  the  situation  of 


pr(x:la.mation. 


S»3 


United  States  of  America  by  iiivadiiMjf  its  torritorv 
and  attacking  the  troops.  .  .on  the  nortli  side  of  the 
Rio  (rrande,  and  with  a  force  of  7,000  men  under.  .  . 
(ren.  Arista,  which  army  was  totally  destroyed.  .  .on 
the  Sth  and  9th  of  Ma}'-  last  hy  a  force  of  2, .'500  men 
under.  .  .Gen.  Taylor,  and  the  city  of  ^Tatanioras 
taken.  .  .and  the  two  nations  being  actually  at  war  by 
this  transaction,  I  shall  hoist  the  standard  of  the 
United  States  at  Monterey  imniediatcly,  and  shall 
carry  it  throughout  California.  I  declare  to  the  in- 
liabitants  of  California  that,  although  I  come  in  arms 
w  ith  a  powerful  force,  1  do  not  come  among  them  as  an 
I'uemy  to  California;  on  the  contrary,  I  come  as  their 
best  friend,  as  henceforward  California  will  be  a  por- 
tion of  the  United  States,  and  its  peaceful  inhabitants 
will  enjoy  the  same  rights  and  privileges  as  the  citi- 


.-in'iiirs;  also  another  despatch  approving  his  course  at  tian  Francisco.  26. 
Larkin  to  Frdniout.  Urges  him  to  come  on  to  Monterey.  Tlic  commodore 
is  anxious  for  liis  coi)peration.  Wisiics  to  organize  a  body  of  paid  men. 
Fremont  may  promise  $1 5  or  $'20  per  month,  anil  to  a  great  extent  choice 
of  their  own  officers.  Larkin's  Off.  Corirs)).,  MS.  "27.  Wm  Matthews, 
carrying  despatches  to  San  I'Vancisco,  was  stojtpcd  at  Tiicho  ranciio  l>y 
'Chaiiatc' Castro  and  Jos()  Higuera.  He  was  tied  to  another  prisoner  iiiid 
ciirrioil  oir  on  horschack;  hut  escaped  while  the  captors  were  drinking. 
Mniit.  Arch.,  MS.,  viii.  45-9. 

•2H.  Muster-roll  of  Fauntleroy's  dragoons  from  July  I'ith  to  Sept.  17th. 
10  names.  L'a/.  I'ion.  Sor.,  Arch.,  MS.,  "JlJO—iO.  Slait's  communication  of 
.Inly  Sth  to  Fauntleroy,  antliorizing  him  to  organize  the  conijmuy,  S'l  strong, 
t'ldin  the  squadron  and  volunteers,  to  protect  peaceable  inhabitants  an<l  keep 
!i  watch  over  the  enemy,  /d.,  231.  Also  Sloat's  proclamation  to  '  good  citi- 
zens of  Cal.  and  others,'  inviting  tliem  to  enroll  themselves  in  the  company 
tiir  .'{  months  at  $15  per  month.  Doc.  not  dated,  but  a  Spanish  translation 
isilatcdJuly  i:{tli. 

29.  .luiy  13th,  five  custom-house  officers  meet  and  resoifo  tnat  they 
arc  liound  to  support  the  Mexican  cause,  exhorting  all  subordiu'.tes  to  join 
Ca.stro's  force.  Hartnell  declined  to  do  so,  thougli  In-  signed  aiid  approved 
tiio  resolution,  because  of  his  largo  family.  <!ucrra  was  the  leading  .sjiirit. 
Uiih.  Doc,  MS.,  211-1.3.  Pablo  do  la  (iuc'ua,  Giicrni.  J>oc.,  MS.,  iv.  i:!(IO-l, 
I'lainis  that  ho  refused  to  give  up  tlic  custom-house  (lags  and  IxMits,  tom- 
iiianded  his  cmployi'-s  to  join  Castro,  and  himself  left  town  in  all  hastt'  to 
avoid  giving  his  parole. 

30.  July  14th,  Sloat's  general  order  announcing  the  raising  of  the  fla.t,'  in 
the  north,  and  congratulating  all  who  had  particiiwted  in  the  change.  Suir- 
!/crs  Doc,  MS.,  83.  31.  Thomas  Cole  paid  $103  for  carrying  dcspatcla:!  to 
S.  Josd  and  Ycrba  Bucna.  Horses  and  ])istols  taken  from  him  by  Castro's 
men  also  paid  for.  Monterey,  Coumdutc  Arch.,  MS.,  ii.  1<>-17. 

32.  July  16th,  Larkin  to  Montgomery.  Reports  arrival  of  the  ('uniinxx, 
und  says  all  is  quiet.  About  100  people  have  asked  for  passports  to  pu.ss  in 
and  out  of  town,  though  they  are  not  required.  Larkiii's  Of.  Gorresp.,  yiS., 
i.  107. 


CONQUEST  BY  THE  U.  S.-SLOAT'S  RULE. 


i   kWi         : 


Z(!n8  of  any  other  portion  of  that  territory,  with  all 
tho  rights  and  privileges  they  now  enjoy,  together 
with  the  privilege  of  choosing  their  own  magistrates 
and  other  officers  for  the  administration  of  justice 
among  themselves;  and  the  same  protection  will  hv 
extended  to  them  as  to  any  other  state  in  the  Union. 
They  will  also  enjoy  a  permanent  government,  undei- 
which  life,  property,  and  the  constitutional  right  and 
lawful  security  to  worship  the  creator  in  the  way 
most  congenial  to  each  one's  sense  of  duty,  will  be 
secured,  which  unfortunately  the  central  government 
of  Mexico  cannot  afford  them,  destroyed  as  her  re- 
sources are  by  internal  factions  and  corrupt  officers, 
who  create  constant  revolutions  to  promote  their  own 
interests  and  <)j)press  the  people.  Under  the  flag  of 
the  United  States  California  will  be  free  from  all 
such  troubles  and  expense;  consequently  the  country 
will  rapidly  advance  and  improve,  both  in  agriculture 
and  commerce,  as,  of  course,  the  revenue  laws  will  be 
the  same  in  California  as  in  all  other  parts  of  the 
United  States,  affording  them  all  manufactures  and 
l^roduce  of  the  United  .  States  free  of  any  duty,  and 
all  foreign  goods  at  one  quarter  of  the  duty  they 
now  pay.  A  great  increase  in  the  value  of  real  estate 
and  the  products  of  California  may  also  be  antici- 
pated. With  the  great  interest  and  kind  feelings  I 
know  the  government  and  people  of  the  United  States 
possess  toward  the  citizens  of  California,  the  coun- 
try cannot  but  improve  more  rapidly  than  any  other 
on  the  continent  of  America.  Such  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  California,  whether  native  or  foreigners,  as 
may  not  be  disposed  to  accept  the  high  privileges  of 
citizenship  and  to  live  peaceably  under  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  will  be  allowed  time  to 
dispose  of  their  property  and  to  remove  out  of  the 
country,  if  they  choose,  without  any  restriction;  or 
remain  in  it,  observing  strict  neutrality.  With  full 
confidence  in  the  honor  and  integrity  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  country,  I  invite  the  judges,  alcaldes, 


FAIR  PROMISES. 


2M 


and  other  civil  officers  to  retain  their  offices,  and  to 
execute  their  functions  as  heretofore,  that  the  public 
tranquillity  may  not  be  disturbed;  at  least,  until  the 
government  of  the  territory  can  be  more  definitely 
arranged.  All  persons  holding  titles  to  real  estate, 
or  in  quiet  possession  of  lands  under  a  color  of  right, 
shall  have  those  titles  and  rights  guaranteed  to  them. 
All  churches  and  the  property  they  contain,  in  pos- 
session of  the  clergy  of  California,  shall  continue  in 
the  same  rights  and  possessions  they  now  enjoy.  All 
provisions  and  supplies  of  every  kind  furnished  by 
the  inhabitants  for  the  use  of  the  United  States  ships 
and  soldiers  will  be  paid  for  at  fair  rates ;  and  no  pri- 
vate property  will  be  taken  for  public  use  without 
just  compensation  at  the  moment.  John  D.  Sloat, 
conunandcr-in-chief  of  the  United  States  naval  force 
in  the  Pacific  Ocean." 

This  proclamation  was  by  no  means  a  model  in  re- 
spect of  literary  style,  though  superior  to  many  of  the 
conmiodore's  productions.  The  preliminary  statement 
that  American  soil  had  been  invaded  by  Mexico 
might  be  criticised,  even  from  a  standpoint  not  purely 
Mexican;  though  Sloat  was  not  responsible  for  it,  and 
such  criticism  does  not  belong  here.  The  position  as- 
sumed that  California  was  to  be  permanently  a  terri- 
tory of  the  United  States  was  certainly  a  novel  and 
very  peculiar  one,  considering  the  fact  that  the  United 
States  ostensibly  fought  to  resist  invasion  in  Texas; 
hut  it  was  more  or  less  in  accord  with  the  spirit  of 
the  instructions  that  Sloat  had  received,  and  entirely 
so  with  those  then  on  their  way  to  him.  In  other 
respects,  however,  the  document  was  most  wisely 
framed  to  accomplish  its  purpose.  Moderate  and 
friendly  in  tone,  it  touched  skilfully  upon  the  people's 
|)ast  grievances — neglect  by  Mexico,  high  prices  of 
imported  goods,  official  corruption,  and  insecurity  of 
life  and  property;  and  contained  no  allusions  likely  to 
arouse  patriotic,  religious,  or  race  prejudices.  No 
l>roclamation  involving  a  change  of  nationality  could 


238 


COXQUKST  BY  TIIK  L'.  S. -SLOA'IVS  KULK. 


i'  !' 


liavc  Imtii  inori!  favorably  rt'ot-ivetl  by  Caliloniians  of 
all  classes.  Many,  not  befoii'  trit'iulH  to  aiinexutioii. 
wx'Icoinod  tlio  change  as  a  relief  from  prospective 
Bear  Flaijf  rule;  though  nearly  all  would  have  been 
better  pleased  had  the  lack  of  all  connection  between 
the  revolt  and  the  hoisting  of  the  stars  and  stripes 
been  somewhat  more  apparent. 

The  capture  of  San  Francisco  by  the  United  States 
naval  forces  was  an  event  quite  as  devoid  of  incident 
or  romance  as  the  occupation  of  Monterey  just  re- 
latetl.'*  The  Porf,snioitfh's  launch,  leaving  Monterey 
on  'July  (3th  with  des[)atches  from  Sloat  to  Montgom- 
ery, had  a  stormy  juissage  of  live  days;  but  other 
despatches,  already  noticed  as  sent  on  the  7th,  reached 
their  destination  sooner,  (3nc  cojiy  sent  by  Henry 
Pitts  bv  wav  of  San  .fose  was  delivered  at  7  v.  M.  of 
the  8th;'*  while  the  duplicate,  which  Job  JJye  took 
by  a  coast  route,  arrived  at  1  i*.  m.  of  the  next  day. 
Before  dawn  on  Thursday  the  Uth,  Montgomery  dc 
spatched  Jjieutenant  Revere  in  the  ship's  boat  with  a 
flag  to  be  raised  at  Sonoma;  and  at  8  A.  m.,  having 
landed  with  70  men  at  Yerba  Buena,  he  hoisted  the 
stars  and  strips  "in  front  ol  the  custom-house,  in  the 
public  square,  with  a  salute  of  21  guns  from  the  ship, 
followed  by  three  hearty  cheers  on  shore  and  on 
board,  in  which  the  people,  principally  foreign  resi- 
dents, seemed  cordially  to  join.  1  then  addressed  a 
few  words  to  the  a.ssembled  people,"  writes  the  ca[)- 

t 

'*  Pcrliaps  I  sliouM  liere  credit  one  man  with  a  laiitlublc  ambition  to  innkc 
tlie  preliiiiinui'ies  jit  least  interesting.  A  solilier's  yarn — whether  inveiitoil 
l>y  tlio  soldier  oi-  liy  the  writer  who  claime<i  to  take  it  from  his  lipa  I  know 
not — puMiisliotl  in  the  .V.  Y.  Commcrciitl  Adt'crlher,  Juno  14,  18(i7,  an«l  ri- 
priiited  in  lialf  a  dozen  (Jnlifornia  papers,  informs  us  that  the  hero  was  at  Te- 
pic  when  news  o;inie  that  papers  had  been  signed  giving  Cal.  to  the  U.  .S.. 
but  that  Kngl.-ind  was  also  after  it.  He  was  therefore  sent  oil'  on  horseback 
with  despatches  for  (Japt.  Montgomery  at  S.  F.,  wlunn  he  reached,  after 
a  scries  of  thrilling  adventures,  just  in  time  to  have  the  dag  raised  and  the 
country  saved ! 

'^Lancey,  Vrninr,  .S2,  says  that  Pitta  was  stopped  on  the  way  by  the  Cali- 
fornians;  but  this  occurred  I  think  on  his  return.  Lancey's  statement  is 
founded  on  that  of  Milton  Little.  Moiitrn;/  1 1  f  raid,  July  l.l,  KS74;  >SVa  (>'<; 
S<-iiiii„l,  July  '1\  1874. 


TIIK  STAUS  AND  STKIl'ES  AT  SAN  FRANCISCO. 


2.')1) 


uiiii  to  his  superior  otiicor,'"  "after  whirli  your  oxcel- 
k'lit  ]»roc'lauiatioii  \va.>s  iva<l  in  both  languaj^es  auil 
jtostud  upon  tho  riag-statl*"'^  Not  only  was  there  no  op- 
position, hut  there  was  not  in  town  a  single  Mexican 
otHcial  iron)  whom  to  (leniaixl  a  surieiuhn-.  Sul)-pre- 
t'ect  (lucrrero  and  Coniandante  Sanchez  had  absented 
theniselve.s;  Port-eaj)tain  Ridley  was  a  pri^soner  at 
Sutter's  Fort;  and  Jioccptor  Pinto  had  more  than  a 
week  l)efore  gone  to  jt^in  Castro,  Hrst  disposing  of  the 
custom-liousc  Hag,  which  in  1870  he  presented  to  the 
CaUfornia  Pioneers,  and  the  archives  of  his  office, 
which  now,  thanks  to  Don  Rafael,  form  an  interest- 
ing part  of  my  own  collection." 

After  the  ceremony  a  [)art  of  the  force  landed,  in- 
( luding  all  the  marines;  and  the  rest,  taking  up  theii- 
(|uurters  at  the  custom-house,  remained  as  a  perma- 
nent narrison,  under  the  command  oi'  Lieutenant  }[. 
B.  Watson.  In  a  meetin*;  held  at  Vice-consul  liieiles- 
(litrff's  house,  steps  were  taken,  in  accordance  witli  a 
proclamation  of  Montgomery,  to  organize  a  company 
of  'volunteer  guards,'  to  protect  the  town  and  i)er- 
form  duties  similar  to  those  assumed  by  Fauntleroy 
at  M(jnterey.     Purser  Watmough  was   sent  with  a 


'"  Montgomery's  rejKirt  to  Sloat  of  occupation  of  S.  F.,  July  0,  IS4G.  U.  S. 
(lorf  Dnc,  'iOth  cong.  'Jd  sess.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  4,  p.  (»40-.")0.  The  story  also  toli I 
Idiitly  in  Slo.it'8  roiwrt.  /»/.,  (J4I.  Bryant,  Tiitliill,  anil  othcij  have  given  the 
il.'itc  (if  llio  occupation  incorrectly  as  .July  8th. 

''Tliu  old  custom-house,  or  irirjitorla,  stood  on  what  is  now  Brenliniu 
place,  on  the  west  side  of  the  plaza,  or  Portsmouth  Siiiinre,  near  Washington 
street. 

'"  I'into  informs  me— .-ind  the  same  version  appears  in  tiie  Sta  Cru-  Si'iifi- 
II' I.  Aug.  1:1,  ISTO,  tile  pres.'ntatiou  of  tiic  tlagoeing  reconled  in  tiie  >'.  /•'. 
liiilliliii,  .fuly  (i,  1870;  Snisitn  ItcinMican,  Aug.  4,  1870,  and  otlier  papers  - 
tluit  on  liis  departure  he  committed  tiic  trunk  containing  the  ihvj,  and  docu- 
lueiits  to  tiie  care  of  l^'idesdorlFaa  private  property.  Itatlii-r  strangely,  Mont 
;,'onu'iy  and  IjcidcsdortF  failed  to  examine  the  contents,  wliicii  were  sulisr 
iiueiitly  restored  to  tiic  owner.  Tiio  papers  were  presented  to  me  in  1S78  hy 
Don  Uafael,  whose  Apuiifarioiie.-il  have  often  cited  as  a  valnahle  contriltution 
to  Californian  history,  and  now — (mO  ir.  number,  very  important  as  records 
ot'  the  country's  commerce,  and  includi:)g  many  of  great  interest  <iii  other 
matters — they  are  preserved  in  my  Library  in  two  large  folio  volumes,  with 
tlio  following  title:  Docnmentoit para  hi  /fislorla  dc  Cali/'iriiin.  Culcfiioii  <hl 
Sr  ])on  lia/ai'l  I'iiilo,  Ojirkd  qui-  J'mi  del  cjcrcilo  Mejkaiiocit  Culi/uniM,  y  H>  ■ 
irjitur  dc  la  Aditana  de  San  Francisco  en  /(W  ultimos  inencs  de  In  domhiacinii 
Mijicami.  /'I'ifaludn  jior  el  eondwio  de  Toimi»  Samijc  a  la  'Bancroft  Library, ' 
J'!7S. 


li^ 


I') 


fl; 


1 


240 


CONQUEST  BY  THE  U.  S.— SLOAT  S  HULK. 


letter  to  intercept  Fremont,  erroneously  supposed  to 
be  at  Santa  Clara  in  pursuit  of  Castro.  Lieutenant 
Misroon  with  a  small  party  made  a  tour  to  the  pre- 
sidio and  fort,  Hnding  the  eannon  at  the  latter  place 
just  as  Frdmont  had  left  them  on  July  1st,  spiked, 
and  requirini,'  much  labor  to  render  them  of  any  ser- 
vice. No  oilier  public  property  was  found;  and  no 
Iniinan  beings  were  seen  except  a  few  Indians.  The 
U.  S.  flag  was  displayed  over  the  fort.  Two  days 
later  Misroon  visited  the  mission  and  secured  a  col- 
lection of  public  documents.  The  lesidents  had  at 
first  fled  on  hearing  of  what  had  lia[)pened  at  Yerba 
Tiuena;  but  now  they  were  returning  to  their  homes 
and  becominsf  reconciled  to  the  chani^e.  It  was  also 
'>n  the  11th  that  Revere  returned  from  Sonoma, 
I  ringing  news  that  all  was  well  in  the  north.  Co- 
mandante  Sanclu;/.  canur  in  on  Montgomery's  invita- 
tion, and  pointed  out  the  spots  where  two  guns  were 
buried,  the  s>ib-prefect  coming  in  later  and  giving  up 
the  papers  of  his  office;  and  the  ,fuuo  ancjhored  in 
the  bay,  causing  some  warlike  prcpaiati(»ns  on  the 
Portsmouth,  but  showing  no  disposition  to  interfere 
in  any  way.  During  this  i)erio<!,  ami  until  the  end 
of  the  month,  there  were  no  incidents  worthy  of  no- 
tice.*" There  were  no  arrests,  except  of  half  a  dozen 
of  M(>ntgomery's  own  men  for  disorderly  conduct. 
Some  cannon  were  transferred  from  Sonoma  and 
mounted  on  the  side  of  what  is  now  Telegraph  Hill, 
to  protect  the  town.  Correspondence  of  the  time 
made  known  at  Yerba  Buena  nnurh  ttf  what  was  oc 
curring  at  Monterey  and  at  other  pla(;es.  It  was 
understood  that  couriers  were  sometimes  stopped  by 

'•Win  H.  Diivis.  Olim/Mfx  ofHw  Piut,  MS.,  'JWT-S,  .'Mfl-T,  urrivc'il  at  YerUi 
tiuenii  (luring  thin  |)cri(Kl,  uinl  olmtx  pluisuntly,  ua  is  his  wont,  of  wliutoocurrod. 
Ho  anil  W.  1>.  M.  Howartl  wore  arrustuil  !ut<)  uiio  night  wink;  criMwing  t!  'i 
|ilu/n,  having  forgotten  thu  c:()untcr8igii,  and  wtu-o  taken  to  the  giiard-houiie; 
imt  Lieut  AVatson  administoretl  no  uioro  severe  ]H!nuUy  than  to  forco  them 
to  drink,  a  )>ottlo  of  cliani(>agnu  witli  'tiin  buforo  going  home.  Davis  i>r<y8 
tiio  giins  wero  got  out  and  all  made  ready  for  a  iiglit  on  board  tlie  t'ortmnoulh 
Hovera'.  times  on  tiic  arrival  of  a  vessel,  oneo  while  !io  was  taking  hrenkfiist 
with  Montgomery,  there  l)eing  grejit  fear  of  troui>le  with  England.  I'hclps, 
Fore  mill  ,\/>,  "JIKJ—I,  alno  has  somctliing  to  say  of  thu  events  of  these  days. 


DOCUMENTARY  KECOKD. 


241 


C^alifoiiiiaiis  on  the  way  to  Sail  Jose;  Imt  otluiwisr 
M(»  rumor  came  to  indicate  that  all  north  of  Montnii  v 
was  not  as  completely  and  quietly  American  as  was 
the  little  villa<ife  on  San  Francisco  Bay.  Not  much 
is  known  of  the  events  narrated,  bevond  what  is  con 
tuinod  in  the  documentary  record  which  I  a})pend 


ai) 


'"The  (locuincnts  relating  to  tlie  occupation  of  San  Francisco  are  fouiul 
.luno-xed  to  Sloat's  report  in  iiOth  Comj.  2d  Senn.,  II.  Ex.  Doc.  4<  P-  048-«iS, 
iiint  in  31*t  CoiKj.  1st  iSe/»^.,  //.  Ex.  Doc.  no.  1,  pt  ii.  p.  lO-.'Kl.  Tliey  are  as 
li'llows:  I.  July  ()tli,  Sloift  to  Montgomery,  sent  by  the  launch,  an«l  alreiuly 
h 'teil,  'J.  .luly  'Jill,  s&nic  to  sunie,  '  telegraphic,  already  noted.  3.  July 
Itili,  Moiitgduiery  to  Sloat,  in  reply  to  no.  2,  narrating  events  of  the  occu- 
ji.ition  as  in  my  text,  f  nd  enclosing  documents  of  the  day.  Atl vises  the  bring- 
iiij:  of  tw  «  IS-pounder  I  from  Sonoma.  Has  sup|iUcd  Fremont  Mith  stores  to 
ilie  amo.i  it  of  ^2. HW.  -4.  Montgomery  to  his  •fellow-citizens,'  an  address 
iiftt'i'  raiding  the  flag.  Thinks  the  new  stiindurd  will  'this  diiy  bcsul>Btituted 
U<v  the  revolutionary  flag  recently  hoisted  at  Sonoma.'  Commends  Sloiit's 
|ii'u<'lumiition.  Invites  citi<.  ns  willing  to  join  a  local  militia  to  call  at  Leiilcs- 
(lorlfs  house  imiriediatv.!'.'.  .~>.  Montgomery's  pixxdamation,  calling  upon  nil 
to  enroll  themselves  into  u  military  company,  choosing  their  ownoHicers.  In 
c  asc  of  an  attack,  all  necessary  force  will  be  landed  from  the  Porlsmonlk.  An- 
iiiiunces  \V'atson's  >.p;i()intment  as  military  commandant  pro  tem.  6.  Mont 
;:oniiTy  to  Krenuint,  aniumncing  what  has  i>een  done,  and  requesting  his  pres- 
t  IK  T  at  .Monterey.  7.  Montgomery  to  I'urser  James  H.  Wntmough.  lie  is 
to  intercept  Fiemort  at  Sta  Clara  or  S.  .lose,  and  delivei- no.  (i  to  him.  N. 
Montgomery  to  H.  IS.  Watson,  making  him  commander  of  mai-ineH  and  local 
iiiilil  a.  Encloses  list  of  militia  force.  Arranges  signals  for  aid  in  case  of  at- 
tac'  9.  Lieut  J.  S.  Misroon  to  Montgomery.  Ueiiort  ot  a  visit  to  the  prc- 
■-idio  and  fort  with  Watmoagh,  LcidesthirfF,  and  several  vdunteers  At  the 
tui't  lie  ;'ound  •'{  brass  cannon  iind  7  of  iron.  Kecommenils  some  repairs  at  tlw 
fort.  .No  cannon  at  the  presidio.  10.  July  11th,  Misroon  to  Moiitgomerj  . 
Kt'jiort  of  a  visit  to  the  Mission  with  Leidesdortt'  and  a  party  of  marines. 
11.  Lieut  1! were,  having  returned,  reports  th«  success  of  tiis  mission  to  .So- 
noma 12.  Lieut  Watson's  rei>ort  of  the  day.  All  i|uict.  I'atrol  vigilant 
iiiiil  oiiedieut,  1.3.  Lieut  Misroon  for  Montgomery  (who  is  confined  to  his 
Ixd)  to  Sloat.  Sends additioiial  documents  and  details.  Heix>rt«  raising  of 
the  (lag  in  the  north.  .Arrival  o!  the  Juno.  Hopes  to  recover  two  cannon 
liiiried  at  the  presidio  and  mission.  Comumlauto  .Sanclie/  had  come  in  on  in- 
vitation: had  no  public  property  to  deliver,  but  knew  where  some  guns  were 
loiricd.  A  Rtan<l  of  colors  and  a  Iniat  taken  from  the  eiistom-housc.  This 
«,i8neiitto  Monterey  by  Pitts.  Received  next  day.  11.  July  l.'Uh,  Mont- 
;;oniiiv  to  Fallon,  about  atFairs  at  S.  .lose.  I."(.  .Inly  l."»th,  \iontgomery  to 
Moat.  Has  received  .Sloat's  of  12th,  sent  fr-rui  S.  .Jose  by  Stokes.  Is  'wholly 
:it  a  loss  as  to  the  wherenlioufa  of  (.'apt.  Fremont,'  but  liiinks  he  may  bo  at 
Miiiiterey.  Notes  arrival  of  the  rn/d/ii/i't  from  S.  Diego.  Suggests  transfei- 
ot  arms  from  Sonomii.  Sends  corresixiideiu'e  with  Fallon.  Hi.  .July  17tli, 
M(iiituoniery  to  Slo.it,  in  answer  to  telegrapliie  despateli  ol'  |2tli,  which  was 
(leliiyid  ;<)(  houis  at  S.  ,Ior('.  Is  fortifying  the  aneliorsigi'.  'riie  entrance  to 
tile  liay  ean  In  so  tortilicd  as  to  \\'\w\  the  wlioli'  ii.ivy  of  (Ireat  Itritain.  !7. 
Same  to  same,  on  the  pi  isoiiers  at  Slitter's  I''oit.  IS.  .Iiiiy  iMli,  Montgomery 
to  Oiigsby,  on  .Sonoma  afl'airs.  11).  July  2(ltli,  Mo!it;4omeiy  to  Sloat,  for- 
waicliiijr  coiTe.s|ifindciicc  w.tli  tirigsby.  .Suggests  a  guard  on  the  road  to  S. 
.lose  infested  by  mischievous  men.  Has  (I  men  under  arrest  for  disorderly 
coiiiluet.  (itsid  progre.<s  on  the  new  fort.  'I'hu  late  sub-prefect  Fruuciseu 
Wiienei'o  I'liine  in  from  his  rancho  on  ^uiniiiotis,  and  gave  up  the  papers  of  I.i-t 
llT-^T    I'AL  ,  Vot.  V.     Ifi 


iM2 


CONQUEST  BY  THE  U.  S.  -SLOAT'S  RULE. 


i    : 


At  Sonoma,  wheiv  nothing  that  we  know  of  had 
occurred  since  Frdmont's  departure  tliree  days  before, 
Revere  arrived  before  noon  of  July  0th,  having  left 
San  Francisco  in  the  Portsmoutlis  boat  at  two  o'elDck 
in  the  niorning.  Of  what  followed  there  is  no  othti 
record  than  that  of  Revere  himself,  as  follows:  "Hav- 
ing caused  the  troops  of  the  garrison  and  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  place  to  be  sunnnoned  to  the  public  square, 
I  then  read  the  j)roclaniation  of  C'onnnodore  Sloat  to 
them,  and  then  hoisted  the  United  States  flag  upon 
the  staff' in  front  of  the  barracks,  under  a  salute  from 
the  artillery  of  the  garrison.  I  also  caused  the  proc- 
lamation to  be  translated  into  Spanish  and  posted  up 
in  the  plaza.  A  notice  to  the  people  of  California  was 
also  sent  the  next  day,  to  be  forwarded  to  the  country 
around,  requesting  the  people  to  assemble  at  Sonoma 
on  Saturday  next,  tho  I  Ith,  to  hear  the  news  con- 
tinned  of  the  country  having  been  taken  possession  of 
by  the  United  States.  An  express,  with  a  copy  ot 
the  proclamation  and  a  United  States  flag,  was  also 
sent  to  the  commander  of  the  garrison  at  Sutter's  F'jrt 
o\\  the  Sacramento,  with  a  request  to  do  the  same 
there  that  had  been  done  at  Sonoma.  The  same  was 
also  done  to  the  principal  American  citizen — Mr 
Stephen  Smith — at  Bodega,  with  a  demand  for  twn 
j)ieces  of  field  artillery.  .  .1  am  happy  to  report  that 
great  satisfaction  appeared  to  prevail  in  the  commu- 
nity of  Sonoma,  of  all  classes,  and  among  both  foreign- 
ers and  natives,  at  the  country  having  been  taken  po>- 
session  of  by  the  United  States  and  their  Hag  hoisted  ; 
more  particularly  after  the  general  feeling  of  insecu- 
rity of  life  and  property  caused  by  the  recent  events 
of  the  revolution  in  this  part  of  California."'*  If 
will  be  )  .'membered  that  Grigsby  and  about  fifty  nu-n 
Jiad  been  left  us  a  ganison,  the  main  force  of  the  in- 

(IcpartmeDt.     Ho  wan  allowi'd  to  depart  on  ]>arole.     Juno  sailed.     No  visits 
duriog  her  stay  except  by  liitanling  olUcora. 

"July  11,  iS4«,  Revere  to  Montgomery.  SOtli  Comj.  S<lSfs^.,  II.  Ex.  /)<> 
4,  p.  6'"»7.     In  Ilia  Tour  of  Ihilij,  Revere  nays  notiiing  of  this  visit,  though  he 
■peaks  of  \\\%  return  to  iSoiioniii  as  comiiiiuuint  a  little  later. 


AT  SONO>rA  AND  NEW  HELVETIA. 


M8 


Ml!  jfcnts  having  yjone  to  the  Sacramento.  This  fact, 
|H'  liaps,  accounts  in  part  for  the  commonplace,  mat- 
t('r-of-c( mrpe  way  in  which  the  Bear  flag  gave  place 
to  tii«'  stars  and  stripes.  But  while  under  the  former 
regime,  with  Ide  in  command,  such  an  event  might 
have  heen  attendt.'d  with  more  diplomacy,  speech- 
making,  and  general  excite*.  «'  it,  there  is  no  roa.son  to 
heiieve  that  there  would  have  been  the  slightest  oppo- 
sition i>y  the  revolutionists.  Doubtless  some  of  the 
Itading  spirits  would  have  preferred  that  the  change 
.sliould  come  a  little  later,  accompanie<l  by  negotiations 
which  might  give  themselves  j>ersonally  more  proni- 
iiionce;  and  many  adventurers  saw  with  regret  their 
chances  for  plunder  in  the  near  future  <'ut  ofl';  but 
tiiere  were  very  slight,  if  any,  manifestations  of  dis- 
jileasure,  and  no  thoughts  of  resistance.  The  natives 
wore  naturally  delighted  at  the  change ;  and  as  is  usual 
ill  such  cases,  they  were  dispos6d  to  exaggerate  the 
iliagrin  ex[H'rienced  by  the  hated  Osos." 

About  the  raising  of  the  flag  on  the  Sacramento, 
wo  know  still  less  than  of  the  like  event  at  Sonoma, 
having  no  ottici.'d  contemporary  record  whatever.  The 
courier  despatched  by  Revere  from  Sonoma  on  the  9th 

"  N'iiUcjo,  Hint.  CiU.,  MS.,  v.  1,'>8-((1,  tells  us  that  the  Bears  nmrmuretl, 
mill  I'Vi'ii  thretitcucil  to  raise  the  oKl  lla^  us  soon  as  Frdnioiit  should  rL'tniii 
ill'  ijuotus  a  letter  from  his  wife,  in  which  she  says:  '  For  two  nights  the  ser- 
vants liuvo  not  slept  in  my  room;  the  danger  is  past,  for  a  cuptikia  fn>m  >Sau- 
/alito,  Ni'ut  by  Cupt.  Montgomery,  who  in  a  letter  recommendi'd  him  highly 
t"  luc,  |>iittliu  American  Hag  on  the  staff  where  Wfore  was  the  licar;  and 
>iiicc  then  there  are  no  robberies  that  I  know  of,  ulthougii  sister  Uosa  (Mrs 
l.i'i'Ho)  siiys  it  is  all  just  the  siime.  In  those  days  were  great  iiestas,  all  of  us 
>lii>uting  with  pleasure  and  waving  our  handkerchiefs;  but  the  Osos  were  very 
-ill!.  1  heard  the  wife  of  dipt.  Searsuay  that  her  husl*and  said.  "The  Anier 
i<  ail  tlag  had  come  too  soon,  and  all  his  \\ork  was  lost."  land  sister  Hon.') 
an- not  afraid  anymore  for  your  life  and  that  of  Salvador  and  !)<m  Luis' 
(l.cise).  On  .July  Kith  Capt.  tirigsby  wrote  to  Capt.  .Montgomery:  'llu' 
Sii.iiiiards  appear  well  satislied  with  tlic  change.  The  most  of  them,  .'>H, 
liaM'  come  forward  and  signed  articles  of  jn-aie.  Should  they  take  up  arms, 
•  to.,  they  forfeit  their  lives  and  pmperty.  .Ml  things  are  going  on  very  well 
luTi.'  at  preHcnt.  We  have  alsmt  .'V>  men  caimble  of  bearing  arms.  There 
111- some  foreigners  on  this  side  that  have  nevei'  taken  any  jiart  with  us.  I 
«i^li  to  know  the  proper  plan  to  pursue  with  them,  whetlier  their  property 
sliall  Im'  used  for  the  gnrnson  or  not.  There  are  some  immm-  men  here  that 
aie  u'etliuji  very  short  of  clothing.     I  wish  to  know  in  wnat  way  it  might  l>e 

'oiiij.  i-r  :ifs>i.,  II.  Kx    /><«•.  /,  pt  ii.  p.  28. 


aie  u'etliug  very  short  of  el 
pr.K'ureil  for  tlieiii.'   ;iht  ^' 


'Ifl 


i 


JH 


C0XQUKS1'  in     THE  U.  S.-SLOAT'S  RULK. 


d': 


f  ' 

I  I  i 

I  :  'I 


was  William  Scott.*'  He  carried  a  tin^f  aiul  a  copy 
of"  Sloat's  proclamation,  with  orders,  or  a  request,  to 
the  eommandant  at  Sutter's  Fort  to  hoist  the  former 
and  publish  the  latter.  The  courier  arrivetl  just  be- 
fore night  on  the  10th;  and  Lieutenant  Kern  sent 
him  on  to  the  American  River  to  the  camp  of  Fre- 
mont, whom  Montgomery  and  Revere  had  supposed 
to  be  far  away  in  the  south.  Frdmont  writes:  "We 
were  electrified  by  the  arrival  of  an  express  from 
Ca|)tain  Montgomery,  with  information  that  Commo- 
<l(ne  Sloat  had  hoisted  the  flag  of  the  United  States. 
.  ,  .Independence  and  the  flag  of  the  United  States 
are  synonymous  terms  to  tbe  foreigners  here,  the 
northern  which  is  the  stronger  part  particularly,  and 
accordingly  I  directed  the  flag  to  be  hoisted  with  a 
salute  the  next  morning.  The  event  produced  great 
rejoicing  among  our  people;"**  and,  as  he  might  have 
added,  among  the  inti)risoned  Californians  in  the  fort, 
who  were  foolish  enough  to  believe  that  the  change  of 
flag  wouM  effect  their  innnediate  deliverance,  as  i(, 
cei'tainly  should  have  done.  It  does  not  clearly  ajt- 
pear  wheth  r  Fremont  went  down  in  person  to  raise 
the  Hag  at  the  fort  on  the  morning  of  July  lltli,  or 
sim[)ly  directed  Kern  to  attend  to  that  duty.  Sutter, 
who  never  admits  that  he  was  not  in  command  all  this 
time,  says  of  the  flag:  "Lieutenant  Revere  sent  m<> 
one.  It  was  brouglit  by  a  courier,  who  arrived  in  the 
night.  At  sunrise  next  morning,  I  hoisted  it  over  my 
fort  and  began  firing  guns.  The  firing  continued  un- 
til nearly  all  the  glass  in  the  fort  was  broken."''^ 

'^*  Moufirty  Calij'ornian,  March  20,  1847;  Lniicey's  Cruuip,  10"2;  and  many 
newspapt  T  uccuunts. 

''*  Kreinimt's  letter  of  July  'J5th,  in  Nilcn'  I'e;/.,  Ixxi.  101.  (iillcspio,  I'n- 
mont\i  ('ill  ('laims, '29,  saya,  'Alwut  sunset  an  exprcsa  acrived  from  below,' 
iniplioilly  at  the  fort,  'hearing  an  American  flag  to  he  hoisted  at  the  fort. 
ami  a  proi'lamation  from  Sloat,  announ<:ing  the  eommeneement  of  hostilitio!< 
with  Mexiuiiand  the  taking  of  Monterey.  The  bear  flag  luul  been  lmul<'>l 
tlown  at  Sonoma,  uml  the.  American  (lag  run  up  in  its  plaet!  innnediatriy 
upon  the  arrixal  of  the  nc^vs.  The  flag  brought  by  the  express  was  hoi.sled 
at  Sutter's  fort  ut  sunrise  upon  tho  1 1th  July  under  a  salutu  of  '21  guiiH; 
and  tho  settlers  tiiroiighout  the  eountry  received  the  news  with  rejoicings  <'f 
great  joy  and  gladniss.' 

'"•Sii'tfir's  /'cr-'.   /,'eiiiiii.,  MS.,  l.')!.      The   .V.   Ililrelin  JHor;/,    MS.,  notm 


IN  THE  SANTA  CLARA  VALLKY. 


I  copy 

lest,  to 

former 

|ust  be- 

rii  sent 

of  Fre- 

ipposed 

3:  "We 

ss  from 

IJommo- 

l  States. 

I  States 

lere,  the 

irly,  and 

I  with  a 

jed  great 

cfht  have 
the  fort, 

change  of 

|\ce,  as  it 

[early  a]^- 

i\  to  raisi! 

nth,  or 

Sutter, 

id  all  this 

sent  me 

ted  in  th» 

r,  over  my 

nued  un- 

1-2;  and  many 

lillcspii-,  /'■'■, 
Ifrom  below, 
|l  at  the  fort, 
l,,f  hostilities 

l)eeu  Imulcil 

hniineduitcly 
\Nii8  hoisted 

I  of  -21  guiw; 

I  icjoiciugs  of 

MS.,  witv* 


In  the  Santa  Clara  Valley,  Weber  and  Fallon  had 
made  an  effort  t<»  raise  a  force  among  the  settlers,  with 
the  view  of  cooperating  with  the  Bear  Flag  insur- 
gents. This  region  being  Castro's  headquarters,  it 
was  necessary  to  act  cautiously;  but  while  an  open 
iiiovetnent  against  the  Californians  was  impracticable, 
some  kind  of  an  organization  was  ejected,  and  a  con- 
sidc^rable  force  was  in  readiness  to  join  Ide  and  Fre- 
mont whenever  they  should  advance  from  the  north. 
Fallon,  with  nineteen  men  from  tht;  ngion  of  Santa 
( 'raz,  was  encamped  in  the  hills,  awaiting  the  time  for 
action.  Weber's  efforts  were  ruveale<l  to  the  Califor- 
nians, and  with  two  companions  he  was  arrested  and 
taken  to  San  Juan^*  at  or  about  the  same  time  that 
(  astro  transferred  his  force  to  that  ))lace.  On  July 
7th  Pitts  arrived  from  Monterey  en  route  for  San 
l*'rancisco,  with  comnmnications  for  Weber  and  Stokes, 
and  others  for  Ide  and  Fremont.*'  He  may  also  have 
Iteen  the  bearer  of  Sloat's  despatch  to  Castro.'*  Next 
(lay  the  general  withdrew  his  troops  and  started  for 
Sail  Juan.  There  arc  indications  that  Stokes  and  his 
IViends  soon  hoisted  an  American  Hag;  but  if  so,  it  was 
lowered  and  carried  away  by  some  foe  to  the  cause.*' 
Oil  the  I  Ith,  however,  Fall<jn  and  his  party  entered 
the  town  fnmi  their  mountain  camp,  and  the  leader 
notified  Montgomery  that  they  were  at  his  (  omnjaiul, 

tlie  arrival  of  Frt'-iiiont  on  the  lOth  at  the  fort  ami  tho  A'uerioau  River;  and 
also  the  departure  of  some  men  for  the  camp  on  the  lltli;  hut  says  notli- 
iug  of  the  tlag,  and  then  closes  ahruptly  for  several  months. 

■-''See  chaj).  v.,  this  vol. 

"'July  7tii,  hurkin  to  Weber  and  Stokes,  enclosing  one  for  Ide.  L<irkii)'< 
"f.  Correx/i.,  MS,,  i.  101.  A  connnunication  for  Fr6inont  was  also  doubtless 
^l■llt  liy  this  route  as  well  as  through  Montgomery.  Marsh  was  to  be  notified. 
I.Miiun  su.u<;csted  that  Stokes  or  Weber  should  go  to  Sonoma  if  |K)ssilile. 
iithcrwiso  tliatCook  or  lielhuny  shouhlbesent.  Ijiiicey  says  that  Pittsarrived 
"II  the  hill,  and  this  may  ho  correct;  but  as  he  left  Monterey  eafly  mi  the  7th 
ifiid  reached  S.  F.  at  7  1".  M.  on  the  Nth,  it  .seems  most  likely,  in  the  alwnee  of 
liu>iiive  pinoi'  to  the  contrary,  that  he  ])a8sed  the  night  at  ,S.  ■los*'-. 

•'".lolm  l)aid>enbiss,  who  carried  the  despatch  for  Fremont,  says,  V.  Jnsii 
I'ioiieer.  Aug.  '_'.'{,  IS7!>,  that  t'iisti'o  was  parading'  his  troops  in  town  when  Ik- 
^til^te(l.  Ijuncey,  I'rnise,  7.1,  says,  however,  that  DanlH'nbiss  carried  the  news 
tliat  Castro  had  gone  to  S.  ,Inan  with  WcIkt  iis  prisoner. 

"Fallon,  in  his  letter  to  Montgomery,  nientioneil  later,  siiys;  '  The  (lag  that 
wu'*  put  up  here  was  cut  down  before  we  came  here,  but  I  \m\te  it  shall  never 
liipi'en  again.' 


n 


■J46 


CONQUEST  IIY  THE  U.  S.— SLOAT'S  RULE. 


and  ready  to  raise  tlie  f  ig.  Montgomery  replied  «ui 
the  13th  with  thanks,  and  instructions  to  lioist  the  flai; 
if  the  force  should  bo  deemed  *»ufficiont  to  defend  it." 
But  though  the  force  increased  rapidly  to  the  number 
of  about  forty,  no  flag  could  be  found  at  the  jmeblo. 
Hearing  of  this  want,  Sloat  forwarded  the  required 
l)unting  on  the  13th,  and  on  the  16th  it  was  raised 
over  the  juzgado  by  Fallon  a!id  his  patriotic  follow- 
ers,'' On  the  same  day,  Alcalde  Pacheco  having  de- 
clined to  serve  under  the  new  regime,  James  Stokes 
was  appointed  by  Sloat  to  hold  the  office  tempora- 
rily.*^ In  a  few  days  Fallon  and  his  men  went  down 
to  San  Juan  to  join  Fremont. 

We  left  Frdniont  and  his  Bear  Flag  battalion  en- 
camped on  the  American  River  near  Sutter's  Fort. 
At  San  Francisco  and  Sonoma  it  was  believed  that 
Fremont  was  in  hot  pursuit  of  Castro,  and  in  that 
belief  despatches  were  sent  to  intercept  him  at  Santa 
Clara,  the  generid's  headquarters.  But  as  a  niattci- 
nf  fa,ct,  before  the  insurgents  had  completed  thtir 
preparations  for  the  pursuit,  if  indeed  the  captain 
really  intended  to  undertake  it,  news  came  that  Cas- 
tro had  retreated  southward,  in  consequenct;  of  Sloat's 
occupation  of  Monterey.  This  news,  together  with 
Sloat's  proclamation  and  his  request  that  Fremont 
should  join  him  without  <^elay,  seems  to  have  boon 
brought  up  the  valley  by  Robert  Livermore,  and  ai- 
rived  on  the   11th,  the  same  day  that  the  flag  was 

'"July  \'2t\\,  Fallon  to  Montgomery,  and  the  latter's  replyof  the  ISth.  I'. 
S.  Govt  Doc,  2Jttlicong.  '2d  kcss.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  4,  p.  ()60-l.  Fallon siiysCa.stio 
started  south  'last  Wednesday '  (8th);  ami  he  aaks  for  some  arin^  an.i  iojin. 
which  the  captain  is  willing  to  furnish  but  has  no  way  to  send  them,  l^iiin 
cey,  Cntisf,  89,  cites  two  other  unimportant  letters  from  Montgomery  to 
Fallon,  dated  July  loth.  16th,  though  the  former  date  must  be  an  error.  Win- 
ston liennett,  S.  Joxd  Piomer,  May  20,  Juno  2,  1877,  claims  to  have  lu'on 
the  one  to  notify  Fallon  of  Pitts'  anival.  He  is  iaiicuiute  in  some  of  his 
details. 

''  Sloat's  report  of  July  Slst,  and  his  letter  to  Montgomery  of  Jidy  I'ith. 
See  also  HtilVx  Hist.  S.  Josi,  140-7,  loO-S;  S.  Joni  Pioneer,  Sept.  l.">,  1S77; 
Sta  Clara  Co.  /list.  Atiag,  10;  S.  Joiki  Patriot,  July  23,  1875. 

*^  July  IGth,  Sloat  to  people  of  S.  Jos«S.  S.  Jo»f,  Arch.,  Loose  Pa/i.,  MS., 
,"};{,     They  are  urged  to  choose  their  own  local  anthoi-ities. 


FREMONT  AT  SAN  JUAN. 


247 


)Uecl  iu> 
the  iiaj; 
end  it." 
number 
pueblo, 
required 
IS  raised 
•  follow - 
ivinj4  de- 
j  Stokes 
bempora- 
3nt  down 


gallon  en- 
3r's  Fort, 
eved  that 
I  in  that 
at  Santa 
a  matter 
:ed   their 
p   captain 
hat  Cas- 
)f  Sloat's 
iher  with 
Fremont 
liive  hei'ii 
\,  ami  ar- 
tlag  was 

jthe  IStli.  '/. 
Jii8iiy«Ca.sti" 
lln^4  as  a  loan. 
Ithein.  I'Ki 
lnt>;oiiu'ry  to 
Icnor.  \Viii 
lo  have  l«eii 
Isoine  of  liit 

|t'  .Tuly  I'Jth. 
It.   i">,   l^TT; 

Faji.,  .MS., 


raised  over  Sutter's  Fort.**  It  was  probably  the  ne.xt 
(lay  that  Fremont's  battalion  started  down  the  valley, 
about  IGO  strong,  with  one  or  two  field-pieces.**  On 
the  ^[okelumne  River,  as  weare  int'oinud  by  Bidwell, 
the  Sonoma  agreement,  oi-  enlistment  |)aper,  was 
itrought  out  to  receive  the  signatures  of  all  who  had 
not  yet  signed:  and  the  «loeument  is  not  known  to 
have  been  s«!en  sinee.^'  Continuing  his  march  rather 
■«hiwly  down  the  Sacramento  and  up  the  San  Joaquin, 
Fremont  cros.sed  the  latter  river  near  what  is  now 
called  Hill's  Ferry,  and  crossing  the  hills,  probably  by 
tile  Pacheco  Pass,  arrived  on  July  1 7th  at  San  Juan, 
which  place  Castro  jiad  al)andoned  a  week  before.  A 
few  hours  later,  Fauntleroy  arrived  with  a  squad  of 
his  dragoons  from  Monterey,  having  been  sent  by 
Sloat  to  reconnoitre  the  country,  hoist  the  flag  at  San 
.luan,and  recover  some  cannon  .said  to  be  buried  there. 
The  stars  and  stripes  soon  floated  »)ver  the  ex-mission 
pueblo,  probably  with  salute  and  cheers  and  reading 
of  the  proclamation  as  elsewhere.  Thus  the  last  place 
in  northern  California,  or  at  least  the  last  making  any 
pretensions  to  the  rank  of 'town,'  came,  without  the 
slightest  resistance,  under  the  power  of  the  United 
States.** 

''Fremont's  letter  to  Boiiton.  Nilen'  Hey.,  Ixxi.  191.  Liveniiore  ia  named 
as  the  courier  in  the  Monterey  Cali/oriiian,  Slarcli  'JO,  1S47.  John  Danboii- 
bi.ss,  in  S.  JoHi  Pioneer,  Aug.  23,  1879,  says,  accurately  I  think:  'l)r  Stokts 
received  the  despatch  from  Pitts,  who  had  brought  it  from  Com.  Sloat  at 
Monterey,  and  lie  asked  me  to  carry  it  tt,  Capt.  Fremont,  who  waa  at  Sutter's 
Fort,  I  rode  to  the  San  tToa(|uin  Rivei-,  and  being  unable  to  swim  my  horso 
across  the  river,  I  returned  to  Livermore  (raucho),  and  got  Mr  Livermore  to 
cany  th«  nroolamation  to  Fremont,  which  he  did  with  the  aid  of  his  Indians. 
I  ii'inained  at  Livermore 's  until  Lieut  (Gillespie  arrived  from  Friimont'scanip, 
and  then  piloted  him  to  8.  Josi'',  where  we  found  that  ('apt.  Tom  Fallon  had 
lioisted  the  American  flag.  We  arrived  at  S,  .Josi^  at  nddnight,  and  next 
morning  I  took  Lieut  Gillespie  to  Monterey.'  In  the  same  |)aper  of  -Tan.  'JO, 
Is"?.  Harry  Bee  tells  how  lie  himself  carried  the  despatches  to  Frt^mont  :it 
Sloat's  reijuest;  ami  adds  many  details  of  Fremont's  words  and  actions,  aa  of 
his  own  adventures.     The  story  has  some  f(mudation  in  fact.      See  ii.  714. 

'Hiillespie,  in  the  .S'.  /'.  AlUt,  July  'A,  lS<k),  mentions  '2  guns,  the  'Sutter,' 
that  hatl  been  mounted  on  the  fort,  and  the  'Fr<!mont,'a  IO-ix)under  iron  gun 
mounted  upon  the  running-gear  of  a  Pennsylvania  wagon,  bought  from  Sutter 
tor  |(iOO.  The  'Sutter'  was  a  brass  piece  of  Hussian  origin.  It  was  after  the 
war  returned  to  Sutter,  and  by  him  presented  to  the  Cal.  Pioneei-s.  Frenumt 
mentions  but  one  gun  on  his  arrival  at  Monterey. 

'•  HiihvelVx  Cal.  in  JS4I-,'i,  MS.,  174;    Willeys  Thirttj  Yxns  hi  Ca/..  V.l. 

•"'On  Fremont's  occupation  of  S.  Juan,  see  Slojit'sreiMirt,  and  report  of  8<  •■- 


Itii 


M8 


CONgUKST  BY  THK  U.  .S.— SLOAT'.S  HULK. 


The  current  version  is  that  now  or  a  little  later 
Frdniont  and  Fauntloroy  found  and  took  possession 
of  a  considerable  quantity  of  arms  and  ammunition 
that  had  been  abandoned  by  Castro  at  San  Juan. 
Some  writers  specify  nine  cannon,  200  muskets, 
twenty  kej^s  of  powder,  and  60,000  pounds  of  copper 
cannon-balls. ''  That  Castro  left  most  of  his  cannon 
buri«'d,  «)r  even  that  some  of  the  guns  had  not  been 
dug  up  or  mounted  since  the  time  of  Micholtorena, 
may  well  be  credited;  but  that  he  left  at  San  Juan 
any  serviceable  muskets  or  powder,  in  the  absence  of 
more  positive  proof,  I  must  decline  to  believe.  Fal- 
Inii  with  his  men  soon  came  in  from  Sai»  Jo.sd  to  join 
the  battalicm;  and  leaving  a  small  garrison  behind,"* 
t«»  relieve  which  Fauntleroy  was  .soon  sent  back  witli 
.some  forty  men,  the  dragoons  and  the  battalion  of 
J^ears  marched  on  Sunday,  July  lUth,  to  Monterey, 
where  (Jillespie  had  arrived  c.vo  days  earlier.  Fre- 
mont's men,  whose  appearance  is  described  in  print 
by  Walpole  and  Colton,  seem  to  have  created  a  de- 
<Mded  sensation  in  the  town.^ 

ic'tary  of  war,  for  <i  britf  atateinent.  Martin,  Xamttirf,  MS.,  31-2,  (lesorilH3i 
tilt-  march  Hliglitly.  All  the  aiitlioritiea  mention  Fauntlcroy's  cxjiedition. 
ilorman,  Siireson,  MS.,  'J.V-O,  mentions  the  curious  circumstance  that  while 
I'Vuniunt  and  Fnuntlcroy  wore  at  8.  Juan  a  mad  coyote  cumc  in  and  bit  many 
licraoiis.     Xo  one  died;  hut  ull  the  dogs  in  town  were  inimediiitcly  shot. 

^^  Monterey  (^nli/oriiiaii,  Marcli  •_'(),  1847;  Tiithil/'H  //int.  C'al.,  18I--J. 
N'allejo,  Jligl.  CiU.,  .MS.,  I7()-I,  and  Alvarado,  HUl.  Cal.,  MS.,  v.  23'2-;j, 
'2<i7,  stivte  that  all  the  arms  and  anmiunition  hud  iieen  removed  heforo  Fr<^- 
niDut'H  arrival. 

'"Lunuey,  ('riiU<\  lU.'t,  numua  Duul>enl>i)«!«  and  .Jumea  W.  Murahull,  ami 
Hjiys  there  were  7  or  8  others. 

'•'During  our  stay  ('apt.  FrtMnont  ami  his  party  urriveil,  preceded  hy 
.-iiiiither  triKip  of  American  horse.  It  was  a  ]>arty  of  seamen  mo\inted. 
'I'licir  elliciency  as  sjiilors,  they  Inking  nearly  all  F.ngiisji,  we  will  not  ifues 
tioii.  As  cavalry,  they  would  pri)lKii>Iy  iiave  lieen  singularly  destructive  to 
»Mi-h  other.  Tluir  leailer,  however,  was  a  line  fellow,  and  one  of  the  he.-it 
rille-sliots  in  the  States  (Fauntloroy?).  Fremont's  jutrty  naturally  excited 
curio.sity.  Here  were  true  trap|)er.s.  These  men  had  jwissed  years  iri  the 
wilils,  living  on  their  own  resources.  They  were  a  curious  set.  A  vast 
cloud  of  dust  apiKMired  iirst,  and  thence  in  hmg  tile  emerged  this  wildest  wild 
jiarty.  Frd'Uiont  riHle  ahead,  a  sptre,  active-lmiking  man,  with  such  an  eye! 
lie  was  dressed  in  a  blouse  ami  leggini;s,  and  wore  a  felt  hat.  After  him 
eanie  livo  Delaware  Indians,  who  were  liis  Unly-guard;  they  had  charge  of 
two  btt^gage-horses.  The  rest,  nuiny  of  them  blac-ker  than  the  Indians,  rode 
twoantl  two,  the  ritle  hehl  by  one  liautl  acn>8s  tlit;  ponnnel  of  the  saddle. 
.t'.>  of  them  arc  his  regular  men,  the  rest  are  loafers  picked  up  lately.  Ili-i 
original  men  are  principally  backwootlsmen  from  Tennessee.  .  .The  dross  of 


iSLOAT  AXD  Flli;.MONT. 


24S) 


e  later 
session 
jnition 
Juun. 
uskets, 
copper 
cannon 
)t  been 
Itorena, 
n  Juan 
lence  ot" 
!.     Fal- 
!  to  join 
)ehind,'* 
,ck  with 
alion  of 
onterey, 
p.     Fro- 
in  print 
sd  a  fle- 


!,  ile8onlH."< 
cxiHstlitioii 
that  wliil«- 
il  bit  niiuiy 

shot. 
•at.,   \S\--i. 
V.  -i-Ti-a, 
before  Fri'' 

i-MhuU,  un<l 

reccilod  by 
numntcd. 
not  i|«c» 
tnictivo  to 
If  the  bt«t 
lly  cxciti'il 
tars  in  tliu 
A  vast 
lihlcst  wilt! 
lull  an  eye! 
1  After  him 
charge  of 
lliaiis,  rotlc 
Iho  8ad(ll<> 
lt«ly.     His 
lie  (h'ess  ot 


Naturally  an  early  interview  took  place  between 
Sloat  and  Frt)nK)nt;  and  for  obvious  reasons  it  was 
iii»t  satisfactory  to  either.  The  coinniodore,  whose 
hesitation  at  Mazatlan  and  Monterey  has  already  l>een 
noted,  if  he  had  not  exactly  been  in<luced  to  act  by  tlu' 
iii'ws  of  Frdniont's  operations,  had  at  least  been  greatly 
<  oniforted  thereby.  His  natural  timidity  increasf*! 
I»y  ill  health,  he  had  again  begun  to  fear  that,  like 
.lones  in  earlier  years,  he  had  acted  prematurely;  and 
he  had  looked  forward  with  anxiety  to  the  opportunity 
of  learning  from  the  captain's  own  lips  the  nature  ot 
the  instructions  or  information  under  which  he  had 
I  >egun  hostilities.  His  anxiety  in  this  respect  is  clearly 
i»;flecte«l  in  the  letters  of  himself  and  Larkin  already 
rited;  and  it  had  been  greatly  augmented  by  Larkin's 
opinion  that  Frdmont  and  Gillespie  had  acted  on  their 
own  responsibility.  Therefore,  when  he  learned  in 
ivsj)on8e  to  his  questions  that  those  officers  had  pro- 

tlicHe  men  was  princijially  a  long  loose  coat  uf  (lecr-si(in,  tied  with  tlion^a 
in  front;  trousers  of  tin;  siiino,  of  their  inanufnoturc,  which,  wlien  wet 
through  they  take  otf,  scrape  well  inside  with  a  knife,  and  put  on  as  soon  us 
<lry.  The  saddles  were  of  various  fashions,  though  these  and  a  large  drove 
lit  horses,  and  a  brass  field-gun,  were  things  they  had  picked  up  in  Califor 
Ilia.  Tht'  rest  of  the  gang  were  a  rough  set;  and  perhaps  their  private,  pul>- 
III',  and  moral  characters  had  better  not  be  too  closely  examined.  They  are 
allowed  no  liquor,  .  and  the  diMcipliiic  is  very  strict.  They  were  marched 
ii|i  to  an  open  sihico  on  tiie  hills  near  the  town,  under  .some  large  firs,  and 
tlifiii  took  u|>  tiieir  oiuirters  in  messes  of  hIx  or  seven,  in  the  o|h;ii  air.  The 
liKJians  lay  loesidu  tliuir  leiuler.  One  man,  u  doctor  [Scm])leJ,  ni\  feet  six 
lii;;ii,  was  an  odd-looking  feUow.  May  I  never  come  under  his  hands!  Tiie 
party,  after  settling  themselves,  strolled  into  the  town,  and  in  less  than  two 
ilay.^,  pii8.sud  in  <lrunkennes8  ami  dclwuehery,  three  or  four  were  missing. 
Tiny  wt-fe  accorilingly  marched  awny.  .Oneof  tlu;  ganjr  was  very  uncivil 
til  IIS,  and  threw  on  us  the  withering  imputntion  of  Iteiiig  Mritishcrs. .  .On 
iiniuiry,  he  was  found  to  1m5  a  deserter  from  the  marines.  In  fact,  the  most 
viiili  utly  Yankee  were  discovered  to  Ikj  Knglisli  fellows,  of  lii;,'!!  principles,  of 
rinir.se.'  Wnl/iolf'ii  Four  Yfurn  in  thi'  Purin'r,  ii.  'JLI-Hi.  (Jolton,  Ihrk  and 
I'tirl,  390-  1.  says:  'Monday,  duly  'JOth,  Tapt.  Fn^inont  and  his  armed  Imnd, 
with  Lieut  (fillespie  of  the  marine  corps,  arrived  last  iii;,'ht  from  their  piii- 
siiit  of  (ieii.  t'astro(!).  They  arc  '200  stroiiji;,  all  well  mo\jnteil,  and  have 
Hiiine  300  cxtni  horses  in  their  train.  They  deliled,  two  abreast,  tiirougli  the 
jiiiiu-ipal  street  of  the  town.  The  ground  seemed  to  tremble  uinler  theii' 
iiravy  tiiiinp.  Tlie  citizens  glaneed  at  them  tlirouj;h  their  grated  windows. 
Their  rifles,  revolving  pistols,  and  louji  knives  j,'litteieil  o\er  the  dusky 
liiii-kskin  wliich  envidoped  thi-ir  sinewy  limbs,  while  their  niitrimmed  locks, 
111. wing  out  from  under  their  foraginu'  caps,  and  their  blink  Iteards.  with 
<v|iite  treth  glittering  through,  gjive  thiMii  a  wild,  savage  aspect.  'I'liey  en- 
i.iinpi'd  ill  the  skirts  of  the  won.ls  uliifli  o\i'r!iaii'^  the  town.'  .luly 'i'Jd, 
I'liiaont  .iiid  his  mi'ii  visitt'il  the  ' 'ti;(7C..<<. 


250 


CONQUEST  BY  THE  U.  s.-sLOAT's  RULK 


J;,.. 


VJ\ 


ceedod  witlumt  authority  from  WashiiigtoM,  it'  uot  in 
direct  disobedience  to  instructions,  and  that  tliev  knew 
n( (thing  whatever  about  tlie  breakin«^-out  of  war,  he 
was  grievously  disappointed.  Instead  of  comforting 
jissurance,  he  received  matter  for  increased  uneasiness. 
But  he  seems  greatly  to  have  exaggerated  his  dis  Ap- 
pointment and  anger,  going  so  far  as  to  state  that  he 
had  based  his  own  acts  entirely  on  thost;  of  Frv^inont, 
which,  as  we  know,  was  by  no  means  true.  He  (hd  this 
with  a  view  to  save  his  responsibility  in  possible  future 
contingencies;  the  only  practical  effect  was  ti>  give 
Fremont  material  on  which  plausibly  to  found  a  claim 
to  more  credit  than  he  deserved  for  the  conquest  of 
California.*" 

The  interview  was  not  satisfactory  to  Fremont,  on 
the  other  hand,  because  Sloat  declined  to  adopt  his 
plans  for  a  prosecution  of  the  conquest,  or  even  to 
accept  the  services  of  the  Bear  Flag  battidi(m  as  a 
part  «)f  the  United  States  forces.  The  filibuster  cap- 
tain felt  that,  could  he  get  his  men  once  regularly 
mustered  into  the  service,  he  was  likely  to  escape 
from  all  possibly  embarrassing  results  of  liis  past  ir- 
regular conduct.  He  wished,  moreover,  to  have  his 
own  wrongs  and  those  of  the  settlers  embodied  in 
the  avowed  motives  of  the  war,  thus  identifying  the 
revolt  and  the  conquest;  and  he  counted  on  making 
in  person  a  brilliant  canqiaign  against  Castro.  But 
Sloat  was  not  disposed  to  show  the  slightest  favor  to 
his  schemes,  and  even  declined  to  do  what  he  had  in- 
tended, and  partially  })romised  directly  and  through 

*"  Testimony  of  FrtSmont  ami  Gillespie  in  1848.  FriinonVs  C'al.  (  laims,  13. 
'^'2.  It  seems  that  Gillespie,  in  liis  first  interviewwith  Sloat  before  Fremont's 
arrival,  lia<l  declined  to  state  on  v,  liat  authority  tliey  ha<l  acted.  Many  writorn. 
whom  I  need  not  specify,  have  repeated  the  purport  of  this  testimony.  Uiilil- 
ridce,  Dayx  of  '40,  MS.,  "iO-.'M),  met  Fr«5mont  as  he  left  the  ship,  and  saw 
liyliia  manner  that  there  was  some  trouble.  A  little  later  he  met  Sloat'^ 
son,  who  described  the  interview  niucli  as  it  was  described  by  the  officers  in 
their  testimony,  adding  that  tlie  commodore  was  very  violent  in  his  denunci 
ations  of  Frtimont's  conduct.  Tuthill,  Ilint.  t'al.,  18*2-4,  suggests  that  SUniI 
wa«  also  jealous  that  Gillespie,  a  naval  officer,  had  been  sent  past  him  at  M;i/a 
tlan  to  r  rC-mont,  a  lieutenant  of  toiMgrapliical  engineers.  Benton,  Thirfi/ 
Years,  ii.  OO'i.  states  that  Fremont's  confession  left  Sloat  without  orders  for 
taking  Monterey,  since  the  commencement  of  war  wjis  not  knowni ! 


STOCKTUA  S  ARRIVAL. 


251 


not  in 
:  know 
vjir,  lie 
t'urting 
isinvss. 

i  tlii:  X[>- 

liut  ho 
v^inont, 
tlid  this 
J  future 
to  give 
a  claim 
:juest  of 

lont,  on 
[lopt  his 
even  to 
ion  as  a 
iter  cap- 
egularly 
|)  escape 
past  ir- 
lave  his 
)died  in 
ing  thf 
making 
).     But 
[favor  to 
had  in 
hrough 

|(  'lahnu,  i;t- 
!  Fremont  V 
Iny  writers, 
loiiy.  lii'li' 

V,  a>»i'  **'^^^ 
net  SloatV 
L  officers  in 
lis  deniuici 
Ithat  S'tKii 
\n  at  M;vza 
[on,  Thirtij 
I  ori1<  IS  for 


Larkin  hy  lotter,  that  is,  to  utilize  the  battalion  for 
^(•rvire  similar  to  that  being  performed  by  Fauntlt- 
roy's  dragoons.  He  had  raised  the  flag  as  ordered  by 
liis  superiors,  on  hearing  of  national  hostilities;  an<l 
he  sensibly  refu.sed  to  muddle  in  the  (piarrels  of  Fre- 
mont and  Castro,  or  in  the  fictitious  wi-ongs  of  the 
>ettlers.  There  was  nothing  in  the  letter  of  his  orders, 
even  of  th«»se  en  route  which  he  had  not  received,  that 
»-e<juired  him  to  go  beyond  the  occupation  of  the  ports; 
and  now,  until  by  receipt  of  additional  instructions,  or 
at  least  by  news  that  war  had  been  formally  declared, 
it  should  be  proved  that  he  had  made  no  mistake,  the 
lonnnodort!  proposed  to  content  him.self  with  what  he 
iijid  done  in  literal  obedience  to  his  superiors.  Doubt- 
less Larkin  sustained  Sloat  in  his  determination." 

The  misunderstanding  between  Sloat  and  Fremont 
was  not  <lestined,  however,  to  have  any  serious  effect 
on  subsequent  events — such  was  the  result  of  Commo- 
dore Stockton's  intervention.  Stockton  had  arrive<l 
in  the  Contfrcss,  Captain  Dupont,  from  Honolulu  on 
.luly  1 5th,  and  reported  for  duty  to  Sloat.  He  had 
sailed  in  October  from  Norfolk,  and  the  route  was 
round  Cape  Horn  to  Valparaiso,  Callao,  and  the  Sand- 
wich Islands."  The  contents  of  his  'sealed  ortlers' 
have  never  been  made  public,  and  indeed,  I  find  no 
trace  of  instructions  to  him  of  earlier  date  than  Xo- 
\  ember  184G.  Doubtless  he  was  fully  informed  re- 
sjiocting  the  probability  of  war,  and  the  policy  of  his 

"July  17tb,  Larkin  writes  to  Stockton  that  Gillespie,  who  is  about  to  call 
on  him,  seems  to  liave  imbibed  '  local  views'  of  atFaii'»i.  Hoimis  Stockton  will 
cause  him  to  abandon  those  views,  since  the  writer  believes  '  we  should  coii- 
tiniK!  what  has  been  begun  without  liaving  uur  minds  and  views  prescrilH-d 
\<y  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  llocky  Mountains;  the  world  at  large  and  posterity 
will  look  only  for  national  and  extended  views  for  the  good  of  our  country  in 
ffiinmon.'  Larkin'K  Off.  ('orrenp.,  MS.,  i.  14,3.  July '24th,  Larkin  to  Fremont, 
saying  that  as  Sloat  has  decided  not  to  keep  up  any  interior  force,  all  iit- 
stnutious,  etc.,  in  former  letters  are  to  be  deemed  countermanded  to  this  dat*-. 
f<l.,  i.  144. 

*'ColtoH''»  Deck  and  Port,  or  iiicidentd  of  a  cruiiie  in  the  U.  S.  /rigiite  »  "n- 
(//M"  to  California,  N.  Y.,  1850,  12mo,  408  p.,  is  n  journal  of  the  voya^'e  by 
Kcv.  Walter  Colton,  chaplain  of  the  vessel.  It  is  an  interesting  and  desei  vcif- 
ly  popular  work.  Its  continuation  under  another  title  more  nearly  eonccnu 
Oalifomia. 


2.'i'J 


C'.NQUKST  BY  THE  U.  S.-SLOAT'S  RULE. 


I'i'     |i 


j^t»v'ern incut  in  the  euso  nf  war  or  peace,  being  directed 
to  join  the  Pacific  squadron  and  await  developments. 
It  is  noticeable  that  Stockton's  ()riginal  orders  wen- 
dated  October  17,  1845,  the  date  of  the  instructions 
to  Larkin  and  (iillespie,  a  fact  suggestive  of  theii' 
probable  contents.*^  Vrdniont  and  Gillespie  had  an 
interview  with  Stockton,  as  well  as  with  Sloat,  and 
found  him  to  be  a  man  after  their  own  heart.  He  had 
none  of  Sloat's  timidity  about  assuming  responsibility. 
He  believed  that  Sloat's  orders  and  information  from 
the  Rio  Grande  abundantly  justified,  not  (»nly  what  ht- 
had  done,  but  would  justify  much  more.  He  was  in 
favor  of  accepting  the  services  of  the  battalion^  and  o\ 
prosecuting  tlic  conquest  to  a  successful  issue  by  a 
land  campaign.  Not  oidy  this,  but  he  was  willing  to 
virtually  adopt  the  Bear  Flag  revolt  in  ail  its  phases 
as  part  of  the  conqut^st,  thus  imbibing  the  'local  views' 
against  which  Larkin  had  warned  him.** 

But  what  pleased  Fremont  and  Gillespie  most  of 
all  was  Stockton's  assurance  that  he  would  soon  be 
in  a  position  to  carry  his  and  their  plans  into  execu- 
tion. For  at  their  first  intervie-.v,  on  July  15th,  Sloat 
had  announced  liis  intention  to  retire  at  an  early  dat«'. 
leaving  the  other  connnodore  in  command  of  the  squad 


''Stockton's  letter  of  Oct.  '24,  1845,  acknowledgiiie  receipt  of  orders  of  tli<- 
i7th,  and  mentioiiiiii;;  the  sealed  orders,  etc.  p.  9.">  of  A  Sketch  of  the  Lyfv  ■</ 
Com.  Robert  Ji".  S/orkton;  toith  an  api>endix,eompri»%mjhiai'orre>q>ondencxto<ili 
the  nairy  ilepartment  rejtpertimj  h'm  cotiquext  of  California;  and  extracts  from 
the  defence  of  Col.  J.  C.  Fremont  in  relation  to  the  name  mibject;  together  with  hi'< 
lijteerties  in  the  nvnate  of  the  U.  S.,  and  his  )tolUicnl  letters.  New  York,  IS.")*), 
8vo,  210,  1.31  p.  This  work  is  sufficiently  described  by  its  title.  The  tone 
is  uf  course  wamily  eulogistic  of  the  hero,  who  deserved  something  of  eulogy. 
So  fur  as  Cal.  is  concerned,  the  documentary  part  of  the  work  is  the  most  val- 
uable, though  but  few  documents  are  given  which  are  not  elsewhere  extant; 
:ind  tlie  editor  for  the  moat  part  simply  echoes  the  views  of  Stockton  himself, 
.18  expressed  in  his  various  reports.  Colton,  Deck  and  Port,  379,  says:  *  Mex- 
ican papers  were  received  there  [at  Honolulu]  the  day  before  our  departun-. 
stating  that  hostilities  had  commenced  between  that  country  and  tiie  U.  S 
on  the  Texan  line.  We  doubted  the  correctness  of  the  information,  but  i)ut 
to  Hca  at  once,  that  we  might  be  ott'  ivlonterey  in  season  for  any  service  wliiuli 
the  possible  exigency  might  require.'  The  correspondence  of  the  time  shows 
clearly  that  Stockton  was  expected  with  tht  Con(/reM  to  join  the  squadron  b\ 
Sloat,  Larkin,  and  Montgomery  long  before  his  arrival  even  at  Honolulu. 

•'Stockton's  ideas  on  the  subject  are  clearly  expressed  in  his  various  re- 
iwrts,  and  reflected  in  his  acts,  n-s  wo  -shall  s.-e  jircsently. 


A   NKW  COMMOW/RK. 


•-•53 


roll."  SKuit  perltapH  iiitondrd  nt  HihI  to  await  tlu'  nr- 
rival  of  an  older  for  rt'Hof  from  Washington,  surli  an 
order — in  reply  to  his  re(|iKst  of  May.  and  "for  other 
icasons" — hc'iu^  then  on  the  way,  coupled  with  a  rep- 
rimand, of  which  he  knew  nothing;  hut  if  so,  hi.s  dis 
agreement  with  Stockton  respecting  tiic  policy  to  1»<' 
pursueil  Ml  ( *alifornia,  and  the  latter's  willingness  to 
assume  the  responsibility  of  cooperating  with  Fre- 
tiioid,  as  well  as  his  own  failing  health,  soon  deter- 
mined him  to  hasten  his  departure.  Accordingly,  on 
July  23d,  as  a  preliniinary  stip,  he  made  Stockton  com- 
mander-in-chief of  all  forces  and  operations  on  land, 
llavinc  already  an  understanding  with  Fremont,  the 
new  commander  on  the  same  day  perfected  an  arrange- 
iiiriit  hy  which  the  100  'ex-osos'  were  received  as  a 
Itattalion  of  volunteers,  Fremont  being  made  major 
and  Gillespie  captain,  to  serve  under  Stockton  as  long 
as  tjieir  services  might  be  required.  Other  officers  re- 
mained presumably  as  on  the  departure  from  Sonoma  ; 
at  least,  there  is  no  information  extant  respecting  tlio 
reorganization  of  the  battalion  until  a  later  period  and 
tor  another  campaign.** 

Captain  Dupont  was  now  transferred  to  the  Cyanc, 
( 'aptain  Mervine  to  the  Savannah,  and  Lieutenant 
Livingstone  took  command  of  the  Congress.  On 
Sunday,  July  26th,  or  perhaps  next  day,*'  the  Cyane 

''  Stockton's  Report  of  OpertUioiiH  on  the  Cocwtof  the  Pacijic,  Feb.  18,  184S. 
Tliis  (It'tuiled  report  and  defence,  which  I  shall  have  frequent  occasion  to  cito. 
is  found  in  Slat  Cong.  JstSenii.,  JI.  t'x.  Doc.  J,  pt  ii.,  p.  .3.3-.50;  and  also  in 
Stockliiii'H  Life,  append  A,  p.  17-JM);  Bigelow's  Mrm.  tWmont.  164,  etc. 

'""Stockton's  Report;  Stockton's  letter  of  Aug.  28th  to  Sec.  Itoncroft,  in 
'  '(</.s'  i'ovq.,  119.  Fremont,  in  his  letter  of  July  •25th  to  Benton,  sent  honi<! 
iiy  .sloat,  says:  'I  received  this  morning  from  Com.  Stockton  a  commission  of 
iiiiijcir  ill  the  U.  S.  army,  retaining  command  of  my  battalion,  to  whichafono 
(if  80  niariucs  will  be  attached.  We  arc  under  orders  to  emb;irk  tomoriow 
iiioniiiig  on  the  Cyan*-,  and  disembark  at  S.  Diego.'  Silen'  Rnj.,  Ixxi.  191. 
HciiHley,  Fremont'a  Val.  Claimti,  .%-7,  says  the  men  refused  to  servo  at  §1 1 
por  month,  and  no  rate  was  specified  until  August.  July  'J4th,  Larkin  to 
Stiickton,  advising  him  that  a  force  of  men  accustomed  to  rille  and  sadillu 
will  be  necessary,  in  addition  to  sailors  and  marines,  liccommendfl  also  that 
liu  proceed  to  SJ.  Pedro  to  act  there  as  the  position  of  Pico  and  Castro  may 
<l<inuiid.  Larkin'x  Off.  C'orresp.,  MS.,  i.  110. 

''  The  order  was  to  sail  on  the  '20th,  and  Sloat  in  liiii  report  gives  that  as 
tlif  (late  of  departure;  but  Coltou  in  his  jounial,  Three  Years  in  Cat.,  10, 
siiitci-  that  it  was  on  Mon<lay,  July  27tl).     The  other  dates  are  clearly  stated 


ir 


854 


(ONQUKST  BY  THK  ('.  S.-SLOATS  Kl'LK. 


suilod  for  San    Diogo   with   tin?  hattalitui   on  lioanl 
On  W«  «JiK!H(lav  tlu'  I'Dtli  Sloat   transtbiTiMl  liis  broad 
|H>nnant  t<»  thr  /yi-nttit  aiitl  .sail«Ml   tor  lioine;*^  ivhili' 
Stockton  asHiiinod  coiiiiiiaiKl   of  tli«'  squadron;  issutd 
a  proclamation,  wliich,  with  tlic  acts  accompanying  it> 
enforcement,  I  shall  notice  in   the  next  chapter-;  and 
on  Saturday,  August  1st,  sailed  in  the   Congrens  \\m 
San   Pedro,  having    hefore    his  ileparture   appointed 
Walter  Colton  jw  alcalde  in  place  of  Pri«'e  and   Gil 
christ,  and  also  sei»t   Revere  and    Fauntleroy  to  com 
mnnd  the  garrisons  «>f  Sonenui  and  San  Tuan  respect 
ively.      The   Portsmouth    was  left   at   S.ui    Francisco, 
and  tlu'  Sftviinmih  at  Monterey,  the  Jvrif   heing  ut 
the   Hawaiian   Islands,  and  the  \V(n'tr)t   not  having,' 
yet  arrived  from  Mazatlan. 

ill  the  uriginni  r<'|H>rt«  iiiitl  \ty  I'oltoit;  Imt  have  Ik'«'|i  fuiifuavd  l»y  bov-tiiI 
writom,  wlio  wcni  ti>  liavo  foilowfil  tl'i:  Moiitrrnj  i'ltli/oriilnn,  Aug.  1"»,  lH4t» 

"Oil  tho  V()yii){i*  he  Vi  mlu  hiH  rc|i  n  t  of  July  ',U»t,  whi(  h  hon  Ik  cii  ho  iiumi 
fitcil  in  ))^eov«lill^  jtm^fs.  Slout'n  Jh  «/«(/(  fii.i  on  ( 'oiiqinut  of  >  ',il. ,  witli  i»i'  'oiii 
|iaiiyiiig  (hjcnnuMitx,  in  (^  S.  (Horl  l)i>i\,  -JlXh  cong.  'id  8«'»8.,  H.  Kx.  IKhv  I,  p 
((40  i'*  wq.;  uikI  '<Uth  i'«)ii){.  IritHt'HH.,  II.  K\.  I>oc.  I,  |)tii.,  p.  2-AO.  M^mt 
gHiiicry.  on  July  'Jotli,  ono  of  the  iloi'iiuirntM  citfil,  wrut'>  to  Mlout  a  very  ki:til 
ami  tluttcriiig  letter  of  ooii>;nitulutiun  iiml  xootl  withitH.  Hloat  reuclu'i,' 
U'aithiujL^toii  efti'ly  in  NoveinU-i-. 

.lohn  Drake  Sluut  won  ii  native  of  New  York,  Itoiti  in    I7M).     He  juiiu-i) 
tlic  navy  in  INOO;  lioeaniu  Huilin^niaHter  aii<l  iieutenaut  in  18l'2;  ounimamleil 
tiie  If.  S.  iK^huuner  Onimpiin  in  1 4*24  5,  cnii«in(j  for  pirates  iu  the  West  In 
<lieH  H<inai!ron;  nerved  two  yeam  in  the  St  Louih  of  the  I'ucitii:  Hiiuadron;  wih 
made  eoniniauder  in   IH'JII;  and  MiilMe()uently  connnuude<i  at  tliu  reeniilinu 
'ttution  in  New  York  City  and  tlin  I'ortNniontli  iuivy-ya<'d,  becoming  post 
captain  in  IS37.     In  IS4'>rnpt.  Sloiit  won  app<)intt»l  to  succeed  Com.  Dall.i- 
in  coniniund  of  the  I'ucitii-  Mpiadron.     After  liiH  return  from  Cal.  h"  wa-*  it 
comniainl  of  the  Norfolk  nuvy-\ard  in  IH48-''>U;  reviKitid  Culiforniu  a)t  pn-s 
ident  of  a  drydtN'k  c<..nmiNHion  in    ir<r>'J;  waH  placeil  en  the  retip^l  liat  in 
IH.'i4i;  pruniotcii  to  1h)  coMin'odorii  svhcn  that   rank  wim  created  in   IHtl'J,  aii<l 
to  lie  rear  udinii'al  in  ISIifl.      lie  held  tievural  otln-r  ollicial  |>oMitiuuH,  and  di<'<l 
at  luH  home  on  Staten   !Nl'-nil  on  Nov.  'JH,  iHli"!.     He  wom  Heiiiur  honoring 
ineiniM  r  nf  thi'  .Society  of  I  uhfornia  i'loneem;  an<l  it  in  chielly  from  the  reso 
lutiutiit  puhluheil  at  hix  death   that   I    take  the  preceding  nutu*  of  his  lifi' 
<'al.  Pioneer  .ir<-h.,  MS.,  ."U-CO;  aUu  in  many  iiewi4|)u|M<r!i. 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  CON(^UEaT— STWKTONS  RULE— OCCUPATION  OF  THE 

SOUTH. 

Apucst,    I84<>. 

Stockton's  Proclamation— A  PKONrNciAMif.sTo  Fiubcstkro— Castro 
Ketrkats  Soutuward— ri(.H»'.s  Proclamation — Action  of  the  Asskm- 
ELY— Vain  ErroiiTs  ok  (iovernoh  anh  Gknkral  kok  nEFENCK— No 
Entiiumahh  or  Hemoitkces— Ca»tk(>  at  tiik  Mesa— Fhkmont  ai  San 

DiEOO— SXtJCKTON    AT  SaX    I'EURO— TiIK   CoMMODORK    I'lKKrHK.S     Til    Ne 
liOTIATK   TOR    FkAK     IIIH    'I'KRMS     MAV     BK     Ac<'KI*TE1>      HiS     W  KAK    V.\ 

cruKH — Larkin'.h  Ekfouts    Caj^tmo  ani>  I'ico  Rksolvk.  TO  yuiT  Cali- 

PORMA — FLKUIT    ANIi    KaKKWKLI,    ADDKEHSES— PlCd's    LvM>  I1UANT8 — 

Stockton  Entkks  AN»iKi.Es  Sciimission  <if  the  Peoim.k-  I'ltooi.AMA- 
TioNs  ANU  Ori>ei(s— Newn  kuom  W ashino iiin  — Electmn  Ordekku— 
Plans  kor  a  Civil  Uovkunment — Qarrihonm  at  the  SorTHEits 
TowNM — Stockton  and  FutMONT  Rkthkn  to  thf.  North. 


Thk  proflamatioM,  or  address,  i.ssiie«l  by  Commo- 
dori'  liohort  F.  Stockton  on  July  29th,  tho  date  of 
liis  aKsuMiiiijif  tho  conniinnd  and  of  liis  predecessor's 
<ie|>artiir«',  Ih  y^iven  entire  in  the  aeeoinpanyin**"  note.^ 

'  Aililrutw  to  tlio  {MMi|)lui>f  (^iliforiiiii.  'Tlu-  Mcxicnii  Koveriiiiu'nl  andthtMi 
iliiiitaiy  li-uiln-H  luivc,  t  .'-lout  c^uim',  fur  n,  year  |iit.-t  Ih?i'II  tlircutt'iiin^  tlitt  l'. 
S  witli  liiiHtiiilicH.  '"'i,  V'  ivc)  I  'i-t'iitly,  in  |iurMii;iiK'c  of  tlii'.MU  tlinats,  niiii- 
iiHiiiiil  hoHtilitifH  liy  v.iiui'k.ii^,  witli  7,'HKI  iiit'ii,  II  small  ilt'tin^liiiii'iit  of  '.'.tHH> 
[' .  S  ti'Hip^,  by  wli.iiii  liu'y  «cro  Hi^iiully  tli'fouttd  ami  loiitcd.  (Jt-n.  ('antio, 
till'  I'liinmiiiiili'i'  M-rliit'f  of  till'  niilil.ii'V  fiiiri'«  of  Cal.,  Ihim  vinlutcil  cvi'i'y  jirin- 
'  i|'li' <if  iiiti'i'iiati'.iiiiti  law  iiml  mitiDiial  liiis|iitiilit\ ,  liy  liiintiii^  aiiil  |>iiiNiiiti)..', 
witli  scvi'ial  liuiiilivil  Hiililiri'.s,  ami  with  wi'  kcd  iiitnit,  ('ii|it.  KiiiiiMiit  of  tin. 
r.  .S,  army,  wlio  raiiii'  luTu  to  ri;fii'Mh  liis  ini'ii,  alioiit  foiiy  in  uiiiiitui',  aftiT 
a  |ii'rili>iiM  jiitirtii^y  iioi'oNi  tin'  i>ii>iiiitain<<,  una  Hcii'iitilii'  niiiviv.  For  tluMf  \r 
l>. .itril  l)o»(llitii'H  ami  oiitrugrit,  uiilitarv  poHsoNHion  wa8  oiiIi-iimI  to  li<>  taki'ii 
lit  .>|oritcr(y  unil  S.  V.  lui'il  irilitsH  coiilil  lif  olilainiil  from  tiw  fjost  of  Mcv- 
i'o.  No  K't  or  liim!raiiri>  waa  j^ivcn  or  intinili'il  .o  lio  nivcn  to  tin-  rivil  an- 
tliiiiity  of  tlio  tt'iritory,  or  to  till!  I'xur'.'iMc  of  its  aci'ustomril  fun.iicnii  Tin' 
'illiri'iM  ncri' iii\  itcil  to  rcumiii,  ami  proniisi'il  |irott'<'tion  in  tli<i  |ii-i  forniaiK'' 
tif  tlieir  iliitioM  aH  luu^ixtratr.'*.  Thry  rt-fiiHi'il  to  <lo  bo,  ami  <li'|iart*<il,  U-aviiiu 
tliu  |>('o)ili!  ill  ,1  Htati'  of  aiiari'iiy  ami  fonfiiHion.     On  aH->iimin),r  tin'  < nmniaii.l 

1  llml  iiivst'lf  ill  ]>(>HHi'!(Hioii  of  till'  ports  of  Moiiti'iiv  ami  S.  V.,  witli  iluil\ 

(■AM 


256 


STOCKTON'S  KULIv--Ol.CLl'ATIOX  OF  Till:  SOITH. 


--t 


The  reader  will  timl  it  a  most  extrjionliiijnyilorunieiit ; 
and  the  more  closely  it  is  studied,  thf  less  cor>)iiieiida- 
ble  it  will  aj>|»eai-.  Stockton's  policy  of  coinpletiii;^ 
the  military  occu[>ation  of  ( 'alif'ornia  by  taking  possos- 

reports  from  the  intt-i  ior  of  scciu^s  of  rupiue,  blood,  and  murdnr.     Threo  iiiof 
feiisivo  AiiK'ricun  rcHitlciitH  of  the  uouiitry  have,  witliiii  a  few  days,  Ijceii  iiiui 
dtTcd  ill  tho  inoHt  lirutul  inunucr;  and  there  arc  no  Culiforniun  otFicerst  wh'i 
will  arrest  tind  brini;  tho  iiitirderrrH  U)  justice,  although  it  is  well  known  \vli<> 
tliey  arc  and  where  they  uir.     1  must  thuruforu,  und  will  as  scKin  as  1  can. 
adopt  such  nieasurcH  as  may  seem  Itcst  calculated  to  bring  tlume  criminal.s  to 
justice,  and  to  liestow  p.-ace  und  good  order  on  the  country.    In  tho  first  place, 
however,  I  nm  constrained  by  every  principle  of  national  hoiitn-,  as  well  as  a 
due  regard  for  the  safr-ty  anil  bcft  interests  of  the  |)eoi)le  of  Cal.,  to  put  an 
end  at  once  and  by  force  to  the  law  less  depredations  daily  committed  l>y  ( leu, 
(.'astro 's  men  uiKin  the  persons  and  pro|H'rty  of  peuccfid  and  unoil'onding  in 
liabitAnts.     I  cannot,  theri'fore,  conlinc  my  operations  to  the  quiet  and  undis 
turbcd  possession  of  the  defenceless  ports  of  Monterey  anil  San  Francisco, 
whilst  till!  people  el.scwhcre  are  HudiMing  from  lawless  violence;  but  will  iiii 
mediately  march  against  these  IxMistin.;  and  abusive  chiets,  who  have  notoiil\ 
violated  e\  cry  principle  of  national  hospitality  and  good  faith  toward  Cupt 
Frt'mont  and  his  surveying  party,  but  who,  unless  driven  out,  will,  with  tin 
aid  of  the.  liostilu  Indians,  keep  this  beuiitifiil  country  in  a  constant  state  oi 
revolution  and  blood,  as  well  as  against  all  others  who  may  Iw  found  in  amis, 
or  aiding  or  abetting  ( !cii.  Castro.     The  present  general  of  tho  forces  of  Cal 
is  u  usiirjicr;  has  been  guilty  of  great  ollenees;  haJi  impoverished  and  druiiiol 
the  eounti'v  of  almost  its  last  dollar;  and  has  deserted  liis  post  now  when  most 
needeil.      lie  has  deluded  and  deceived  the  inhabitunts  of  Cal.,  and  they  wi.->li 
his  expulsion  from  the  country,     lie  laiiie  into  jiower  by  lebellion  and  finee. 
and  by  loni!  he  must  be  expelled.     Mexico  ap|H>ars  to  have  Ihcu  compellcil 
from  time  to  time  to  abandon  i  al.  to  the  mcrcicsof  any  wicked  man  whoeouiil 
muster  MKI  men  in  arms.    Tlie  distances  from  the  capital  are  so  great  that  kIi< 
cannot.  e\  I'll  in  times  of  gre.it  ilislicss,  send  timely  aid  to  the  inhabitants;  ami 
the  lawless  depredations  upon  their  per.siinsanil  i>ro|)erty  go  invariably  unpuii 
i^ilicd.    She  cannot  or  u  ill  not  piini.di  or  control  the  chieftains  w  lio,  one  afti  i 
iho  other,  have  liefied  her  power,  and  kept  Cal.  in  a  constant  sceno  of  revoli 
and  misery.     The  inhabitants  are  tiied  and  disgusted  with  this  constant  sue 
I  cssion  of  military  iisuipers,  and  this  insecurity  of  life  and  property.     They 
invoke  my  inotcition.     I'lierelore  upon  tlii'iii  I  will  not  make  war.    I  re(|iiiii', 
howi'Vci,  all  ollicers,  civil  and  niililary,  and  all  other  persons  to  remain  ipiiel 
at  their  respective  lioines  aiiil  stations,  and   to  oln^y  the  orders  they  may  re 
ceive  from  me  or  by  my  authority;  and  if  they  do  n>>  injury  or  violence  to 
iny  authority,  none  will  be  done  to  them, 

'  I'lUt  iiotii  e  is  liereby  given,  that  it'  any  of  the  iiihabitaiits  of  the  countiy 
cither  abiindon  tlieir  dwellings,  or  Jo  any  injury  to  the  aiiiis  of  the  U.  S.,  oi 
to  any  person  w  itliin  this  territory,  tlwy  will  In-  treated  as  i  iiemies,  and  sullii 
iU'cmdingly.  Xo  pei'son  whatever  is  to  be  troubled  in  eoiisc(|iieiiii;  i'i  any  part 
ho  m.iy  heretot'ore  have  taken  in  the  politics  of  the  eountry,  or  tor  liavinj.; 
U-eii  a  subject  ol  Cell.  Castro.  .Villi  all  jieiso'is  who  may  have  belonged  to 
the  giivtof  -Mexico,  liiit  who  from  this  day  ackiiow  ledgt'  the  aiilliciity  of  tin 
existing  l.iws,  are  to  be  tieali  d  in  the  same  manner  as  other  riti/.cn  '  of  the  L'. 
S.,  provided  they  are  obednnl  to  the  law  and  to  the  uideis  tliey  shall  rcci  ivr 
from  nie  or  by  my  aiithoiiiy.  The  comniaiiiler  in  chief  does  not  desire  to 
posHCM  himself  of  Olio  fiMit  ol  ( 'al  for  any  other  rea.son  than  as  the  only  nieaii^ 
to  Bavo  from  destruction  the  lives  and  property  of  the  foreign  resident.--,  and 
riti/ens  of  the  territory  wlm  liavein\ok<d  his  protection.  As  bikui,  therefoir, 
us  the  oflicrrs  of  the  civil  law  return  to  their  proper  duties,  under  a  re;.'uhii  l> 
organized  govt,  and  give  security  for  life,  liiKjrty,  and  property  alili'  to  ,dl, 


A  NF.W  POLICY. 


•.V)7 


nent : 
c'lula 

ossos- 

rcc  iiiof 
sen  niui 
cei'8  wli'i 
own  wlii> 
08  1  cull, 
niimls  to 
rat  nlacf, 
well  »H  ii 
ti)  put  ail 
il  hy  (ien. 
ndiiig  in 
ind  undih 
b'rancisoo. 
it  will  ini 

0  notonls 
artl  Capt 
,  with  tin 
nt  state  ct 
It)  in  aMn!<. 
,08  of  Cal 
ml  ilraiiif'l 

wheuini'si 

1  they  wi>li 
anil  foi  I'l'. 
foininllt'il 
\vlii>  Cliulii 

j;it  that  k1i' 

Illy  uniiuu 
>iio  iiltti 
lo  of  rcvull 

IllrttlUjt  HUC 

ly.  Thc> 
i  i-e<iuii''. 
main  nuii' 
ity  may  ri' 
violence  to 

Ihtr  oountr.N 
I..  U.  «..<•' 
:in<l  Buffri 

.f  any  pii" ' 
I  lor  haviii): 
ilongml  '" 
ii  ity  of  til' 
L  o(  the  I 
lall  n^ciiv" 
(leMin-  t" 
luly  niiiiii^ 
ill  nt.-,  »n<l 
th.iif'ii' . 
L  n  ^.'viliiily 
llik.   \"  ■>"■ 


hioii  of  the  sontlu'iii  towns,  as  compared  with  Sloat's 
lioliry,  in  tlif  last  <lays.  ot' lioMinir  Nrontorey  and  San 
I'r.uicisco,  and  awaitin*^  new  ord«is  and  int'orination, 
was  probably  a  wise  one.  IMioiii;!!  sonn^  thought  dit- 
Icrently,  thero  is  reason  to  doubt  tliat  progress  could 
have  been  made  toward  vohmtary  submission  by  inacv 
tion  at  this  stage  <tt'  affairs.  Instructions  from  Wash- 
iiigt(»n  in  lett»;r  required  an  o(tcu|)ation  of  th<'  ports 
(iiily;  but  in  spirit — and  still  more  so  the  orders  then 
(11  route — they  involved  the  raising  of  the  flag  at  inte- 
rior towns,  if  it  could  be  done  with  safety.  I  think 
tlicte  can  bo  no  doubt  that  Stockton  was  fully  justi- 
fied, not  only  in  taking  pos.session  of  the  southern 
ports,  but  in  extending  the  occupation  to  the  iidand 
towns,  and  in  utilizing  tin;  servit\'s  of  Frt'monts  bat- 
talion for  that  purpose.  That  being  the  case,  the  only 
proclamation  calletl  for  by  tlie  circumstances  was  a 
siinpU'  announcement  of  his  a»(issi;>n  to  the  command, 
ami  of  his  purpo.se  to  complete  and  i.uiintain  the  mili- 
tary occupation,  with  a  repetition  of  Sloat's  promises 
and  appeals  for  a  peaceful  submission. 

Nothing  of  the  kind,  howt;ver,  is  tound  in  the  com- 
iiio(loi-e's  address,  in  which  all  the  motives  that  had 
actuated  Sloat  were  ignored,  and  an  entirely  new 
theory  was  evolved  respt?cting  what  had  been  tlono  and 
wliat  was  to  be  done.  The  paper  was  made  up  of 
lalseliood,  of  irrelevant  issues,  antl  of  bombastic  ranting 
ill  about  efpial  parts,  the  tone  being  oft'ensive  and  im- 
liitliticeven  in  those  inconsiderable  portions  which  wi-re 
liinand  legitimate.  Sloat  wrote  to  Secretary  Ban- 
"loft,  after  reading  the  |)roclamation  at  sea:  "It  does 
iii'i  contain  my  reasons  for  taking  possession  of,  or  my 

tliu  fnivt'H  nnth'i'  my  <'<>minnn<l  will  Ix'  witlnliawn,  and  tlii'  jiooplc  left  t<>  man 
■!;:<'  tlii'ii-  own  nH'iiifM  in  their  own  wa_\  .' 

Till' ilociiment  liear-i  no  <Iate,  ami  soim-  writer.'i  have  ilat-il  it  on  the  '.^{il, 
ilaii  ,'^liM'ktnn  took  lominand  nn  lainl;  utliri's  on  tiie  'JHtli,  win  n  a  copy  of  it 
H.'ii  aililii'SNeil  to  (  oiii.  Sloat;  lint  there  is  no  doiilit  tliat  the  ti  ne  date  should 
'"•  till  '.".Mil.  The  proelainatmn  i.<4  foiinil  in  .•?/</(  Viii;/,  /i^iSV.«n.,  //,  h'l.  h<y 
/.  1>.  HI  It;  almoin  Sliiikion'.H  l.ih.  III)  IS;  SdiiIi'h  Aiuiiih,  |(»;t  »;  l.tiiKiifM 
''iiiiHi.  10,"(  0;  r,il,  fiiiiinrs,  Arcfi..  M.S  .  'JUT  S.  Spaninh  triiiisl.itionH,  ffin- 
iiial  n.piuM,  Vallii,),  /»«..■.,  .MS.,  xii.  -J'.W  :  J<i>i!i.-rH^,  /7<-..,  MS  .  n  IJ 
Ili»r,  t'AL.,  \  oi,.  V.    17 


M. 


258 


STOCKTOX'S  RULE— OCCUPATION  OF  THK  SOUTH. 


f~i 


views  or  intentions  toward  that  country;  consequently 
it  does  not  meet  my  approbation."  Tlie  third  para- 
gra|)li,  describing  Castro's  outrageous  treatment  of 
Fremont,  is  false  from  beginning  to  end;  but  had  it 
been  truth,  the  following  statement  that  it  was  on  ac- 
count of  these  outrages,  and  to  obtain  redress  for  them, 
that  Monterey  had  been  seized,  was  not  only  without 
foundation  in  truth,  but  was  well  known  to  be  so  by 
Stockton,  who  may  charitably  be  presumed  to  have 
been  deceived  in  the  first  respect.  And  in  all  that 
follows  there  is  hardly  a  hint  at  the  simple  truth  that 
California  was  to  be  held — the  people  being  urged  and 
en«  ouraged  meanwhile  to  voluntarily  change  their  al- 
legiance— in  military  posHession  until  the  United 
States  and  Mexico  should  determine  its  fate  by  treaty 
at  the  end  of  the  war;  but  there  are  constant  allu 
sions  to  the  punishment  of  crimiimls,  to  boastful  and 
abusive  chiefs,  to  usurpers,  and  to  oppressed  inhabi- 
tants who  had  invoked  his  protection.  Unlike  his 
government  at  Washington,  Stockton  did  not  care  to 
make  California  a  territory  of  the  United  States,  nor 
did  he  want  a  foot  of  that  country  for  any  other  rea- 
son than  to  save  the  lives  and  property  of  citizens; 
his  mission  was  rathei*  to  avenge  the  wrongs  of  Fre- 
mont and  of  the  peo[)le,  to  bring  about  reforms  in 
local  government,  to  punish  the  wicked  ruleis  and  i\\v 
equally  wicked  aud  misguide<l  Ciilifornians  who  shouM 
liesitate  to  abandon  those  rulers  and  should  dan>  to 
defend  their  country!  Wliy  the  wrongs  of  the  poor 
American  settlers  and  the  resultinif  Bear  Flaj;  revolt 
were  ignored  by  the  comuunlitre  is  a  myst<3ry.  In  tin- 
fifth  and  sixth  paragraphs  we  road  of  prevalent  "  ra- 
pine, blood,  and  murder."  Then*  is  but  slight  evi 
deuce,  beyond  the  limits  of  the  writer's  iiujiginatioii. 
that  there  were  at  this  tim»'  any  unusual  disorders; 
but  had  there  been  such  disorders,  it  was  certainly  an 
extraordinary  idea  of  Stockton's  to  throw  the  respon 
.sibility  upon  the  local  Mexican  authorities  who  luul 
declined  to  throw  off  at  a  moment's  notice  their  iia- 


THK  COMMODORK'S  MOTIVKS. 


259 


lontlv 

V 

para- 

snt  of 
lad  it 
on  ac- 
them, 
itliout 
so  by 
»  l\av»' 
11  that 
,h  that 
oJ  and 
lioii-  al- 
UuittMl 
ti'oaty 
it  alhi- 
,h\\  and 
inhabi- 
liko  his 
(;aro  ti> 
ftes,  nor 
lor  rea- 
iti/ons; 
lof  ¥r6- 
irms  ill 
land  tilt' 
1)  shoidtl 
Idarc  to 
\v  ])oor 
[T  revolt 
In  thi- 
Int  "  ni 
hit  ovi 
lination, 
kordors; 

duly  ii" 
[roi^pon 
Iho  hail 
lieir  n-'^- 


tional  allegiance,  and  accept  office  under  the  ipvaders 
(if  their  country!  Castro  was  not  a  usurper  iit  any 
sense  that  concerned  Stockton  as  an  officer  of  the 
United  States,  nor  was  the  latter  at  all  concerned  in 
the  faults  of  departmental  rulers  or  in  Mexican  neg- 
lect of  California,  except  that  he  might  legitimatelv 
refer  to  tlu^m  as  a  means  of  encouraging  the  people 
t(  •  submit  with  good  grace  to  the  inevitable;.  The  prot  - 
laniation  was  in  all  its  phases  offensive,  impolitic,  un- 
called for,  inaccurate,  and  most  undignified.' 

We  have  not  far  to  go  in  search  of  the  motives  which 
pronn)ted  Stockton  to  publish  an  address  so  unworthy 
of  him.     It  should  have  borne  the  signatures  of  Fre- 
mont and  (Jillespie,  who  numaged  to  gain  for  the  time 
being  complete  control  over  the  commodore,  and  who 
dictated  the  proclamation  with  the  sole  view  to  ad- 
vance tlu'ir  own  interests.     They  were  shrewd  and 
lucky  adventurers.     Stockton  was  the  more  ready  to 
adopt  their  views,  because  by  so  doing  he  magnified 
t  lie  difficulties  before  him,  and  his  glory  in  the  event 
•  if  success;  because  the  address  would  make  a  good 
impression  in  the  States,  where  little  was  likely  to  be 
known  about  the  facts;  and  because  it  seemed  prudent, 
in  view  of  the  opinions  entertained  by  Sloat  and  Lar- 
kin,  to  lay  the  foundations  for  a  defence  of  himself 
and  his  govermuent,  in  case  the  news  of  war  should 
prove  unfoun<led.      In  his  later  formal  report  to  the 
Ljovernnient,  which  I  quote  at  some    lengtii   below, 
Stockton  cx})lained  the  considerations  which  "seemed 
to  make  prompt  and  decisive  action    an   imperative 
(.liity" — considerations  which,  though  involving  exag- 
gerations of  difficulties  encountered,  in  the  aggregate 
wi  re  amply  sufficient  to  justify  his  action;  but  whicli 

^  Tuthill,  HiM.  Col.,  18G-7,  wittily  says  that  Stocktou'.s proclamation  had 
a  'M-'xii-aii  tliivur,'  hut  w.-is  t'.irricd  out,  'a  very  uiiMfxican  iirocedurc'  The 
I'niiioriiiaiis  ^ji'iu'rally  coutlouui  auil  ridicule  tiie  audre^.^,  tliough  Stjoktou 
lunisi  If  later  becamo  very  popular  with  them.  The  conunodoro  was  never 
ciMisuiud  for  hia  absurd  utterancoti,  nor  dooit  it  clearly  appear  that  he  ever 
iuliMitted  their  folly. 


STOCKTON'S  RULE-OCCUPATION  OF  THK  SOUTH. 


by  no  means  juHtified  the  tone  ut' his  pronunciatuiento 
filibustero  of^July  29th.' 

*  Stocklons  Rfpoft,  34-.").  He  says:  'Tlio  result  of  my  iiuiuii'ifs  and  investi- 
gatiotis  showed  me  tl'at  tlie  ix)sition  I  \vn«  alwut  to  occupy  was  an  impor- 
tant and  critioil  one.  Tlio  intelligence  of  the  comnieuccmcnt  of  hostilities 
l>«twccn  the  two  nationH,  although  it  hud  poascd  threu^'li  Mexico,  had  reached 
(jom.  Sloat  in  advanec  of  the  Mexican  autlioritics.'  See  linnilini.  Doc.,  MS., 
•S.*),  for  proof  that  liefore  .Inly  :M  Covarruhias  had  hroiivdit  newsof  hostilities 
on  the  Rio  <irande.  'When  ho  made  his  tirst  hostile  deirionstrations,  thei'c- 
fore,  the  enemy.  i}i;norant  of  the  existence  of  the  war,  had  regarded  his  act.s 
us  an  unwarrantable  exorcise  of  imwor  by  the  U.  .S.,  and  the  most  lively  i:i- 
dignution  and  bitter  resentment  pervaded  the  country. '  No  such  general  bit- 
terness existed;  what  feeling  did  exist  was  due  to  the  acta  of  the  insurgcntti, 
not  those  of  Slout;  and  if  all  had  l>ecn  as  Stockton  states,  how  admirably 
well  calculated  was  the  address  to  assuage  the  popular  indignation  and  ex- 
plain the  true  motives  of  the  U.  S. !  'The  nublic  functionaries  of  the  terri- 
tory were  not  slow  .mi  availing  themselves  of  this  feeling,  and  endeavored  to 
stimulate  it  to  the  highest  jHjssible  degree.  A  i)roclamation  was  put  forth,  di- 
nouncing  in  the  most  unmciisured  terms  all  foreigners,  but  it  was  unipicstion- 
ablv  aimed  principall.v  at  the  citizens  of  the  U.  .S.  and  such  others  as  syiii 
patliizcd  with  thom.'  Ho  must  refer  not  to  Pico's  proclamation  of  July  Ititli, 
which  was  not  at  all  violent  in  tone;  but  to  the  earlier  one,  not  called  out  l>y 
Sloat's  acts,  but  by  tlioae  of  the  IWr  Flag  insurgents!  'Two  or  three  were 
in  f.ict  murdered,  and  ail  were  led  to  apprelicnd  extermination  from  the  san- 
guinary feeling  of  resentment  which  was  everywhere  breathed.  The  l(io;.l 
Icgi.slature  was  in  session,  (lov.  I'io  Pico  had  assembled  a  force  of  about 
7(K)or  1,000  (I)  men,  supplied  with  seven  pieces  of  artillery,  breathing  veii- 
geauco  against  the  perpetrators  of  the  insult  and  injury  which  they  supimsol 
lia<l  been  jnflii^t>-d.  These  hostile  demonstrations  wore  daily  increasing,  aiiil 
by  the  time  t!iut  the  cominiunl  <lev<<lved  on  mc. .  .the  situation  had  assunini 
a  critical  and  alarmiu;^  appearance.  Kvcry  citizen  and  friend  of  the  U.  S. 
throughout  the  teiritory  wns  in  imminent  jeopardy;  he  eould  count  upon  no 
security  for  either  property  or  life  It  was  well  known  that  numerous  emi- 
grants from  the  ij.  S.  wore  on  their  way  to  Upper  (.'alifornia.  These  niareli- 
ing  in  sm.ill  and  detiiehed  parties,  encuml>ered  with  their  wives  and  ciid- 
drcn  and  baggage,  uninformed  of  tlie  war  and  conseipiently  unpre|>ar('<l  fur 
attack,  WJidd  have  been  exposed  to  certjiin  destruction'  -a  niotle  of  tiieo- 
rizing  likely  ♦>!  Ik;  very  forcible  in  the  States,  but  pure  'clap-trap'  all  the 
same.  'It  m  as  also  ascertained  titat  in  antici|)iition  of  the  eventual  conijuest 
of  the  country  by  the  U.  S.,  many  of  those  in  the  actual  posses.'^ion  of  autlioi-- 
ity  were  ])rciiariiig  for  this  change  liy  disposing  of  the  public  property,  so 
that  it  might  bo  found  in  private  luutds  when  the  Americans  should  aciiuirc 
|)088C8f>ion.  bo'ieving  that  private  rij.'hts  would  be  protected  and  individual 
projwrty  secure  Negotiations  wuro  in  actual  )irogress  thus  to  ac(|uirc  H,(NH> 
leagues  of  land,  ai'd  to  dispose,  of  all  the  most  valuable  portions  of  the  tcni 
tory  npi)crt«inin>,'  lo  the  inissiKns  at  nonn'nal  prices,  so  that  the  contpicror^ 
sit  .'.ltd  find  the  entire  country  appropriated  toiiulividuals,  and  in  hands  which 
coiiM  eflectually  prevent  sales  to  ,\nicrieaii  citizens,  and  tliiis  chock  the  tiili 
of  immigration,  while  little  ur  no  benefit  would  result  to  the  nation  frnui  tin 
aci|uisitiiin  of  this  valuable  tcnitory.'  More  of  this  later.  There  was  ici- 
tainly  enough  of  truth  in  it  to  'umUc  the  seizure  of  the  capital  at  ■■in  early  dati 
desirable.  'All  these  considerations,  together  with  others  of  inferioi'  nm- 
10'  it,  seemed  to  make  prompt  Jiml  ileci.sive  action  an  imperative  duty.  To 
rtuiin  jJossesHion  merely  of  a  few  sca-jx  rts,  while  I'ut  off  from  all  intorcoursc 
with  the  interior,  exposed  to  constant  attack  l)y  the  conceutr.ited  forces  of  ;\u 
exusperatetl  enemy,  appeared  \\)iolly  useless.  Yet  x-;  abandon  ground  whiili 
wo  had  occupied,  to  withdraw  our  forces  from  these  points,  to  yield  placrx 
where  our  flag  hail  In'en  floating  in  triumph,  was  an  alternative  not  to  be  thougiit 


CASTKO'S  OPERATIONS. 


Ml 


Castro's  niovi'ineiits  in  the  first  half  of  July,  few 
details  being  known,  iiave  already  bum  described,  as 
have  those  of  Pico  in  the  south.*  Fr«Mn  hi.s  northern 
campaign  Castro  had  returned,  afttsr  Torre's  defeat, 
to  Santa  Clara,  the  .'JOth  of  June.  From  this  point 
lie  sent  Manuel  Castro  southward,  to  effect  a  rtM-on- 
ciliation  with  Pico,  and  secure  his  cooperation  in  de- 
fensive measures.  The  general  probably  remained  at 
Santa  (^lara  until  he  received  Sloat's  despatch  of  July 
7th,  departing  on  the  evening  of  that  day,  and  ar 
living  at  San  Juan  on  the  8th.  Here  he  passed  one 
night,  and  on  the  9th,  after  replying  to  the  commo- 
de »io's  communications,  started  with  his  little  army 
lor  the  south."  Juan  B.  Alvarado  accompanied  him, 
though  holding  no  command.  The  j)osition  taUen 
by  both  oHiccrs  in  their  communications  to  Sloat  and 
Larkin  is  worthy  of  tiie  highest  conuncndalion.  To 
plot  a  ileclaration  of  independence  in  the  interest  of 
tht!  United  States  hail  not  perhaps  been  quite  a  cred- 
itable proct^eding  for  Castro  or  Larkin,  oi-  the  gov- 


iil,  oxuept  iiii  a  lu8t  resource.  Nut  only  woulil  till  tho  iulvuutugea  whicli  liml 
l»'<  II  obt!tiiit!(l  1)0  tliiiH  iilxiiuloiicd,  and  |iurhup.s  never  lie  rcgaiiieil  witiioiit 
i.'ie;it  exiMMiiliture  of  lilood  and  triaiaure,  I'lit  the  pride  and  eonlidunuo  of  the 
I  iirniy  woulil  Ik)  incrwwc'd  to  a  daujreroiis  extent  by  such  indications  of  oui 
wi'.'ikness  and  inability  to  maintain  i»liut  we  bail  won.' 
*Set!  eliap.  vi.  of  tliiH  vol. 

'' Tbore  are  ni  1  n)uaim  of  proviuj;  delinitely  the  date  on  wbioli  Castro  left 
Sta  Clara.  John  Uanbenbisii,  in  'k  comintiuiuation  already  cited,  mty.<i  ('a.vtro 
«a«at  S.  .lose  when  he  »tart>'«l  with  do«|>atoin's  for  Fn'niont,  which  niu.st 
have  Itcen  oil  the  evening  of  the  Tth  or  inorniu^  ot  the  Sth.  .Sever.il  iJali- 
!"rniana  mention  the  fact  that  (hoy  <MK:iin|i<)d  oni'  nijtht  between  .Sui  Clara 
;iud  S.  JiiMH,  and  Hpunt  one  niuht  rt  S.  .Iiian.  Larkin  wrote  on  the  lOtli 
thatCoHtrii  had  lU'rivoil  at  S.  .Iinin  "o  the  Sth,  had  that  Hiinie  ilay  received 
Sloat'n  dc^patili.  and  had  starteil  on  the  iUli  Larki'i  n  oil'.  <  'nccc-i/i. ,  M.S.,  ii. 
7:l.  Castro  ill  his  letter  to  Sloat,  dated  S,  .liian  .luly  lUh,  siiya:  '  I  received 
\  1111- note  last  iii;,'ht  at  Sta  llara.' .S'/orj/'.i  /'li/jk/i'/ick,  (Mil.  I'mt  this  maybe 
;iii  error,  foi'  it  wonhl  seem  tliat  he  must  have  i;ol  Silxa'ci  ilcMpalch  it  not 
"»ioal  s  on  the  7th.  I.irkni,  httr.,  MS.,  iv.  *Jt>l,  writinj;  to  StearnH  on  the 
"'.li,  rniy.s  tliat  .Mvarado  wunt  to  S.  .luaii  a,  wiek  aL:o  .lud  <  'a.stro  wi'iit  'yes- 
tiiilay,  before  he  lioanl  from  the  riinmodon  .'  In  aiiothiT  nf  Niiiie  elate, 
";'■.  'or/v./,..  MS.,  i.  1(K>-I,  he  sas-  C.i^tro  will  jn-obably  be  at  S.  .liian  to- 
iii'.'lif.  Sloat,  ill  a  letter  of  the  !'th.  Fmnniil't  I'nJ.  < 'liihits,  ~'A.  say.s:  "I 
liave  this  moment  lejirned  by  an  Knj;lishmaii,  just  arrived  fiiiin  (ieii.  Caati'o 
al  tlie  I'lielilo  (.S.  ,l(i»(''),  that  ( '.wtrn  ^vas  probably  at  ."st  .bihn.s  last  evi'iiiiii;.  .  . 

i'lii'  Kiii.'li'iliinan  says  that  >vhe:)  the  ^reiieral  riad  my  proclamation  to  his 
ti",.|(s  he  ivprosaed  his  uiiprobutioii  of  it,,'  I'adro  lioal,  writing  from  Sta 
Clara  on  the  I'ith,  says  that  his  anHfrotir  Ca»tr^>  left  S.  .Mtaii  4  days  aj{o. 

\'a'!ij,t.  Din:,  MS.,  xxxiv.  •J*2I. 


:    '■■ 


J!' 


J*! 


ill;    ! 


»»•-' 


STOCKTON  .s  HILK    «K  CI  I'ATION  ttV  THK  Sul  TH. 


fniiiiuiit  at  Wusliin^'toii;  luit  for  tlu)  coininanrliiiLC 
gohcral  to  liavo  IxitiuvtMi  liis  iiati<»iial  allo^iaiico  in 
tiiiio  of  war  l>y  complviiijnf  with  Sloat's  (li;inan<ls 
would  have  h«.'t'ii  in  tho  hijfht'st  dej^roo  (lishonorahlc 
— cviMi  had  Don  .lose  hail  tht*  nliglitest  wish  to  so 
etunply  alter  thr  acts  of  tlie  insurj^ents.  The  fonu; 
that  Castro  U;d  to  the  south  was  possibly  150  men, 
hut  pnthahly  not  ov«r  100.  Ife  had  ahtjut  1(50  in 
his  San  I'ablo  rainpaitrn,  inchuiin;^^  Torre's  men;  and 
perhaps  incn'astii  the  nuinhcr  at  Santa  Clara  to  over 
200,  thoufjfli  twice  that  numher  were  talked  ahout. 
\raiiy  of  the  militia  served,  however,  ajLjainst  their 
will,  and  left  theii-  Icailer  when  he  started  f»>r  tlic 
south,  sonic  liecausc  they  w»'re  unwiUin^  to  lea\c 
their  families,  and  others  hecausc  they  deemed  all  de- 
fensive' measuies  useless,  or  eveu  favored  the  success 
of  the  Americans." 

On  duly  I  Ith  ('astro  was  at   Los  Ojitos,  near  Sun 
.Viitoni);  and  from   tliis  point  he  sent  a  connnuni<-ii 
lion  to  Pico,  announcing  Sloat's  inva.sion.     Tiiere  w.is 

yet  time,  he  wrote,  to  sav(!  tin untry;  and  he  was 

on  the  man-h  to  join  liis  forces  to  thos**  of  the  go\ 
cirioi    for  that,  jturpose.      Pico   received   tlie  news  ;it 


( •«  •  s« 


nt 


San  Luis  ()his|M>  the  same  day,  and  at  on 
ders  to  Los  .Xnj^eles,  counteinian«hng  picvious  ordeis 
to  send  trooj)s  northwanl  to  reiinforce  liis  army,  and 
directiiiL;"  tiiat  every  efiort  he  made  to  protect  the  cap- 
itid.  Ii()th  chiefs  advanciujLf  met  at  Santa  Marjj^arit.i, 
perhaps  on  the  same  day,  hut  more  prohahly  on  tiic 
12th,  to  rc<'oncile  tlicir  past  <hfferi'iices,  as  elsewheic 
recorded.  Then  tlu-y  pi'oceed«^d  towaid  the  capital, 
hut  not  to{j[(!tiier,  .MS  it  is  stated,  there  heinj,^  still  nuich 
jealousy  and  distrust  between  the  nortliern  ai»<l  soutli- 

*  III  tliu  Ifttc'rH  to  lio  citcil  ill  tliu  next  iiolf  CiiMti'u  Htutis  liin  fiii'cv  to  Ihj 
h'lO,  but  iiikIit  the  ciiviitiititaiici'M  lu'  whh  hiu'c  to  <iver»tiito  it;  iiinl  I'ico  sayM 
tliu  iiuiiilivr  wan  'J(N),  IiIm  iiiotivea  fur  fxa^gorntioii  lM>iiig  ntniuut'i'  xtill. 

'.Inly  lltli,  V.  ti»  IV,  1'.  from  ."^.  Liiia  to  I'liiiiDiiiliuLa  o?  AiikcIi's,  luni 
Si..  Muriiio  ti)  8iil)-|priferf.  Jh}>t.  Si.  I'lip.,  MS.,  iir.  T;{-4,  ;W.  1'.  to  li;m- 
iliiii  (III  .Inly  Ullii,  Njicakiiig  of  his  int'ctiiig  ('aHtro  uml  hi.i  '.HMK  iiifii.  Hdiiillni, 
lh„  ,  VIS.,  H1> 


'\% 


<i(»VKKNOK  rUO'S  ACTH. 


■203 


<  rii  otKccrs  and  men.     Nothing  is  known  in  detail  of 
tlu!  inarch  ot*  either  division." 

Back  at  Santa  IMrbara,  on  his  way  to  the  capital, 
( iovcrnor  Pico  issued,  on  July  16th,  tlie  prochiina- 
fion  deemed  necessary  in  suc^h  cases."  It  was  an  ap- 
peal to  the  people  to  <lefend  their  country  against 
foreign  invath^s,  with  no  peculiar  features  that  \v 
(juire  notice.  At  the  same  time  Don  Pio  convoked 
the  asscmhly,  and  going  in  person  some  (hiys  later 
to  Los  Angeles,  brought  the  subject  of  tin;  invasi<iM 
before  the  a.ssembled  legislators  on  July  24th,  when 
lie  and  others  made  patriotit;  speeches.  Tiie  decisit.ii 
in  this  emergency  was,  as  might  have  been  expected, 
that  tile  peo[)K»  nuist  be  calhid  upon  to  do  their  duty, 
and  that  a  reghimento  must  be  formed  for  tiie  tugani- 

'Muroiio,  Villa  Militar,  MS.,  ()-ll,  Ht4kt<>8  tlint  a  dctiuitu  ligrooinciit  whs 
iii.iilr  timt  tliv  two  iirinioH  hIioiiM  iiiurclt  ami  oiicnnip  '.'4  Iioui'm  afiart.     Tlit- 
I'ci'DiK'iliiitinn  iiihI  tlio  Hu)iM'(|ii(<iit  inaroli  to  Aii|;cli>(*  iiro  iiicntionrd  in  tliu  fol 
louiii^  iiarriitivcM,  none  of  wliich  lu'cHcnt  iiiiy  dctnilH  that  hulmd  wortli  rrpro 
.liuiiig:  <lomiz,  l.n  ijiif  Sulif,  MS..  •.'M-;«H»;  IWrnul,  Mfm.,  MS.,  4-11;  '.'-» 
limln,  Ai,iinlf»,  MS.,  ri7-H;  Amwlur,  Mvm.,  .MS.,  INS  !t,  HI!)  TO;  Pinto,  Afni,  '., 
1(11  •-';  I'iro.  nut.  Ciil.,  MS.,  I  KV-.-H);  Ox!,,,  Ilixt.  t'ni.,  MS,  477-8;   liuii.x. 
S„l„x,  MS.,  •.>.%-.');  7'oor,  Ihrniii.,  MS.,  I.VJ  ;i;  /,»,/,),  Vidn,  MS.,  .10  I;  Oc/, 
<)iiirri  iiiiiin,  MS.,  K17-8;  Jiilli)<','H(ir,  ' '(«<m,  MS.,  7;  Arum,  Itmifrilox,  MS., 
h;1  ."i;   Coroiift,  CosiiHiht'iil.,  MS.,  7'_»  :i;    Pini,  A'oiil.,  MS.,  M   Tt. 

'Olliriiil  n'liy  I'crlitit'd  liy  Sti'inns  iit  .\n;,'tlfn  on  .liily  HHIi,  in  i'oniinl, 
l>ih.,  Ms.,  1  i;i.  It  In  nd  folloWH:  '  I'io  I'ico,  coiiMtitutional  govcnior  of  tlii^ 
•  l<  |it  of  Cal.,  to  its  iiihaliilaiitx,  kiiou  :  tliiit,  tliu  (Miiiiitry  U-iiif^  lliri'atcnixl 
liy  ill"  Ufa  ainl  laiul  forces  of  tlio  I'.  S  of  .Xniii'ica,  wliicli  oi'i'iipy  tlio  itosts 
lit  Montcri'V,  Sonoma,  S.  l>'.,  and  titliriH  on  the  nortlirrn  frontier  of  tliiH  di'pt, 
wIhic  alivudy  wavrs  tiio  liannt'i'  of  tin-  btal■^<,  with  tlnvatx  of  oci-n|iyini{  tluj 
iiiiiT  portH  and  Hi'ttlunii'nix  in  order  to  Muliji-ct  tlicin  to  tlu'ir  law<;  and  tlm 


^|lVernor  U-inj^  tii'ndy  resolved  to  make  every  poHHilde  elFort  to  repel  tliiM  t'lo 
most  tnijuHt  a^;;rer<Hion  of  latis  centuries,  nndertakeii  liv  a  nation  wliicli  in 
nili'd  liy  the  nioHt  <iidieard-of  ambition,  and  hax  formed  thu  project  of  an 


tlii>ri/.in^'  tin-  roliliery  withont  dlH^niMinf^  it  witli  the  Hli^liteHt  mark  of  Hlianie, 
.'iiid  only  conHnltinK 'Ik' power  held  over  uit  liccaUHo  of  onr  iKilitical  wuak 
uisH  -  in  the  exercise  of  niy  conMtitulional  powern,  aiicl  hy  virtue  of  repeat«'d 
HiiiH'rior  ordei'K  liy  whicii  1  tinti  invfldf  anthoii/eil,  1  have  determined  to  dc 
crce  for  htrict  olmervanco  the  finlowinji;  arti(h-<.  I  All  Mexican  liti/.eni, 
native  and  natiirali/ed,  rcHidin^  in  this  dept  are  ri'i|uired  hy  duly  to  del'end 
the  country  when  a.s  now  the  national  indcpendenco  i.s  in  danj^er.  Therefore 
every  man  without  e\c  eption,  fnan  Ihe  a^jo  of  !."»  to  (M),  will  present  hiinxelf 
iirnieil  to  tin:  departnient.'d  v'o^'t  to  defend  the  just  caune.'  '•?.  Suli  prefect« 
lluiii.^h  alcaldcH,  etc.,  \\ill  at  once  cauH>)  to  lie  turnied  listHof  men,  at'c*,  etc., 
in  each  mnnici|iality.  'A.  Hut  without  waiting  for  the  formation  of  thesu 
li^it.-i,  citizeim  will  present  thomselvi's  .it  once.  4.  .\ny  .Mexican  lefiiHing  or 
I  Miising  hiiimelf  on  any  pretext  will  he  truatod  hh  a  traitor.  .'>.  TIiohk  who 
arc  iihysically  iinalile  to  Hervo  in  p<>isoii  mimt  aid  with  their  property — all  to 
Ih'  iiideiiinilicd  liy  the  national  govt  in  due  time.  (!.  .Siili-prefectH  to  l>c  hi  Id 
ivs|MinHili|e  fur  a  Mtrict  oliHt-rvanct'  of  this  decree. 


•201 


STOCKTON  S  RULE-OCCUPATION  OF  THK  SOUTH. 


X 


zatiuii  of  the  militia.  Meanwhile  Castro  and  his  men 
lijul  arrived,  and  the  two  chief's  had  their  work  botbro 
them.  There  are  left  but  slijjht  fragments  of  contom- 
|»orary  correspondence  to  show  what  was  taking  placo 
among  the  Angelinos  in  those  days;  but  eked  out  with 
the  per.«<onal  recollections  of  many  men  who  were  actors 
or  spectators  in  these  last  scenes  of  Californian  alle- 
giance t(»  Mexico,  they  are  amply  sufficient  to  indicate 
in  a  general  way  if  not  in  detail  the  exi.sting  state  of 
art'airs.'" 

'"July  lOtii,  I'ico  to  Unndiiii,  urging  liiui  tr>  join  tho  otiscmbly.  Don 
.luiin  in  reply  pleads  ill  hcjtlth  as  n  rc-iisun  for  not  serving,  though  lio  protests 
Ills  patriotism  us  a  true  Moxionn.  Itandini,  Doc.,  MS.,  80,  0*2.  July  lOth, 
Sult-pn-feut  Stoorns  to  tho  rant-heros.  Threatens  fines  if  they  do  not  lly  to  the 
dofonco  of  their  country.  Ihpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  1)4.  July  17tli,  Steiims 
to  liecentor  Coroncl  at  H.  I'edro,  urging  him  to  Uiko  steps  to  learn  tho  exact 
truth  alKtut  tho  reixtrts  from  Monterey,  whether  any  |)roofa  existed,  ote. 
Ciironel,  Dor,,  MS.,  lO.'i.  July  17th,  I'ico  onlers  suhprcfect  to  deliver  artil 
Itry  to  Ciipt.  Andr<(s  I'ico.  Dif>t.  SI.  Pap.,  M.S.,  vii.  3.").  July  18tli,  uyunt. 
i^<  called  upon  by  the  gov.  for  aid;  refers  tho  matter  to  tho  assembly,  but  is 
duly  |)atnotic.  Lou  Aiujfli*,  Atrh.,  MS.,  v.  .T2()-7.  July  '20th,  juez  of  S. 
Vicente.  Indians  very  treacherous  and  hostile;  but  in  case  of  need  half  tiiu 
troops  and  vecinoj  may  go  to  tight  for  tho  country.  Drpl.  St.  Pap.,  lien.  Pre/. 
}l  Jiizij.,  MS.,  ii.  41-3.  July  2.Hd,  It.  1).  Wilson  to  Stearns,  \utea  atcaling 
hiiracs.  Kight  Americans  have  come  from  Angeles  to  his  mncho,  fearing  to  ro- 
iiiiiin  under  present  circumstances.  Id.,  ii.  4.'>.  July  '24th,  session  of  tho  assem- 
bly. Acf/. /fee,  MS.,  iv.  .170-1.  July '24th,  Wilson  to  Stearns.  Must  resign  liis 
iitlice;  jMJoplo  refuse  to  ol»cy,  either  Imjcuuso  they  aro  o|i|iosed  to  tho  govt  or 
bi'cftuse  they  regard  iiini  as  one  of  tiio  enemy.  Ho  keeps  three  armed  for- 
rigners  to  protect  his  place  from  Inrlians;  Mexicans  will  not  aid  him.  Depl. 
St.  Pap.,  li'H.  I'll  I',  y  JitZfj.,  MS.,  ii.  A',\-!\.  July  '24tli,  Castro  complains  of 
the  'infamous  hoiiling-lmck'  of  projHjrty  by  certain  j)ersons,  either  from  fear 
or  from  having  been  won  over  by  tho  loo.  Depl,  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  70.  -'uly 
'_'.">tli,  liUgo  at  S.  Ikruardino.  d()mi)lainsof  adventurers  drifting  al>out,  and  of 
Wilson's  efforts  to  mako  trouble  Id.,  Iteu.  Pre/.  i/,/uZ'j.,  MS.,  ii.  43.  .luly 
'JTtli,  Figuerou  and  Itotello  as  an  assembly  coinmitteo  jtro^joso  tiiut — it  is  a 
sacred  duty,  eti'.,  and  tho  general  nuist  a.tk  the  gov.  for  aid,  etc.  Drpt.  Si. 
/'itp.,  MS.,  vii.  77.  July '28th,  Pico  to  alcaUle.  Everybody  must  be  sent  to 
defend  the  capiUil.  /</.,  Ainj.,  xi.  178.  .July  ^IHh,  reglauiento  militar  in  \'.i 
articles,  fornuHl  by  Olvcra  and  (iuerra  us  a  committee.  Depf.  St.  J'up.,  Mi^.. 
vii.  78-80.  July  JlOth,  I'ico  and  (^•lstro  resolve  to  send  a  com.  to  collect 
arms  of  private  persons,  missions,  etc..  as  far  as  the  frontier  of  Lowerl'iil. 
/v..  vii.  ;«». 

For  personal  rcuiini-icunccs  mi  tliis  subji.'ct  -all'airs  at  .\ugeles  July  lOtli- 
Aug.  lOth — see  the  references  <if  note  H,  with  tin-  pages  fiillowiu','  those  liie?' 
named;  and  also  T<  iiipWn  I'en.ll.,  MS.,  !»  10;  V<dlr,  l.n  Pwiiido,  MS.,  44-.'>; 
Arre,  Mem..  MS.,  .V)-,S;  Siiiir/uz,  XoIiim,  MS.,  i;{-14;  I'i.o,  in  flii;/es'  Mi" 
nii>n  Hoot,  i.  'M'2,  ami  Lou  AiK/tliH  L'rpriA.",  Feb.  4,  l.'S7."l;  .Mrarmln,  /fist, 
f'll.,  MS.,  v.  •2».V.")0;  Juarez,  Xnrratire,  MS.;  Diln,  Hist.  Cnf.,  MS.,  47H  !t; 
U'ilwn'n  OlM'rr.,  MS.,  (>l-'2;  Cntiri),  Sirriciox,  .MS.;  /{iitfl/n,  Aualex,  M.S., 
HH-O;  Lox  Aiiiji'les  IHh'.  4I-.">.  From  ail  tlieso  sources  «e  get  in  the  aggro 
gate  much  general  information,  but  few  details.  Hotello  tells  us  that  it  wm 
t  vident  to  all  in  the  south  from  tlio  llrst  that  Castro  did  not  intend  to  fight 
tlio  .Americans,      las  H.  Harton,  l/ni/is'  .1/m*.  /lool;  i.  3t».">,  says  that  he  with  8 


li;l'  k 


IMiKPAHATIONS  FOR  nKFEXCK, 


All  went  \vi(>ii»r  t'nim  tlic  staiulpoiiit  of  l*i<>o  ami 
Castro;  that  is,  if  we  supposi'  them  to  havi-  \)vvu  in 
i-arnest,  as  to  a  certain  extent  thev  probaljJv  wei»' 
not;  or  at  least,  they  luul  no  real  expectation  of  su»- 
eess.  There  were  no  si«^ns  of  popular  enthusiasm  for 
the  cause.  Subordinate  local  authorities  issued  tln-ii- 
routine  orders  in  a  spirit  of  apathy.  Few  inhabitants 
lendered  more  implicit  obedience  than  tlu'y  were 
oblitred  to  by  fear  or  i)ri«le.  Many  of  inHuence,  na- 
tives as  well  as  foreigners,  were  sj-cretly  in  sympathy 
with  the  invaders;  others  more  or  less  inditfcrent  took 
the  advice  of  American  friends  to  hold  thouiselves 
aloof  as  far  as  possible  from  at-tively  engaging  inau.se- 
li'ss  struggl*'.  Many,  especially  of  the  lower  classes, 
were  very  bitter  against  the  Yankees;  but  of  these 
some  realizi'd  that  their  cause  was  hopeles8,  and  but 
lew  had  any  conHdence  in  the  good  faith  or  ability  of 
the  leaders.  Personally,  Pico  and  Castro  .succeeded 
in  keeping  up  at  least  an  appearance  of  friendly  fe«l- 
ing;  but  among  their  subordinates  there  was  constant 
jealousy  and  quarrelling.  The  militiamen  <f  the 
south  refused  to  obey  any  but  civic;  officers,  while  Cas- 
tro's men  of  the  north  regarded  themselves  as  consti- 
tuting the  'regular  army,' and  assumed  pret(;nsions 
.it-eordinglv.  The  iidiabitants  of  the  city  ha«l  organ- 
i/.ed  themselves  durinj;  I'ico's  absence  into  a  kind  *>\' 
military  body  for  the  defence  of  the  town  against 
Castro,  but  though  they  did  not  openly  revolt  now 
against  the  authority  of  the  chiefs,  it  was  well  under- 
stood that  thev  would  not  iiLjht  against  foreiirners. 
lleeruits  for  the  legular  force  came  in  slowly.     From 


"I-  10  otliors  iinmi'il,  Irft  I'ico'ji  foivi!  wlu'ii  (^astro  tiunc  nml  went  to  1$.  I>. 
Wilson's  I'linclio,  whc'ii'  they  wore  piM'siiiuled  to  stay  uiul  ilt'f<ii>l  thenisflM's; 
liiit  they  later  wont  Iwck,  on  I'icn's  iisiiurancu  tliut  tfiey  would  not  lie  Imnncij. 
(Sc»!  Lii^o'h  ('(iinniiin.  of  .Inly  "J.'itli,  in  this  note.)  Torn-  notos  thiit  the  trixiiis 
\UTu  fell  on  'the  Jjull  that  fonndcul  S.  (lahriel.'  IJoth  ho  and  (loniey.  note  the 
viiirlcs.sne^s  and  inetrieieney  of  ('axtro'ii  |ii'ei)aiiitii)nH  at  the  Cunijio  di:  la 
M'-.i;  and  BiK-ak  of  the  scare  and  confuKJun  on  one  occo-sion  when  Anilrri 
I'lro  arrived  with  a  jmrty.  Moreno  tells  how  the  Angeles  troops  refuseil  to 
i-'ivi!  uj>  to  Castro  ecrtuin  cannon,  even  at  I'ico's  conimnud.  Coronel  8|)caks 
of  a  conference  lasting  all  day  before  the  civic  troops  would  consent  to  oljcy 
Castro.     I'iio  mentions  the  same  trouble  and  his  own  etl'orts  to  overcome  it. 


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266 


STOCKTON'S  RULE-OCCUPATION  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


outside  districts  came  patriotic  sentiments,  with  re- 
grets that  the  Indians  were  troublesome,  and  no  men 
could  be  sent.  Rancheros  and  others  contributed 
horses,  arms,  and  other  property  with  evident  reluc- 
tance and  in  small  quantities.  The  government  had 
lost  its  prestige,  resources,  and  credit.  In  fact,  Pico 
had  exhausted  all  his  popularity  and  power  in  prepar- 
ing for  the  northern  campaign  against  Castro,  and  had 
raised  less  than  a  hundred  men.  These  were  all  that 
he  had  now  in  reality  under  his  command,  and  more 
than  he  could  properly  feed  with  the  public  funds  at 
his  disposal;  but  double  this  number  had  to  be  sup- 
ported, for  Castro  had  brought  another  hundred,  and 
no  funds.  All  agree  that  the  soldiers  had  a  hard 
time,  being  in  every  respect  inadequately  provided  for. 
Each  party,  abajenos  and  arribenos,  thought  that  par- 
tiality was  shown  to  the  others ;  each  shifted  upon  the 
other  the  responsibility  for  the  country's  critical  po- 
sition; and  naturally  each  constantly  diminished  in 
numbers.  It  has  been  common  for  American  writers 
— and  even  Caiifornians  who  wish  to  account  for  Stock- 
ton's easy  success  by  charging  the  governor  and  gen- 
eral witli  cowardice — to  speak  of  Castro's  force  as  800 
or  1,000  well  armed  and  equipped  men.  There  was 
no  time  in  the  last  half  of  July  wli  o  could  have 
led  out  of  the  city  over  200  men  t*  lake  even  the 
pretence  of  a  tight;  and  before  the  enemy  actually 
came,  the  number  was  reduced  to  100. 

In  the  early  days  of  August  Castro  established  him- 
self with  part  of  his  force  at  the  Campo  de  la  Mesa,  a 
short  distance  out  of  the  city,  leaving  Manuel  Castro 
and  Andres  Pico  in  command  of  the  forces  left,  most 
of  which  soon  joined  the  general  at  the  Mesa."  At 
about  the  time  of  this  movement  came  news  that  Fre- 

"  Aug,  4tli,  Castro  to  A.  Pico,  anuouncing  liis  ileparture,  and  putting  him 
in  commimd  of  the  auxiliaries.  The  necessity  of  complete  harmony  with  D. 
Manuel  and  liia  men  is  urged.  Pico,  Doc.  MS.,  ii.  93.  Aug.  .^d,  Castro  to 
Antonio  Coronel,  urging  him  to  assemble  Ids  company,  etc.  Coroiiel,  Doc, 
MS.,  245. 


FREMONT  AND  STOCKTON  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


267 


mont  had  landed  at  San  Diego,  followed  soon  by  the 
announcement  of  Stockton's  landing  at  San  Pedro. 
Of  Fremont's  operations  at  this  time,  no  c;fficial  report 
or  other  contemporary  account  is  extant.  He  had 
sailed  with  his  battalion  in  the  Ci/ane  July  26th  frt)ni 
Monterey;  and  had  reached  San  Diego  on  tlie  29th, 
taking  possession  and  raising  the  flag  without  opposi- 
tion or  incident,  so  far  as  may  be  known.'-  A  week 
was  spent  in  obtaining  horses,  which  were  by  no  means 
plentiful,  and  on  August  8th  the  battalion,  about  120 
strong,  started  northward,  leaving  a  garrison  at  San 
Diego.  Several  Californians  vaguely  relate  that  on 
hearing  of  Fremont's  arrival  Castro  despatched  a  party 
under  Villavicencio,  with  Alvarado  as  counsellor,  to 
meet  the  riflemen;  but  they  returned  without  having 
seen  the  foe. 

Meanwhile  Stockton,  with  360  marines  and  seamen 
available  for  an  enterprise  on  land,  had  sailed  from 
Monterey  August  1st  on  the  Conyresst.  On  the  way 
down  the  coast  he  touched  at  Santa  Barbara,  perhaps 
on  the  4th  or  5th,  and  raised  the  stars  and  stripes 
there,  leaving  a  small  garrison.  Strangely,  I  find  no 
definite  record  of  the  date,  or  of  any  circumstances 
connected  with  this  event."  Stockton  arrived  at  San 
Pedro  on  the  6th.     Here  the  flaj,  v,as  raised,  and  the 

''^July  29th  is  the  date  asually  given,  though  I  can  trace  it  back  only  to 
( 'iilis^  Coiiq.,  154-5,  in  1847;  and  (iillespie,  in  tlie  Alta,  July  3,  1S6G,  says  it 
was  on  the  80th.  Lancey,  Cruixe,  110-13,  tells  us,  on  authority  not  given, 
tliat  Andrea  I'ico  was  found  at  S.  Diego,  and  wouKl  have  been  jiut  to  death 
by  the  settlers  had  not  L'apt.  Fitch  answered  for  his  honor,  etc.  As  it  was, 
Don  Andr«?s  was  allowed  to  carry  the  news  to  Angeles.  I  deem  it  very  im- 
probable that  anything  of  the  kind  occurred,  L.incoy  also  tells  us  that  the 
I'inine  returned  immediately  to  S.  Pedro  to  meet  Stockton,  arriving  on  the 
.">tl>;  and  that  Fremont  stfirted  north  ou  Aug.  .3u,  leaving  a  garrison  of  40 
men.  On  Aug.  8th,  Capt.  Dupont,  in  reply  to  u  petition  of  I'edro  Carrillo 
and  others  to  leave  a  guard  to  protect  the  citizens,  says  he  has  no  power  to 
ilo  so,  but  that  Gillespie  will  remain  with  a  force  until  orders  from  the  com- 
iiiandcrcome.  VnrriUo  (Pedro),  Do-.,  MS.,  4.  Martin,  Nan:,  MS.,  32-3,  .siiys 
that  MeiTitt  with  13  men  was  left  at  S.  Diego.  Forster,  Pioimr  Data,  MS  , 
'M-\.  had  just  arrived  at  S.  Luis  Rey  when  Fremont  camo  there,  and  h.ul 
some  trouble  with  that  officer  about  the  mission  property.  Bidwell,  <'(il. 
IS41~8,  MS.,  176-80,  gives  some  general  recollections  of  thecvpedition,  which 
lie  accompanied. 

^^ Stockton's  Report,  36.  Phelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  309,  followed  by  Lancey, 
cV(«.<c,  1 10,  says  the  garrison  was-coniposed  of  Midshipman  Wni  Mitchell  and 
10  men. 


203 


STOCKTON'S  RULE— OCCUPATION  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


force  was  immediately  landed,  to  be  drilled  and  other- 
wise prepared  for  a  march  inland."  Next  day  two 
commissioners  from  Castro  arrived.  They  were  Pablo 
de  lu  Guerra  and  Jose  M.  Flores,  who  after  askinsx 
and  receiving  in  writing  an  assurance  that  they  would 
be  well  received,  visited  the  camp  and  presented  a 
letter  from  the  general,  which  with  Stockton's  ac- 
count of  the  visit  is  given  in  a  note.'^  The  latter  is 
not  quite  intelligible  in  all  respects;  but  the  former 
was  a  simple  demand  for  an  explanation  of  the  com- 
modore's purposes,  coupled  with  a  clearly  implied  ex- 
pression of  willingness  to  enter  into  negotiations,  on 
the  condition  usual  in  such  cases  of  a  suspension  of  all 
hostilities  pending  the  conference.     The  letter  was  an 

'*  Here  Laiicey  gives  some  iuformatiou,  the  source  of  whicli  liaa  escaped  my 
research.  He  says  tliat  tlio  Cyaiie  was  found  at  S.  Pedro,  whicli  I  question; 
and  that  Lieut  James  F.  Sohenuk  was  sent  in  the  launoli  with  20  men  to  take 
the  town.  Tlie  5  men  of  the  garrison  escaped,  but  the  olHcer  in  command 
staying  to  liglit  his  cigarito  was  made  a  prisoner  and  detained  on  the  frigate. 
Ho  also  quotes  from  Capt.  Paty,  of  the  Hon  Quixote,  an  account  of  how  he 
refused  to  sell,  but  allowed  .Stockton  to  take  by  night  secretly,  three  cannon 
from  his  vessel. 

**  Translation  in  Stockton's  Mil.  anil  Naval  Oper.,  4,  preceded  by  the  note 
of  Guerra  and  Flores  and  Stockton's  reply,  about  tiie  reception  of  the  coni- 
iiiission.  The  translation  is  evidently  slipshod,  but  I  have  not  found  the 
original.  'The  undersigneil,  conimandiint  general  and  chief  of  the  division  of 
operations  in  this  department,  has  the  honor  to  direct  himself  to  the  coni- 
niander-in-cliief  of  the  U.  S.  naval  forces  anchored  in  the  road  of  S.  Pedro, 
asking  explanations  on  the  conduct  tliat  he  proposes  to  follow.  Since  know- 
in;'  that  hi;  wishes  to  enter  into  conferencea  on  what  is  most  convenient  to  the 
interests  of  both  countries,  the  undersigned  cannot  see  with  serenity  one  pro- 
tend, with  flattering  expressions  of  peace,  and  without  the  formality  tiiat 
war  between  polished  nations  permits,  to  make  an  invasion  in  the  terms  that 
your  lordship  has  verified  it.  Wishing,  then  [de  acuerdo],  with  the  governor, 
to  avoid  all  the  disasters  that  follow  a  war  like  that  which  your  lordship  pre- 
pares, it  has  appeared  convenient  to  the  undersigned  to  send  to  your  lordship 
a  commission. .  .to  know  the  wishes  of  your  lordship,  under  the  conception 
[with  the  understanding]  that  whatever  conference  may  take  place,  it  must 
be  on  the  base  that  .'ill  hostile  movements  must  be  suspended  by  both  forces, 
since  on  the  contrary,  there  will  not  be  negotiations.'  Yours  truly,  etc. 
Stockton,  Rfport,  30-7,  says  :  '  Two  persons  arrived,  representing  themselves 
to  be  commisioners  sent  from  Gen.  Castro,  authorized  to  enter  into  negotia- 
tions with  mo,  and  bearing  a  letter  from  the  general. .  .Before,  however,  they 
would  communicate  the  extent  of  their  power  or  the  nature  of  their  instruc- 
tions ' — it  does  not  appear  in  the  letter  that  they  had  any  powers  or  instruc- 
tions except  to  learn  Stockton's  wishes  and  his  willingness  for  negotiations — 
'  they  made  a  preliminary  demand  that  the  further  march  of  the  troops  nmst 
bo  arrested,  and  that  I  must  not  advance  beyond  ihe  position  which  I  then 
occupied.  This  proposition  was  peremptorily  declined.  I  announced  my  de- 
termination to  advance;  and  the  conunissioners  I'eturned  to  their  camp  with- 
out imparting  further  the  object  of  tln'  projiosed  negotiations.' 


CASTRO'S  PROPOSITIONS  REJECTED. 


im 


ippre- 
irtlship 
eption 
t  must 
forces, 
■,  etc. 
selves 
Dgotia- 
r,  they 
struc- 
struc- 
;ioii8 — 
a  must 
I  then 
ny  ile- 
I  with- 


iiKlication  that  Castro  was  disposed  to  accede  to  the 
well  known  wishes  of  the  United  States;  the  condi- 
tion imposed  was  in  every  respect  a  moderate  antl 
reasonable  one;  and  there  was  no  good  reason  why 
Stockton  should  not  welcome  such  a  proposition,  if 
he  really  wished  to  carry  out  the  avowed  policy  of  his 
government.  He  wished,  however,  nothing  of  the 
kind.  He  did  not  desire  Castro's  assent  to  the  terms 
which  he  was  obliged  in  a  certain  sense  to  offer,  that 
is,  a  voluntary  raising  of  the  American  flag  by  the 
departmental  authorities.  On  the  contrary,  he  wished 
to  avoid  the  embarrassment  of  continuing  those  au- 
thorities in  power  on  any  basis,  preferring,  even  in 
case  the  stars  and  stripes  had  to  be  lowered  on  ac- 
count of  the  non-existence  of  war,  to  leave  a  clear 
field  to  the  Bear  Flag  insurgents.  Accordingly  the 
commodore  rejected  "the  Mexican  proffei's  of  negoti- 
ation," by  putting  his  terms  in  the  form  of  an  insult- 
ing threat.^" 

In  his  report  of  1848,  Stockton  gives  at  some 
length  what  he  chooses  to  have  regarded  as  his  mo- 
tives. His  first  point  is  that  as  no  act  of  the  local 
authorities  would  have  been  valid  without  approval 
of  the  Mexican  government,  and  as  no  such  ratifica- 
tion could  be  expected,  the  Californians  would  be  at 
liberty  to  break  any  compact  that  might  be  made. 
But  the  only  compact  thought  of  was  one  that  from 
its  very  nature  could  not  be  broken,  and  one  respect- 

"'Aug.  7,  1846,  Stockton  to  Castro,  from  San  Pedro,  '(ieneral:  I  have 
the  honor  to  acknowleilge  tlic  receipt  of  your  letter,  and  with  you  deplore 
the  war. .  .1  do  not  desire  to  do  more  than  my  duty  calls  upon  me  to  do.  I 
ilo  not  wish  to  war  against  Califoniia  or  her  people;  lint  as  she  is  a  depart- 
ment of  Mexico,  I  must  war  against  her  until  she  ce.iscs  to  he  a  part  of  the 
Mexican  territory.  This  is  my  plain  duty.'  True  enough,  but  this  is  not 
the  ground  taken  in  the  proclamation  of  July  '2'Jtb.  '  I  canmtt,  therefore, 
1  heck  my  operations  to  negotiate  on  any  other  principle' — no  other  had  bi'cn 
liroposeclor  hinted  at— 'than  that  California  will  declare  her  independence, 
iiiuler  the  protection  of  the  Hag  of  the  U.  S.  If,  therefore,  you  will  agree  to 
hui.st  the  American  flag  in  California,  I  will  stop  my  forces  and  negotiate  the 
treaty.  Your  very  obedient,'  etc.  A  Spanish  translation  was  printed  in  the 
l.os  Anoeles  California  Meridional,  July  18,  1855;  in  Coronet,  Doc,  MS.,  174. 
In  Doc.  Hist.  Cal.,  MS,,  iv.  1,101,  Pablo  de  la  Gucrra  say.s  that  after  .i 
iliscussion  of  two  hou»-s  he  refused  to  accede  to  Stockton's  demand  that  the 
Californians  should  raise  the  U.  S.  flag. 


■  I 

11^ 

hI  ' 

^H  t 

270 


STOCKTON'S  RULE-OCCUPATIOX  OF  THK  SOUTH. 


f  , 


ing  which  the  approval  or  disapproval  of  Mexi(3o  was 
not  of  the  shghtest  consequence.  Secondly,  he  claims 
that  recognition  of  the  Californian  authorities,  bv 
negotiating  with  them,  would  have  involved  recogni- 
tion of  them  in  other  matters,  notably  in  that  of 
granting  lands.  To  question  the  right  of  a  governor, 
in  his  capital,  under  his  national  flag,  and  in  accord- 
ance with  Mexican  law,  to  grant  lands,  because  a  for 
eign  power  had  seized  some  parts  of  the  department, 
was  certainly  a  remarkable  position  to  assume;  but 
still  Stockton's  point  had  weight  to  this  extent,  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  destroy  Pico's  authority  as  a  Mex- 
ican governor  as  soon  as  possible  by  raising  the  flag 
over  Los  Angeles.  Could  the  flag  be  raised  volun- 
tarily by  Pico,  so  much  the  better  for  the  end  in 
view.  To  gain  time,  therefore,  the  commodore  de- 
clined a  conference,  for  which  twenty -four  hours 
would  have  been  ample  time,  and  then  put  off  his  ad- 
vance from  San  Pedro  four  days!  In  the  third  place, 
a  truce,  argues  Stockton,  would  have  enabled  the 
Californians  to  exterminate  the  settlers,  attack  the 
immigrants,  increase  and  organize  their  forces,  and 
in  fact,  do  all  the  things  that  the  present  movement 
was  intended  to  prevent.  Even  had  the  danger  of 
such  acts  been  originally  less  absurd  and  imaginary, 
it  is  not  quite  apparent  that  a  short  delay  with  a 
view  to  a  voluntary  submission  of  the  foe  could  have 
been  much  more  disastrous  than  a  longer  delay  for 
hostile  preparations.  Finally,  the  writer  says:  "Our 
march  would  necessarily  have  been  suspended  at  the 
outset;  the  sailors  and  marines  must  have  reem- 
barked;  the  California  battalion,  so  prompt  and  ener- 
getic in  volunteering  to  aid  us,  must  have  been  aban- 
doned to  its  own  resources,  and  thus  insulated  and 
unsupported,  must  either  have  dispersed  or  fallen  a 
sacrifice  to  an  exasperated  and  powerful  enemy" — 
thus  implying,  what  there  is  not  the  slightest  evidence 
to  support,  that  Castro  proposed  a  truce  to  continue 
until  questions  in  dispute  could  be  referred  to  Mex- 


LARKIN'S  EFFORTS. 


271 


the 
and 
ment 
er  of 
nnarv. 
ith  a 
have 
ay  for 
Our 
at  the 
reeiii- 
ener- 
aban- 
d  and 
lien  a 
|my  — 
idence 
ntinue 
Mex- 


ico. With  all  his  lack  of  brilliancy,  it  is  not  likely 
that  Don  Jose  ever  conceived  so  stupid  a  proposition. 
Had  lie  suggested  such  a  plan  at  the  proposed  con- 
ference, it  could  have  been  rejected  without  great  ex- 
penditure of  time.^' 

It  must  be  evident  to  the  reader,  I  think,  that 
Stockton  was  bound  as  a  representative  of  the  United 
States,  in  view  of  past  nejj^otiations  and  promises  of 
his  government's  confidential  agents,  to  accede  to 
Castro's  request  for  a  conference.  The  presumption 
was  that  the  general  was  disposed  to  make  the  re- 
quired concessions;  and  if  fruitless,  the  conference 
would  involve  no  delay  whatever.  Stockton  feared 
that  Castro  would  yield;  hence  his  refusal.  His  ex- 
planation was  special  pleading  designed  to  cover  up 
liis  real  motives.  Lest  it  appear,  however,  to  any  one 
that  the  view  here  presented  is  exaggerated,  I  intro- 
duce a  hitherto  missing  link  in  this  historic  chain, 
matter  which  strengthens  my  criticism  at  every  point, 
exhibits  the  American  commander's  conduct  in  alight 
by  no  means  creditable  to  his  honor,  and  shows  that 
he  has  suppressed  an  essential  part  of  the  record.  It 
has  been  noticed  that  Castro  alluded  to  Stockton's 
desire  for  a  conference.  Larkin  came  down  from 
Monterey  on  the  Congress,  still  bent  on  acquiring 
California  without  the  use  of  force.  Immediately,  on 
arrival  at  San  Pedro,  he  addressed  long  conununica- 
tions — the  original  blotters  of  which  are  in  my  posses- 
sion— to  Abel  Stearns,  his  associate  confidential  agent, 
though  also  Mexican  sub-prefect.  This  gentleman 
was  urged  without  loss  of  time  to  consult  with  Pico, 
Castro,  the  assembly,  and  leading  citizens;  and  to 
]>lace  before  them  in  the  strongest  possible  manner 
the  importance  ot  at  once  declaring  their  independence 
of  Mexico  and  putting  California  under  the  American 

"Lancey,  Cruise,  111,  states  definitely  that  Castro  proposed  a  truce,  'by 
the  terms  of  which  each  party  bhould  maintain  its  preaent  position,  unmo- 
lested by  the  others,  until  intelligence  of  a  more  definite  character  could  be 
ol)tained  from  Mexico  or  the  U.  S.,  or  until  the  conclusion  of  peace'  1  Other 
>vi'iters  have  evidently  fallen  into  a  similar  misunderstanding. 


'  !i  :  • 


y  .^^ 


272        STOCKTONS  RULE-OCCUPATION  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

flag.  Stockton's  irresistible  tbrce  was  presented,  and 
even  exaggerated,  to  show  the  folly  of  resistance. 
Larkin  expressed  his  belief  that  the  conjecture  of  war 
with  Mexico  would  prove  unfounded,  in  which  case 
the  flag  would  probably  have  to  be  lowered,  and  the 
country  would  be  exposed  to  the  hostile  raov«ments 
of  the  Sonoma  insurgents,  reenforced  by  2,000  ex- 
pected immigrants.  There  was  but  one  way  to  avoid 
this  calamity,  to  prevent  the  shedding  of  blood  in  a 
useless  resistance  to  Stockton,  and  to  secure  future 
happiness  and  prosperity.  The  leaders  were  to  be 
assured  that  the  commodore  had  no  desire  to  wage 
war;  but  that  he  was  anxious  to  have  them  volunta- 
I'ily  organize  a  new  government,  retaining  their  offices, 
and  that  he  would  gladly  enter  into  negotiations  with 
them.  They  were  to  be  urged  to  come  for  a  confer- 
ence, accompanied  if  possible  l)y  Stearns  and  other 
prominent  men,  without  delay,  as  the  force  would 
probably  advance  in  twenty-four  hours.  "Could  this 
proposal  be  acted  on  in  the  pueblo  at  once,  war  with- 
in the  department  is  at  an  end.  As  the  subject  has 
for  months  been  canvassed  in  California,  it  does  not 
require  long  to  come  to  a  conclusion. "^^  There  can 
be  but  little  doubt,  then,  that  it  was  in  response  to 
this  invitation,  virtually  sent  by  Stockton  himself,  that 
Castro  made  overtures  for  a  treaty,  insultingly  re- 
jected by  the  commodore,  who  feared  that  his  terms 
might  be  accepted.  If  Castro  had  had  half  the  men 
accredited  to  him,  half  as  desperate  and  hostile  as 
they  were  represented  in  Stockton's  proclamation; 
and  had  they  made  an  attack  as  they  did  later  on 
Mervine,  in  this  very  region,  or  on  Kearny  at  San 
Pascual,  the  disaster  might  justly  have  plunged  the 
proud  leader  into  life-long  disgrace. 

On  August  9th  Castro,  after  holding  a  council  of 
war  with  his  officers  at  the  Mesa,  resolved  to  leave 
California,  and  notified  Pico  to  that  affect  in  writing. 

"  Aug.  S,  184G,  Larkin  to  Stearns.  Blotter  copies  of  two  letters  in  Lar^ 
kin's  Dec,  MS.,  iv.  261,  208. 


im 


CASTRO'S  LAST  PROCLAMATIONS. 


878 


icil  of 

leave 

Iriting. 


in 


Lar- 


"After  having  done  all  in  my  power,"  he  states, "  to  pre- 
pare for  the  defence  of  the  department,  and  to  oppose 
tlie  invasion  of  the  United  States  forces  by  sea  and 
land,  I  am  obliged  to-day  to  make  known  to  you  with 
regret  that  it  is  not  possible  to  accomplish  either  ob- 
ject, because,  notwithstanding  your  efforts  to  afford 
me  all  the  aid  in  your  power,  I  can  count  on  only  100 
men,  badly  armed,  worse  supplied,  and  discontented 
by  reason  of  the  misery  they  suffer;  so  that  I  have 
reason  to  fear  that  not  even  these  few  men  will  figlit 
when  the  necessity  arises."  He  announced  his  inten- 
tion to  leave  the  country,  for  the  purpose  of  reporting 
to  the  supreme  government;  invited  the  governor  to 
go  with  him;  and  enclosed  two  documents  which  ho 
had  written  to  'save  his  responsibility.''"  One  of  these 
was  a  farewell  address  to  the  people,  issued  a  few  days 
later  by  the  general  en  camino  para  Sonora.  "Witli 
luy  heart  full  of  the  most  cruel  grief,  I  take  leave  of 
you.  I  leave  the  country  of  my  birth,  but  with  the 
hope  of  returning  to  destroy  the  slavery  in  which  I 
leave  you ;  for  the  day  will  come  when  our  unfortunate 
fatherland  can  punish  this  usurpation,  as  rapacious  as 
unjust,  and  in  the  face  of  the  world  exact  satisfaction 
for  its  grievances.  Friends,  I  confide  in  your  loyalty 
and  patriotism,"  etc.^° 

The  third  document  was  a  copy  of  Castro's  reply 
to  Stockton's  communication  of  the  7tli;  and  it  was 
just  such  an  answer  as  the  commodore  had  desired 
and  expected.  If  the  general  had  at  one  time  medi- 
tated a  dishonorable  submission  to  the  enemy  with  a 
view  of  retaining  his  office,  he  had  now  abandoned  the 
idea.  His  pride  and  that  of  his  counsellors  forbade 
the  acceptance  of  terms  offered  in  a  manner  so  per- 
emptory and  humiliating.  His  reply  was  an  indig- 
nant rejection  of  the  proposal  to  raise  the  American 

'*  Aug.  9, 1846,  Castro  to  Pico,  written  at  the  Campo  en  la  Mesa.  Moreno, 
Doc,  MS.,  12-1.3. 

'"Aug.  (Oth),  Castro  to  the  people  of  Cal.  Ca-^tro,  Doc.,  MS.,  ii.  134;  Doc. 
Hist.  Cal. ,  MS. ,  iii.  203.     Possibly  this  is  not  the  address  enclosed  to  Pico 
on  the  9th,  hut  a  later  one;  but  if  so,  the  other  is  not  extant. 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    18 


274 


STOCKTON'S  RULE— CK'CUPATION  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


i!  r^[ 


flag;  and  his  iiKli«^iiation  was  not  altogether  assuujed 
for  effect  in  Mexico,  though  such  was  the  main  pur- 
]>ose  of  the  letter,  and  though  at  the  time  of  writing 
he  had  resolved  to  attempt  no  defence.  Stockton 
wrote  a  reply  to  this  connnunication,  though  he  after- 
ward denied  having  done  so;  but  its  purport  is  not 
known.'*' 

On  i*eceipt  of  Castro's  comnmnication  and  accompa- 
nying documents,  Pico  submitted  them  to  the  assem- 

"  Aug.  9,  1846,  Castro  to  Stockton,  in  Olvera,  Doo.,  MS.,  29-3'2;  transla- 
tion in  Sforktoii'n  Mil.  and  Naval  Ojicr.,  o-Q.  In  iiis  rciiort  of  Sept.  18tli 
Stockton  says:  'I  did  not  answer  his  last  letter  but  by  a  verbal  niessagf, 
which  docs  not  properly  belong  to  history.'  /*/.,  2.  But  1  liave  before  me  an 
original  autograph  letter  in  which  Stockton  on  Aujjust  11th  says  to  Larkin: 
'You  will  proceed  with  a  flag  of  truce  and  deliver  the  accompanying  letter  to 
(<en.  Castro,  which  is  a  reply  to  one  sent  by  him  to  me  yesterday.  You  will 
nay  nothing  more  than  that  you  are  ready  to  receive  any  explanations  he  may 
sou  lit  to  make  of  hia  letters.  You  will  be  especially  careful  not  to  commit 
nic  in  anything  for  the  future,  or  to  say  anything  of  our  movements  or  Fn';- 
niont's.'  Larkiu's  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  '2,"»0. 

Castro's  letter  to  Stockton  was  as  follows:  'With  unspeakable  surprise  1 
have  received  your  reply  to  my  official  note  asking  explanations  of  your  pro- 
posed conduct  in  the  invasion  which  the  naval  and  land  forces  of  the  U.  S. 
\uider  your  command  have  i^erpetrated  in  this  department  in  my  charge.  The 
insidious  contents  of  that  note,  and  the  humiliating  j)roposition3  which  it  in- 
volves, oblige  me,  for  the  honor  of  the  national  arms  committed  to  me,  to  re- 
produce to  you  the  laat  of  my  communications,  and  to  make  clear  to  you  to 
what  degree  I  will  sacrifice  myself  to  preserve  stainless  the  post  which  I  hold. 
Since  war  exists  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico,  and  as  you  from  duty  wagi- 
it  against  this  department,  a  part  of  Mexican  territory,  so  I,  as  a  Mexican 
chief  of  the  forces  under  my  orders,  am  resolved  to  defend  its  integrity  at  all 
hazards,  and  to  repel  an  aggression  like  yours,  without  example  in  the  civil- 
ized world,  and  all  the  more  so  wlien  it  is  considered  that  there  is  as  yet  no 
express  declaration  of  war  between  the  two  nations.  Y'ou  say  that  you  can- 
not suspend  your  operations  to  negotiate  on  any  basis  other  than  that  Califor- 
nia declare  her  independence  under  the  protection  of  tho  U.  S.  Never  will  I 
consent  that  she  commit  so  base  an  act;  but  even  supi)08ing  she  should  attempt 
it,  she  would  never  carry  it  out  under  the  degrading  conditions  that  you  pro- 
pose. And  what  would  be  her  liberty  with  that  protection  offered  her  at  tin- 
cannon's  mouth?  I  understand  it  not;  but  bo  assured  that  while  it  exists  I 
will  take  care  that  this  part  of  the  Mexican  republic,  in  which  I  first  sawthf 
light,  seal  not  its  disgrace  and  slavery.  Still  more,  believing  doubtless  tliiit 
no  drop  of  Mexican  blood  flows  in  my  veins,  and  that  I  know  not  the  .scope 
of  my  duties,  you  ofTer  me  the  most  shameful  of  your  propositions,  which  in 
to  hoist  the  American  flag  in  this  department.  Never,  never,  never!  Much 
nu'ght  I  say  to  you  on  this  subject;  but  I  only  ask  you  what  would  you  do  it 
tho  proposition  were  vice  versa.  Finally,  Mr  Commodore,  I  repeat  that  I  will 
spare  no  sacrifice  to  oppose  your  intentions;  and  if  by  misfortune  the  flag  of 
the  U.  S.  waves  in  Cal.,  it  will  not  be  by  my  consent,  or  by  that  of  the  last 
of  my  compatriots,  but  solely  by  force;  with  the  understanding  that  I  protest 
solemnly  before  the  whole  world  against  the  means  used,  or  which  may  be 
used,  to  separate  this  department  from  the  Mexican  republic,  to  whoso  flag 
it  desires  to  belong,  making  you  responsible  for  all  the  evils  and  misfortunes 
that  may  result  from  a  war  so  unjust  as  that  which  has  been  declared  against 
this  peaceful  department.     I  have  the  honor,'  etc. 


PlCO'fS  FAllKWKLL. 


ii-j 


annul 
pur- 
ritinn 
ckton 
at'tor- 
is  not 


Dnipa- 

Lsseni- 

transla- 
ept.  18t\i 
incssagf, 
>rc  me  an 
)  Ijjirkin: 
r  letter  to 

You  will 
IS  he  may 
o  commit 
ita  or  Fr6- 

aurprise  1 
your  pro- 
the  U.  S. 
argc.   The 
fhiuh  it  in- 
ine,  to  rc- 
to  you  to 
:liIhold. 
duty  wag'- 
a  Mexican 
ifrity  at  all 
the  civil 
as  yet  in  > 
.  you  can- 
lat  Califor- 
ever  will  I 
\A  attempt 
it  you  pro- 
her  at  the 
it  exists  1 
rst  saw  th-' 
btless  that 
the  scopi' 
,,  which  i^* 
rer!    Muoh 
.  you  do  it 
that  I  will 
the  flag  ot 
of  the  last 
it  I  pi'otcst 
ich  may  be 
whoso  flag 
jiisfortuncs 
red  against 


t 


l)ly  on  August  lOth.  In  a  spoocli  he  admitted  the 
iinjwssibility  of  a  succesHful  dofence;  said  lie  saw  no 
oilier  way  to  preserve  the  honor  of  the  government 
than  to  depart  with  the  general  and  report  to  thr 
national  authorities;  and  proposed  that  the  assembly 
should  dissolve,  in  order  that  the  enemy  might  find 
none  of  the  departmental  authorities  acting.  Tlie 
nionibers,  after  each  had  given  expression  to  the 
proper  sentiments  of  patriotism,  voted  to  approve 
Pico's  resolve,  and  to  adjourn  sine  die.^^  Then  Don 
Pio  issued  his  parting  address  to  the  people.  In  this 
document  he  announced  that  'between  ignominy  and 
emigration,'  he  chose  the  latter.  He  denounced  the 
ambitious  efforts  of  the  United  States  to  secure  the 
tairest  j)ortions  of  Mexican  territory,  and  especially 
the  shameful  promises  by  which  the  foe  had  attempted 
to  seduce  Californians  from  their  allegiance;  and 
warned  them  to  prove  to  the  world  that  it  was  their 
desperate  situation  and  want  of  resources,  not  their 
consent,  that  brought  them  under  the  usurper's  yoke. 
"My  friends,  farewell!  I  take  leave  of  you.  I  aban- 
don the  country  of  my  birth,  my  family,  property,  and 
whatever  else  is  most  grateful  to  man,  all  to  save  the 
national  honor.  But  I  go  with  the  sweet  satisfaction 
that  you  will  not  second  the  deceitful  views  of  the 
astute  enemy;  that  your  loyalty  and  firnmess  will 
prove  an  inexpugnable  barrier  to  the  machinations  ot 
the  invader.  In  any  event,  sruard  your  honor,  and 
observe  that  the  eyes  of  the  e  tire  universe  are  fixed 
upon  you"!*^^ 

It  was  on  the  night  of  the  10th  that  Pico  and  Cas- 
tro left  the  capital,  the  latter  having  disbanded  his 
military  force.  Their  departure  and  parting  addresses 
have  been  ridiculed   and   denounced   as  a  cowardly 

"Aug.  10,  1846,  record  of  assembly  proceedings,  in  Olvera,  Doc,  MS.,  32- 
(j.  Some  of  l*ico's  friends  have  said  that  he  wished  to  continue  the  defence, 
liut  was  not  permitted  by  the  assembly. 

'^  Pico,  Proclama  de  Despedida,  10  de  Agosto,  1846,  MS.  Original  in  Pico, 
Doc,  MS.,  ii.  175-6;  translation  in  Savage,  Doc,  MS.,  iii.  68-70;  Hayes' 
Emig.  Not4x,  340-1, 


.'7« 


STOCKTON'S  RULK -OCCUPATION  OF  THK  .sOL'TII. 


Higlit  before  the  enemy,  and  an  absurd  Lxliibition  ol 
Mexican  bombast.  By  their  selfish  incompetence  and 
tboHsh  strife  in  past  years,  these  men  liad  done  much 
to  reduce  California  to  her  present  unhappy  cimditioii, 
so  that  she  cculd  no  longer  make  even  an  honorable 
show  of  resistance  to  the  invader.  I  have  not  nmeh 
to  say  in  praise  of  either  as  man  or  ruler.  Yet  as 
they  had  to  choose  between  flight  and  surrender,  and 
as  they  were  Mexican  officers,  and  as  it  was  a  firmly 
rooted  Mexican  idea  that  flight  and  patriotic  protests 
saved  the  national  honor  in  such  cases,  I  think  their 
final  acts  deserve  some  commendation.  They  chose 
flight  attended  with  some  hardship,  rather  than  the 
continuance  of  power  that  had  been  j)romised  them 
under  the  American  flag,  coupled  with  dishonor  in 
the  eyes  of  their  countrymen.  This  shows  that  they 
still  retained  a  praiseworthy  pride. 

And  here  I  must  notice  briefly  one  phase  of  this 
matter,  which  is  more  fully  treated  in  other  chapters 
relating  to  the  missions  and  to  the  subject  of  land 
grants.  It  has  been  a  current  statement  among  writ- 
ers on  California  that  Pico  in  the  last  months  of  his 
rule  exerted  himself  to  distribute  among  his  friends 
— and  especially  among  Englishmen,  with  a  view  to 
keep  them  out  of  the  hands  of  Americans — the  larg- 
est possible  amount  of  publi(  lands;  that  he  made 
haste  to  sell  the  mission  property,  for  the  most  part 
to  Englishmen  also,  for  whatever  prices  he  could  get; 
and  that  he  carried  away  with  him  some  $20,000  of 
funds  resulting  from  these  sales,  or  which  had  been 
contributed  by  the  people  for  the  country  s  defence. 
With  respect  to  the  last  charge,  I  hasten  to  say,  that 
beyond  the  statements  of  Don  Pio's  personal  enemies, 
and  the  current  rumors  growing  out  of  those  state- 
ments, I  find  no  evidence  that  he  carried  out  of  the 
country  a  dollar  of  the  public  funds;  and  it  is  very 
certain  that  he  could  not  have  obtained  any  such  sum 
as  that  named.  Again,  it  may  be  said  that  the  polit- 
ical aspect  of  Pico's  land  grants  and  mission  sales,  as 


DEPAKTURK  OF  CASTRO  AND  PICO. 


on  of 
;o  ami 
much 
Ution, 
orablo 
much 
fet  iis 
sr,  ami 
firmly 
rotcsts 
I  their 
r  chose 
an  the 
cl  them 
mor  in 
Eit  thoy 


part  of  a  sclicnie  to  give  California  to  England,  is 
almost  puroly  imaginary.  Many  men,  foreseeing  a 
great  increase  in  the  value  of  lands,  weiw  anxious  in 
these  last  months  to  secure  grants;  and  the  governor, 
so  far  as  his  quarrels  with  Castro  left  him  free  to 
attend  to  siu.'h  matters,  was  disposed  to  grant  their 
request.  It  was  by  no  means  diseieditable  to  him, 
that  before  his  |)ower  was  gone  he  was  disposed  to 
distribute  the  jjublic  lands  among  his  friends,  so  long 
as  he  acted  legally.  As  to  the  sales  of  the  missions, 
they  were  effected  in  pursuance  of  a  policy  formed  in 
earlier  years,  with  the  approval  of  the  asstiiMy. 
The  price  was  as  large  as  could  be  obtained,  aiid  I 
lind  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  proceeds  were  j^airi- 
otically  squandered  in  support  of  the  gov  •,  mneul, 
and  preparations  against  Castro.  Tlie  only  question 
is  the  legal  o'lC  of  Pico's  power  to  sell  the  missious 
at  all  under  existing  circumstances,  a  matter  iliat  is 
not  I'l  be  discussed  here.  So  far  nothing  appears 
against  the  governor  in  this  respect,  taking  the  vari- 
ous grants  as  they  appear  on  their  face.  It  would  be 
well  for  his  reputation  could  we  stop  here;  but  there 
is  no  room  to  doubt  that  some  of  the  titles  were 
written  by  the  governor  just  before  his  departure, 
or  even  after  his  return,  and  fraudulently  antedated. 
Comment  is  unnecessary. 

Pico  and  Castro,  though  they  both  left  Los  Angeles 
on  August  10th,  did  not  flee  together.  Castro,  ac- 
companied by  his  secretary,  Francisco  Arce,  and  a 
small  party  ^* — others  having  turned  back  from  San 
l^ernardino,  and  Weber  being  carried  along  as  a 
jiiisoner  but  soon  released — took  the  Colorado  River 
route  to  Sonora,  and  reached  Altar  the  7th  of  Septem- 
her.  Here  he  communicated  with  Governor  Cuesta, 
and  sent  despatches  to  Mexico  describing  the  condi- 
tion of  affairs  in  California  and  urging  measures  to 
recover  the  country  and    avenge   her  wrongs.-"     Of 

'-'Arce,  Mem.,  MS.,  58-9,  says  there  were  19  men.     Jesus  Pico,  Acont., 
Ms.,  6(>-7,  names  Salomon  Pico,  Rndecindo  Castro,  and  three  Soboranes. 
•' '  Sept.  9,  184(5,  Castio  at  Altar  to  Cuesta,  and  Cucsta'.s  reply  of  the  l;{th,  in 


I't' 


Vr. 


1 1  ^  ^ 

1  i'  ■ 

':  f 

1 1?  , 

li  '4. 

ri 

;r:  * 

,11 

'J78 


STOCKTON'S  RULE— OCCUrATlON  OF  THK  SOUTH. 


course  no  practical  atLantioii  was  paid  to  the  general's 
suggestions.  After  some  military  service  in  Sinaloa, 
Castro  returned  to  California  in  1848,  and  departed 
again  in  1853  to  become  a  Mexican  official  in  Lower 
California.  Pico,  leaving  Los  Angeles  in  tlie  night 
of  August  lOtli — aiter  issuing  the  proclamation  al- 
ready noted,  and  also  notifying  the  foreign  consuls 
that  California  was  to  be  left  without  a  government — 
spent  the  night  at  Yorba's  rancho,  and  went  next  day 
to  San  Juan  Capistrair.),  where,  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  rancho  of  Santa  Margarita,  he  was  concealed  by 
hi-:  brother-in-law,  John  Forster,  for  about  a  month. 
He  states  that  he  had  many  narrow  esca[)es  from  fall- 
ing into  the  hands  of  Fremont's  men,  and  of  a  paity 
under  Santiago  E.  Argiiello.  This  is  confirmed  l)y 
Forster,  and  to  some  extent  by  others.  It  is  probable 
that  the  efforts  to  effect  his  capture,  rather  vaguely 
mentioned  by  many  writers,  have  been  considerably 
exaggerated.  At  any  rate,  Fremont,  at  Bandini's 
intercession,  assured  Don  Pio  that  he  should  not  bo 
molested.^*  It  was  hoped  perhaps  that  if  he  could  bo 
induced  to  remain,  he  might  consent  to  convoke  the 

El  Sonorenie.  Sept.  25,  1846.  A  list  of  Castro's  companions  was  enclosed,  Imt 
unfortunately  not  printed.  Sept.  9th,  Castro  to  min.  of  war.  Explains  the  eir- 
oumiitauces  that  forced  him  to  leave  his  post.  Awaits  orders  at  Altar,  as  he 
has  no  means  of  pursuing  his  journey.  Thinks  that  with  a  groat  cll'drt  triumph 
would  still  not  bo  very  difficult.  The  foo  has  but  3,000  men,  most  of  thoiii 
not  available  except  on  the  coast.  In  tlie  interior,  only  the  settlers  and  4(«> 
or  500  hunters  wero  to  be  feared.  Castro  thinks  no  very  large  number  t>f 
immigrants  can  be  expected  until  next  year.  Col.  Alvarado,  Prefect  Mamiel 
Castro,  and  Capt.  Torre,  with  citizens,  arc  hidilen  in  the  mountains,  r(!ady  to 
sally  forth  ami  defeat  the  'infernal  intrigues  of  our  oppressors.'  Originnl 
blotter  in  Custro,  JJoc,  MS.,  ii.  l.'JG.  Oct.  15th,  rejily  of  min.  of  w.-ii-. 
Expresses  sympathy  and  indignation.  The  govt  witli  a  view  of  vengeance  is 
expediting  the  march  of  Gen.  Bustamautc.  Id.,  ii.  144.  In  Nov.  EscudeiM, 
diputado  from  Chihuahua,  proposed  iu  congress  a  sclieme  and  loan  to  recover 
New  Mexico  and  Cal.,  which  he  thought  would  be  easy.  Efcudero,  Mini. 
Chih.,  46-9.  In  his  report  of  Dec.  14,  1846,  Min.  Lafragua  speaks  of  a  new 
organization  of  tlie  Californias  into  two  territories;  but  the  appointment 
of  gefes  politicos  had  no  eflcct  because  of  the  invasion.  Mexico,  Mem.  licUi- 
cioiies,  1847,  p.  163. 

^*Sept.  15,  1846,  Pico  from  S.  Vicente  to  13andini,  with  thanks  for  liis 
efforts.  Mentions  a  letter  from  Friimont  which  he  has  answered.  Bandiiii, 
Doc,  MS.,  97.  Capt.  Phelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  305-6,  who  was  at  S.  Juan  be 
fore  Pico's  departure,  mentions  Fremont's  letter,  and  says  that  ho  met  Don 
Pio  on  the  way  to  S.  Diego.  He  tlien  seemed  di.sposcd  to  give  himself  up,  as 
Fremont  had  urged. 


PICO'S  WANDERINGS. 


27a 


assembly  and  go  through  the  form  of  turning  over 
the  country  to  tlie  United  States.  The  fugitive  gov- 
rrnor,  however,  was  joined  by  his  secretary  Moreno,"^' 
and  escaped  across  the  hne  into  Baja  Cahfornia  on 
September  7th.  With  Macedonio  (xonzalez  he  went 
on  to  Mulogd,  where  he  arrived  the  22d  of  October. 
In  November  he  crossed  the  gulf  to  Guaymas,  and 
was  subsequently  driven  to  Hermosillo  when  Guay- 
mas was  bombarded  by  the  Americans.  Over  and 
over  again  he  wrote  to  the  national  government,  urging 
measures  for  the  recovery  of  California;  but  no  atten- 
tion was  paid  to  his  representations;  and  he  could 
obtain  neither  the  payment  of  his  salary,  thanks  for 
[last  sacrifices,  nor  even  recognition  as  still  entitled  to 
be  called  governor.  He  returned  to  California  in  the 
middle  of  1848.=*** 


Meanwhile  Stockton  at  San  Pedro  was  engaged  in 
th'illing  his  360  men,  most  of  them  ignorant  of  the 
simplest  military  movements  on  land,  and  making 
other  preparations  for  an  advance,  from  the  7th  to 
the  lltii.  The  commodore's  biographer,  in  a  very  in- 
accurate and  bondmstic  narrative  of  this  campaigii, 
which  has  apparently  been  the  source  t)f  most  that 
has  since  been  written  on  the  subject,"'  tells  us  that 
when  Castro's  commissioners  arrived,  the  AnuMicaii 
connnandcr,  regarding  them  as  spies,  resolved  tt)  i\v- 
ceive  them  as  to  his  strength.     Ho  therefore  caused 

''There  is  a  tradition  that  tlicy  carried  away  and  buried  the  government 
archives;  but  a  largo  part  ot'  the  docuincntH  were  retained  by  Aloreno,  and 
tlnir  contents  now  form  part  of  my  collection,  as  ilAo/vHn,  J)oriiiii(ii/<injKira  lii 
llitliirid  tie  Cnlijornia.  Cnlicrioii.  di'  IK  ,/ot>r  Malias  Monini,  Kicrctnrio  ipir 
fill'  dil  ijohieriio,  nno  ilc.  1840,  la  ciml  rxinti'  ofhfuial  in  la  liuja  (Udi/uniin,  i  a 
/ivxisioii  de  la  Sra  l>oHa  Prudi'nciana  Lopez,  Copian  y  extructo-i  j>or  Thou 
>■(()•((;/.',  1873,  MS.,fol.,  l.SSp. 

'"March  '29,  1840,  I'ico  at  Hermosillo  to  mill,  of  rel.,  describing  his  move- 
ments since  leaving  Cal.,  and  m 'iitiouing  the  I'oiitciits  and  dates  of  pi'evious 
reports.  Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  .'<)-(};  Sarn;/!',  />oc.,  MS.,  ill.  7(>-84;  /la'jis' 
Emiij  NotcK,  i.  340,  342.  See  also  Pico,  J I  inf.  Cal.,  MS.,  101-74;  lorxfcr's 
I'iiuHf  Inita,  MS.,  3'2-5;  Lo.i  Atujele^  A'-i'/oY.-w,  Feb.  4,  1873;  Mur.oii,  liecticr- 
do",  M.S.,  10-13;  \Vilnoii's  ObKcrr.,  MS.,  (il-'2;  Monlfiri/  L'aliforuian,  Aug.  '2.2, 
1840. 

'"' Stockton' n  LiJ'c,  110-23,  followed  closely  in  most  respects  by  Tuthill, 
l.ancey,  and  others. 


280 


STOCKTON'S  RULE— OCCUPATION  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


^t  :f^m 


hi.s  men  to  march  in  a  circle,  one  part  of  which  was 
concealed,  until  each  had  come  many  times  into  view. 
He  also  received  Guerra  and  Flores  where  his  guns 
were,  posting  himself  by  the  side  of  a  32-pounder, 
while  the  others,  six-pounders,  were  covered  with 
skins,  so  as  to  i  ake  it  appear  that  all  were  of  the 
same  large  calibre.  To  what  extent  the  account  of 
these  manoeuvres  is  founded  on  fact,  there  are  no  means 
of  knowing;  but  the  additional  statements  that  Stock- 
ton, having  delivered  his  message  for  Castro  to  the 
embassadors  "in  the  most  fierce  and  offensive  man- 
ner, and  in  a  tone  of  voice  significant  of  the  most  im- 
])lacable  and  hostile  determination,  waived  them  from 
his  presence  imperiously,  with  the  insulting  impera- 
tive, 'Vamose';"  that  another  embassy  was  treated 
with  like  insolence,  with  the  successful  purpose  of  in- 
timidating the  foe;  and  that  to  a  third  embassy,  jjom- 
pously  informing  the  commander  that  *'if  he  marched 
upon  the  town  he  would  find  it  the  grave  of  his  men," 
the  reply  was,  "Have  the  bells  ready  to  toll  a,t  eight 
o'clock,  as  I  shall  be  there  at  that  time" — may  very 
safely  be  designated  as  falsehoods  pure  and  simple."" 

The  march  to  Los  Angeles  was  begun  on  August 
1 1th.  Larkin  had  been  sent  ahead  with  a  message 
for  Castro,  but  that  same  afternoon  news  came  of  the 
general's  retreat.  No  enemy  was  seen,  but  progress 
was  very  slow,  as  the  artillery  Iiad  to  be  drawn  by 
oxen  or  by  the  sailors  themselves.  Two  nights  were 
spent  on  the  road.  Captain  Phelps  of  the  Moscow 
arrived  at  San  Pedro  the  day  after  Stockton's  depart- 
ure and  at  once  started  to  overtake  him.  He  gives 
an  excellent  account  of  the  expedition  and  events 
immediately  following,  indeed  the  only  one  extant,  so 
far  as  details  are  concerned.  From  him  we  learn 
that  150  sailors  were  sent  back  as  soon  as  Castro's 
ilight  was  known;  that  the  main  force  encamped  for 
the  night  at  Tem[)le's  ranch o,  was  kept  under  arms 

^"  It  is  fair  to  say  that  the  last  lie  was  taken  by  this  writer,  as  it  has  been 
by  others,  frinn  ('oito)i'ii  Three  Yvai-n  in  t'al.,  iJO. 


TAKIXU  OF  LOS  ANGELES. 


2S1 


very 


le 


•M) 


vn  by 
were 
toscow 
epart- 
ofives 
vents 
lit,  so 
learn 
istro's 
;d  for 
arms 

^laa  been 


for  two  hours  on  account  of  the  alarm  created  by  the 
cries  of  two  coyotes;  and  that  Stockton  and  Larkin 
entered  the  city,  where  they  were  joined  by  the 
writer,  before  the  arrival  of  the  troops.^^  At  Castro's 
abandoned  camp  were  found  ten  pieces  of  artillery, 
tour  of  them  spiked.^"  Major  Fremont  from  San 
Diego  met  the  marine  force  just  outside  the  town; 
and  at  about  4  p.  m.  on  the  13th  the  combined  armies 
entered  the  capital,  where  the  flag  of  the  United 
States  was  at  once  raised  with  the  usual  ceremonies, 
and,  here  as  elsewhere  in  California,  without  the 
slightest  demonstrations  of  opposition  or  disapproval 
on  the  part  of  the  inhabitants.*^ 

Some  of  the  Angelinos  had  fled  to  their  ranchos  or 
those  of  their  friends  as  the  Americans  drew  near 
the  town;  others  had  withdrawn  to  the  hill  to  see 
what  the  strangers  would  do  with  the  capital.  The 
latter  returned  to  their  homes  before  night,  attracted 
by  assurances  that  no  harm  should  befall  them,  and  un- 
able to  resist  the  influence  of  a  full  brass  band.  The 
former  also  returned  with  few  exceptions  as  the  days 
passed  by.  Fremont  and  iiis  men  made  a  tour  south- 
ward in  quest  of  fugitives;  but  were  not  able  greatly 
to  advance  the  cause  of  reconciliation,  on  account  of 

'"  Phelps'  Fore  and  Aft,  207,  etc.  Of  Stockton's  finny  on  tlic  inarch  In- 
^iays;  'First  came  the  full  band  of  music,  followed  by  Capt.  Zeilin  .and  iiis 
marines;  then  Lieut  Schenck  and  the  web-feet;  Lieut  Tilghman  and  a  bat- 
tery of  four  quarter-deck  guns  mounted  on  as  many  bullock  carts;  the  car- 
ri.'i^'es  of  the  guns  were  secured  by  tlio  brcechings,  and  ready  for  instant  ser- 
vice. Each  cart  was  drawn  by  four  oxen — the  Ijaggage  ammunition  followed 
ill  similar  teams;  the  purser,  doctor,  anil  some  otlicr  olficcrs — part  of  them 
mounted  on  rather  sorry  horses,  the  others  on  foot.'  In  Sfocktoii'n  Life  we 
read:  '  The  enemy  were  often  in  sight,  threatening  their  Hanks  or  advance 
guard,  and  hovering  on  the  brows  of  adjacent  hills'!  B.  D.  Wilson,  Obser- 
vations, MS.,  02-3,  claims  that  he  had  gone  out  to  meet  the  Americans;  and 
that  it  was  on  his  invitation  that  Stockton  came  with  him  in  advance  into 
the  tov,'n. 

^^ Stoeklon's  Mil.  and  Nanal  Oner.,  2. 

"  On  Stockton's  occupation  of  Los  Angeles,  see  also  Sfocl-ton'n  Report,  3S- 
"J;  reports  of  secretaries  of  war  and  navy,  Dec.  '»,  1840,  ,.'Oth  Coinj.  „'/  .Vc.s'v., 
If.  Ex.  Ijnc.  no.  4,  P-  52,  379;  Stockton's  despatches  .and  annexed  documents, 
ill  oOth  Cong.  1st  Se.ss.,  II.  Ex.  Doe.  no.  70,  p.  38-42;  L<inceii'.'<  Crttiie,  1 11-14; 
TiithilV.'i /list.  Cal.,  180-9;  .S'.  F.  Bulletin,  Oct.  10,  imi;  Monterey  Vali/or- 
nian,  Sept.  19,  1840.  The  first  official  act  of  Stockton  at  Angeles,  as  shown 
liv  the  records,  was  the  appointment  of  Larkin  as  U.  S.  navy  agent.  Lar- 
kin s  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  254. 


Mi 


ii 


■:  iV  1 


•2S'2 


STOCKTON'S  RULE— OCCUPATION  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


the  bad  reputation  given  him  by  Castro,  though  wlien 
better  known  ho  became  popular  in  the  south.  The 
chief  influence  brought  to  bear  was  that  of  old  for- 
eign residents,  wJio  counselled  submission.  Phelps, 
a  well  known  trader,  did  something  in  this  direction 
during  a  business  trip  to  San  Diego  and  back.  Offi- 
cials were  required  to  give  their  parole;  others  merely 
to  comply  with  the  necessary  police  regulations  of 
military  rule.  Castro's  men  had  started  in  several 
parties  for  their  northern  homes  soon  after  the  gen- 
eral's departure,  dispersing  as  they  advanced.  A  few 
of  them  were  captured  and  paroled  on  the  way  by  a 
detachment  of  the  California  battalion  sent  in  pur- 
suit.''* Others  were  paroled  later  in  the  north ;  while 
a  few  officers  of  both  sections  escaped  altogether  the 
humiliation  of  submission.  The  parole  records  have 
not  been  preserved ;  but  the  names  of  certain  officei's 
who  broke  their  promise  will  be  given  later.  Local 
authorities  as  a  rule  declined  to  serve ;  but  there  were 
exceptions;  and  several  prominent  abajenos,  notably 
Bandini  and  Arguello  of  San  Diego,  became  openly 
[)artisans  of  the  American  cause.^^    There  still  sraoul- 


'*  I  find  ill  Lancei/s  Cruise,  117,  more  particulars  of  this  matter  than  any- 
where elae.  He  says  Lieut  M.idclox,  with  the  companies  of  Ford  and  Swift, 
left  Angeles  Aug.  Kith;  captui'ed  and  paroled  15  officers  near  S.  Luis  Obispo 
after  a  '  sharp  skirmish; '  and  reached  Monterey  on  Sept.  2d  (this  date  comes 
from  the  CaHfoniiaii,  Sept.  5,  1S4G)  or  10th.  Alvarado  and  Jesus  Pico 
were  among  those  taken;  but  I  do  not  think  Manuel  Ciistro  was  paroled,  as 
Lancey  states,  or  tliat  there  was  any  skirmish.  Pico,  Acoiit.,  MS.,  67-H, 
mentions  the  arrest  and  parole  of  liimself  and  Alvarado  by  a  party  that  took 
possession  of  S.  Luis.  Alvarado,  Jliit.  VaL,  MS.,  v.  249-50,  mentions  his 
own  arrest  and  parole  by  Fremont's  men;  but  says  that  Castro  had  previously 
tlisbanded  liis  men  and  taken  refuge  in  the  mountains.  Several  Californiaus 
ilescribe  tlio  march  vaguely,  but  say  nothing  of  anv  hostile  meeting.  I  have 
before  me  an  original  summons  sent  by  Sub-prefect  Tliompson  to  Manuel 
Castro  and  his  companions  to  appear  before  liim  on  complaint  of  citizens 
whose  horses  they  were  taking  on  their  retreat.  It  is  dated  Sta  Bilrbara 
.\ug.  13th.  Doc.  Jfiif.  Cat.,  MS.,  iii.  2(»1.  Of  course  the  summons  waa  not 
obeyed,  though  some  say  that  Don  Manuel  sent  back  a  challenge  to  Thomp- 
son to  come  out  and  light.  On  or  aljout  Aug.  26th  Maddox  seized  17  horses 
and  a  mule  on  Capt.  Guerra's  S.  Julian  rancho.  It  appears  he  had  an  order 
for  certain  animals,  but  took  more  than  the  order  callea  for.  So  testifies  the 
majordomo  Uregorio  Lopez.  Gtierra,  Doc,  MS.,  vii.  200-1. 

''In  Dandini,  Doc,  MS.,  98,  I  have  an  address  to  the  people,  in  whioli 
Bandini  and  Argiicllo  explain  their  reasons  for  accepting  the  situation,  and 
urge  all  Californians  to  do  the  same.     It  is  a  long  document,  but  does  not  re- 


MORE  PROCLAMATIONS. 


283 


;han  any- 
id  Swift. 
in  Obispo 
c  coini's 
sua  Pi>:o 
iroled,  :»s 
S.,  67-H, 
that  took 
tions  hi* 
uviously 
forniaus 
I  have 
Manuel 
citizens 
Bdrbiinv 
was  not 
Thonip- 
17  horsos 
an  order 
itities  the 

in  whicli 
tion,  and 
tsnot  re. 


ilered  in  the  hearts  of  many  Calitbrnians  a  bitter 
Mexican  prejudice  against  the  invaders,  but  there 
were  few  if  any  open  manifestations  of  discontent. 
Mounting  a  few  guns  on  the  hill,  and  organizing  a 
oarrison,  Stockton  soon  retired  his  naval  force  to  the 
Coiiffresii.  It  only  remains  to  notice  the  commodore's 
successive  orders,  his  proposed  organization  of  a  civil 
government,  his  placing  of  garrisons  in  the  southern 
towns,  and  his  departure  for  the  north."^" 

On  August  17th  Stockton  published  his  second 
[uoclamation  to  the  people,  signing  himself ''Com- 
mander-in-chief and  governor  of  the  territory  of  Cali- 
fornia." It  merits  none  of  the  unfavorable  criticism 
called  forth  by  the  earlier  production.  In  it  the  com- 
modore simply  announced  that  the  country  now  be- 
longed to  the  United  States,  and  as  soon  as  |>ossible 
would  be  governed  like  any  other  territory  of  that 
nation;  but  meanwhile  by  military  law,  though  the 
people  were  invited  to  choose  their  local  civil  officers, 
if  the  incumbents  declined  to  serve.  Liberty  of  con- 
science and  full  protection  of  life  and  property  were 
promised  to  all  who  should  adhere  to  the  new  govern- 
ment; none  others  were  permitted  to  remain.  Thieves 
were  to  be  punished  by  hard  labor  on  the  public  works ; 
and  the  California  battalion  was  to  be  kept  in  the 
service  to  preserve  the  i)eace.^^     It  was  also  on  the 

ijuire  quotation.  The  arguments  presented  rest  on  Mexico's  past  neglect 
and  California's  consequent  misfortunes;  on  tlie  inevitable  separation  from 
Mexico  sooner  or  later;  on  the  impossibility  of  resisting  the  American  forces; 
on  the  necessity  of  self-preservation;  and  on  tlie  prospective  prosperity  of  the 
oo\intry  under  so  liberal,  fraternal,  and  strong  a  govt  as  that  of  the  U.  S. 
In  Id.,  93,  9G,  I  have  letters  from  Frdmont  and  ]>;ivid  Alexander  toBandini, 
Aug.  '22d,  U-ttii,  in  wliich  both  dwell  "u  tiie  gliMies  of  American  rule,  address- 
ing Don  J''  At  as  ii  friend  of  tlie  cause,  and  Fremont  also  announcing  the  deti- 
iiite  news  Mexican  war. 

■"■'In  the  ilonhrey,  Coiisulnte  Arch.,  MS.,  ii.  18,  Larkin  charges  up  Ids 
e\penseo  on  the  southern  trip  3370.  Sept.  "id,  Olvera  informs  Moreno  tliat 
Luis  Vignes  had  to  give  up  tlie  archives.  Moreno,  Doc,  MS.,  23.  Hargravc, 
Cat.  in  '46,  MS.,  8-9,  notes  tiio  accidental  discharge  of  his  gun  while  he  was 
doing  duty  as  sentry,  and  Fn5niont  was  in  the  room  above,  the  bullet  narrow  - 
ly  missing  him.  Tutliill,  /list.  Ciif.,  lS!>-9(t,  and  several  otiicrs  i-epresent 
Fremont  as  not  having  arrived  until  after  the  occupation  of  Angeles. 

'''  Aug.  17,  1846,  .Stockton's  proclamation.  JOt/i  Cong.  2d  sess.,  II.  IJ.i: 
Dor.  no.  4>  p.  609-70;  6'.  D'leijo,  Arch.,  MS.,  310-17  (an  original);  Monte- 
rey Valij'ornian,  Sept.  o,   1840;  >'.    /'.  (Vi^   Star,  .Fan.    !t,    1847;   BryanCn 


■ 

1 

H 

1   ' 

1 

1 

If 

j  i;  1,  ;  ,1 


284 


SrOCKTOX'S  RULE— OCCUPATION  OF  THE  SOUTH. 


17th  tliat  Fremont's  men  started  in  search  of  Pico 
and  othei-  Cahfornian  fugitives;  and  on  the  same  day 
the  Wiirren,  Commander  Hull,  anchored  at  San 
Pedri)  from  Mazatlan  and  Monterey,  bringing  definiti^ 
news  of  a  declaration  of  war."^  On  the  15th  Stock- 
ton had  fixed  the  duties  on  foreign  goods  at  fifteen 
per  cent  ad  valorem,  and  tonnage  duties  at  fifty  cents 
per  ton;  on  the  19th,  he  proclaimed  all  the  Mexican 
coast  south  of  San  Diego  "to  be  in  a  state  of  vigorous 
blockade,"  except  against  armed  vessels  of  neutral 
nations;  and  on  the  20th  he  issued  orders  to  com- 
manders Hull  and  Dupont  to  blockade  the  ports  ot 
Mazatlan  and  San  Bias  with  the  Warren  and  Cyanc.^'^ 
On  the  22d  of  August  Governor  Stockton  ordered 
an  election  of  alcaldes  and  other  municipal  officers  to 
be  held  in  the  several  towns  and  districts  of  Califor- 
nia, September  15th.*"'  This  order,  identical  in  pur- 
port with  a  paragraph  of  the  proclamation  of  the  17th, 
was  the  only  step  taken  by  the  new  governor — except 
the  act  of  calling  himself  governor — toward  the  or- 
ganization  of  a  civil  government.  All  else  took  tln^ 
form  of  plans  for  the  future.  He  determined,  and 
announ<.'ed  his  intention  both  to  Fremont  and  to  the 
secretary  of  the  navy,  to  form  a  civil  territorial  gov- 
ernment, and  to  appoint  a  governor  in  the  person  of 
Fremont,  with  other  territorial  authorities  to  ruK; 
after  his  own  departure.  He  even  prepared  a  plan, 
or  constitution,  which  he  submitted  to  his  govern- 
ment, but  did  not  publish  or  attempt  to  put  it  in  op- 


What  I  Saw  in,  Cal.,  298-0,  etc.  All  persona  during  the  continuance  of  mili- 
tary law  were  required  to  be  within  their  houses  from  10  o'clock  to  sunrise; 
and  persons  found  with  arms  outside  their  own  houses  were  to  be  treated  us 
enemies.  It  will  be  noticed  tliat  this  document  diflfers  in  no  important  re- 
spect from  Sloat's  proclamation  of  July  7th. 

'*  Phelps^  Fore,  and  Aj'f,  30.1.  The  arrival  of  tlie  Warren  at  Monterey  on 
Aug.  r2th,  and  departure  on  the  13th,  are  noted  in  Cohon''s  Three  Years,  'iS-9. 
The  vessel  brought  not  only  Mexican  papers  announcing  the  war,  Ijut  also 
Sec.  Bancroft's  despatch  of  May  13th. 

^*Stockton\i  Despatches,  1846,  in  i'9th  Conrj.  M  Seas.,  II.  Ex.  Doc.  no.  4. 
p.  068-75. 

*^Id.,  071;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  S.  Josi,  MS.,  vi.  59-60.  The  former  alcal- 
des, whether  elected  or  appointed,  were  to  hold  the  election. 


CIVIL  GOVERNMENT. 


28ft 


oration."  In  his  later  report,  the  commodore  gave 
sDmewhat  elaborately  the  motives  that  impelled  him 
to  substitute  a  civil  tor  a  military  government,  but 
did  not  allude  to  any  definite  acts  beyond  the  issu- 
ance of  commercial  reii^ulations  and  tlio  order  for  local 
elections;  though  he  trieil  to  create  the  impression, 
as  he  always  maintained,  that  the  change  from  mili- 
tary to  civil  rule  was  practically  effected  at  the  time.*" 
His  motives  as  alleged  were  good  and  sufficient;  his 
right  as  a  naval  commander  ordered  to  occupy  Mexi- 
t'an  ports  to  establish  a  civil  government  need  not  l)o 
((uestioned  here;  but  the  fact  that  he  did  not  organ- 
ize such  a  government,  while  intending  to  do  so,  has 
some  importance  in  view  of  later  complications. 

Deeming  the  conquest  complete,  Stockton  resolved 

"Aug.  24tli,  Stockton  to  Fremont;  Aug.  '28th,  Stockton  to  Bancroft;  no 
date,  form  of  constitution;  in  Stockton's  DesjiatchoK,  IS40,  p.  608-75.  To  Fre- 
mont lie  says:  'I  propose  before  I  leave  tlio  territory  to  appoint  you  to  be 
f,'()voriior,  and  Capt.  Gillespie  the  secretary  thereof;  and  to  apix>int  also  the 
council  of  state,  and  all  the  necessary  olBcers.'  To  Bancroft  ho  says  the 
same  in  substance;  and  adds:  'I  enclose  to  you  several  despatches  marked  I 
to  14,'  of  which  no.  6  is  the  constitution,  'by  which  you  will  see  what  sort 
of  a  government  I  have  established,  and  how  I  am  proceeding.'  The  docu- 
ment no.  G,  without  title  or  date,  is  as  follows,  with  many  verbal  omissions  fur 
the  purpose  of  condensation:  I,  Robert  F.  Stockton,  conmiandernnd  governor, 
iiuving  taken  Cal.  by  right  of  comjuest,  declare  it  to  be  a  territory  of  the  U. 
S.;  and  I  order  that  the  form  of  govt,  until  altered  by  the  U.  S.,  shall  bo 
as  follows:  A- governor  to  hold  office  4  years,  unless  removed  by  the  pres. 
of  the  U.  S. ,  to  be  commandar-in-chief,  an<l  supt  of  Ind.  affairs,  to  approve 
laws,  grant  pardont  uuil  reprieves,  connnission  officers,  and  see  to  the  execu- 
tion of  the  laws.  A  secretary  to  record  and  preserve  all  proceedings  and 
laws,  to  forward  copies  each  year  to  the  pres.  and  to  congress,  and  to  pcr- 
foi'ni  the  duties  of  gov.  temporarily,  in  case  of  tliat  officer'.s  absence,  etc.  A 
legislative  council  of  7  appointed  l>y  gov.  for  two  years,  but  subsequently 
elected  each  year;  the  council's  powci-  to  extend  to  all  rightful  subjects  of 
legislation;  but  no  law  to  interfere  with  primary  disposal  ot  land,  no  tax  ou 
U.  S.  property,  and  no  discrimination  in  Uixes  between  residents  and  non- 
residents. Laws  must  be  approved  by  tlie  gov.  Municipal  cillicera  to  con- 
tinue as  before,  under  the  laws  of  Mexico,  until  otherwise  provided  for  i)y 
Uov.  and  council.  Council  to  hold  its  tlrst  session  when  and  where  the  gov. 
shall  direct;  but  as  soou  as  possible  gov.  and  co\incil  to  establish  tho  capital. 

*'^ Stocktoh's  Report,  40.  'Actuated  by  such  considerations,  I  gave  my 
immediate  attention  to  the  cstablisimient,  upon  a  permanent  basis,  of  a  civil 
govt  throughout  the  country  as  much  in  conformity  with  the  former  usages 
(if  the  country  as  could  be  done  in  tho  absence  of  any  written  code.'  'Iia\  • 
iiig  achieved  the  conquest  of  the  country,  and  finding  my  military  strengtii 
ample  to  retain  it,  the  establishment  of  a  civil  govt  naturally  and  necessarily 
lesulted.'  Aug.  27th,  Thos  Frazer  wiitca  to  Liirkin:  'I  hear  some  rumors 
that  Frdmont  is  going  to  compel  Stockton  to  nominate  him  as  governor. 
The  pretensions  of  the  major  run  high,  because  old  Benton  will  stick  to  him 
tlaough  thick  and  thin.'  Larkin<<  Doc,  MS,,  iv.  203. 


n 


I  '• 


286 


STOCKTON'S  RULE-OCCUPATION  OF  THK  ^!OUTH. 


to  witlidraw  his  maiiiie  force  from  California,  "t(» 
leave  the  desk  and  camp  and  take  to  the  ship  and  sea," 
and  to  devote  liis  pei-sonal  attention  to  naval  opera- 
tions on  tlie  Mexican  coast.  With  this  object  in  view. 
he  ordered  Major  Fremont  to  increase  his  battahon 
to  300  men,  to  garrison  the  different  towns,  and  to 
meet  him  at  San  Francisco  on  October  25th  to  per- 
fect final  arrangements.*^  All  that  had  been  done  so 
far  was  reported  on  August  28th  to  the  government 
at  Washington,  the  report  with  accompanying  docu- 
ments being  sent  overland  by  Kit  Carson  at  that 
time,"  On  the  last  day  of  August  Stockton  commis- 
sioned Gillespie  as  commandant  of  the  southern  de- 
partment, instructing  him  to  maintain  martial  law, 
and  enforce  the  observation  of  the  proclamation  of  the 
17th,  but  authorizing  lijn  also  to  grant  written  per- 
mits to  persons  known  to  be  friendly,  to  be  out  before 
sunrise  and  carry  weapons.*'  And  finally,  on  Septem- 
ber 2d,  the  last  day  of  his  stay  at  Los  Angeles,  he 
issued  a  general  order  creating  the  office  of  military 
commandant  of  the  territory,  which  was  divided  into 
three  departments.  Frdmont  was  appointed  on  the 
same  day  to  fill  the  new  command.*^ 

Gillespie  was  left  with  a  garrison  of  50  men  at  Los 
Angeles.  It  would  seem  that  no  garrison  was  left  at 
San  Diego,  though  a  few  men  were  sent  there  a  little 
later.  The  position  of  Bandini  and  Argiiello  has  been 
already  noted;  and  several  citizens  accepted  office  un- 
der the  new  regime.  John  Bidwell  was  put  in  charge 
of  San  Luis  Rey  and  the  mission  property.*'     Stock- 

^''Aug.  24th,  S.  to  F.  Stockton's  Despatches,  G75.  The  gamsons,  befort 
aud  aftei' the  increase  of  force  by  enlistment,  were  to  be  for  S.  F.,  50,  50; 
for  Monterey,  50,  50;  Sta  Bdrbara,  25,  25;  Angeles,  50,  50;  aud  S.  Diego,  — , 
25 — 80  that  the  increase  was  not  cliiefly  for  garrison  duty,  but  'to  watch 
Indians  aud  other  enemies.' 

**  These  documents  form  the  collection  which  I  have  quoted  as  Stoclion't 
JJespatrhes,  IS46,  \\\29th  Cowj.  M  Scs.t.,  II.  Ex:  Dor.  4,  p.  G68-75. 

*^  Aug.  31st,  Stockton  to  Gillespie.  Stockton's  Mil.  and  NavalO]>€r.,  7-S. 
Gillespie  might  also  appoint  local  civil  officers  where  none  were  elected. 

*'^ld.,  p.  8.  Fremont's  appointment  as  military  commandant  of  the  terri- 
tory is  given  in  FrdmoiWs  Court-martial,  110. 

"Bidwell's  Cat.  IS4I-S,  MS.,  180-1.  Aug.  18th,  Miguel  de  Pedroreiia 
accepts  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  temporarily.     Ilayea'  Doc,  MS.,  187. 


RETURN  TO  THE  NORTH. 


287 


'to 


Los 
eft  at 
little 

been 

ce  un- 

large 

Jtock- 


^tocklon' 


ton  kt't  Los  Ant^eles  September  2d;  and  three  days 
later  sailed  northward  on  the  Congress.  At  Santa 
Bilrbara  on  the  7th  he  took  on  board  Mitchell  and 
his  men,  formerly  left  here  as  a  garrison.  Here  he 
also  met  Midshipman  McRae,  who  after  crossing 
Mexico  had  arrived  in  a  Mexican  brig,  and  who  brought 
despatches  dated  Washington,  May  15th,  two  days 
later  than  those  received  by  the  TFarrew.*'  He  arrived 
at  Monterey  the  15th,  where  the  Erie  from  Honolulu 
had  arrived  before  him.  Meanwhile  Major  Frdmont, 
with  the  remnant  of  his  battalion,  left  Los  Angeles 
and  marched  northward  to  the  Sacramento  Valley. 
Nothing  is  known  of  the  march,  except  that  Lieuten- 
ant Talbot  and  nine  men  were  left  as  a  garrison  at 
Santa  Bilrbara  to  replace  the  men  taken  away  on  the 
Congress.*^ 

Aug.  18th-2dth,  Pedro  C.  Carrillo  accepts  Stockton's  appointment  as  collector 
of  customs.  Carrillo  (P.),  Doc,  MS.,  5-7. 

*" Stockton  acknowledges  the  receipt,  and  mentions  his  meeting  witli  Mc- 
Rae in  his  report  to  the  sec.  of  navy  of  Sept.  18th,  Stockton's  Mil.  and  Namtl 
Oper.,  1-2,  at  the  same  time  stating  that  he  had  carried  out  the  orders  of  Muv 
loth,  even  to  the  sending  of  an  overland  courier,  and  so  he  had,  and  somewhat 
more,  as  the  order  did  not  literally  require  more  than  the  occupation  of  Cali 
fomian  port  towns.  The  order  is  found  in  29th  Cong.  'M  Sexs.,  II.  Ex.  Doc, 
1!);  Cutts'  Conq.,  append.,  254-5.  Phelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  SO'J-IO,  who  was  at 
JSta  Barl>ara,  notes  McRae's  arrival.  The  brig  on  which  he  came  was  seized 
Ijy  Mitchell.  The  passenger  pretended — it  docs  not  clearly  appear  why — to 
be  an  English  officer,  with  despatches  for  the  admiral.  Phelps  suspected  thi.** 
was  not  true;  and  while  quizzing  him  at  dimier  the  Conyrenn  appeared,  and 
the  officer  threw  oflf  his  disguise.  He  said  he  had  crossed  to  Acapulco  in  the 
disguise  of  an  English  officer.  Stockton  wished  to  charter  Phelps'  vessel  as  ii 
privateer,  but  the  ofiFer  was  declined  for  business  reasons.  In  a  speech  at  a 
banquet  of  the  Cal.  A.isoc  Pioneers,  N.  Y.,  1875,  p.  20,  Ex-govenior  Rodman 
M.  Price,  formerly  purser  of  the  Cyane,  said:  'This  I  know,  the  official  news 
(if  the  existence  of  war  came  by  Lieut  McRae  of  the  navy,  a  special  mesaencer 
from  Wiishington  to  Monterey,  and  I  carried  it  from  there  to  Los  Angeles 
and  delivered  it  to  (Joni.  Stockton.' 

^'In  his  0(0(1 .  Memoir,  39-40,  Frdmont  gives  an  account  of  the  physical 
features  of  the  country  as  observed  on  this  march;  but  tlie  only  dates  are 
'about  the  middle  of  Sept.  we  encamped  near  the  summit  of  the  Cuesta  de  Sta 
In(5s,'  and  at  the  end  of  Sept.  were  in  the  region  of  Soledad.  Laneey,  Cruise, 
120,  says  that  Fremont  left  Angeles  Sept.  8th  with  40  men;  and  Sta  Bilrbara 
•Sept.  13th  with  30  men. 


W^  II 


edroreua 
rIS.,  187. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  CONQUEST— AFFAIRS  IN  THE  NORTH— REVOLT  OF 
FLORES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 

acopst-october,  1846. 

At  Monterey— Colton's  Diaries— T.:e  First  Newspaper— Fauntlerot 
AND  Snyder  at  San  Jpan— San  Jost  under  Hyde,  Watmopoh,  and 
Weber — San  Francisco  Affairs— Reception  to  Stockton — Revere 
AT  Sonoma — Meeting  of  Bear  Flag  Men — Release  of  Prisoners— 
The  Walla  Walla  Invasion — Stockton's  Grand  Plans— Juan  Flaco'h 
Ride— Preparations  to  Quell  the  Revolt — Gillespie  at  Anoeles — 
Varela's  Attack— Jos6  Maria  Flokes — Pronunciamiento — Fight  at 
Chino  Ranciio — Gillespie's  Capitulation — Talbot  Driven  from 
Sania  Barbara — Mebritt  fhom  San  Diego — Mervine's  Defeat — 
Meeting  of  the  Assembly — Stockton  at  San  Peduo — San  Dieho 
Reoccitied. 

Affairs  at  the  north  from  August  to  the  end  of 
October,  during  the  absence  of  Stockton  and  after  his 
return,  may  be  best  and  briefly  presented  in  the  form 
of  local  annals.  Lot  us  glance  at  each  of  the  northern 
settlements,  Monterey,  San  Juan,  San  Jos(5,  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  Sutter's  Fort. 

Walter  Colton,  sometime  chaplain  in  the  navy,  per- 
formed occasional  religious  service  in  these  times,  both 
on  land  and  on  shipboard.  He  served  as  alcalde,  at 
first  by  military  appointment  with  Rodman  M.  Price, 
and  later  by  popular  election;  kept  a  diary,  subsequently 
published;  and  in  company  with  Semple  edited  and 
published  a  newspaper.  From  the  book  and  paper, 
with  some  slight  aid  from  other  sources,  I  form  a 
chronologic  summary  of  local  happenings,  which   is 

(288) 


COLTON  S  DIARY. 


•280 


appended  in  a  note.*  Colton's  diary  is  largely  <li'V(>te(l 
to  petty  thouj^di  interesting  details  of  ineidents  con- 
nected with  the  author's  administration  of  justice,  with 


both 
llde,  at 

Price, 
[uently 
pd  and 

paper, 
form  a 

lich  is 


'  Aug.  1st,  Stockton  sailed  on  the  t'oiiijrfsH  to  uiulertiike  tlie  coiKiucst  of 
tlie  «o(itli.  Aug.  "til,  news  that  the  Brooklyn  with  its  .Morinoii  colony  had 
arrivi'd  at  .S.  Francisco.  Aug.  11th,  a  deserter  reports  Castro  ns  on  his  last 
ligs,  anxious  to  Uy  to  Mcx.  II.  B.  M.  brig-of-war  iS'y*i/  an'ived  from  S.  Bias. 
•Slio  has  undoubtedly  news  of  moment,  but  will  not  rcvcnl  it.'  Aug.  1-th, 
the  Wftrrcii,  Com.  Hull,  arrived  from  Mazntlun,  bringing  the  ofiicial  news  of 
war.  '  The  my.sterious  silence  of  the  olHcers  of  the  Sn\j  is  now  cxiitainod. '  '  The 
war  news  produced  a  profound  sensation  here.  Tiic  whole  population  were 
instantly  thrown  into  groups  in  the  corridors  and  at  the  corners  ot  streets. 
The  hum  of  voices  continued  late  into  the  night,  It  was  an  extinguisher  on 
the  hopes  of  those  who  had  looked  to  Mexico  for  aid,  or  who  had  clung  to  the 
expectation  that  the  American  govt  would  ropudjato  our  jwssession  of  (-'al. 
Tiioy  now  relinquish  all  idea  of  a  return  to  their  old  political  connection,  and 
appear  resigned  to  their  fate'  Ai.g.  KUh,  the  Warnti  sailed  for  S.  I'edro. 
.Alcaldes  Coltouand  Price  issued  an  order  strictly  prohibiting  the  sale  of  liquors 
or  wines,  under  penalty  of  forl'citurc,  fine,  and  imprisonment.  Colton  relates 
several  instances  of  ed'orts  on  the  part  of  dealers  to  evade  this  law.  Aug.  14th, 
•_'0  Indians  arrested  for  stealing  horses  brought  to  town.  Tliey  were  turned 
over  to  Caj)t.  Mevrine,  who  drew  up  his  troops  in  a  hollow  square,  with  the 
Indians  in  the  centre  expecting  to  be  shot;  but  they  were  set  free,  and  then 
taken  on  Ixiard  the  Savannah  to  inspire  them  with  awe,  being  furnished  with 
blankets  and  handkerchiefs,  and  dismissed  to  the  air  of  Hail  Columbia,  vow- 
ing eternal  allegiance  to  the  Americans !  Aug.  15th,  lirst  number  of  the  t'al- 
ifornktn  publislicd.  A  man  from  Castro's  catnp  reported  that  the  general  was 
disposed  to  treat  with  Stockton,  having  oidy  about  1;$0  soldiers  left.  Aug. 
I8th-19th,  some  of  Castro's  ofllcers,  including  Joaij.  do  la  Toire,  an'ived  and 
were  paroled,  annoimcing  the  flight  of  the  general  and  governor.  Aug.  Slst, 
Lieut  McLane  rctumsd  from  an  cxped.  against  marauding  Ind.  Aug.  '2'J<1, 
'.'Dtli,  no.  "2  and  3  of  the  Cali/ui  .  'an  appeared. 

Sept.  '2d,  Lieut  Maddox,  witii  captains  Ford  and  Swift  and  a  portion  of 
their  coni|iauios,  arrived  from  Los  Angeles.  Sept.  3d,  despatches  from  Stock- 
ton included  his  procl.  of  Aug.  17th;  also  stjitcd  that  Gov.  Pico  had  not  es- 
caped, but  suiTendered.  Sept.  4th,  lirst  jury  impanelled  in  Cal.  to  try  the 
laso  of  Isaac  Graham  vs  Charles  lloussillon,  '  involving  property  on  one  side 
and  integrity  of  character  on  the  other.*  The  verdict  acquitted  the  French- 
man of  fraudulent  intent,  and  found  a  l)alancc  duo  plaintifTof  $65.  Graham 
was  satisfied,  and  retracted  in  writing  his  charges.  The  jury  was  composed 
of  Juan  Malarin,  W.  E.  P.  Hartnell,  Manuel  Diaz,  Josij  Abrego,  l^afaol 
Sanchez,  Pedro  Narvacz,  Charles  Chase,  Geo.  Minor,  Milton  Little,  Robert 
II.  Thoines,  Floreucio  Serrano,  and  Talbot  IL  Green.  Sept.  4th,  Com.  Mer- 
\  ine  issued  an  order  requiring  all  of  Castro's  oflicers  to  present  themselves 
and  sign  paroles;  also  those  already  paroled  were  to  give  additional  pledges. 
Sept.  oth,  no.  4  of  the  C'o///o;'//('n(.  S(!pt.  llth,  an  express  announced  the 
arrival  of  1,000  Walla  Walla  Lid.  on  the  Sac,  bent  on  vengeance.  (See 
later  in  this  chnptcr.)  Sept.  I'Jth,  no.  oof  tha  I'ali/ornian.  Kx-gov.  Alva- 
rado  arrived  about  this  time  and  was  well  received  by  ('apt.  Mervinc  and 
by  tlio  citizens  of  Monterey.  Sept.  14tli,  news  that  '2,000  immigrants  hail 
arrived  at  the  Sacramento.  Sept.  l.jth,  municipal  election  ludd,  with  fol- 
lowing results:  Alcalde,  Walter  Colton;  alcalde  pro  tcm.,  Milton  Little; 
alcalde's  councillors,  Spence,  Hartnell,  Malarin,  and  Diaz;  treasurer  of  mu- 
uicipal  funds,  Salvador  Munras.  Sept.  Lith,  Stockton  arrived  in  the  Con- 
;/)•('«.  Sept.  17th,  Larkin  recommends  the  confirmation  of  T.  If.  Green  as 
collector  of  the  port,  and  the  appointment  of  Hartnell  as  surveyor  and  ap- 
praiser of  the  custom-house.  This  was  done.  Sept.  lOtli,  the  Erie,  t'le 
HiHT.  fAL.,  Vol.  V.    19 


aoo 


AFFAIRS  IN  THE  NORTH. 


fVcMiuent  remarks  on  the  manners  and  customs  of  the 
peojde — the  whole  being  an  excellent  picture  of  the 
times,  whose  reproduction  en  resume  is  of  course  im- 
possible. The  Savannah  remained  at  anchor  in  the 
bay  during  Stockton's  absence  in  the  south;  and  Cap- 
tain Mervine  was  military  commandant  of  the  post. 
On  the  commodore's  return  Lieutenant  Maddox  was 
made  commandant  of  the  central  district  on  Sept.  18th, 
and  a  company  of  dragoons  was  organized.  On  the  hill 
in  a  position  commanding  both  town  and  harbor  were 
built  by  Cecil  a  block-house  and  battery,  where  throe 
42-poundei'S    were    mounted.      The    structure,    sur- 

(latu  of  whoso  arrival  from  Honolulu  is  not  recorded,  sailed  for  Panani.'\ 
with  despatches.  No.  0  of  tlio  Cali/orniuii.  Sept.  '20th  (or  'J"2d),  the  Savait- 
V'lh  sailed  for  S.  Francisco.  Sept.  "i.'jth  (or  24th),  the  Coinjress  with  Stock- 
tun  saileil  for  S.  F.  Additional  orders  on  the  sale  of  liquors.  ,Sept.  20th, 
no.  7  of  the  (Jalij'ornian.  Sept.  2!>th,  order  forbidding  gamblin>{.  A  cou- 
rioi-  from  Los  Angolcs  brought  news  of  a  revolt  of  the  Californiaus  in  the 
soutii. 

Oct.  1st,  arrived  the  French  corvette  JJriUanti',  bringing  M.  .Moerenhaut, 
Frencij  consul  at  Monterey.  Oct.  .Id,  no.  8  of  the  Cali/ornian.  Oct.  5th, 
news  that  the  Savannah  had  sailed  for  tiio  south,  '  to  bring  tho  insurgents  if 
possible  to  an  engagement;  but  tho  probability  is  that  tiiey  will  instantly  dis- 
band and  fly  to  tho  forests.'  Oct.  loth,  no.  Oof  tho  Ca///br;(/ft)(.  Lieut  Mad- 
dox's  company  mustered  into  the  service;  2  ofliccra  and  15  men.  30  men 
joined  later.  Mustered  out  April  1847.  3ht  Comj.  lut  Sess.,  II.  Er.  Doc.  24, 
2'2  h.  vol.  vii.  Oct.  14th,  streets  barricaded  and  otiicr  preparations  made  for 
defence,  'liands  have  been  gathering  in  tiic  vicinity  to  make  a  night  assault 
on  Monterey.  Their  plan  is  to  capture  or  ilrive  out  tho  small  American  force 
hero  and  plunder  tho  town.'  Oct.  15th,  alarm  still  continued.  A  company 
of  Californiaus  seen  in  tlie  distance.  A  despatch  sent  by  the  Barnatdhk  tu 
Stockton  for  aid.  Oct.  ICth,  Stockton  arrived  in  tho  Conrjirnn,  having  been 
met  outside  by  tiie  messenger  while  en  route  for  the  south.  Ho  landed  a  force 
suthcicut  to  protect  tha  town,  .'iO  men  and  3  guns  under  Baldwin  and  Jolin- 
son.  Oct.  17th,  no.  10  of  tlio  Cali/ornian.  Oct.  l!»th,  a  party  of  20  Califor- 
niaus left  tho  town  and  vicinity  to  join  the  insurgents.  Tho  Comjress  sailcil 
for  S.  Pedro.  Oct.  23d,  tho  Vandnlia  arrived  from  tlie  south  with  news  of 
Gillespie's  capitulation  at  Angeles  and  Mervine's  defeat  at  S.  Pedro.  Oct.  24th 
news  of  the  Sterling  with  Fremont  and  his  men,  wlio  had  turned  back  while 
en  route  for  the  south.  N--.  11  of  tho  Cali/nrnian.  )ct.  27th,  Lieut  W.  P>. 
Kensliaw  arrived  in  the  J  tlek  Ad hel,  a.  iwizohrig  taken  at  Mazatlan.  Oct. 
28th,  Fr(5mont  and  his  mei.   "rrivcd  in  a  famished  condition.     Scouts  reported 

ithcliilLs;  and  it  was  thought  that  they  intenduil 

,  Maddox  being  absent  with  30  men  at  .S.  Juan. 

'ited  by  Fn'mont's  arrival.  Oct.  2!}tli,  Maddox 
I  many  horses.  Oct.  30th,  a  man  in  charge  of 
Hot  by  two  of  the  Californiaus,  but  not  killed. 
•iiiun.  See  Colton's  Three  Years  in  California, 
Oct.  13,  1877,  is  a  narrative  of  the  excitement 

camion  when  strapped  on  the  back  of  a  mule 
that  had  brought  it  from  8.  Juan;  also  in  Id.,  Jan.  19,  1878,  of  Mariano  So- 
beranes'  tussle  with  a  sentinel,  while  surreptitiously  visiting  his  family  ia 
town. 


a  large  band  of  Californian  i 
to  att.ack  the  town  that  ni( 
but  that  their  plan  wiis  fru 
returned  with  a  field-piece  ; 
the  horses  near  the  town  w.'i 
Oct.  31st,  no.  12  of  tho  Cali 
20-84.     In  the  S.  J.  Pionee 
caused  by  the  discharge  of 


THK  FIRST  NKWSPAl'KH. 


901 


force 
lompany 

(llllli   to 

ng  been 
"  a  force 

John- 
Califor- 

sailed 
news  of 
ct.  '24th 
ik  while 
t  W.  B. 
1.    Oct. 
epiirtcci 
ntemleil 
S.  Juan. 
Madclox 
iiargo  of 
t  killed. 
lifornia, 

itenient 

a  mule 
iauo  So- 
lamily  in 


rouiuled  by  a  ditch,  was  at  first  called  Fort  Stockton, 
but  tlu!  naine  was  soon  chani^cd  to  Fort  Morvine. 
At  first  all  was  quiet;  but  at  the  news  of  southern 
revolt,  the  arribenos  also  began  to  show  disaffection. 
Bands  of  Californians,  more  or  less  fully  or«^anized, 
ranjxed  the  hills  and  drove  ofl'  horses,  even  threaten- 
ing  the  town;  so  that  before  the  end  of  October  much 
four  was  experienced,  not  only  by  Anjericans,  but  es- 
pecially by  the  nmny  native  families  who  had  been 
somewhat  prominent  in  espousing  the  American  cause. 
Respecting  the  acts  of  the  rebels  in  later  months  1 
.shall  have  something  to  say  hereafter. 

The  a[)pearance  of  the  first  newspaper  is  an  event 
which  merits  notice  here.  Not  oidy  had  there  never 
been  a  i)aper  published  in  the  country,  but  there  had 
been  no  subscribers  to  any  paper,  except  a  few  in  the 
last  two  or  three  years  to  the  Honolulu  PolyneskiH. 
The  Mexican  official  paper  was  sent  with  some  show 
of  regularity  to  the  Californian  government;  small 
packages  of  different  Mexican  and  Spanish  papers 
were  forwarded  occasionally  by  friends  to  officers,  pa- 
dres, or  citizens;  while  trading  vessels  sometimes 
brought  to  resident  foreigners  old  numbers  of  iour- 
lulls  from  tl  o  United  States,  from  the  Sandwich  Ls- 
lands,  or  even  from  Oregon.  It  was  probably  Robert 
Semple  who  conceived  the  idea  of  a  Californian  news- 
I)aper  in  184G,  as  Figueroa  had  done  without  any 
practical  results  in  earlier  times.  Semple  knew  some- 
thing of  setting  ty])e.  Colton  favored  the  scheme, 
and  had  had  some  editorial  experience  in  Philadelphia 
on  the  North  American.  The  two  a<»:reed  to  edit  and 
jHiblish  a  paper  in  partnership.  Colton  describes  his 
partner  as  "an  emigrant  from  Kentucky,  in  a  buck- 
skin dress,  a  fox-skhi  cap;  true  with  the  rifle,  ready 
with  his  pen,  and  quick  at  the  type-case."  At  the 
government  house  were  found  the  old  press  and  type, 
wliose  products  in  1834-42  I  have  had  frequent  occa- 
sion to  cite  in  past  chapters.  The  apparatus  had  not 
been  used  for  several  years,  having  been  pronounced 


ti  1 


-02 


AFFA7RS  IN  THE  NORTH. 


1^ 


useless,  perhaps  as  a  mere  excuse,  when  Pico  wished 
to  transfer  it  to  Angeles  in  1845,  It  had  not,  as  one 
of  the  editors  stated,  and  as  many  have  repeated,  been 
"  picked  up  in  a  cloister,"  or  "  used  by  a  Roman  Catho- 
lic monk  in  printing  a  few  sectarian  tracts;"  nor  had 
it  ever  been  used  by  the  padres  at  all;  but  had  been 
the  property  of  Agustin  V.  Zamorano,  who  sold  it 
to  the  government,  which  made  some  slight  use  of  it 
in  publishing  official  orders,  both  at  Monterey  and  So- 
noma. Colton  says :  "  The  press  was  old  enough  to  be 
preserved  as  a  curiosity;  the  mice  had  burrowed  in 
the  balls;  there  were  no  rules,  no  leads;  and  the  types 
were  rusty  and  all  in  pi.  It  was  only  by  scouring 
that  the  letters  could  be  made  to  show  their  faces.  A 
sheet  or  two  of  tin  were  procured,  and  these  with  a 
jack-knife  v"^re  cut  into  rules  and  leads.  Luckily  wc 
found  with  tiie  press  the  greater  part  of  a  keg  of  ink; 
and  now  came  the  main  scratch  for  paper.  None 
could  be  found,  except  what  is  used  to  envelope  the 
tobacco  of  the  cigar  smoked  here  by  the  natives.  A 
coaster  had  a  small  supply  of  this  on  board,  which  we 
procured.  It  is  in  sheets  a  little  larger  than  the  com- 
mon-sized foolscap."  It  was  the  ordinary  Spanisli 
foolscap  on  which  most  of  the  archives  of  California 
and  other  Spanish  American  provinces  are  written, 
the  tiiicker  the  better  for  writing,  the  thinner  grades 
being  preferred  for  cigarettes,  but  there  being  rarely 
any  opportunity  of  choice  for  either  purpose.  The 
font  of  type  being  intended  for  the  Spanish  lan- 
guage, vv  had  to  serve  for  w.  "  The  upper  room  in 
the  north  end  of  the  upper  barracks  was  furnished  by 
Lieutenant  Minor  as  an  office,"  writes  Semple ;  and  the 
first  number  of  the  Californian  appeared  on  August 
15th.  "A  crowd  was  waiting  when  the  first  sheet 
was  thrown  from  the  press.  It  produced  quite  a  lit- 
tle sensation.  Never  was  a  bank  run  upon  harder: 
not,  however,  by  people  with  paper  to  get  specie,  but 
exactly  the  reverse."  The  paper  appeared  every  Sat- 
urday during  the  rest  of  the  year  and  later,  being 


GARRISON  AT  S.  JUAN. 


293 


transferred  to  San  Francisco  in  May  1847.  It  con- 
tained official  orders,  current  news  chiefly  local,  edito- 
lials  and  correspondence  on  the  condition  and  pros- 
j)ects  of  the  country,  contributions  from  native  Cali- 
t'ornians  who  favored  the  new  order  of  things,  and 
several  historical  articles  on  the  Bear  Flag  revolt  and 
other  past  events.  By  the  aid  of  Hartnell,  a  portioji 
of  the  contents  was  printed  in  Spanish.  The  man- 
agement of  the  paper  reflected  much  credit  on  the 
publishers.  Semple,  though  he  had  obtained  his  dis- 
charge from  Fauntleroy's  company  in  order  that  he 
might  devote  his  whole  attention  to  the  new  enter- 
prise, was  absent  much  of  the  time  in  the  region  of 
San  Francisco  Bay,  engaged — according  to  the  state- 
ment of  his  partner,  who  with  a  type-setting  sailor 
]»ad  most  of  the  work  to  do — in  land  speculations  and 
in  vain  search  for  a  wife.^ 


Just  before  Stockton's  departure  for  the  south,  Cap- 
tain Fauntleroy  and  'Major'  Jacob  Snyder  with  fi^ty 
men  were  sent  to  occupy  San  Juan  in  the  place  of  the 
small  garrison  left  there  by  Fremont.  Of  their  expe- 
rience there  all  that  is  recorded  is  an  expedition  dur- 

2  The  set  of  The  Californian,  Aug.  15,  1840,  to  May  6,  1847,  noa  1-38,  so 
far  as  published  ut  Monterey,  which  I  have  consulted,  and  a  MS.  reaum6  of 
which  forms  a  volume  in  my  Library,  is  that  of  the  heirs  of  Ramou  Argflello, 
in  possession  of  Juan  Malarin  of  Sta  Clara,  originally  preserved  by  David 
Spence.  I  have  also  a  few  speoinien  numbers  of  the  original.  There  is  a  set 
in  the  Cal.  State  Library  at  Sac;  also  one  nearly  complete  in  the  library 
of  the  Cal.  Pioneers  iu  S.  V.  It  appears  that  the  first  jiage  of  no.  1  was 
printed  as  a  prospectus,  bearing  tlio  niiuio  of  Semple  alone  as  publisher. 
A  copy  is  in  Taylor's  Spccimeiis  '>/  /hf  PrcKs,  in  the  Mercantile  Library  of  S. 
V.  In  the  'extra'  of  Jan.  28,  1847,  (.'oltou  gives  nn account  of  the  enterprise. 
A  letter  of  Scrapie  to  Fauntleroy  explaining  the  plan  and  askijig  his  own  dis- 
charge, is  found  in  Cal.  Pioneers,  Arch.,  MS.,  225-7-  The  paper  is  noticed 
in  the  Orrcjon  Spectator  oi  Nov.  12,  1840;  .xlso  iu  the  Honolulu  papers.  See 
lull  particulars  in  Colton's  Three  Y<ars  in  Cal.,  32,  etc.  Frincis  D.  Chirk,  in 
a  letter  of  Feb.  22,  1878,  in  8.  Jos6  Pioneer,  March  9,  187S,  gives  a  statement 
of  John  I{.  Gould  of  Maryland,  that  he  fitted  up  the  office,  restored  the  type, 
and  printed  the  first  nun.beisof  t\\o  Cal i/ornian.  Gould  may  be  the  sailor 
alluded  to  by  Colton;  but  as  ho  also  aiiys  that  Semple  did  not  Ijcconie  a  part- 
ner for  several  mouths,  the  accuracy  of  ids  whole  statement  may  bo  (|ues- 
tioned.  Gould's  claim  is  also  noticed  in  Upham's  Notes,  387.  The  S.  Joie 
Pioneer,  Dec.  15,  1877,  prints  a  bill  for  $20,  tlie  subscription  to  the  paper  for 
5  years  to  John  II.  Watmough,  signed  by  Semple  on  Aug.  28,  1840.  See  also 
Hist.  Or.,  i.  407,  this  series,  for  claim  of  M.  G.  Foisy  that  lie  worked  as  printer 
on  the  Monterey  Californian. 


294 


AFFAIRS  IN  THE  NORTH. 


ing  the  first  week  in  August  against  a  party  of  Ind- 
ians who  had  driven  off  two  hundred  horses  from  San 
Jose,  and  who  were  forced  to  give  up  their  booty  after 
a  fight  in  which  several  of  their  number  were  killed. 
It  would  appear  that  Fauntleroy's  men  were  subse- 
quently withdrawn ;  for  late  in  October,  after  the  revolt 
at  Los  Angeles  had  begun  to  trouble  the  noitherners, 
Maddox  marched  with  thirty  men  to  San  Juan,  spiked 
the  iron  cannon,  took  the  locks  from  the  muskets, 
and  carried  the  brass  pieces  with  all  horses  obtainable 
to  Monterey.* 

Respecting  events  at  San  Josd  from  August  to 
October,  our  information  is  hardly  less  meagre.  James 
Stokes  was  succeeded  as  alcalde  by  George  Hyde, 
who  was  appointed  "civil  magistrate  for  the  district 
of  Santa  Clara,  with  headquarters  at  San  Josd,"  by 
Montgomery  on  August  26th.  Purser  James  H. 
Watmough,  being  appointed  commandant  of  Santa 
Clara  on  the  same  date,  with  a  company  of  forty  men, 
was  sent  down  from  San  Francisco;  but  of  his  exploits 
we  know  only  that  on  September  14th  he  is  said  to 
have  returned  to  San  Jos^  from  an  Indian  expedition 
of  two  weeks,  in  which  he  recovered  one  hundred 
horses  and  killed  several  gentiles;  and  that  he  prob- 
ably went  back  to  San  Francisco  before  the  end  of 
September.  Early  in  October,  Charles  M.  Wobor 
returned  from  his  captivity  in  the  south,  and  was  made 
military  commandant  of  San  Jose  district  by  Mont- 
gomery, who  also  desired  him  to  accept  the  position 
of  alcalde.  Weber  was  authorized  to  organize  a  mili- 
tary force  and  defend  the  town  and  vicinity  if  possi- 
ble, but  to  retreat  to  Yerba  Buena  rather  than  to  run 
too  great  risks.  No  hostilities  were  connuitted,  how- 
ever, beyond  the  occasional  cutting  of  the  flag-staff 
halyards  at  night;  and  Captain  Weber  was  able  to 
collect  a  considerable  body  of  horses,  with  which  he 


'See  Colton'e  Three  Years  in  Cal.,  25,  82;  Monterey  Californiun,  Oct.  .31, 
1846;  and  Maddox's  letter  of  Oct.  28th  to  Weber,  in  S.  Josi  Pioneer,  Marcli 
6,  1880. 


AT  YERBA  BUENA. 


295 


)OSSl- 

o  run 
how- 
-staff 
)lo  to 
sh  he 


Oct.  31, 
,  March 


is  said  to  have  arrived  at  San  Juan  just  after  the  de- 
parture of  Maddox.* 

At  San  Francisco,  where  Montgomery  remained 
in  the  Portsmouth  as  military  commandant  of  the 
northern  district,  while  Watson  commanded  the  little 
garrison  on  shore,  all  was  peace  and  quiet,  with  no  rip- 
ple of  excitement,  except  on  the  arrival  of  vessels  or 
couriers  with  news  from  abroad,  or  on  the  occasion  of 
a  grand  social  festivity  on  shore  or  on  shipboard. 
Lieutenant  Washington  A.  Bartlett  was  on  August 
26th  appointed  alcalde  of  the  San  Francisco  district, 
with  headquarters  at  Yerba  Buena.  September  15th 
a  municipal  election  was  held,  at  which  nearly  a  hun- 
dred votes  were  cast.  The  officers  elected  were  Wash- 
ington Bartlett,  alcalde;  Josd  de  Jesus  Noc,  second 
alcalde;  John  Rose,  treasurer;  and  Peter  T.  Sherre- 
beck,  collector/  In  the  last  days  of  September  the 
Savannah  and  Congress  arrived  from  Monterey,  and 
Stockton  was  given  a  public  reception  the  5th  of 
October.  As  the  commodore  landed  from  his  barge, 
at  a  point  corresponding  to  what  is  now  Clay  street 
between  Montgomery  and  Sansome,  William  H.  Rus- 
.sell  delivered  a  flowery  address  of  welcome;  after 
which  the  people  marched  in  procession  round   the 

^Monterey  Ca'Aj'ornian,  Sept.  5,  26,  1846;  original  letters  of  Bartlett  and 
Montgomery  to  Weber,  in  Halleck'a  Mex.  Land  Lawi,  MS.;  account  fron\ 
Wcber'a  own  statements  and  papers,  in  S.  Jose  Pioiuer,  March  6,  1880.  In 
one  of  his  letters,  Montgomery  orders  Weber  to  throw  a  'kurral'  round  his 
camp  to  prevent  surprise.  Sends  him  three  recruits,  also  powder  and  clotli- 
ing.  Militiamen  can  draw  no  pay  except  when  in  actual  service.  §15  per 
mouth  for  subsistence  is  too  much.  Sept.  loth,  Alcalde  Hyde  takes  the  pa- 
role of  Capt.  Jos6  Fernandez.    Vallejo,  Doc,  ^IS.,  xii.  241. 

'^Monterey  Caiifornian,  Sept.  5,  26,  Oct.  3,  1840;  llyde'it  Stutcmeid,  MS., 
8;  .S'.  Josi  Pioneer,  Jan.  4,  187J).  The  vote  at  the  election  was  as  follows:  al- 
calde, Bartlett  66,  Ridley  29,  Spear  1;  2d  alcalde,  No(5  03,  Haro  24,  scatter- 
ing 9;  treasurer.  Rose  07,  Francis  Hoen  20,  scattering  9;  collector,  Sherreback 
S(i,  J.  Cooper  2.  The  inspectors  were  \Vm  H.  Davis,  Frank  Ward,  Francisco 
(Uierrcro,  and  Francisco  Haro.  Aug.  29th,  Bartlett  enclosed  to  the  alcalde 
of  Sonoma  'rules  and  regulations  for  trade  iu  the  bay.'  Saida  Rosa  Sonoma 
iJunocrat,  Dec.  30,  1871.  On  Sept.  loth  Montgomery  issued  an  order  tliat 
Indians  should  not  be  held  in  service  except  under  a  voluntary  contract,  ac- 
knowledged before  a  magistrate,  and  equally  binding  uiwn  employer  and  em- 
l)loy(j.  Caiifornian,  Oct.  3.  Among  the  festifities  are  notably  a  ball  at  the 
residence  of  Leidesdorff  on  Sept.  8th,  at  which  over  100  ladies,  Caiifornian  and 
American,  were  present;  and  another  on  board  the  Magnolia  outhe  18th. 


2!)(i 


AFFAIRS  IN  THK  NORTH. 


ili'ii 


;:i  1: 


?l  U:  i  i  ' 


\m 


■:i  If!  ;'r^'! 


plaza  and  back  to  Montgomery  street,  where  tlie^^ 
listened  to  a  speech  from  Stockton.  The  discourse, 
in  which  he  narrated  the  conquest  of  Los  Angeles, 
and  made  known  his  plans  of  vengeance  on  the  "cow- 
ardly assassins"  who  had  dared  to  revolt  against  his 
authority,  was  decidedly  of  the  bombastic  and  'spread- 
eagle'  variety,  marked  by  the  same  disregard  of  truth 
that  had  been  shown  in  his  first  proclamation;  but 
the  speaker  was  eloquent  and  the  audience  pleased. 
Then  there  was  more  marching;  and  finally,  the  gov- 
ernor with  prominent  citizens  made  a  tour  on  horse- 
back to  the  presidio  and  mission,  returning  in  time 
f<*r  a  collation  given  by  the  committee  of  arrange- 
ments at  Leidesdorflfs  residence."  The  rumor  of  an 
impending  Indian  invasion  had  hastened  Stockton's 
visit  to  the  north.  This  rumor  proved  unfounded; 
but  news  of  a  revolt  in  the  south  had  reached  him 
just  after  his  arrival  at  San  Francisco.  October  4th, 
the  day  before  the  reception,  Mervine  had  sailed  iii 
the  Savannah  for  San  Pedro;  on  the  13th  the  Con- 
gress and  the  chartered  merchant  vessel  Sterling, 
Captain  Vincent,  left  the  bay  for  the  southern  coast, 
the  former  with  Stockton  on  board,  and  the  latter 
bearing  Major  Fremont  and  his  battalion.  There  is 
nothing  to  be  noted  at  San  Francisco  after  their  de- 
[)arture. 

Revere  had  been  sent  by  Montgomery  to  command 
the  garrison  at  Sonoma,  consisting  of  Company  B  of 
the  battalion,  under  Captain  Grigsby.  Revere  tells 
us  that  a  few  disaffected  Californians  were  still  prowl- 
ing about  the  district,  in  pursuit  of  whom  on  one 
occasion  he  made  an  expedition  with  sixteen  men  to 

^Monterey  Cali/ornian,  Got.  24,  1846,  with  Stockton's  speech  in  full;  Ore- 
(jon  Spectator,  April  1,  1847;  Davis'  Glimpses  of  the  Past,  MS.,  349-51,  the 
author  having  been  present  at  the  reception;  Stockton's  Report;  and  Lancey, 
drum,  131-2,  who  gives  additional  particulars.  He  names  Frank  Ward  as 
marshal;  describes  the  composition  ot  the  procession  formed  at  10  A.  M. ;  says 
that  in  addition  to  his  reply  to  Uussell  made  at  the  wharf,  Stockton  made  a 
long  speech  in  reply  to  a  toast  at  the  collation,  declaring  that  if  one  hair  of 
the  bravo  men  left  to  garrison  the  south  should  be  injured,  he  'would  wade 
knee-deep  in  his  own  olood  (!)  to  avenge  it;'  and  mentions  a  ball  which 
closed  the  day's  festivities,  and  lasted  until  daylight  the  next  morning. 


AT  SONOMA. 


297 


!  they 
course, 
ngeles, 

"cow- 
nst  his 
spread - 
f  truth 
n;  but 
•leased, 
le  gov- 

horse- 
in  time 
rrange- 
r  of  an 
ickton's 
(unded ; 
ed  hiiu 
3er  4th, 
liled  in 

e  Con- 
'terling, 
coast, 
latter 

here  is 

eir  de- 

^Timand 

ly  Bof 

tells 

prowl- 

m  one 

len  to 

I  full;  Ore- 
^9-51,  the 
|d  Lancey, 
Ward  as 
M. ;  says 
t>n  made  a 
le  hair  of 
^uld  wade 
ill   which 


the  region  of  Point  Reyes.  He  did  not  find  the 
party  sought,  but  he  was  able  to  join  in  a  very  en- 
joyable elk-hunt.  The  only  other  feature  of  his  stay 
at  Sonoma — and  a  very  interesting  one,  as  described 
by  him,  though  not  very  important  from  an  historical 
point  of  view — was  an  expedition  by  way  of  Napa 
V^alley  to  the  Laguna,  now  Clear  Lake,  and  back  by 
the  Russian  River  Valley,  in  September.  With  the 
exception  of  a  few  military  and  hunting  expeditions, 
meagrely  recorded,  this  was  the  first  visit  to  the  lake 
by  a  traveler  who  included  in  the  record  a  description 
of  the  country."  On  his  return,  the  lieutenant  heard 
of  the  threatened  Walla  Walla  invasion,  and  hastened 
with  a  force  to  the  Sacramento ;  while  the  Vallejos 
were  commissioned  to  protect  the  Sonoma  frontier 
with  a  force  of  Christian  Indians,  and  Misroon  be- 
fore September  11th  assumed  command  of  the  garri- 
son. Manuel  E.  Mcintosh  was  now  alcalde  of  So- 
noma; and  the  victims  of  the  capture  of  Jun€  14th 

» Revere'a  Tour  of  Duty,  77-95,  112-18,  130-47.  The  author's  description 
of  the  regions  visited  is  quite  extensive.  He  and  his  few  companions  passeil 
the  first  night  at  Yount's;  arrived  by  noon  at  the  place  of  J.  B.  Chiles,  who  was 
one  of  the  party,  ranking  as  sergeant;  and  spent  the  second  night  at  the  ranclio 
of  Greenock  (Guenoc?),  the  frontier  settler.  Next  morning,  crossing  the  lust 
mountain  pass,  and  riding  all  day  through  timbered  uplands,  broad  savannalis, 
and  shady  glades,  at  sunset  they  reached  the  lake  near  its  narrowest  part,  at 
the  base  of  the  high  sierra — now  Uncle  Sam  Mountain — opposite  a  pretty 
islet.  After  some  hesitation,  caused  by  memories  of  the  servant-huntinj: 
raids  of  the  Californians,  the  Indians  ferried  the  visitors  over  on  tule  balzas 
to  their  island  town  of  200  or  300  inhabitants.  Next  day  they  journeyed 
over  the  sterile  obsidian-covered  plain,  to  go  round  the  mountain,  into  the 
l)eautiful  country  on  the  upper  lake — now  Big  Valley — and  at  sunset  reached 
Hopitsewah,  or  Sacred  Town,  the  largest  of  the  rancherias,  where  the  lands 
were  enclosed  and  cultivated.  Here,  on  the  third  day  after  arrival,  a  grand 
council  of  native  chieftains  was  assembled  to  listen  to  and  make  the  speeclics 
of  such  occasions,  and  transfer  their  allegiance  to  the  great  and  good  govt  of 
the  U.  S.  After  which  a  grand  dance.  Nex t  day  Reveru's  party  travelled 
over  the  plain  parallel  to  the  lake  until  noon,  and  then  turning  to  the  left, 
I'limbed  the  range.  They  were  attacked  by  Indians,  who  mistook  them  for 
foes,  and  one  of  whom  was  badly  Avounded.  A  difficult  trail  led  them  to 
the  summit  at  sunset,  and  they  looked  foward  into  another  broad  valley  and 
Wick  upon  the  lake.  'Few  wliite  men  have  visited  this  magnificent  I^aguna. 
Ill  the  course  of  time  it  will  become  famous,  and  perhaps  the  "tired  den- 
zous"  of  the  Atlantic  cities  may  yet  make  summer  excursions  to  its  glorious 
sliore'i.'  Do^vn  into  tlie  Russian  River  Valley  they  went  to  the  rancho  of  B'er- 
nando  Ftjlix,  where  they  spent  the  day.  On  the  way  to  Piua's  rancho  they 
killed  a  huge  grizzly;  and  at  Fitch's  rancho  of  Sotoyome  they  found  the  an* 
uual  mataruaa  in  progress. 


298 


AFFAIRS  IN  THE  NORTH. 


had  returned  from  their  imprisonment  in  August. 
On  September  25th  a  meeting  of  the  old  Bears  was 
held,  at  which,  J.  B.  Chiles  being  president  and  John 
H.  Nash  secretary,  a  resolution  was  adopted  ''that 
three  persons  be  appointed  to  act  as  a  committee  to 
investigate  and  gather  all  the  information  in  their 
reach  in  relation  to  the  action  of  the  Bear  Flag 
party,  and  report  at  a  subsequent  meeting."  Sem- 
plc,  Grigsby,  and  Nash  were  appointed  on  the  com- 
mittee, though  Semple's  place  was  afterward  taken 
by  Ide;  and  the  resulting  report  of  May  13,  1847, 
has  already  been  noticed  in  this  work.* 

At  Sutter's  Fort  Kern  remained  in  command;  be- 
ing confirmed  in  his  authority  by  Montgomery  on 
August  26th,  at  which  date  E.  J.  Sutter,  son  of  the 
captain,  was  made  Kern's  lieutenant  at  the  fort."  In 
August  also  the  Sonoma  prisoners  were  released,  as 
they  ought  to  have  been  long  before.  They  had  a])- 
pealed  to  Fremont  when  Sloat's  proclamation  ana  cho 
United  States  flag  arrived ;  but  not  the  slightest  at- 
tention was  paid  to  their  appeal.  In  July  a  letter  of 
inquiry  about  them  came  from  Larkin;  and  Mont- 
gomery interested  himself  in  their  behalf*"  In  reply, 
Vallejo  wrote  to  both  Larkin  and  Stockton ;  but  be- 
fore the  letters  were  received,  on  July  27th,  the  com- 
modore despatched  an  order  for  the  release  of  Vallejo 
and  his  brother-in-law ;  followed  in  a  few  days  by  a 
similar  order  in  behalf  of  the  other  captives.  All 
were  required  to  sign  a  parole.  Vallejo  and  Carrillo 
were  discharged  on  or  about  the  1st  of  August,  tlio 
former  in  very  feeble  health.  The  others,  Salvador 
Vallejo,  Victor  Prudon,  and  Jacob  Leese  had  to  re- 


*  Record  of  the  meeting  in  Monterey  Califomian,  Oct.  3, 1846.  See  chap, 
viii.  of  this  volume;  also  Ilist.  Bear  Flag  Jievol. 

^  Monterey  CcUi/ornian,  Sept.  5,  184G. 

'"July  lOth,  Larkin  to  Vallejo,  describing  his  efforts  to  learn  his  fate. 
Had  sent  messengers  to  Sonoma,  and  John  Murphy  had  been  sent  to  the  Sac. 
— for  which  service  he  was  to  be  paid  by  V.  $100.  Bear  Flag  Papers,  MS., 
62.  July  17th,  Montgomery  to  Sloat,  forwarding  Forbes'  petition  for  the  ro- 
lease  of  Vicente  Peralta,  and  also  mentioning  Vallejo,  in  whose  case  he  was 
personally  interested.   Sloat'^i  Despatches,  24-5,  or  661-8. 


THE  CAPTIVES  RELEASED. 


209 


main  in  prison  a  week  longer,  Don  Salvador — unci 
probably  the  rest,  though  Leese  claims  that  his  cap- 
tivity lasted  until  the  13th — being  liberated  on  Au- 
oust  8th  by  Misroon,  the  officer  sent  up  by  Montgom- 
ery for  that  purpose.  Returning  to  their  homes,  they 
found  that  cattle,  horses,  and  other  personal  property 


r  p€ 


had  for  the  most  part  disappeared;  but  the  change  of 
ijfovernment  might  enrich  those  of  the  immber  who 
were  the  owners  of  real  estate."     Montgomery  sent 

"  July  29th,  Stockton  to  Vallcjo.  One  of  his  first  acts  was  to  order  his 
release;  and  ho  has  now  sent  a  courier  to  Montgomery  to  have  the  others 
tVeed,  whose  names  he  did  not  know  before.  Bear  Flag  Papers,  MS. ,  67.  No 
cliitc,  copy  of  Montgomery's  order  to  release  Vallejo  and  Can-illo.  Id.,  7-. 
Loose,  Bear  Flag,  MS.,  16-17,  thinks  the  first  order  named  Vallejo's  brother- 
in-law,  meaning  himself,  but  applied  to  Carrillo.  July  29th,  Larkin  to  Va- 
llejo. Letters  of  23d  received  this  morning.  Orders  for  release  sent  two 
(lays  ago  to  Montgomery.  Now  repeated,  and  the  courier  will  tell  the  con- 
versation he  had  with  Stockton.  Savage,  Doc,  MS.,  iii.  19;  Larkin^ a  Doc., 
MS.,  iv.  2;}4.  Aug.  3d,  Montgomery  to  V.,  announcing  the  pleasure  it  has 
given  him  to  order  his  release,  and  introducing  Lieut  Revere,  who  has  in- 
structions to  'mitigate'  his  parole  by  accepting  simply  a  promise  of  friend- 
ship to  the  U.  S.,  or  of  neutrality.  English  and  Spanish.  Bear  Flag  Papers, 
-MS.,  70,  73.  Aug.  7th,  Salv.  Vallejo  to  M.  G.  Vallejo,  in  answer  to  letter  of 
Aug.  4th,  which  announced  that  a  boat  was  on  the  way  with  the  order  of  re- 
lease. The  boat  has  not  aiTived,  and  even  if  it  does  come  there  is  but  little 
hope  of  freedom;  for  Kern  has  said  he  will  not  obey  any  order  if  the  name  of 
each  prisoner  be  not  specified,  and  lias  even  hinted  that  he  is  not  bound  to 
obey  any  orders  but  those  of  Fremont.  Id.,  76.  Aug.  7th,  S.  Vallejo,  Pru- 
lion,  and  Leese,  to  Vallejo,  expressing  their  opinion  that  Kern  did  not  in  bend 
to  free  them,  and  asking  the  colonel  to  write  to  Montgomery  in  their  behalf. 
/(/.,  68.  Aug.  6th,  Lieut  Hartlett  to  Vallejo,  in  answer  to  letter  of  July30th. 
W^ith  many  expressions  of  friendly  feeling,  he  says:  'I  at  once  laid  your  note 
heforc  Capt.  Montgomery,  who  at  once  expressed  his  deep  regret  that  you 
were  yet  a  prisoner  [on  the  30th].  He  has  constantly  regretted  that  you 
Mere  not  liberated  on  the  day  the  American  flag  first  waved  over  New  Hel- 
vetia, which  certainly  would  have  been  the  case  had  his  command  extended 
to  that  post.  He  has  directed  me  to  assure  you  that  among  his  first  commu- 
uicntions  to  Com.  Sloat  he  stated  the  names  of  all  persons  that  had  been  ar- 
rested,. .  .and  requested  instructions  as  to  the  course  he  should  now  pursue 
with  regard  to  them,  at  tiie  same  time  making  particular  mention  of  your 
ease.'  Jd.,  74-5.  Aug.  8th,  V.  to  Montgomery,  in  reply  to  letterof  Aug.  3d. 
Thanks  for  his  efforts;  bad  state  of  the  writer's  health;  appeals  for  the  re- 
lease of  his  companions.  Id.,  78-80.  Aug.  8th,  Lieut  Misroon  takes  the  iia- 
rolc  of  Salvador  Vallejo  at  'Fort  New  Helvetia.'  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  232. 
Aug,  12th,  V.  to  Montgomery.  'Muy  enfermo  salf  del  Sacramento  y  poor 
lleguiS  A  mi  casa.'  Thanks  for  opiwrtuno  sending  of  Dr  Henderson.  Biur 
Flag  Papers,  MS.,  81.  Aug.  17th,  Montgomery  to  V.  Sends  him  documents 
relating  to  Misroon 's  visit  to  Sonoma  in  June.  Has  just  returned  himnelf 
from  Sonoma.  Id.,  5S.  Aug.  24th,  Lai'kin  to  V.  from  Los  Angeles.  Speaks 
of  liavinc  sent  a  second  courier  to  New  Helvetia  before  leaving  Monterey. 
Sept.  15tli,  V.  to  L.  Returned  from  his  prison  'half  dead,'  but  is  now  bet- 
ter. Has  lost  over  1,000  cattle,  600  tame  horses,  all  his  crops,  and  many 
other  things  of  value;  but  will  go  to  work  again.  Larkin'' a  Doc,  MS.,  iv. 
280-1,     Sept.  25th,  Montgomery  to  V.     Thanks  for  his  services  to  the  U.  S. 


•r:'-\'^ 


300 


AFFAIRS  IN  THE  NORTH. 


Dr  Henderson  to  Sonoma  to  treat  Vallejo's  illness, 
and  soon  visited  the  colonel  in  person.  Vallejo  also 
came  down  to  San  Francisco  to  be  present  at  Stock- 
ton's reception. 

The  alarm  of  an  Indian  invasion  from  the  north,  to 
which  I  have  alluded,  had  its  origin  in  an  affair  of 
the  winter  of  1844-5.  A  party  of  Oregon  Indians 
had  come  down  to  trade  for  cattle,  being  well  received 
by  Sutter,  who  had  known  some  of  the  chiefs  in 
Oregon,  and  permitted  to  hunt  for  wild  horses,  to  be 
exchanged  for  cattle.  Among  the  party  were  the 
Walla  Walla  chief  Yellow  Serpent  and  his  son  Elijah. 
The  latter,  who  had  been  educated  by  the  missionaries, 
was  a  turbulent  and  insolent  fellow,  who  killed  one 
of  his  companions  near  the  fort,  and  was  prevented  by 
an  American  from  killing  another.  Among  the  ani- 
mals taken  by  the  Indians  were  some  claimed  as  pri- 
vate property;  but  which  they  refused  to  give  up. 
Grove  Cook  on  going  to  demand  a  mule  that  bore  his 
brand  was  met  by  Elijah,  who  levelled  his  rifle  at  him. 
and  told  him  to  take  the  animal  if  he  dared.  Sutter 
then  summoned  the  chiefs  to  his  office,  and  insisted 
that  branded  animals  must  be  given  up  to  their  own- 
ers, though  the  Indians  were  entitled  to  a  reward  foi' 
restoring  them.  They  declared  that  by  their  customs 
such  animals  belonged  to  those  who  found  them. 
While  the  discussicm  was  going  on,  Sutter  left  thi' 
office;  and  during  his  absence,  Elijah  was  shot  and 
killed  by  Cook  in  a  quarrel,  in  which,  according  to  the 
white  witnesses  present,  the  Indian  was  the  aggressor; 
though  it  would  be  more  reasonable  to  suppose,  in  the 
absence  of  Indian  witnesses,  and  the  safety  with  which 

Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  242.  Sept.  29th,  Id.  told.  Iivitea  him  to  Yerba 
Buena  to  meet  Stockton.  A^,  xii.  236.  Oct.  19th,  Id.  to  Id.  Cannot  accede 
to  Vallejo's  request  that  Revere  be  removed  from  the  command,  though  lie 
would  do  so  for  the  cogent  reasons  urged  had  the  request  come  a  little  sooner. 
Id.,  xii.  244.  Nov.  16th,  Id.  to  Id.  A  very  friendly  letter.  Regrets  that  Lo 
cannot  visit  Sonoma  before  his  departure.  Id.,  xii.  249.  March  28,  1847,  V. 
to  Bandini  on  his  imprisonment  and  losses  thereby.  Bandini,  Doc.,  MS.,  104. 
June  14,  1847,  V.  to  Ex-president  Bustamante  on  the  same  topic.  Vallejo, 
Doc.,  MS.,  xii.  304. 


THE  WALLA  WALLAS. 


sot 


illness, 
lejo  also 
,  Stock - 

lortli,  t(» 
affair  of 
Indians 
receive*.! 
ihiefs   in 
es,  to  be 
rere    the 
n  Elijah, 
sionaries, 
illed  one 
ented  by 
•  the  ani- 
d  as  pri- 
give  up. 
b  bore  his 
le  at  him. 
Sutter 
insisted 
leir  own- 
sward  for 
customs 
d   them, 
left  the 
hot  and 
ngtotbe 
gressor ; 
56,  in  the 
Ith  which 


Lira  to  Yerba 
annot  accede 
H,  though  lie 
Eittle  Boonei . 
treta  that  Le 
|28,  1847,  V. 
:.,MS.,  104. 
pic.    Vallejo, 


an  Indian  might  be  killed  under  the  circumstances, 
that  Elijah  was  deliberately  murdered  by  Cook.  The 
whole  party  of  about  forty  then  hurried  back  to 
Oregon  with  their  horses,  not  waiting  to  receive  the 
cattle  due  them,  and  eluding  the  pursuers  despatched 
by  Sutter.  Their  story  was  told  to  the  missionaries 
and  to  the  Indian  agent,  White;  and  these  gentlemeik 
were  ready  to  credit  the  version  given  them  without 
investigation.  White  wrote  on  the  subject  to  the 
government,  to  Sutter,  and  to  Larkin.^^ 

Yellow  Serpent  came  back  to  California  at  the  be- 
ginning of  September,  1846,  with  some  forty  of  his 
people,  to  trade  and  to  demand  justice  for  the  killing 
of  his  son.  Reports  had  come  from  Oregon,  from  the 
missionaries  and  by  the  immigrants,  that  the  Walla 
Wallas  were  bent  on  vengeance;  and  great  was  the 
alarm  when  a  frontier  settler  came  to  New  Helvetia 
with  the  news  that  a  thousand  warriors  were  approach- 
ing. The  chief  and  his  party  had  arrived  at  the  cabin 
of  the  settler,  Daniel  Sill;  and  the  explanation  that 
nine  men  had  been  left  ill  on  the  way  was  interpreted 
to  mean  that  900  warriors  were  close  behind  1  The 
alarm  was  sent  in  all  haste  to  Sonoma  and  Monterev ; 
and  while  Stockton  came  up  to  San  Francisco,  every 
possible  preparation  was  made  for  defence  along  the 
northern  frontier.  Revere,  leaving  the  Vallejos  with 
a  force  of  Californians  and  friendly  Indians  to  scour 
the  country  and  protect  exposed  points,  hastened  to 
the  Sacramento.  Soon  after  his  arrival  Revere  learned 
the  true  state  of  affairs,  and  that  there  was  no  danger; 
in  fact,  the  Walla  Walla  chief  came  in  person  to  have 
a  'talk,'  announcing  that  he  had  come  to  trade  and 
not  to  fight,  and  urging  upon  the  'Boston  men'  who 
now  owned  the  country  his  claim  for  justice.     Both 

'^See  Hiat  Or.,  i.  285-9,  this  series.  July  21,  1845,  Sutter  to  Larkin,  giv- 
ing full  particulars  of  the  affair.  Larkin's  Doc,  MS.,  iii.  227.  May  IGth, 
White  to  Larkin.  Id.,  iii.  155.  White  to  sec.  of  M'ar,  Monterey  Caltfornian, 
Sept.  19,  1846.  See  also  White's  Concise  View,  49;  Parrish's  Oregon  A  nee, 
MS.,  90;  Gray's  Hist.  Oijn,  507-11;  Mission  Life  Sketches,  205-7.  Pewpew- 
inoxmox,  the  old  chief  was  called  in  Oregon;  Sutter  calls  him  Piopiopio;  and 
tlic  Californians '  ElCojo  Macai.' 


302 


AFFAIRS  IN  THE  NORTH. 


soldiers  and  settlers  were  anxious  for  a  fight;  certain 
persons  tried  to  keep  up  the  excitement;  and  many 
were  not  disposed  to  believe  in  the  Indians'  peaceful 
intentions,  but  rather  to  make  a  raid  upon  all  the  sav- 
ages in  the  valley;  but  better  counsel  soon  prevailed, 
and  the  cheering  news  was  sent  southward  that  the 
fear  of  a  Walla  Walla  invasion  was  groundless.*' 

Some  enthusiastic  biographers  have  accorded  to 
Major  Fre^raont  the  glory  of  having  jjersuaded  the 
Walla  Wallas  to  forego  their  plans  of  vengeance,  and 
thus  prevented  a  disastrous  Indian  war;  but  as  a  mat- 
ter of  fact,  Fremont  did  not  arrive  until  the  excitement 
had  passed  away.  He  did,  however,  obtain  some  of 
the  savages  as  recruits  for  his  California  battalion. 
Of  the  major's  operations  in  the  Sacramento  during 
this  visit,  at  the  end  of  September  and  beginning  of 
October,  nothing  definite  is  recorded,  except  that  he 
succeeded  in  getting  many  recruits,  whose  military 
operations  of  the  next  few  months,  with  what  is  known 
of  their  organization,  will  be  presented  in  due  time. 
The  large  influx  of  immigrants  by  the  overland  route, 
to  be  noticed  elsewhere,  made  it  easy  to  find  soldiers 
for  the  battalion  at  this  time. 


Stockton's  plans  on  quitting  Los  Angeles  were,  as 
we  have  seen,  to  appoint  Fremont  governor,  leave 
detachments  of  the  battalion  as  garrisons  for  the  dif- 
ferent posts,  and  to  depart  with  the  strength  of  his 
fleet  to  engage  in  naval  operations  on  the  Mexican 
coast.  He  regarded  the  conquest  of  California  as 
complete.  He  had  no  doubt  that  the  people  would 
soon  become  devoted  subjects  of  the  United  States, 

"  Stockton's  Mil.  and  Naval  Oper.,  9;  Stockton's  Report,  41 ;  Bevere's  Tour, 
154,  etc.;  Sept.  lOth-loth,  corresp.  between  Misi-oon,  M.  G.  Vallejo,  and 
Salv.  Vallejo,  on  the  military  preparations.  Val/fjo,  7>oc.,MS.,  xii.  '234-'10. 
See  also  Vallejo,  Hist.  Cal.,  MS.,  v.  20;i-8;  Torres,  Peripecias,  MS.,  77-8; 
Juarez,  Narracion,  MS.;  Tustin's  Recoil.,  MS.,  9;  Jlomilulu  Friend,  iv.  158; 
Monterey  Californian,  passim;  Upham's  Life  Frdmont,  242-3;  Bigelow's  Mem. 
Friimont,  172-3.  The  Californians  have  an  idea,  not  very  well  founded  I  think, 
that  Salvador  Vallejo  was  the  originator  of  the  scare,  hoping  to  run  up  a 
large  bill  for  horaea  and  other  aid,  and  thus  get  paid  for  a  part  of  his  past 
losses. 


STOCKTON'S  PLANS. 


808 


and  believed  that  his  proposed  system  of  civil  rule 
would  soon  be  in  successful  operation.  Arriving  at 
Monterey,  his  plans  were  somewhat  interrupted  by 
the  Walla  Walla  alarm,  which  called  him  to  San 
Francisco;  but  when  he  learned  that  no  danger  was 
to  be  apprehended  from  the  Indians,  his  prospects 
again  assumed  a  roseate  hue,  and  his  schemes  were 
not  only  revived,  but  had  been  greatly  amplified. 
His  project  was  nothing  less  than  to  raise  a  thousand 
men  in  California,  to  land  them  at  Mazatlan  or  Aca- 
pulco,  and  with  them  march  overland  to  "shake  hands 
with  General  Taylor  at  the  gates  of  Mexico" ! "  Major 
Fremont — from  this  time  addressed  as  military  com- 
mandant of  California,  the  date  of  his  appointment  to 
that  position  being  September  2d — was  sent  to  the 
Sacramento  to  recruit  the  army  which  was  to  conquer 
Mexico.  It  is  not  necessary  to  characterize  the  com- 
modore's project  as  a  "master-stroke  of  military  sagac- 
ity "  with  Lancey,  or  as  the  mad  freak  of  an  enthusiast 
seeking  notoriety.  Much  would  have  depended  on 
the  result;  and  before  much  progress  could  be  made 
news  came  that  caused  the  scheme  to  be  abandoned. 
At  the  end  of  September,  John  Brown  arrived  in  all 
haste  from  Los  Angeles  with  the  report  that  the 
southern  Californians  had  revolted,  and  that  Gilles- 
pie's garrison  was  hard  pressed  by  the  foe.  The 
courier,  known  as  Juan  Flaco,  or  Lean  John,  had 
made  the  distance  from  Angeles  to  San  Francisco, 
about  500  miles,  in  six  days,  a  feat  which,  variously 

^^  Stockton'n  Report,  40.  Sept.  19th,  Stockton  toMervine— '  confidential ' — 
announcing  liis  plan,  and  that  Fremont  had  been  sent  to  the  north  for  recruits. 
Sept.  28th,  S.  to  Frdmont,  'military  commandant  of  the  territory  of  Cal.' 
Anxious  to  know  what  his  prospects  are  for  '  recruiting  my  thousand  men ' — 
'private' — in  Stockton's  Mil.  and  Xav.  Oper.,  14-15.  Sept.  30th,  S.  toMer- 
vine. Instiuctions  for  the  movements  of  the  Savannah,  which  was  to  sail  .it 
ouoe.  Id.,  12-13.  Oct.  1st,  S.  to  Sec.  Bancroft.  'I  will  send  the  .*?'a'a»H((/t 
on  her  cruise  to-morrow,  and  the  Portsmouth  in  a  few  days;  and  will  follow 
myself  in  the  Congress  as  soon  as  I  can,  to  carry  out  my  views  in  regard  to 
Mexico,  with  which  I  have  not  thought  it  necessary  or  expedient  to  acquaint 
the  department.  Our  new  govt  goes  on  well . .  .If  any  chance  is  given,  1  have 
no  doubt  an  eflfort  will  Vi  made  by  the  Mexicans  to  recover  the  territory; 
troops  are  ready  to  come  from  Mexico,  but  if  they  are  not  seen  on  the  way  I'll 
inuko  them  fight  their  first  battle  at  Acapulco,  or  between  that  and  the  city 
of  Mexico.'  Id.,  13-14. 


1 

1 

li 

i 

\l^ 

Ir 

i'Hl 

w8 

Im 

11 

304 


AFFAIRS  L\  THK  NORTH. 


exaggerated  and  misrepresented,  has  made  the  rider 
more  or  less  famous."  Though  Stockton  did  not 
attach  great  importance  to  the  reported  revolt,  it  was 
sufficient  to  distract  his  attention  temporarily  from 
his  grand  schemes  of  conquest;  and  he  at  once  ordered 
Mervine  to  sail  for  San  Pedro,  to  Gillespie's  relief, 
which  he  did  on  the  Savannah  the  8th  of  October.'" 
Fremont  was  summoned  from  the  Sacramento,  antl 
arrived  at  San  Francisco  on  the  12th  with  160  men, 
who  were  embarked  on  the  Siy^Aing.  This  vessel  with 
the  Congress  sailed  next  day  for  the  south.  Stock- 
ton, meeting  the  Bainistahle  with  despatches  fronj 
Maddox,  touched  at  Monterey  on  the  16th,  landing  a 

'^  Brown's  own  story,  as  quoted  in  Lancvy^a  Cruiw,  12G-8,  from  the  Stock- 
ton S.  Joaquin  Rtpublican,  1850,  is  in  substance  as  follows:  With  a  package 
of  cigarettes,  the  paper  of  each  bearing  the  inscription,  '  Believe  the  bearer,' 
and  Gillespie's  seal,  ho  started  at  8  r.  M.,  Sept  •24th,  hotly  pursued  by  15 
Mexicans.  His  horse,  incited  by  a  bullet  through  his  body,  cleared  a  ravine 
13  feet  wide,  and  fell  after  running  2  miles !  Then  he  started  on  foot,  carrj- 
ing  his  spurs  for  *27  miles  to  Las  Virgenes.  Here  he  was  joined  by  Tom 
Lewis,  and  they  reached  Sta  Barbara  at  1 1  v.  M.  of  the  25th.  At  the  same 
hour  of  the  2Cth,  having  been  furnished  horses  successively  by  Lieut  Talbot, 
Thos  Robbins,  and  Lewis  Burton  on  showing  the  magic  cigarettes,  they 
camped  between  S.  Miguel  and  S.  Luis  Obispo,  where  Lewis  gave  out;  but 
Brown  started  again  next  morning,  and  late  at  night  reached  Monterey.  He 
was  offered  §200  to  go  on  to  S.  F. ;  and  started  at  sunrise  on  a  race-horse  be- 
longing to  Job  Dye.  Larkin  aided  him  at  S.  Jos(5,  where  he  wr.s  detained  4 
hours;  and  he  reached  Ycrba  Bueua  at  8  r.  M.  of  the  "JSth — 030  miles  in  4 
days!  He  slept  on  tiie  beach,  and  next  morning  when  the  commodore's  boat 
landed  gave  Stockton  the  rest  of  his  cigarettes.  Gillespie,  in  the  Sac.  States- 
7nan,  May  0,  1858,  gives  a  brief  account,  agreeing  well  enough  with  Brown's, 
except  that  the  horse  leaped  into  instead  of  across  the  rayine,  breaking  a  leg, 
whereupon  the  courier  had  to  carry  his  saddle  4  miles  to  a  rancho;  and  that 
he  reached  Monterey  at  night  of  the  28th,  slept  two  hours,  and  arrived  at  S. 
F.  at  sunrise  of  the  29th !  Phelps,  Fori'  and  A/t,  311-15,  tells  us  that  Stock- 
ton got  the  news  on  Oct.  1st,  when  the  courier  was  picked  up  drunk  and  car- 
ried to  the  flag-ship,  where  the  cigarettes  were  found  on  him.  Colton,  Thj'ec 
Years,  64-5,  notes  Brown's  arrival  on  the  night  of  Sept.  29th,  and  his  start 
before  sunrise  on  the  30th.  He  had  '  a  few  words  over  the  signature  of  the 
alcalde  rolled  in  a  cigar,  which  was  fastened  in  his  hair. .  .He  rode  the  whole 
distance  (to  Monterey),  460  miles,  in  .'>2  htirs,  during  which  time  he  had  not 
slept' !  Stockton  in  his  reports  suys  tlxi  ii.: ws  was  received  on  or  about  Sept. 
30th.  Taking  the  authority  of  GiilerT)ie  and  Brown  for  the  date  of  the  start, 
and  that  of  Colton  and  Stockton  frr  tli.i  >,  of  the  arrival,  we  have,  as  stated  in 
my  text,  6  days  for  the  ride.  But  iiiyant.  What  I  Saw  in  C'al. ,  327,  says  the 
courier  arrived  Oct.  Ist;  and  it  is  to  be  noticed  that  Stockton  in  his  order  of 
Oct.  1st  to  Mervine  says  nothing  to  indicate  that  he  had  received  the  news. 
The  Call/ornian  of  Oct.  3d  says  he  nmst  have  received  the  news  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  1st. 

"Gillespie,  in  Sac.  Statesman,  May  6,  1858,  claims  that  Mervine,  having 
set  sail  on  or  about  Oct.  1st,  with  a  fine  breeze,  stopped  at  Sauzalito  for  some 
frivolous  thing,  and  liis  departure  was  delayed  for  three  days  by  a  fog. 


GILLESPIE  AT  LOS  ANCIELES. 


305 


)  ridrr 
1(1    not 

it  WHS 

r  from 
•rderecl 
relief, 
tober.'" 
to,  ami 

0  men, 
lel  with 

Stock- 
:s  from 
nding  a 

1  the  Stock- 
si,  package 
;he  uearer,' 
sued  by  15 
ed  a  ravine 
foot,  carry- 
ed  by  Tom 
Lt  the  same 
ieut  Talbot, 
•ettes,  tlicy 
,'0  out;  but 
iterey.     He 
ic-horse  be- 
detained  4 

miles  in  4 
)dore'8  boat 
Sac.  States- 
,h  Brown's, 
iking  a  leg, 
j;  and  that 
Irrived  at  S. 
that  Stock - 
|nk  and  car- 
)lton,  Three 
id  his  start 
.tare  of  the 
[e  the  whole 
he  had  not 
about  Sept. 
[if  the  start, 
as  stated  in 
27,  says  the 
\h\a  order  of 
the  news, 
the  morn- 
line,  having 
|to  for  some 
.  fog. 


force  for  tlie  protection  of  the  town,  ami  proceeded  on 
his  way.  Irdmont  meanwhile  met  the  VandaUn, 
learned  that  no  horses  could  be  obtained  at  Santa 
lidrbara,  and  turned  back  to  Monterey,  where  lie 
arrived  on  the  28th,  to  prepare  for  a  march  soutli- 
uard.  He  found  awaiting  him  a  commission  as  liiMi- 
tenant-colonel  in  the  array  of  the  United  Stutcfs." 
I£is  preparations  and  his  expedition  will  be  notictMl 
later;  it  is  now  time  to  describe  the  revolt  of  the 
abajenos  against  the  authority  of  their  new  mayterK.'"* 

Gillespie  had  been  left  by  Stockton  as  military  com- 
mandant of  the  south,  with  a  garrison  of  fifty  men  at 
Los  Angeles.  His  instructions  were  to  maintain  mil- 
itary rule  in  accordance  with  the  commodore's  proc- 
lamation ;  but  he  was  authorized  to  grant  exemption 
IVom  the  more  burdensome  restrictions  to  quiet  and 
well  disposed  citiiiens  at  his  discretion;  and  a  lenient 
policy  in  this  respect  was  recommended.  From  a 
purely  political  point  of  view,  Gillespie's  task  was  not 
a  difficult  one;  that  is,  there  was  no  disposition  on  the 
l)art  of  the  Angelinos  to  revolt  against  the  new  regime. 
Iij  other  respects,  the  prospect  was  less  encouraging. 
My  readers,  familiar  with  Los  Angeles  annals,  know 
that  there  was  an  element  in  the  population  of  the 
town  that  was  turbulent,  lawless,  and  hitherto  uncon- 
trollable.    That  the  new  commandant  could  convert 

^''Monterey  Califomian,  Oct.  31,  1846;  Cotton's  Three  Years,  79-H-2; 
Lancey's  Cruise,  132-3.  The  commission  was  signed  by  the  president  May 
29,  1846. 

'*  The  following  extract  from  the  Califomian  of  Oct.  3d  will  show  how  the 
revolt  was  regarded  in  the  north:  '  Wc  leani  by  the  last  courier  that  there  has 
been  quite  a  disturbance  at  the  pueblo  IjcIow.  The  more  sober  portion  of  the 
community,  it  seems,  had  no  participation  in  the  frantic  aflfair.  The  principal 
actors  in  it  are  a  class  of  hare-brained  fellows  who  wanted  a  row,  cost  what  it 
might. .  .Aafor  any  prolonged  resistance  to  the  existing  laws,  tlicreis  not  tlie 
slightest  probability  of  such  a  result.  Had  there  been  any  serious  determi- 
nation to  resist  and  maintain  an  attitude  of  hostility,  it  would  have  showed  it- 
self when  Gen.  Castro  was  there . . .  We  do  not  suppose  that  any  one  engagt  d 
in  this  affair  expects  an  ultimate  triumph;  nor  do  we  guppose  that  he  has 
looked  seriously  into  the  consequences  to  himself..  .The  ringleaders  will  be 
apprehendv-l  and  tried  undsr  martial  law,  and  may  suflFer  death;  so  much  for 
an  affair  that  cau  be  of  no  benefit  to  any  one,  and  must  entail  sorrow  on  many. 
The  people  of  Monterey  are  wiser.' 
Hist.  Cal..  Vol.  V.    20 


iTfi 


[  i 


■■■  *i 


t,'f  -'0 


\H 


306 


REVOLT  OF  FLORES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


these  fellows  into  quiet  citizens  without  a  struggle  was 
not  to  be  expected.  Had  he  been  the  wisest  of  rulers,  a 
conflict  was  inevitable;  but  the  character  and  extent 
uid  results  of  the  conflict  depended  largely  upon  his 
skill  and  prudence.  Gillespie  had  no  special  qualifi- 
cations for  his  new  position;  and  his  subordinates  were 
still  less  fitted  for  their  duties.  They  were  disposed 
to  look  down  upon  Californians  and  Mexicans  as  an 
inferior  race,  as  a  cowardly  foe  that  had  submitted 
without  resistance,  as  Indians  or  children  to  be  kept 
in  subjection  by  arbitrary  rules.  They  were  moreover 
suspicious,  and  inclined  to  interfere  needlessly  with 
the  people's  amusements,  and  with  the  actions  of  in- 
dividuals. Little  account  was  taken  of  national  habits 
and  peculiarities.  In  a  few  weeks  many  good  citizens, 
though  not  perhaps  of  the  best,  who,  though  content 
with  the  change  of  government,  had  no  desire  to  be 
at  once  fully  Americanized  in  their  methods  of  life 
by  process  of  law,  were  prejudiced  against  Gillespie, 
characterizing  his  treatment  of  themselves  or  of  their 
friends  in  the  enforcement  of  police  regulations  as  op- 
l)ressive  tyranny.  Then  came  some  open  manifestations 
of  lawlessness,  to  which  the  commandant  was  too  ready 
to  impute  a  political  significance.  Arrests  were  freely 
made;  and  the  people  found  themselves  branded  as 
rebels  before  they  had  really  thought  of  rebellion.  A 
few  ambitious  Mexican  oflficers  gladly  took  advantage 
of  the  opportunity  to  foment  the  excitement;  a  degree 
of  success  at  first  turned  the  heads  of  the  ignorant 
populace;  many  were  led  to  believe  that  their  coun- 
try might  yet  be  recovered;  and  others  were  either 
blinded  by  their  dislike  of  the  men  placed  over  them, 
or  had  ncit  the  courage  to  resist  the  popular  current. 
The  result  was  an  actual  revolt;  and  there  can  be  lit- 
tle doubt  that  Gillespie  and  his  men  were  largely 
responsible  for  this  result.^® 

'•Coronel,  Coaaa  de  Cal.,  MS.,  78-80,  tells  us  that  Gilluspio  from  tho  first 
dictated  needlessly  oppressive  measures;  that  two  persons  should  not  go  about 
tho  streets  together;  that  under  no  pretext  must  the  people  liave  reunions  at 
their  homes;  that  provision-shops  must  be  closed  at  sundown;  that  liquor 


VARELA'S  TU.MULT. 


30: 


Serbulo  Varela,  a  wild  and  unmanageable  young  fel- 
low, though  not  a  bad  man  at  heart,  whom  the  reader 
already  knows  as  a  leader  in  several  popular  tumults 
at  Angeles  under  Mexican  rule,  soon  became  involved 
iu  difficulties  with  Gillespie,  doubtless  because  he  was 
unwilling  to  submit  to  police  regulations — though 
no  detaih  are  known.  Varela  thereupon  became  a 
kind  of  outlaw,  ranging  about  the  vicinity  of  the 
town,  keeping  out  of  the  reach  of  Gillespie's  men, 
but  annoying  them  in  every  possible  way.  A  dozen 
kindred  spirits  joined  him,  irresponsible  fellows,  but 
each  controlling  a  few  followers  of  the  lower  class; 


bhuukl  not  be  sold  witliout  liis  permission;  also  deciding  petty  cases  instead 
uf  leaving  them  to  the  jucces  de  paz,  searching  houses  for  weapons,  and  im- 
inisouing  Kico  and  others  jn  mere  suspicion.  In  short,  lie  so  oppressed  the 
people  tliat  he  came  to  be  regarded  as  a  tryant;  and  after  the  first  troubles 
with  Varela,  redoubled  his  persecutions  and  drove  many  to  join  the  rebels. 
Francisco  Rico,  Memorias,  MS.,  25-6,  says  that  he  was  imprisoned  for  30  days 
because  he  could  tell  nothing  of  the  whereabout»  and  intentions  of  Ramon 
Can'illo.  B.  D.  Wilson,  Obna-valiona,  MS.,  66-7,  was  told  by  the  foreigners 
St  ho  came  to  his  rancho  'that  Gillespie's  conduct  had  been  so  despotic  and 
unjustifiable  that  che  people  had  risen. .  .He  had  established  very  obnoxious 
regulations,  and  upon  frivolous  pretexts  liad  the  most  respectable  men  in  the 
oummunity  an-ested  and  brouglit  before  him  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  hu- 
miliate them,  as  they  thought.  Of  the  truth  of  this  I  had  no  doubt  then  and 
1  have  none  now.  TIic  people  had  given  no  just  cause  for  the  conduct  he 
imrsucd,  which  seemed  to  be  altogether  the  etfect  of  vanity  and  want  of 
jiulgment.'  Temple,  Rrcollections,  MS.,  10-11,  takes  the  same  view  of  the 
matter.  John  Forster,  Pioneer  Data,  MS.,  35-7,  thinks  there  would  have 
been  no  difficulty  if  Gillespie  had  been  less  exacting  and  despotic.  Avila, 
yokix,  MS.,  20,  attributes  the  revolt  to  the  same  cause.  Larkin,  during  his 
later  imprisonment,  was  told  by  the  officers  that  Gillespie's  rigid  discipline 
and  ignorance  of  Spanish  customs  and  character  had  forced  tlic  people  to  take 
up  arms.  Larkui's  Off.  Coi-resp.,  MS.,  ii.  89.  'The  discontent  was  caused  by 
the  ill-advised  acts  of  some  of  the  American  officers  left  in  charge  of  the  little 
j,'arrisons. .  .Gillespie,  with  an  insignificant  and  undisciplined  military  force, 
attempted  by  a  coercive  system  to  effect  a  moral  and  social  change  in  the 
habits,  diversions,  and  pastimes  of  the  pe.ij'le,  and  reduce  them  to  his  stand- 
ard of  propriety.  The  result  of  thib  injudicinus  cfTort  was  the  rebellion.'  Los 
Anijdes  Hint.,  17.  Lieut  Wise,  Los  Oriiiy  "!,  44-5,  attributes  the  revolt  to 
the  fact  that  'the  natives  had  been  c -i^^ounded  and  bf,wildcred  by  speeches 
and  proclamations,'  etc. ;  and  '  the  blinding  together  of  a  few  mongrel  bodies 
of  volunteers,  who  enhanced  the  pleasure  of  their  otherwise  agreeable  society 
by  pillaging  the  natives  of  horses,  cattle,  etc.,  in  quite  a  marauding,  bucca- 
neering, independent  way;  all  tf  course  under  the  apparent  legal  sanction  of 
the  U.  S.'  Sco  also  Dire.  Univ.,  .MS.,  viii.  157-8;  Cuerra,  Ajmntes,  3.55;  /"o*- 
(vr's  Los  Amjeles  in  IS47,  etc.,  42-3.  L.incey,  Cnihe,  124,  tells  us  that  Pio 
Pico  and  Josci  M.  Florcs,  'these  treacherous  enemies  of  the  U.  H., . .  .secretly 
collected  together  the  remnant  of  their  former  army,  and  resolved  upon 
another  effort  t*^  ■  -tdcI  the  Americans,'  took  advantage  of  Stockton's  absence, 
and  suddenly  i.j'<  ^red  before  Los  Angeles  with  500  men.  This,  in  substance, 
may  be  called  tlio  current  version,  except  in  respect  to  Pico's  name. 


-Ui 


ill 


308 


REVOLT  OF  I'LORES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


and  these  men  soon  began  to  dream  of  raising  a  force 
to  attack  the  garrison,  and  repeat  some  of  their  ex- 
ploits of  earlier  years.'^"  It  is  even  said  that  one  of 
the  number,  Manuel  Cantua,  was  for  a  time  jocosely 
termed  by  his  companions,  governor  l?  California! 
Several  of  the  ringleaders  were  Sonorans,  and  othei-s 
Mexicans.  Gillespie,  choosing  to  regard  the  opera- 
tions of  these  marauders  as  a  treacherous  rebellion  of 
the  Californiana,  greatly  aided  their  cause  by  his  op- 
pressive and  arbitrary  measures.  Many  citizens  fled 
to  the  ranchos  to  await  further  developments,  having 
no  sympathy  for  the  comandante,  even  if  they  had 
not  much  for  Varela. 

About  the  middle  of  September  a  detachment  (»f 
the  garrison  had  been  sent  to  San  Diego  under  Eze- 
kiel  Merritt;  and  before  daylight  on  the  23d  Varola, 
with  perhaps  twenty  companions,  made  a  sudden  at- 
tack on  the  adobe  building  in  which  the  rest  won- 
posted.  The  Californians  had  no  intention  of  fighting, 
but  by  the  suddenness  of  the  assault,  by  dischargint*- 
a  few  muskets,  and  by  shouts  and  beating  of  drums, 
they  hoped  perhaps  to  surprise  and  capture  the  post, 
as  they  had  been  wont  to  do  in  earlier  days,  or  at 
least  to  impress  both  the  garrison  and  the  citizens 
with  the  idea  that  their  movement  was  a  formidable 
one.  But  Gillespie's  men,  whatever  their  faults,  were 
not  to  be  defeated  by  noise,  and  a  volley  of  rifle-balls 
followed   the   fleeing   assailants,  one  of  whom    was 


li-! 


'"The  earliest  definite  record  of  these  operations  is  ou  Sept.  6th,  whtii 
Bonifacio  Olivares  wrote  to  Salvador  Vallejo:  '  Your  friend  Cantua  ami  1 
have  thought  of  giving  rentazos  to  the  sailors  who  took  Lo»  Angeles.  (^'a[it. 
Noriega  and  Flores  are  coming;  if  you  also  eomc,  wo  will  all  vote  for  you  to 
command  and  punish  the  sailors.  Wo  have  lances  and  reiitas  here. '  '  P.  S.  All 
that  my  compadrc  says  is  true,  and  I,  who  command  more  than  he,  also  sii} 
it,  at  the  request  of  M.  Cantua,  Dionisio  Reyes.'  Original  in  Larkin'K  l>0'\, 
MS.,  iv.  1274.  Sept.  ir)th,  Ciillcspie  writes  Fitch:  ' Election  for  alcalde  going 
on,  hut  only  20  voters  Iiavo  appeared.  The  party  of  Souorenos  who  are  dis- 
posed to  disturb  the  peace  proves  to  bo  quite  small.  1  know  the  names  of 
the  ringleaders,  who  will  not  long  bo  at  liberty.'  Fitch,  Doc,  MS.,  402.  Tiic 
origiual  rebels  included  Sdrbulo  Varcla,  Hilario  Varola,  Manuel  Cantua,  Pedro 
Romero,  J.  B.  Moreno,  Ramon  Carrillo,  Pablo  Vc«jar,  Nicolas  Hermosillo, 
Leonardo  Higucra,  Gregorio  Atcnsio,  Jionifacio  Olivares,  Dionisio  Reyes, 
Urita  Vald(?s,  etc. 


ATTACK  ON  GILLESPIE'S  GARRISON. 


309 


force 
ir  ox- 
one  of 
cosfly 
'oriiia  1 
others 
opera- 
lion  of 
tiis  op- 
ns  fled 
having 
ey  had 

lent  of 
jr  Eze- 

Varola, 
den  at- 
it   wvvv 
ighting, 
^argiuii" 
drums, 
lie  post, 
s,  or  at 
citizens 
iiiidable 

,S,  NVOIV 

,e-balls 
ni    was 


6th,  wlun 
ktua  au'l  I 
ies.     *-'iil't- 
Ifor  ytm  to 
'P.S.  All 
Ic,  ftlso  say 
hm'x  l>0'--' 
laldc  guing 
|ho  arc  ilis- 
iianies  of 
402.   The 
Itua,  Pedro 
lermoaillo, 
Isio  Rcy'S. 


wounded  in  the  foot."^  After  dayliglit  Lieutenant 
Hensley  was  sent  out  to  make  a  raid  about  the  suburbs 
of  the  town.  The  assaiUmts  of  the  night  kept  out  of 
liis  way,  as  did  most  residents,  though  a  few  were  ar- 
lested  at  their  homes;  but  this  raid,  together  with 
A'arela's  demonstration,  had  the  effect  contemplated 
by  the  latter,  to  transform  his  movement  into  a  gen- 
eral revolt.  The  Californians  witli  few  exceptions 
were  persuaded  that  war  had  broken  ont  anew,  and 
tliat  patriotism  required  them  to  take  sides  against 
the  foreign  invaders.  Varela's  force  was  speedily  in- 
creased to  nearly  300  men,  divide<l  in  bands  of  which 
his  original  associates  styled  themselves  captains.  But 
the  chief  places  were  now  assumed  by  Castro's  old 
fficers.  It  is  not  impossible  that  some  of  them  may 
1  ve  had  an  understandingr  with  Varela  and  the  others 
I.  iin  the  first;  but  there  is  no  proof  that  such  was  the 
case.  Most  of  these  officers  were  undei*  parole  not 
to  serve  ao^ainst  the  Americans;  and  bv  their  act,  ac- 
cording  to  mihtary  law,  they  disgraced  themselves 
and  forfeited  their  lives;  yet  they  justified  their  con- 
duct on  the  plea  that  Gillespie  by  his  persecution  had 
virtually  renewed  hostilities  and  released  them  from 
their  parole.  Captain  Jose  Maria  Flores,  one  of  the 
[)aroled  officers,  and  one  who  had  narrowly  escaped 
arrest,  was  chosen  to  act  as  comandante  general;  Jose 
Antonio  Cnrrillo  was  made  second  in  conunand,  resum- 
ing his  old  rark  of  mayor  general;  while  Captain  An- 
dres Pi^;u,  a;<  eormndnnte  de  e. ■^c f i ad ron,  took  the  third 

"Cili 'flpi  ■  s^i.t'-.:  'On  tlio  *22d  at  :i  uVluck  iu  the  morning  a  J>arty  of  Oo 
ralifo-'nI.''.i3i,n  Soncronoa  made  m  attack  upon  my  small  coinuiand  quartered 
in  the  gcVL-.nir.  >c  )■  i:,o.  Wo  were  not  wholly  unprepared;  and  with  'Jl 
vitlos  MX"  beat  thoiii  I'lck  without  loss  t.)  ourselves,  killing  and  wounding  three 
of  tlieir  number.  When  daylight  came  Lieut  Hensley  with  a  few  men  took 
several  prisoners,  and  drove  theCilifornians  from  the  town.  This  party  was 
merely  tho  nucleus  of  a  revolution  commeuectl  and  known  to  L'nl.  I'reinout 
before  he  left  Los  Angeles.  In  '2-1  hours  «i()0  well  mounted  horaenien,  and 
(armed?)  with  oseopetas,  lances,  and  one  tine  brass  piece  of  light  artillery,  sur- 
rounded Ix>s  Angeles  and  sumnioued  me  to  surrender.  Tliere  were  three  old 
lioney-cond)ed  iron  guns  (spiked)  iu  the  corral  of  my  quarters,  which  wo  at 
<iaoe  cleau>d  an>'  mounted  upon  the  axles  of  carts,'  etc.  Siw.  Slatexinan,  May 
0.  18J8.  't  is  very  improbable,  to  say  the  least,  that  no  gun  in  working  order 
had  bet.i  i  ft  for  (iillespie  by  Stockton. 


'n*' 


;  m 


m\ 


310 


REVOLT  OF  FLORES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


place.  It  is  not  to  bo  supposed  that  the  leaders  had 
any  confidence  in  their  ability  to  defeat  the  Ameri- 
cans; but  they  thought  the  fate  of  California  would 
be  decided  by  national  treaty,  and  if  it  remained  a 
Mexican  territory,  their  eftbrts  would  give  them  glory, 
and  influence  in  the  future.  In  any  event,  temporary 
prominence  and  p(^wer  could  be  secured,  and  if  the 
worst  came,  they  could  retreat  to  Sonora. 

The  main  camp  of  the  rebels,  where  the  final  organ- 
ization was  effected,  was  at  the  place  called  Paredon 
Blanco,  just  outside  the  town.  On  September  24th 
was  issued  a  proclamation,  or  plan,  which  I  give  be- 
lovv.^^     It  was  a  <lv<cument  of  the  stereotyped  order, 

'*  Pronunciamkiito  de  .'  c  >tro8  CaUforino»  contra  los  AmeHcanoa,  S^ 

lie  Set.  1846,  MS.;  English  i.  ion  in  Souk's  Annals,  113-14;  Stocktoid 

Mil.  and  Naval  Operations,  1^-  -the  latter,  followed  by  other  authorities, 
(lilting  it  Oct.  1st,  from  a  certified  copy  issued  by  Floras  on  that  date. 

'Citizona:  For  a  moiitli  and  a  half,  by  a  lamentable  fatality  resulting  from 
the  cowardice  and  incompetence  of  the  department's  chief  authorities,  we  sec 
ourselves  subjugated  and  oppressed  by  an  insignificant  force  of  adventurers 
from  the  U.  S.  of  N.  America,  who,  puttmgus  in  a  condition  worse  than  tliat 
of  slaves,  are  dictating  to  us  despotic  and  arbitrary  laws,  by  which,  loading 
us  with  contributions  and  onerous  taxes,  they  wish  to  destroy  our  industries 
and  agriculture,  and  to  compel  us  to  abanilou  our  property,  to  be  taken  aud 
divided  among  themselves.  And  shall  wo  bo  capable  of  permitting  ourselves 
to  bo  subjugated,  and  to  accept  in  silence  the  heavy  chain  of  slavery?  Shall 
we  lose  the  soil  inherited  from  our  fathers,  which  cost  them  so  much  blood? 
Shall  we  leave  our  families  victims  of  the  most  barbarous  servitude?  Shall 
we  wait  to  see  our  wives  violated,  our  innocent  children  beaten  by  the  Amer- 
ican whip,  our  property  sacked,  our  temples  profaned,  to  drag  out  a  life  full 
lit  shame  and  disgrace?  No!  A  thousand  times  no!  Compatriots,  death 
rather  than  that!  Who  of  you  does  not  feel  his  heart  beat  and  his  blood 
l>oil  on  contemplating  our  situation?  Who  will  be  the  Mexican  that  will  not 
be  indignant,  and  rise  in  arms  to  destroy  our  oppressors?  We  believe  there 
will  be  not  one  so  vile  and  cowardly.  Therefore,  the  majority  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  district,  justly  indignaut  at  our  tyrants,  we  raise  the  cry  of  war, 
and  with  arms  in  our  hands,  we  swear  with  one  accord  to  support  the  follow- 
ing articles:  1.  We,  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  department  of  Cal.,  as  members 
of  tho  great  Mexican  nation,  declare  that  it  ia  and  haa  been  our  vyish  to  be- 
long to  her  alone,  free  and  independent.  2.  Therefore  tho  intrusive  author- 
ities appointed  by  the  invading  forces  of  tho  U.  S.  are  hehl  as  null  and  void. 
3.  All  North  Americans  being  foes  of  Mexico,  we  swear  not  to  lay  down  our 
arms  until  we  see  them  ejected  from  Mexican  soil.  4.  Every  Mexican  citi- 
zen from  15  to  GO  years  of  age  who  does  not  take  up  arms  to  carry  out  this 
plan  is  declared  a  traitor,  under  penalty  of  death.  5.  Every  Mexican  or 
foreigner  who  may  directly  or  indirectly  aid  tho  foes  of  Mexico  will  be  pun- 
ished iu  the  same  manner.  C.  All  property  of  resident  North  Americans 
who  may  have  directly  or  indirectly  taken  part  v  ith  or  aided  the  enemies  of 
Mexico  will  be  confiscated  and  used  for  the  expenses  of  the  war,  and  their 
persons  will  be  sent  to  the  interior  of  the  republic.  7.  All  who  may  oppose 
the  present  plan  will  bepimished  with  arms  [put  to  death].  8.  All  inaab- 
itants  of  Sta  Bdrbara  an(f  the  northern  district  will  be  iimncdiately  invited 


''    ii 


PRONUNCIAMIENTO. 


311 


containing  a  recital  of  wrongs  in  which  a  meagre  sub- 
stratum of  fact  was  eked  out  with  much  that  was  im- 
aginary; a  florid  appeal  to  Mexican  patriotism;  a 
threat  of  vengeance  on  the  oppressors  and  punish- 
ment to  all  who  might  either  give  aid  to  the  foe  or 
tail  to  support  the  cause  of  freedom.  It  was  signed 
by  Varela  and  more  than  300  others;  possibly  not 
receiving  the  signature  of  General  Flores  until  a  day 
or  two  later.  Meanwhile  the  garrison  was  summoned 
to  surrender,  and  the  town  was  surrounded,  and  in  a 
sense  besieged  by  the  Californians.  It  does  not 
clearly  appear  that  there  was  any  fighting,  though 
some  say  that  Gillespie's  men  made  several  sorties, 
the  well  mounted  natives  keeping  beyond  the  reach 
of  rifle-bullets,  and  couf^ning  their  efforts  to  stamped- 
ing the  horses,  cutting  off  supplies,  completing  their 
own  preparations,  and  annoying  the  Americans  as 
much  as  possible."  On  the  24th,  as  we  have  seen, 
Juan  Flaco  started  with  the  news  of  Gillespie's  posi- 
tion for  Monterey  and  San  Francisco. 


The  first  'battle'  of  this  rebellion — or  the  second  if 
we  count  Varela's  demonstration  against  Gillespie- 

to  accede  to  this  plan.     Camp  near  Lo»  Arjeles,  Sept.  '24,  1846.     S^rbulo 
Varela  [written  Barelas],  Leonardo  Cota  [and  over  300  others]. ' 

'^On  the  events  of  these  and  the  following  days  much  information  is  de- 
rived from  the  following  works:  Coronel,  Concur  de  CaL,  MS.,  80-107;  Luqo, 
Vida,  MS.,  32-67;  Rko,  Mem.,  MS.,  a^l-SS;  Botello,  Armies,  MS.,  142-54; 
WiUon'a  Obierv.,  MS.,  6G-91;  Former's  Pioneer  Data,  MS.,  35-43;  Vejar, 
Recuerdos,  MS.,  44-64;  Moreno,  Vida,  MS.,  13-23,  35;  White's Cal,  MS.,  27- 
35;  Garcia,  Epuodios,  MS.,  8-18;  Castro,  Servidos,  MS.;  Palomares,  Mem., 
MS.,  58-76;  Jaimens,  Vida,  MS.,  189-03;  Streeter's  Recoil.,  MS.,  63-75. 
Manuel  Castro  to  Pio  Pico,  in  Doc.  Ifist.  Col.,  MS.,  iii.  292;  Foster's  Aiigele/i 
in  '47,  MS.,  21^5;  Arnaz,  Recuerdos,  MS.,  55-7,  94-5;  Ord,  Ocurrencias, 
MS.,  184-5;  Vega,  Vida,  MS.,  50-7;  //o.s  Angeles  Crdnica,  May  23-6,  1877; 
If  ayes'  Scraps,  Cal.  Notes,  iii.  35;  JMvis'  OH.npses,  MS.,  351-4;  Osio,  Hint. 
CaL,  MS.,  480^-5.  Most  of  tlie  writers  cited  were  actors  in  the  events  de- 
scribed. Their  testimony  shows  no  important  discrepancies,  except  in  mi- 
nute personal  details,  which  cannot  bo  presented  in  the  space  at  my  com- 
mand. See  Mexican  accounts  in.  I'icrionario  UniversiU,  viii.  157-9;  (Juerra, 
Apuntes,  355-61;  and  especially  Bustamante,  Mem.  Hist.  Mex.,  MS.,  v.  218, 
242-3;  vi,  41-4.  At  first  Don  CArlos  Maria  took  great  comfort  from  the 
news  that  the  Anglo-American  garrison  of  2<~>0  men  had  been  killed  d  polos 
in  a  revolt  of  the  town!  'Leccion  terrible  para  los  opresores,  y  que  lea  bajani 
un  tanto  su  orgullo'!  But  his  later  news,  though  always  exaggerated,  was 
much  more  accurate.  Printed  accounts  by  American  wiiters,  as  a  rule,  barely 
mention  the  revolt,  reserving  details  so  long  as  reverses  continued. 


i    1>y 


:'S    I 


,li-:i 


'f  !i  1 1' 


:■  ,-i; 


11  tf 


31-2 


REVOLT  OF  FLORES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


was  fought  at  the  Chino  rancho  of  Isaac  Wilhams, 
about  twenty-five  miles  east  of  Los  Angeles,  on  Sep- 
tember 26th— 27th.  Benito  Wilson  had  been  put  by 
Stockton  in  command  of  some  twenty  foreigners  to 
protect  the  San  Bernardino  frontier,  both  against  the 
Indians  and  against  hostile  parties  that  Castro  might 
sentl  from  Sonora,  if  he  had  crossed  the  Colorado  at 
all,  which  was  at  first  doubted.  Wilson  went  to  hi.s 
own  rancho  of  Jurupa,  whence  he  visited  the  different 
rancheri'as  of  Indians,  satisfied  himself  that  Castro 
had  really  departed,  and  made  a  hunting  tour.  On 
his  return  to  Jurupa  he  was  met  by  David  Alexander 
and  John  Rowland,  who  brought  news  of  the  rising 
in  town,  and  also  an  invitation  for  the  company  to  go 
to  Chino.  This  invitation  was  accepted  the  more 
readily  because  they  had  used  up  nearly  all  their 
ammunition  in  hunting;  but  on  reaching  Chino,  con- 
trary to  their  expectations,  they  found  that  Williams 
had  no  powder.  By  some  it  was  thought  best  to 
leave  the  rancho  for  the  mountains,  whence  an  at- 
tempt might  be  made  to  join  the  garrison  in  town; 
but  most  declared  that  their  ammunition  was  suf- 
ficient for  the  few  shots  needed  to  defeat  a  Californian 
foe,  and  it  was  decided  to  withstand  a  siege.  That 
same  afternoon  the  Californians  approached ;  and  Isaac 
Callaghan,  who  was  sent  out  to  reconnoitre,  came  back 
with  a  bullet  in  his  arm.'^* 

Serbulo  Varela,  Diego  Sepiilveda,  and  Ramon  Car- 
rillo  had  been  despatched  from  the  Paredon  Blanco 
with  fifty  men  or  more  against  Wilson.  Josd  del 
Cdrmen  Lugo,  already  in  command  of  fifteen  ortwen- 
tv  men  on  the  San  Bernardino  frontier,  with  instruc- 

'^*  Wilson's  Observations,  MS.,  is  the  most  detailed  and  complete  narra- 
tion of  the  whole  affair,  supported  in  most  respocta  by  other  authorities. 
Such  support  is,  however,  for  the  most  part  wanting  to  Wilson's  charge  that 
Williams  was  a  traitor;  that  he  enticed  them  to  Chino  l>y  the  statement 
tliat  ho  had  plenty  of  ammunition;  that,  while  pretending  to  send  a  message 
from  Wilson  to  Gillespie,  ho  directed  tlio  courier,  Fuli.x  (Jallardo,  to  deliver 
it  to  Flores ;  and  in  fact,  that  all  his  efforts  were  directed  to  gaining  Flores' 
good-will  by  the  sacrifice  of  his  countrymen.  Michael  Wiiite,  Cal.,  MS.,  27, 
etc.,  gives  a  similar  version.  Some  others  state  that  Williams  took  no  part 
in  the  fii^ht,  acting  in  a  cowardly  manner. 


FIGHT  AT  CHINO  RANCHO. 


313 


lliams, 
n  Sep- 
put  by 
lers  to 
ist  the 

might 
'ado  at 

to  liiis 
ifFerent 
Castro 
r.  On 
xaiider 
}  rising 
y  togo 
3  more 
1  their 
10,  con- 
/"ilhauis 
best  to 

an  at- 
towu ; 

as  siif- 

fornian 
That 

d  Isaac 

^e  back 

)n  Car- 
I  Blanco 

)S($  del 
|r  twen- 

nstruc- 

|ete  nar ra- 
il thorities. 
Iiargc  that 
Istateinout 
la  inessagi' 
(to  deliver 
Ing  Flores' 
MS.,  27, 
bk  no  part 


tions  to  watch  the  foreigners,  also  marched  to  Chino. 
Lugo  claims  to  have  arrived  first,  and  to  have  been 
joined  by  Varela  late  in  the  night,  which  was  proba- 
bly true."  The  Americans  were  summoned  to  sur- 
render, and  perhaps  a  few  shots  were  exchanged  that 
evening,  the  26th,  though  witnesses  do  not  agree  on 
that  point.  There  was  but  little  ammunition  on 
either  side ;  and  the  Californians  lacked  weapons  also. 
The  rancho  house  was  of  adobe,  surrounding  a  large 
interior  court-yard,  having  but  few  windows  or  other 
openings  in  the  thick  walls,  and  roofed  with  asphal- 
tuni.  The  whole  was  nearly  enclosed  with  a  ditch 
and  adobe  fence.  About  dawn  on  the  27th,  the  Cali- 
fornians, many  of  them  on  horseback,  made  a  rush  for 
the  house,  the  movement  being  accompanied  and  fol- 
lowed by  a  discharge  of  fire-arms  on  both  sides.  Sev- 
eral horses  fell  in  leaping  the  ditch  or  fence,  throwing 
their  riders,  two  or  three  of  whom  were  wounded,  and 
one,  Cdrlos  Ballesteros,  killed  by  a  rifle-ball.  Inside 
the  house  three  were  wounded,  Perdue,  Skene,  and 
Harbin,  the  two  first-named  somewhat  seriously.*" 
There  was  time  but  for  few  shots,  for  the  assailants 
reached  a  position  close  under  the  walls  of  the  build- 
ing, where  they  could  not  be  seen.  Their  next  step 
was  to  fire  the  roof.  The  owner  of  the  rancho  pre- 
sented himself  with  his  small  children,  whose  uncles, 
the  Lugos,  were  among  the  assailants,  and  begged 
that  their  lives  might  be  spared.  Varela  appeared  at 
the  main  entrance,  and  called  upon  the  Americans  to 
surrender,  promising  thorn  protection  as  prisoners  of 
war.     The  terms  were  accepted;  Wilson's  men  gave 


"  Lugo,  Vida  de  nn  Jianchero,  MS, 
Lugo's  statement  to  a  certain  extent. 
58,  etc.,  claims  to  have  been  second 
others  imply,  that  lianion  Carrillo  was 

'•Stephen  C.  Foster,  Amjelen  \',7-9, 
of  the  fight,  and  the  actions  of  jiarticul 
took  part  in  the  affair,  six  months  later 
iloue  chiefly  after  the  Californians  had 
the  walls,  and  exchanging  shots  at 
Skene  was  wounded  by  a  young  Lu 
wounded  man. 


'M,  cti'.  Wilson  and  Coronel  confirm 
Francisco  I'alomarcs,  Meniorias,  MS., 
in  command.  Rico  states,  and  .some 
the  leader. 

M.S.,  '25,  etc.,  gives  many  particular.'? 
;ir  individuals,  obtained  from  mun  who 
.  He  <lescribp8  tbo  tiring  to  have  bopii 
reached  the  house,  tlicy  creeping  along 
close  range  through  tlie  port-holes, 
go,  whose  father  later  eared  for  the 


i  m 

|| 

1 
1 

m  1 

IH 

314 


REVOLT  OF  FLORES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


themselves  up;'"  Varela's  force  set  to  work  to  extin- 
guish the  fire  and  secure  the  plunder;  and  soon  all 
were  on  the  road  to  Los  Angeles.  Sepiilveda  and 
his  men  in  the  advance  party,  and  in  charge  of  most 
of  the  prisoners,  proposed  to  shoot  the  latter  in  re- 
venge for  the  death  of  Ballesteros;  but  Varela  inter- 
posed his  authority,  and  by  the  utmost  eflTorts  saved 
their  lives.  They  were  turned  over  to  Flores,  and 
eight  or  ten  of  the  most  prominent  at  least  were  kept 
in  captivity  until  January  1847.  The  rest  were 
probably  exchanged  for  those  whom  Gillespie  had 
arrested,  though  there  is  no  agreement  in  the  testi- 
mony on  this  point. "^ 

Gillespie  and  his  men  were  now  posted  on  Fort  Hill, 
where  some  guns  were  mounted  Whether  he  also 
still  held  possession  of  the  old  barracks  is  not  clear. 
His  position  was  becoming  critical.  The  Californians, 
though  poorly  provided  with  arms  and  amumnition, 
had  plenty  of  food  and  horses,  were  flushed  with  their 

''  The  members  of  this  party  so  far  as  known  were  B.  D.  Wilson,  Isaac 
Williams,  David  W.  Alexander,  John  Rowland,  Louis  Robidoux,  Joseph 
Perdue,  \Vm  Skene,  Isaac  Callaghan,  Evan  Callaghan,  Michael  White,  Matt. 
Harbin,  George  Walters.  Also  named  on  doubtful  authority,  Dotson,  Godey, 
Warner. 

*'  Michael  White  is  positive  that  it  was  Carrillo  and  not  Varela  who  pre- 
vented their  being  killed.  Lugo  claims  to  have  been  chief  in  command 
throughout  the  affair,  and  to  have  had  charge  later  of  those  prisoners  who  had 
not  been  exchanged.  V^jar  names  Geronimo  Ibarra  as  one  of  the  wounded. 
He  also  claims  to  have  had  much  to  do  himself  with  saving  the  prisoners' 
lives.  Several  state  that  the  prisoners  were  exchanged.  Coronel  thinks 
that  some  of  them  were  released  on  parole.  Foster  says  much  of  A.  M.  Lu- 
go's attentions  to  the  wounded,  and  of  his  ofiFer  to  go  bail  for  all.  Accordinj^ 
to  Wilson,  they  were  kept  at  the  camp,  at  Boyle's  Height,  in  a  small  adobe 
liouse,  until  Gillespie's  departure;  then  taken  into  town,  where  the  wounded 
were  treated  by  Dr  Den;  and  all  received  much  aid  and  attention  from 
Eulogio  C6lis,  v/hile  Stearns  and  other  Americans  did  not  make  their  appear- 
ance. Flores  oflfered  to  release  tliem  on  a  solemn  promise  not  to  bear  arms 
or  use  their  influence  in  favor  of  the  U.  S.,  which  they  declined.  Then  a  plan 
was  formed  to  send  them  to  Mexico,  which  was  prevented  by  a  revolt,  of 
which  more  anon.  Tliey  were  sent  to  S.  Gabriel  for  a  few  days,  being  prac- 
tically free,  but  were  brought  back  to  prison.  Later  they  were  sent  for  ;v 
time  to  Temple's  rancho  of  Los  Cerritos.  This  was  while  Stockton  was  at 
S.  Pedro.  Then  they  returned  to  their  town  prison,  but  were  kindly  treated, 
until  Stockton's  second  entry  into  Angeles.  vVillard  Buzzell,  in  a  newspaper 
account  found  in  Ilayen'  Scraps,  Cal.  Notes,  iii.  35,  says  that  13  of  Gillespie's 
prisoners  were  exchanged  for  a  like  number  of  the  Chino  men.  Buzzell  was 
with  Gillespie,  out  his  narrative  is  in  some  respects  very  inaccurate. 


LOS  ANGELES  RETAKEN  BY  THE  CALIFORNIAN.S. 


:U5 


victory  at  Chino,  were  bitter  against  Gillespie  on  old 
scores,  besides  having  the  death  of  Ballestero.s — a 
young  man  who  was  liked  and  respected  by  all — to 
avenge,  and  outnumbered  the  Americans  ten  to  one. 
Even  if  Juan  Flaco  had  succeeded  in  his  mission, 
which  could  not  be  known,  it  would  be  long  before  re- 
lief could  be  expected.  Meanwhile  Flores  renewed 
liis  demands  for  a  surrender;  and  finally  offered  to 
permit  the  garrison  to  march  unmolested  to  San  Pe- 
dro, if  they  would  abandon  their  post  in  the  city. 
Wilson,  at  Flores'  request,  made  known  the  proposal 
to  Gillespie,  and  with  it  sent  his  own  advice  in  favor 
of  its  being  accepted,  on  the  ground  that  the  post 
could  not  be  held,  that  there  was  great  danger  of  all 
losing  their  lives  in  the  impending  attack,  and  that 
by  holding  out,  no  good,  but  rather  harm,  would  result 
to  American  residents  of  the  south.  Gillespie  accept- 
ed the  offer ;  marched  out  with  all  the  honors  of  war, 
his  colors  flying  and  drums  beating;  arrived  at  San 
Pedro  without  molestation ;  and  four  or  five  days  later 
embarked  on  the  merchant  ship  Vandalia,  which, 
however,  did  not  at  once  leave  the  port.  He  was  ac- 
companied by  a  few  American  citizens,  and  also  prob- 
ably by  a  dozen  of  the  Chino  prisoners,  for  whom  he 
had  exchanged  a  like  number  of  Californians  under 
arrest.  The  capitulation  was  in  the  last  days  of  Sep- 
tember, and  the  embarkation  the  4th  of  October.^' 
There  is  a  general  agreement  that  Gillespie  promised 
to  deliver  his  field-pieces  at  San  Pedro,  but  broke  his 
promise  by  leaving  them  on  shore  spiked  and  useless. 
The  terms  of  the  capitulation,  however,  if  they  were 
put  iii  writing  at  all,  are  not  extant. 


30 


'''Gillespie  says  ho  inarched  to  S.  Pedro  on  Sept.  '29th;  Wilson  thinks  it 
was  on  the  28th;  and  several  Californians  make  it  tlie  30th.  I  find  no  docu- 
ment to  settle  it. 

'*>  In  addition  to  the  Californians,  Bidwell,  Buzzell,  and  other  Americana 
confirm  the  spiking  of  the  guns.  Gillespie  himself  implies  that  by  the  treaty 
he  was  to  remain  on  shore  at  S.  Pedro;  but  says  that,  'Floret"  Laving  broken 
the  treaty  by  stopping  my  supply  of  water,  I  safely  embarked  my  party  oq 
lioard  the  Vandalia,  which  I  had  detained  to  cover  my  retreat.'  It  ia  un- 
likely that  Flores  permitted  the  Americans  to  remain  at  S.  Pedro.     Possibly 


p-JiM; 


.'il  i- 


f:^i 


316 


REVOLT  OP  FLORKS  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


The  tyarrison  of  Los  Anj^olcs  beini^  tlius  disposed 
of,  thero  remained  tlie  posts  of  Santa  litlrbara  au<l 
San  Die<]fo  to  be  reoeoupiod  by  the  Californians. 
INIanuel  Garfias  was  despatched  to  Santa  Bdrbaiu 
witli  a  small  force,  to  be  increased  by  tnilistnients  in 
that  region.  It  was  not  doubted  that  Talbot  and  liis 
nine  men^*  would  be  willing  to  depart  on  the  sanu- 
terms  as  Gillespie;  but  (xartias  carried  a  demand  for 
suirender  on  parole.  He  sent  the  demand  on  ar- 
rival, the  messenger  being  accompanied  by  a  small 
guard,  and  two  hours  were  allowed  for  decision.  The 
date  is  not  exactly  known,  perhaps  the  1st  or  2d  (»! 
October',^-  and  it  was  nearly  dark.  Residents  of  the 
place  had  warned  the  garrison  in  advance,  and  now- 
advised  a  surrender;  but  Talbot  and  his  men  decided 
to  run  away,  and  thus  avoid  the  necessity  of  a  parolo. 
They  started  at  once,  met  with  no  opposition  from 
the  guard,**  and  gained  the  mountains.  They  were 
experienced  mountaineers,  though  few  were  over 
twenty  years  of  age.  They  remained  a  week  in  sight 
of  tiie  town,  thinking  that  a  man-of-war  might  appear 
to  retake  the  post.     Their  presence  was  revealed  to 

Gillespie  had  agreed  to  embark  at  once,  bat  delaying  un  one  pretext  or 
another,  had  his  water  supply  cut  oiF  to  hasten  hia  movements,  seizing  upon 
this  act  as  an  excuse  for  spiking  the  guns.  Rico  claims  to  have  been  scut  to 
S.  Pedro  with  a  message  to  Gillespie  that  if  he  did  not  embark  at  once  as  lie 
had  promised  he  would  be  attacked. 

"  They  were  Tiieodore  Talbot,  Thomas  E.  Breckenridge,  Eugene  Russell, 
Cliailes  Scriver,  John  Stevens,  Joseph  Moulton,  Francis  Briggs,  Duraiul. 
William,  a  Chinook  Indian,  and  Manuel,  a  Now  Mexican.  Testimony  of 
Russell  and  Brcckenridge  in  Ffimont's  Cul.  C/dhnx,  52-4. 

^'^  Russell  and  Brcckenridge  speak  of  liaving  been  34  days  on  the  journey 
from  Sta  BArbara  to  Monterey.  Tliis  would  make  the  date  of  starting  Sept. 
'27th  or  Oct.  4th,  according  as  we  include  or  not  the  8  days  spent  at  the 
mountain  camp  in  sight  of  Sta  Biirbara. 

''•'  rhelps,  Fore  and  Aft,  313-14,  tells  how  they  marched  out,  one  of  their 
nuiiibor  sick.  They  formed  in  line,  their  b.icks  against  the  wall,  and  toll 
tlie  foe  they  were  ready,  daring  them  to  advance,  calling  them  cowarti.i, 
'  laughing  them  to  scorn, 'etc.  Finding  they  would  not  fight,  Talbot  marcliml 
olF  in  a  hollow  square,  followed  by  the  'calmleros,'  who  reviled  the  bravo 
squad  but  dared  not  attack  them!  All  this  is  jiurely  imaginary.  A  letter  of 
Nov.  15th  to  the  Boston  Traveller,  reprinted  in  Nilex'  Iteij.,  ixxii.  81,  gives 
an  account  similar  to  that  of  Phelps.  Evidently  some  of  Talbot's  men  on 
arrival  at  Monterey  indulged  in  the  trappei-s'  propensity  for  story-telling. 
Streeter,  liecoll.,  MS.,  55-03,  wiys  that  all  the  men  but  one,  Russell,  favored 
surrender  at  first;  but  as  he  declared  his  purpose  toe^icape.  the  rest  concluded 
to  go  with  him. 


i^m 


T ALHOT  QUITS  SANTA  BARBARA. 


317 


lisposcd 
ira  and 
ornians. 
Bdrbaiii 
lents  ill 
and  his 
le  sann' 
land  t'ni- 
[  on  ar- 
a  small 
n.     The 
ar  2d  «>l 
a  of  the 
md  now 
{  decided 
a  parole, 
ion  from 
hey  were 
ere    over 
in  sight 
t  appear 
ealed  to 


e  pretext  i^r 

seizing  upon 

Ibeen  sent  to 

,t  once  as  lu' 

;ene  Russill. 
iga,  Duraml, 
festimony  of 

I  the  journey 
larting  Sept. 
Ipent  at  the 

lone  of  their 
lill,  and  tola 
Jjm  cowards, 
[hot  marchqil 
the  brave 
A  letter  of 
Mi.  81,  gives 
lot's  men  on 
Itory-telling. 
Tsell,  favored 
Bt  concluded 


Californians  by  their  attempts  to  obtain  cattle  and 
sheep  at  night;  and  then  some  efforts  were  made  to 
hasten  their  movements.  A  party  sent  out  for  this 
purpose  once  came  so  near  the  American  camp  that  a 
horse  was  killed  by  a  rifle-ball;  American  residents, 
apparently  Robbins  and  Hill,  were  sent  with  new 
demands  for  surrender;  and  finally,  just  after  Talbot's 
men  had  left  their  camp,  fire  was  set  to  the  mountain 
chaparral,  with  a  view  to  drive  them  out.  They 
crossed  the  mountains,  receiving  aid  and  guidance 
from  a  Spanish  ranchero,  reached  the  Tulares,  and 
proceeded  to  Monterey,  where  they  arrived  November 
8th,  having  suffered  many  hardships  on  tlio  long  jour- 
ney.*** After  Talbot's  flight,  American  residents  of 
the  Santa  Barbara  rosj^ion  were  arrested,  most  beinjj 
paroled,  and  a  few  apparently  sent  to  Los  Angeles 
as  prisoners.  A  small  garrison  was  left  at  the  town, 
and  another  at  San  Buenaventura;  all  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Gumesindo  Flores; 
while  40  or  50  men  were  recruited  foi-  Flores'  army.^' 
At  San  Diego,  as  we  have  seen,  no  garrison  had 
been  left  at  first;  but  about  September  1 5th,  at  the 
request  of  Fitch,  who  reported  symptoms  of  disorder, 
Ezckiel  Merritt  was  sent  with  a  dozen  men  by  Gilles- 
pie to  protect  the  jdace.^"  Immediately  after  Gil- 
lespie's retreat,  and  at  the  same  time  that  Gartias  was 
sent  to  Santa  Barbara,  Francisco  Rico  marched  for 
San  Diego  with  fifty  men.     At  his  approach  Bidwell 

■"Arrival  at  Monterey  noted  in  Monterey  Ccdifornian,  Nov.  14th.  Lan- 
ccy,  Cruise,  130-1,  quotes  Talbot,  source  not  mentioned:  'I  suffered  more 
from  downright  starvation,  cold,  nakedness,  and  every  sort  of  privation, 
than  in  any  other  trip  I  have  yet  made,  and  I  liave  liad  some  rough  ones. ' 
.Most  of  the  authorities  I  have  cited  on  the  [''lores  revolt  also  mention  brielly 
Tall)Ot's  retreat. 

'*  Nidever,  Life  and  Adveii-.,  MS.,  llG-27,  and  Dittmann,  Narratiro, 
MS.,  .'{7-9,  arrived  ao  Sta  Barbara  witli  Wm  Fife  from  a  hunting  tour  just 
after  Talbot's  departure.  They  were  arrested,  but  Fife  and  iJittmann,  not 
lieiug  Americans,  were  released.  Nidever  was  sent  to  Angeles,  but  ran 
away  and  kept  hid  until  Frt^mont  came  .soutii.  Ho  gives  nuxny  details  of 
Ills  iicrsonal  athentures  in  the  mean  time,  all  strictly  true,  as  it  is  to  bo  hoped. 

'''Sept.  13th,  Gillespie  to  Fiteh,  who  was  to  furnish  provisions.  Filch,  Doc, 
.MS.,  400.  Sept.  loth,  Id.  to  Id.,  and  Bidwell  to  Fitch.  Id.,  401-2.  Mer. 
ritt's  party  w.as  expected  on  the  liJtli. 


?iii 


'''■■;■       '  ■ 


318 


RBIVOLT  OF  FLORES  IN  THE  SOUTIf. 


loft  San  Luis  Rev  and  joined  Merritt's  party.  Tlioy 
were  also  joined  by  a  few  native  citizens,  and  all  went 
on  board  the  Stonington,  a  whaler  lying  at  anchor  in 
the  bay,  takinjr  with  them  some  cannon  dug  up  at 
the  old  fort.  Rico,  however,  did  not  reach  San  Di 
ego,  being  recalled  in  great  haste  from  Santa  Marga 
rita;  but  it  appears  that  a  few  mounted  Californians 
of  the  district  appeared  on  the  hills  from  time  to  time, 
with  sufficient  demonstrations  of  hostility  to  keep  the 
Americans  on  board  theif  vessel  for  about  twenty 
days.'" 

Nearly  all  the  male  inhabitants  of  southern  Cali- 
fornia were  now,  in  a  certain  sense,  engaged  as  sol- 
diers in  the  revolt;  but  less  than  200  were  kept 
actually  in  service,  the  rest  being  warned  to  hold 
themselves  in  readiness  for  the  time  of  need.  In  fact, 
200  men,  or  half  that  number,  were  more  than  could 
bo  armed  and  equipped.  The  country  was  ransacked 
for  old  muskets,  pistols,  and  lances,  with  indifferent 
success.  An  old  four-pounder,  that  had  formerly 
served  on  festive  occasions  for  the  firing  of  salutes 
was  dug  up  from  the  garden  of  Inocencia  Reye 
where  it  had  been  buried  on  Stockton's  first  ap- 
proach; and  this  was  mounted  on  a  pair  of  wagon- 
wheels  by  an  English  carpenter.  Powder  was  still 
more  scarce  than  weapons;  only  enough  for  a  few 
charges  of  the  pedrero  could  be  procured ;  and  to  sup- 
ply the  want  a  quantity  of  very  inferior  quality  was 
manufactured  at  San  Gabriel.  News  soon  came  that 
the  Americans  had  landed  at  San  Pedro;  and  Jose 
Antonio  Carrillo  was  despatched  in  haste  with  fifty 
horsemen  to  reconnoitre  and  harass  the  foe;  whiK' 
Flores  was  to  follow  with  the  gun.  Captain  Mer- 
vino,  having  loft  San  Francisco  on  the  Savannah  Oc- 
tober 4th,  reached  San  Pedro  on  the  6th,  and  imnic- 
diat(3ly  landed  about  350  men,  who  were  joined  by 

"  Rico,  Memorlaa,  MS.,  30;  Bidfell'a  Col.  in  1841-8,  MS.,  183-90;  Dkc. 
Univ.,  viii.  158. 


MERVINE'S  DEFEAT. 


919 


(iillL'spio's  men  frnm  the  Vaiulalia.  On  the  7th  they 
hcgun  their  march  to  Los  Angeles.  They  took  no 
amnon  from  the  ship;  and  they  could  find  no  horses; 
but  they  remembered  Stockton's  former  march,  and 
had  no  doubt  the  Californians  would  run  at  their  ap- 
proach. In  the  afternoon  tliey  began  to  see  mounted 
men  of  Carrillo's  advance  guard,  with  whom  a  few 
shots  were  exchanged,  one  of  the  Californians  being 
slightly  wounded.  At  night  the  Americans  occupied 
the  buildings  of  the  Dominguez  rancho;  and  before 
midnight  Flores  joined  Carrillo  with  .sixty  men,  bring- 
ing also  the  field-piece.  There  was  more  or  less  firing 
<luring  the  night,  with  no  other  eftect  than  that  of 
keeping  Mervine's  party  on  the  alert.  Early  the  next 
morning,  October  8th,  Flores  retired  with  twenty  men, 
leaving  orders  to  risk  no  general  engagement,  but  to 
harass  and  delay  the  foe  as  much  as  possible.  Soon 
the  Americans  advanced,  the  marines  and  seamen 
forming  a  solid  square  in  the  centre,  while  Gillespie's 
party  acted  as  skirmishers  on  the  right  aid  left.  Car- 
rillo also  divided  his  force  into  three  bodies,  about 
forty  on  each  flank,  and  ten  with  the  gun  in  the  cen- 
tre. When  Mervine  came  near,  the  gun  was  fired  bv 
Ignacio  Aguilar,  and  was  immediately  dragged  away 
by  reatas  attached  to  the  horsemen's  .saddles,  to  be  re- 
loaded at  a  safe  distance.  This  operation  was  re- 
peated some  half  a  dozen  times  in  loss  than  an  hour. 
The  first  discharges  did  no  harm,  since  the  home-made 
p(nvder  was  used;  but  at  last  the  gun  was  properly 
loaded,  and  the  solid  column  affording  an  excellent 
target,  each  shot  was  effective.  Six  were  killed  and 
tis  many  wounded,  if  indeed  the  loss  of  the  Ameri- 
cans was  not  still  greater."''     No  one  was  hurt  on  the 

'' '  Four  killed  and  several  wounded,'  or  'several  men  killed  and  wounded, ' 
id  all  that  Stockton  says.  Report,  42;  Mil.  and  Nav.  Op.,  10.  No  ollicial 
1  oport  by  Mervine  is  extant,  so  far  as  I  know.  Six  killed  and  C  wounded 
i.i  the  statement  in  Cults'  Conq.,  127-8,  and  most  often  repeated.  Gillespie, 
Sacramento  Statesman,  May  G,  1858,  says  that  Mervine  lost  13.  Several  Cal- 
ifornians state  that  12  or  13  were  killed,  basing  their  statement  on  the  ac- 
count of  the  man  employed  to  move  the  remains.  Carrillo,  in  his  official  re- 
I)ort,  gave  7  as  the  number  of  slain.  Flores,  in  his  report,  says  they  were  12. 
I'helps  says  7  or  8. 


\m 


320 


REVOLT  or  FLORES  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


mk 


Californian  side.  The  sailors  advanced  bravely,  but 
in  this  peculiar  warfare  bravery  was  of  no  avail. 
Mervino  soon  perceived  that  the  pursuit  of  flyin<^ 
artillery  and  cavalry  by  marines  on  foot  could  only 
result  in  useless  slaughter;  he  had  no  means  of  know- 
ing, what  was  indeed  true,  that  the  enemy  had  burned 
all  their  effective  powder,  and  could  no  longer  oppose 
his  advance ;  and  he  accordingly  retreated  to  San  Pedro 
and  recmbarked.  The  dead  and  wounded  were  carried 
by  their  companions;  and  the  former  were  buried  (»ii 
the  little  island  before  and  since  known  as  Isla  de  los 
Muertos.  The  Californians  claim  that  Mervine  left  be- 
hind him  a  quantity  of  useful  articles,  including  a  flag.''" 

Duri?ig  the  rest  of  October  a  large  part  of  the  Cal- 
ifornian army,  or  about  one  hundred  men,  was  kept 
between  Angeles  ard  San  Pedro,  the  chief  encamp- 
ment being  at  Temple's  rancho  of  Los  Cerritos,  and  a 
small  detachment  being  stationed  at  Sepiilveda's 
rancho  of  Palos  Verdes,  near  the  anchorage.  The 
men  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  watch  the  Savannnh; 
and  the  leaders  were  able  to  devote  their  attf>ntion  to 
perfecting  the  machinery  of  their  new  government, 
and  to  the  more  difficult  task  of  obtaining  resources 
for  future  warfare.  Archives  of  the  Flores  r^qfime 
have  for  the  most  part  disappeared;  but  enough  re- 
main in  my  collection  from  private  sources  to  show 
the  purport  of  the  general's  measures.*"     The  }ikui 

^'Carrillo,  Accioii  de  San  Pedro  contra  ic*  Americanos,  8  de  Oct.  IS.'/j, 
MS.  The  original  official  report,  dated  at  S.  I'cdro  O^-t.  8th  ;  also  priiitcil  in 
El  Sonon-n.sc,  Jan.  8,  1847.  Flores'  congratulatory  proclamation  annoiinoing 
the  victory  is  in  Janxsens,  Doc,  MS.,  iy-20.  Tlicru  is  a  general  ugreeuuiit 
among  the  different  authorities  on  the  general  features  of  tliis  battle,  tlii)iii.'li 
there  is  naturally  n,uch  exaggeration  of  the  forces  engaged  on  tlio  oppusite 
side,  especially  hy  American  writers.  A  newspaper  item  relates  that  Mer- 
vine, before  starting  on  his  niaroh,  niatle  a  speech  to  his  men,  alhiding,  aimiiig 
other  things,  to  the  grapes  they  would  iind  at  Los  Angeles,  'i'his  remark  \\a.< 
afterward  connected  by  the  men  with  the  'grape'  fired  from  the  carnon;  and 
'  Capt.  Mervine's  gra[)es,  vintage  of  1846,'  became  a  current  joke. 

*"  Agustin  Jansscns  was  justice  of  the  peace  at  Sta  Ines,  and  was  made  a 
kind  of  military  commandant  in  that  region;  and  among  liis  j)aper8  are  found 
many  of  Flores' oi  derb  not  elsewhere  extant.  Oct.  9th,  Flores'  general  in- 
structions for  Sta  In(5s  district.  Keep  the  largest  possible  force  in  arms,  with 
spies  on  the  Monterey  road  to  look  out  for  Fremont,  and  also  toward  Sta 


n-'-i'' 


.:h(i 


FLOKES  AND  THK  ASSEMBLY. 


321 


ely,  but 

0  avail. 
»f  flying 
iild  only 
)f  know- 

1  burned 
r  oppose 
in  I*edr(> 
e  carried 
uried  (ui 
ila  de  los 
le  left  be- 
g  a  flag.- 

'theCal- 

was  kept 

encanip- 

tos,  and  a 

piilveda's 

ge.     The 

avannnh; 

ention  to 

ernmciit, 

resources 

s  rdqjime 

lough  rc- 

to  show 

he  i»lan 

it  Oct.  is/fij, 

tio  priiitoil  in 

nunoiiiu'iiig 

III  iigrcciiu'iit 

kill!  oppisitc 
is  tlmt  Mi'i- 
[iliiij,',  aiiKiii^; 
1  remark  v  ;is 
Larnon;  ami 

Iwaa  made  a 
Irs  arc  found 
general  in- 
arms, with 
toward  Sta 


was  to  wage  a  guerrilla  warfare,  and  thus  prevent  the 
naval  forces  from  p(;netrating  again  into  the  interior, 
leaving  the  ownership  of  California  to  be  settled  be- 
tween the  national  governments.  Manuel  Castro  was 
sent  as  commander-in-chief  of  operations  in  the  north, 
with  Ilico  as  his  second  in  command,  and  San  l^uis 
Obispo  as  his  headquarters.  His  achievements  will 
be  noticed  later. 

The  departmental  assembly  was  reorganized  Octo- 
l)er  2()th,  being  summoned  by  Flores  to  resume  th(3 
functions  interrupted  by  the  temporary  occupation  oi 
the  capital  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States.  The 
members  present  wore  Figueroa,  Botello,  Guerra, 
and  01  vera;  Joaquin  Carrillo,  a  vocal  sujdente,  was 
sworn  in  and  took  his  seat.  Figueroa  acted  as  presi- 
dent, and  Olvera  was  made  secretary.  The  presi- 
dent in  an  introductory  discourse  congratulated  the 
country  on  the  success  that  was  attending  the  Cali- 

Bdrbara  in  case  of  a  landing  there.  Keep  up  communication  with  Sta  U.^r- 
bar;i  and  San  Luis  Obispo;  aid  them,  and  cut  oft"  supplies  from  the  foo  in  case 
of  attack.  If  the  enemy  advances  on  Angeles,  harass  them  w  ith  guerrillas 
in  the  rear.  Scrutiuizo  tho  passes  of  all  travoUi^rs,  and  arrest  all  suspicious 
pcrsiins,  sending  foreigners  to  headquarters.  If  attaxiked  by  superior  forces, 
fall  back  on  Angeles.  Jansxeii,i,  Doc,  MS.,  17-'!'.  Oct.  I'Jth,  (jrumesindo 
Flores'  comandanto  from  S.  Luis  to  S.  Hr.enaventura,  the  8th  company,  is 
glad  Jansseiis  is  serving  with  such  zeal.  The  people  are  immortali/ing  them- 
selves, 'i'lio  foreigners  iiere  (Sta  Biirbara)  are  rendering  good  service.  John- 
son has  ofi'ered  his  guns,  which  go  to  the  pue'>lo  to-day.  Make  n,  list  of  per- 
sons who  will  not  aid.  Keep  a  copy  of  the  instructions,  and  send  the  original 
to  Monterey.  /</., 'il-.*?.  Oct.  17th,  Flores"  geui^ral  order.  One  of  the  best 
niethoda  of  harming  the  foe  being  to  deprive  him  of  supplies;  any  one  aiding' 
tho  enemy  in  any  way  will  be  punished  os  an  enemy;  raucheros  must  at  once 
remove  their  live-stock  from  tlic  coast  beyond  tho  reach  of  the  naval  forces; 
whoevtu"  refuses  is  a  traitor,  lil.,  '2li-'t.  Oct.  18tli,  Capt.  J.  .J.  I'ico  at  Sau 
Luix  Obispo ordersMiguelAvila  to  deliver  certain  property,  left  witii  liim  by 
Dana  and  Howard,  to  Jos(5  (Jarcia  and  his  men.  Avila,  JJor.,  MS.,  21-'2. 
Oct.  '20th,  Gumesindo  Flores  to  Janssens.  A  private  letter,  witli  miscellaneous 
gossip  about  public  alFairs.  All  (juiet  at  S.  I'edro;  a  force  gone  to  S.  Diego; 
Fremont's  men  leaving  him  beiausc  they  arc  not  paid;  '  Vallejo  said  to  1h^  a 
general  of  the  Americanos'!  Jitnssin-',  hoc,  MS.,  'J(i-7.  Oct.  23d,  (ten. 
Flores  appoints  Manuel  Castro  comandaiite  of  biigadc  for  operations  in  the 
north,  with  Francisco  Itico  as  second  in  command.  '  'Ks/ro,  l)iu-.,  MS.,  li.  117. 
Oct.  'Jolli,  Janssens'  circular  calling  for  contributiiuis  for  dil'ei'ce,  since  10 
.Auierieans  are  said  to  be  seducing  tho  Indians  in  the 'I'ulares  to  attack  the 
rancheros.  Eleven  names  of  contributors,  iiicli;.ii:;g  WmO.  Dana.  Iih,  28-!). 
Oct.  20th,  Flores  decrees  any  person  deserting  or  leaving  military  service,  or 
found  one  I  r<gue  from  cauip  without  peiiuit,  to  be  lourt-martiuUed.  and  put 
to  death;  every  traveller  without  a  passport  to  be  ar.-ested.  A/.,  30-1;  Doc. 


IliM.  Cat. 


MS. 

Hl«T 


,  111. 

Cal. 


2(w. 
Vol. 


V.    31 


m 


\\M 


i 

! 


1 '  t  . 


s  jl 


f 


r  > 


'1*1 1  fi  t » 


!■ 


K? 


•TV  . 


322 


REVOLT  OF  FLORES  IX  THE  SOUTH. 


fornian  cause,  and  recommended  the  choice  of  a  gov- 
ernor and  general  to  fill  the  places  made  vacant  by 
the  flight  of  Pico  and  Castro.  It  was  decided  to 
unite  the  two  commands  in  one  person;  and  Jose 
Maria  Flores,  already  acting  as  commander-in-chief, 
was  elected  to  hold  both  offices  ad  interim,  until  suc- 
cessors should  be  appointed  by  the  supreme  govern- 
ment, or  assume  the  offices  by  due  form  of  law  after 
the  restoration  of  peace.  In  the  decree  announcing 
this  action  the  country  was  declared  in  a  state  of 
siege,  and  martial  law  in  full  force.  Botello  and 
Guerra  were  named  as  a  committee  to  report  on 
ways  and  means  for  prosecuting  the  war.  Their  re- 
port, presented  next  day,  approved  in  the  session  of 
the  30th,  and  issued  as  a  decree  by  Flores  on  the 
31st,  was  in  favor  of  annulling  Pico's  sales  of  mission 
estates,  and  of  hypothecating  one  or  more  of  those  es- 
tates as  security  for  a  loan  of  such  sums  as  public 
necessity  might  require.  Before  the  assembly  Flores 
took  the  oath  of  office,  listening  and  replying  on  that 
occasion  to  a  speech  of  President  Figueroa.  Neither 
discourse  contained  any  feature  calling  for  special  com- 
ment, one  being  merely  an  expression  of  the  country's 
confidence  in  the  new  ruler,  and  the  other  the  usual 
protestation  of  un worthiness,  coupled  with  patriotic 
zoal.  The  date  of  the  oath  is  not  very  clear.  In  his 
communications  to  foreign  consuls,  Flores  makes  the 
date  November  1st,  but  he  had  already  issued,  Octo- 
ber 31st,  the  decree  mentioned  above,  and  another 
making  Narcisco  Botello  his  secretary.*' 

Meanwhile  Stockton,  having  left  Montercv  Octo- 
ber  19th,  arrived  at  San  P(;dro  with  the  Congress  on 

*'()(t.  ;.'tith-30th,  record  of  assembly  proceedings,  in  Olvera,  Doc,  M.S., 
49.  Oot.  •JtJth,  decree  of  assembly  electing?  Flores.  Castro,  Doc.,  MS.,  ii 
150.  Oct.  30th,  Flores  to  Carrillo,  ordering  the  publication  of  the  decree  of 
Oct.  26th.  Carrillo  (/>.),  Doc,  MS.,  94.  Oc^.  Slst,  Flores'  decree  naming 
Botello  as  secretario  del  dospaoho.  Doc.  If  int.  Col.,  M8.,  iii.  267-8.  Nov 
Ut,  Flores  to  Forbes  and  Latailladc,  announcing  that  'to-day'  he  has  taken 
the  oath.  /(/.,  269,  271.  Oct.  3Utli,  decree  of  osstunbly  on  missions.  Unh. 
Doc,  MS.,  360-1.     Jan»<ei,8,  Doc,  MS.,   33-C.     Oct.  Slst,  Florea'  decree 

Ftroniulgating  the  preceding.  Soberaiies,  Doc,  MS.,  326;  Castro,  Doc,  MS., 
i.  153. 


f 


t 


STOCKTON  AGAIN  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


323 


a  gov- 
cant  by 
ided  to 
id  Jose 
n-chief, 
itil  suc- 
govern- 
iw  after 
ounclng 
state  of 
jllo  and 
port   on 
heir  re- 
3Ssion  of 
i  on  the 

mission 
Dhose  es- 
ls  pubhc 
y  Flores 
r  on  that 

Neither 
lial  coni- 

ountry's 
Ihe  usual 
[patriotic 
In  his 

,kes  tlie 
[d,  Octo- 

another 

kv  Octo- 
\gress  on 

Doc.,  MS., 

.,  MS.,  ii 

lie  flecreo  ot 

Iree  niimiog 

|7-8.     Nov 

has  taken 

pions.   Unh. 

tre«'  decree 

\Doc.,  MS., 


the  23d,  and  learned  from  Mervine  the  facts  of  his 
lato  disaster.  "  Elated  by  this  transient  success,  which 
the  enemy  with  his  usual  want  of  veracity  magnified 
into  a  great  victory,  they  collected  in  large  bodies  on 
all  the  adjacent  hills,  and  would  not  permit  a  hoof 
except  their  own  horses  to  be  within  fifty  miles  of 
San  Pedro.  I  had,  however,  agreed  to  land  here,  to 
be  in  readiness  to  cooperate  with  the  forces  under 
Major  Fremont,  expected  from  Santa  Bdrbara;  and 
therefore  determined  to  do  so  in  the  face  of  their 
i)()asting  insolence,  and  there  again  to  hoist  the  glori- 
ous stars  in  the  presence  of  their  horse-covered  hills. 
On  our  approach  to  the  shore  the  enemy  fired  a  few 
muskets  without  harm,  and  fled;  we  took  possession, 
and  once  more  hoisted  our  flag  at  San  Pedro.  The 
troops  remained  encamped  at  that  place  for  several 
(lays  before  the  insurgents  who  covered  the  adjacent 
hills,  and  until  both  officers  and  men  had  become  almost 
worn  out  by  chasing  and  skirmishing  with  and  watch- 
ing them,  and  until  I  had  given  up  all  hope  of  the  coop- 
eration of  Major  Fremont.  Besides,  the  enemy  had 
driven  off"  every  animal,  man,  and  beast,  from  that 
section  of  the  country;  and  it  was  not  possible  by 
any  means  in  our  power  to  carry  provisions  for  our 
inarch  to  the  city. .  .The  insurgent  force  in  the  vicin- 
ity was  supposed  to  number  alx)ut  800  men.  The 
roadstead  of  San  Pedro  was  also  a  dangerous  jiosition 
foi  men-of-war;""  and  therefore  the  commodore  do- 

^'Stockton's  Report,  4'2;  Id.,  Mil.  and  Xaval  Operatiom,  11,  10-17,  with 
"iileraof  Oct.  2fitli  for  landing,  and  of  the  28tli  tlianking  the  men  for  their 
gallantry.  Gillespie  with  50  men  was  to  land  first,  hut  failed  to  do  so,  'in 
consequence  of  a  fancied  force  of  the  enemy.  Not  so  with  the  sailors  ami 
marines,' who  landed  i"  :■  most  gallant  manner.  Several  Californians  relate 
that  a  letter  containing  scurrilous  nonsense  was  sent  to  Stockton's  camp  by 
i)eing  tied  to  a  dog.  All  seem  to  regard  this  a  very  funny  ociurrence;  there- 
I ore  I  note  it.  On  Nov.  !tth  Larkin  writes  to  liis  wife:  'There  is  a  report 
here  among  the  natives  that  two  or  three  miles  from  S.  I'edro  the  commodore 
formed  liia  men  thus  .  y,  with  the  cannon  behind  them;  tlicu  sending  ahead 
KM)  men,  who  on  meeting  the  Californians  retreated  on  the  main  body,  losing 
a  few  seamen,  when  the  main  Ijotly  opened  and  gave  fire,  which  killel  and 
wounded  about  100  people,  many  being  also  taken  prisoner.'*.  The  report  ap- 
pears consistent,  and  is  believed  here.  If  it  is  true,  I  hope  the  Californians 
are  satisfied.'  Larkiii's  Dor.,  MS.,  iv.  .'VJO. 


Mf, 


3-24 


REVOLT  OK  FLORKS  IN  THE  SOUTH. 


cided  to  attack  Los  Angeles  by  way  of  San  Diego. 
His  landing  was  on  October  27th;  and  his  departure 
for  the  south  in  the  first  days  of  November.  He  had 
about  800  men,  and  with  a  few  light  guns  might 
easily  have  retaken  Los  Angeles ;  but  he  had  evidently 
modified  his  oft-expressed  opinions  of  Californian  valor, 
and  had  become  somewhat  cautious.  Of  the  800  at- 
tributed to  the  enemy,  700  at  least  existed  only  in 
the  American  imagination;  for  Carrillo  had  adopted, 
as  all  the  native  writers  agree,  the  tactics  which  some 
have  accredited  to  Stockton  on  a  former  occasion  at  the 
same  place — that  of  displaying  his  men  on  the  marcli 
among  the  hills  in  such  a  way  that  each  man  was  sev- 
eral times  counted.  He  also  caused  large  droves  of 
riderless  horses  to  raise  clouds  of  dust  in  the  distance. 
His  success  in  frightening  Stockton  away  was  beyond 
his  expectations,  and  possibly  his  hopes;  for  there  is 
some  reason  to  suppose  that  Flores  had  founded  on 
the  present  display  and  past  successes  a  hope  that  the 
American  commander  might  be  induced  to  consent  to 
a  truce,  by  the  terms  of  which  he  would  hold  the 
ports  and  leave  the  Californians  in  possession  of  the 
interior  until  the  national  quarrel  should  be  settled.*^ 
At  San  Diego  we  left  the  American  garrison  on 
board  the  Stonington.  Bidwell  went  in  a  boat  with 
four  men  up  to  San  Pedro  to  obtain  supplies.  He  ar- 
rived apparently  during  Mervine's  absence  on  October 
7th-8th,  and  started  back  at  once;  but  a  gale  arose, 
and  the  trip  was  a  long  and  perilous  one.  As  soon  as 
Mervine  returned  to  his  ship  and  heard  the  news,  lie 
seems  to  have  sent  Lieutenant  Minor  with  a  small 
party  down  to  reenforce  Merritt;  and  on  his  arrival 


i-.r  I 


*'  B.  D.  Wilson,  Ohgei'vatioii>>,  MS.,  85-8,  states  that  such  a  plaii  was  inado 
knoMTu  to  him  by  J.  A.  Carrillo;  and  that  as  a  prisoner  he  was  sent  with  a 
sergeant  to  an  elevated  spot  near  tlio  S.  Pedro  landing,  with  instructions  on 
a  ^'iven  signal  to  raise  a  white  Uaj^'  and  to  communicate  to  Stockton  the  prop- 
osition for  a  truce,  He  sawCarrillo's  parade  of  horses,  etc.;  and  he  also  saw 
tlie  ship's  boats  full  of  men  approach  the  shore;  but  he  says  they  did  not  land. 
He  is  very  positive  that  Stockton  landed  no  men;  but  cither  his  memory  is 
at  fault,  or  the  period  of  his  watch  was  when  Gillespie's  men  failed  to  land, 
as  already  recorded. 


REOCCUPATION  OF  SAN  DIEGO. 


323 


Diego. 

iparturo 

He  had 

is  might 
vidently 
an  valor, 
!  800  at- 
only  in 
adopted, 
Ich  some 
on  at  the 
le  march 
was  sev- 
Iroves  of 
distance, 
s  beyond 
there  is 
mded  on 
J  that  the 
onsent  to 
hold  the 
)n  of  the 
settled.*^' 
rrison  on 
)oat  with 

Hear- 
I  October 
de  arose, 
.s  soon  a!-> 
news,  he 

a  small 
s  arrival 


the  united  forces — or  possibly  Merritt's  men  and  the 
whalers  before  his  arrival — landed  and  again  occupied 
San  Diego.  The  exact  date  is  not  known,  and  our 
information  respecting  these  events  is  extremely  mea- 
gre. Meanwhile,  Sdrbulo  Varela  had  been  sent  down 
from  Angeles  with  a  force  to  operate  on  the  southern 
frontier.  It  does  not  clearly  appear  whether  or  not 
he  was  in  command  when  the  place  was  retaken,  or 
that  any  hostilities  occurred;  but  many  of  his  men 
were  unmanageable,  and  the  force  gradually  dissolved; 
and  on  October  26th,  after  the  Americans  were  again 
in  possession.  Captain  Leonardo  Cota  and  Ramon 
Carrillo  were  sent  to  replace  Varela,  and  to  press  the 
siege.  Their  tactics  here  as  elsewhere  consisted  in 
driving  off  live-stock  and  harassing  the  foe.  They 
wore  instructed  to  make  no  attack,  but  to  keep  a  close 
watch  on  the  Americans,  report  their  strength  and 
movements,  and  cut  off  their  supplies.  At  the  same 
time  they  were  to  see  to  it  that  no  San  Diegan  shirked 
his  part  of  the  country's  defence,  acting  to  that  end 
in  accord  with  x\lcalde  Marron." 

**  Bidwell'a  Cal.  iHJS41-S,  MS.,  18S-98;  Lancey's  Cruise,  135;  Stocktou's 
reports,  naming  Minor  as  iu  command  at  S.  Diego.  Oct.  26th,  Flores'  order 
recalling  Varela,  and  his  ii^^tructions  to  Cota  and  t'arrillo.  Olvera,  Doc,  MS., 
[>'l-4.  Bidwell  says  he  was  fired  at  by  the  natives  at  S.  Juau  Capistrano  on 
Ilia  way  up  the  coast;  that  on  his  return  he  liad  thrown  overboard,  among 
other  things,  a  keg  with  a  bottle  and  message,  which  he  had  prepared  to 
leave  at  S.  Pedro  if  no  vessels  had  been  found,  the  Indian  finder  of  which  was 
shot  by  Flores  ns  a  spy;  and  that  immediately  on  his  return  Mvrritt'smen 
and  the  Mlmlers  landed  their  cannon  and  retook  the  town,  not  without  re- 
sistance by  the  foe,  at  whom  the  two  cannon  were  fired  alternately  every  100 
yards.  Soon  Pedrorena  went  up  to  S.  Pedro  for  aid,  and  brought  l)ack  Gil- 
iispie  (Minor?)  with  a  part  of  his  force  in  the  MaijnolUi.  About  thia  time 
the  Califomians  attacked  the  post  with  a  cannon  from  the  hill;  but  the  gar- 
rison made  a  sally,  captured  the  gun.  and  with  it  killed  one  of  the  enemy's 
horses.  It  is  possible  that  Bidwell'ij  version  is  correct,  and  that  the  town  was 
retaken  by  the  original  garrison  before  Minor's  arrival. 


an  was  made 
sent  with  a 
tructions  on 

»n  the  prop- 
he  also  saw 

lid  not  huiil. 
8  memory  is 
led  to  lantl, 


[; 


mi 


I 


ti 


;!,t? 


m. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  CONQUEST— THE  FL0RE8  REVOLUTION— FIGHT  AT 

SAN   FASCUAL. 

Novemher-Decembek,  1846. 

Stockton  at  San  Diego — Petty  Hostilities— Preparations  lNTERRrprEi> 
— U.  S.  Troops  Cohino  from  the  East— Affairs  at  Angelks— Ordeks 
AND  Correspondence — Revolt  against  the  Govkrnob— Coronel'.>s  Ad- 
ventures—Thk  Dalton  Financial  Scheme— The  Chino  Prisonkks— 
Flores  Imprisoned  and  Released — Alarming  News — Kearny's  In- 
STROCTIONS — His  March  from  New  Mexico— MiiETixo  Kit  Carson— 
Capt0re  of  Horses  and  a  Courier  on  the  Colorado — Across  the 
Desert  to  Warner's  and  Santa  Maria — Reenforced  by  Oillesime — 
Fight  at  San  Pascdal — Dekeat  of  Kearny  by  the  Californians  in- 
DER  Pico— Thirty-seven  Men  Killed  and  Wounded — In  Camp  w 
San  Bernardo — Reenforcements  under  (Jray- March  to  San  Di- 
ego— Stockton  and  Kearny  March  on  Angeles. 

Early  in  November  1846  Commodore  Stockton, 
leaving  the  Savannah  at  San  Pedro,  went  down  to  Saii 
Diego  with  the  Congress.  His  plan  was  to  obtain 
horses  and  supplies,  and  to  advance  on  Los  Angeles. 
Immediately  after  his  arrival  he  received  by  the  Malek 
Adhcl  despatches  from  Fremont,  explaining  that  offi- 
cer's turning-back,  and  his  project  of  making  an  over- 
land expedition  to  the  south.  Of  events  at  San  Diego 
for  a  month  after  tlie  oonnnodore's  arrival,  we  have 
but  little  information  beyond  what  is  contained  in  his 
brief  reports — in  substance  as  follows:  He  found  the 
town  in  a  state  of  siege.  Lieutenant  Minor  being  in 
great  need  of  reenforcements  and  supplies.  The  frj'j- 
ate  struck  in  attempting  to  cross  the  bar,  and  was 
forced  to  return  to  the  anchorage  outside.  Arrange- 
ments were  made  to  send  a  party  under  Captain  Gib- 

(326) 


iiiiv 


EVENTS  AT  SAN  DIEGO. 


327 


son  of  the  battalion  in  the  Stonington  down  the  coast 
to  Ensenada  after  horses  and  cattle;  Mervine  was 
sent  with  the  Savannah  to  Monterey  to  aid  Frdmont 
in  his  preparations;  and  Stockton,  having  made  a  trip 
to  San  Pedro  for  that  purpose,  returned  to  San  Diego. 
The  ship  being  becalmed  on  the  way.  Lieutenant 
Tilghman  was  sent  in  a  boat  to  urge  Minor  to  hasten 
his  preparations  for  the  march  northward.  This  time 
the  Congress  was  brought  successfully  into  the  bay 
though  not  without  having  once  dangerously  grounded. 
"The  situation  of  the  place  was  found  to  be  most  mis- 
erable and  deplorable.  The  male  inhabitants  ha<l 
abandoned  the  town,  leaving  their  women  and  chil- 
dren dependent  upon  us  for  protection  and  food.  No 
horses  could  be  obtained  to  assist  in  the  transporta- 
tion of  the  guns  and  ammunition,  and  not  a  beef  could 
be  had  to  supply  the  necessary  food,"  though,  as  the 
writer  somewhat  contradictorily  adds,  Gibson  had  re- 
turned, "  driving  about  90  horses  and  200  head  of 
beef  cattle  into  the  garrison."  Meanwhile  the  Cali- 
fornians  held  the  region  roundabout  the  town.  Stock- 
ton says:  "On  the  afternoon  of  our  arrival  the  enemy, 
irritated  I  suppose  by  the  loss  of  his  animals,  came 
down  in  considerable  force  and  made  an  attack;  they 
were,  however,  soon  driven  back  with  the  loss  of  two 
men  and  horses  killed,  and  four  wounded.  These  skir- 
mishes, or  running  fights,  arc  of  almost  daily  occur- 
rence; since  we  have  been  here,  we  have  lost  as  yet 
but  one  man  killed  and  one  wounded."  Thus  reported 
the  commodore  on  November  2.3d,  the  only  definite 
date  we  have  for  these  events.*  That  there  were, 
however,  any  hostilities  involving  loss  of  life,  I  think 
there  is  room  for  doubt. 

More  horses  were  required;  and  those  already  ob- 
tained needed  rest.  "During  the  time  required  for 
resting  the  horses,"  writes  the  commodore,  "we  weio 

*  Nov.  23,  1846,  Stockton  to  Sec.  Bancroft,  in  Stocklon'»  Mil.  and  Naral 
Opei:,  11-12.  Also  to  same  purport,  except  aa  to  the  killing  of  three  men,  in 
/(/.,  Report  of  Feb.  IS,  1847,  p.  43-4,  whicli  is  the  chief  authority  for  the  events 
immediately  following. 


M 


3-28     THK  r'LORES  REVOLUTION -FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 

actively  employed  in  tiie  construction  of  a  fort  for  the 
more  complete  protecti(m  of  the  town,  mounting  guns, 
and  in  making  the  necessary  harness,  saddles,  and 
hridies.  While  the  work  of  preparation  necessary  for 
our  njarch  was  thus  going  on,  we  sent  an  Indian  to 
ascertain  where  the  principal  force  of  the  insurgents 
was  encamped.  He  returned  with  information  that  a 
body  of  them,  about  50  strong,  was  encamped  at  San 
Bernardo,  about  30  miles  from  San  Diego.  Captain 
Gillespie  ^  was  immediately  ordered  to  have  as  many 
men  as  he  could  mount,  with  a  piece  of  artillery, 
ready  to  march  for  the  purpose  of  surprising  the  in- 
surgents in  their  camp.  Another  expedition,  under 
command  of  Captain  Hensley^  of  the  battalion,  was 
sent  to  the  southward  for  animals,  who,  after  perform- 
ing the  most  arduous  service,  returned  with  500  head 
of  cattle  and  140  horses  and  mules.  About  Decem- 
ber 3d  two  deserters,  whose  families  lived  in  San 
Diego,  came  into  the  })lace  and  reported  themselves 
to  Lieutenant  Minor,  the  commander  of  the  troops. 
On  receiving  information  of  the  fact  I  repaired  to  his 
(piarters  with  my  aide-de-camp,  Lieut  Gray,  for  the 
purpose  of  examining  one  of  these  men.  While  en- 
gaged in  this  examination,  a  messenger  arrived  with 
a  letter  from  Gen.  Kearny  of  the  U.  S.  army,  appris- 
ing me  of  his  approach,  and  expressing  a  wish  that  I 

''  Nov.  29tli,  Gillespie  writes  to  Larkin :  '  In  consequence  of  the  great  want 
of  animal.-.,  every  horse  heing  driven  away,  Com.  Stockton  has  landed  here 
with  all  his  force,  and  intends  to  maintain  this  position  until  we  catch  horses, 
and  then  proceed  upon  the  march  to  the  pueblo.  We  hear  nothing  from  Maj. 
Fremont,  hut  suppose  that  lie  must  be  near  the  pueblo.  Some  few  of  the  en- 
emy show  themselves  now  and  then  upon  the  hills  opposite  to  us,  beyond  the 
reach  of  our  guns.  We  nnistcr  now  on  shore  4.")0  men,  and  altogether  have  a 
fine  camp.  The  (^on<ire-<i.'<  is  safely  moored  within  pistol-shot  of  the  hide- 
houses,  v.-herc  she  will  no  doubt  lie  until  the  winter  is  passed.'  Lnrkin's  Doc, 
IMS.,  iv.  334. 

'  'In  Novemljer  184GI  was  directed  by  Com.  Stockton  to  go  into  lower 
California  and  get  horses,  mules,  cattle,  saddles,  and  saddle-rigging.  I  was 
directed  to  proceed  by  sea,  and  accordingly  went  on  hoard  the  Stonington, 
anil  disembarked  at  San  Domingo.  In  landing  we  swamped  two  boats,  with 
the  loss  of  seven  or  eight  rifles,  several  pistols,  blankets,  and  many  articles  of 
clothing.  We  succeeded  in  getting  140  head  of  horses  and  mules,  and  about 
300  head  of  cattle,  some  saddles  and  saddle-rigging.  The  cattle  lielonged  to 
Juan  liiuiilini,  who  was  in  S.  Diego  at  the  time.'  Hensley's  testimony  in  Fr(- 
monVf  Cat.  Claim^s,  35.     Hciisley  did  not  return  until  about  Dec.  20th. 


AFFAIRS  AT  LOS  ANGELES. 


329 


would  open  a  communication  with  him  and  inform 
him  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  Cahfornia.  Capt.  Gilles- 
pie was  immediately  ordered  to  proceed  to  Gen, 
Kearny's  camp  with  the  force  which  he  had  been  di- 
rected to  have  in  readiness.  He  left  San  Dieoro  at 
jibout  half-past  seven  o'clock  the  same  eveninjif,  taking 
with  him  one  of  the  deserters  to  act  as  a  guide  in 
conducting  Gen.  Kearny  to  the  camp  of  the  insur- 
gents."* 

At  Angeles  Flores  continued  to  issue  as  before  his 
routine  orders  to  subordinates,  few  of  which  require 
any  special  notice.  It  is  to  be  noted,  however,  that 
many  of  them  relate  to  affairs  in  the  direction  of  San 
Diego,  and  naturally,  since  there  was  the  camp  of  the 
enemy.  From  these  documents  it  appears  that  a 
|)arty  of  Americans  from  San  Diego  may  have  un- 
dertaken an  expedition  into  the  interior  not  mentioned 
ill  Stockton's  reports.    At  any  rate,  on  November  22d 


*  Stockton's  Report,  44-5.  Judge  Hayea,  Emig.  Notes.,  .364-6;  Mlscel.,  41- 
2,  givea  some  details  of  these  times  gleaned  from  conversations  with  the  old 
Californiana,  as  follows:  Bandini,  Arguello,  Pedrorena,  and  others  were  very 
fiii'iiiUy  to  the  Americans.  J.  A.  Estudillo  was  neutral,  liko  Abel  Stearns, 
who  went  at  first  across  the  frontier,  and  Liter  to  the  Cajon  rancho.  Bandini 
cnti'rtained  sumptuously.  Some  of  the  force  were  quartered  at  the  house  of 
i  »aiia  Maria  Ibaiiez  and  port  at  the  Arguello  house.  Women  and  children 
wii e  gathered  within  the  strong  walls  of  the  Estudillo  house.  The  Califor- 
niiiiis  held  the  fortified  Stockton  hill  (?)  so  near  that  Juan  llocha  cotdd  be 
lii'iii'd  shouting  to  his  aunt  for  ropa  and  chocolate.  J.  M.  Orozco amused  liim- 
sclf  by  firing  at  A.  B.  Smith  when  he  climbed  the  flag-staff  to  fix  the  flag; 
and  also  at  Pedrorena,  who  was  escorting  a  young  lady — merely  to  scare  him. 
One  day  a  party  came  down  and  drove  olF  some  cattle  from  the  flat  near  the 
Argiicllo  house.  Tlicn  on  the  8th  day  of  the  siege,  Cant.  Argiiello  with  a 
(.ompany  ascended  the  hill,  and  though  wounded  in  the  leg,  drove  the  Ca'i- 
iiiriiians,  under  Hermo.sillo,  from  tlieir  position.  They  made  a  new  stand  Do- 
hind  the  ruins  of  the  old  presidio  walls,  but  soon  retreated  toward  the  mission 
Capt.  Pedrorena  went  in  pursuit,  and  about  a  mile  up  the  valley  met  and 
I'xclianged  some  shots  witJi  the  advani'i'd  guard  under  Leaiidro  Osuna. 
Farther  on,  an  American  going  to  water  his  mule  in  a  cnnada  was  killed. 
IVdrorena  was  again  successful  in  a  charge  on  the  foe  at  tl.c  old  mission, 
where  Rjimon  Carrillo  (?)  and  otliers  wito  taken  prisoners.  From  this  time 
many,  disgusted  with  llemiosillo's  comluot  in  these  aftairs,  began  to  come  in 
and  give  themselves  up.  Daui'es  and  festivities  follow  ed.  The  grand  nnisic 
of  Stockton's  naval  band  is  still  spoken  of  l)y  the  natives.  At  one  of  the 
jollifications  came  the  news  of  Kearny's  approach.  Marron,  Pupelex,  MS., 
14-19,  gives  some  similar  remini.sconoes.  ller  husband  had  lieeii  forced  into 
tlie  Califomian  ranks,  escaped,  and  ^va8  retaken  and  lost  nearly  all  his  prop- 
-rty. 


330     THE  FLORES  KEVOLUTION— FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 


Andres  Pico  was  ordered  in  all  haste  to  proceed  with 
u  hundred  men  to  San  Luis  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of 
a  body  of  the  enemy  which  Flores  understood  to  have 
started  for  Santa  Isabel.  Captain  Cota  at  the  sauio 
time  was  instructed  to  cooperate  with  Pico;  and  the 
hope  was  expressed  that  the  Americans  might  be 
caught  between  the  two  forces  and  destroyed.  Two 
days  later  it  was  learned  that  the  enemy  had  gone 
back  to  San  Diego;  but  still  Don  Andrds  was  ordered 
to  make  a  reconnoissance  in  the  region  of  the  San  Jos^ 
Valley;  and  he  seems  to  have  remained  in  the  south, 
where  we  shall  presently  hear  from  him.  Flores  him- 
self a  little  earlier  had  announced  his  intention  to 
march  with  200  men  to  San  Diego  as  soon  as  a  quan- 
tity of  powder  could  be  manufactured.  He  also  made 
an  eftbrt  to  win  back  the  support  of  Juan  Bandini  for 
the  Californian  cause,  but  without  success.^ 

*  Nov.  5th,  Flores'  procl.  The  country  having  been  declared  in  a  state  of 
siege,  all  citizens  from  15  to  60  years  of  age  must  appear  to  take  up  arms  at 
the  first  alarm.  The  signal,  a  cannon-shot,  general  alarm,  and  ringing  of  bells. 
Those  who  fail  to  respond  will  be  put  to  death  as  traitors.  Jannaem,  Doc, 
MS.,  35-7;  Oli-era,  Doc,  54-6.  Nov.  6th,  Flores  to  com.  at  Sta  Inds.  Kol)- 
bins,  A.  B.  Tliompson,  Daniel  Hill,  and  Robert  Cruell  to  remain  at  Sta  Inds 
till  further  orders;  but  may  go  to  Sta  Bdrbara  on  business.  Janaaens,  Doc. , 
MS.,  37-8.  Nov.  6th,  Capt.  G.  Flores  to  Jansaens.  Thinks  the  latter  un 
fortunate  in  being  appointed  military  commandant.  'A  Mexican  is  malviato, 
even  if  ho  perform  miracles.*  Id.,  54.     No  powder,  and  not  a  dollar  to  buy 

any.   Id.,  55.     Nov.  8th,  Flores  to (Antonio  Rodriguez  ?),  ordering  him  to 

raise  and  command  a  0th  company  at  Sta  Bdrbara.  /</.,  38-40.  Nov.  12i,h, 
I3th,  Flores  to  Cota.  Will  soon  march  to  S.  Diego.  Understands  the  diiB- 
culty  of  approaching  that  place;  but  you  can  cut  off  the  enemy's  supplies  and 
communications,  and  shoot  every  Indian  found  in  his  service.  Must  report 
if  the  enemy  had  been  reiinforced  by  a  ship  that  passed  S.  I'cdro  on  the  8tb. 
Olvera,  Doc,  MS.,  67-9.  Nov.  12th,  Flores  to  Bandini,  urging  him  to  sup- 
port the  Californian  cause,  and  assuring  him  that  he  shall  not  be  molested  in 
any  way  fur  the  past.  He  calls  Don  Juan  '  Uncle.'  Bandini,  Doc,  M8.,  99. 
Same  date,  Flores  to  Cota.  Official  letter  ci  closing  one  for  Bandini;  and  pri- 
vate letter,  in  whicli  he  says :  '  I  flatter  him  a  little  to  see  if  wo  cannot  turn  an 
enemy  into  a  friend,  for  our  circumstances  do  not  allow  us  to  commit  impru- 
dent acts  at  present.  This  man  is  the  one  most  to  bo  feared  now,  and  'c  is 
necessary  not  to  vex  him.  You  may  write  to  him  and  try  to  raise  his  spirit 
and  fill  him  with  coniidcnce,  and  sec  what  may  be  got  out  of  him,  especiully 
arms  and  ammunition.'  Olvera,  Doc,  MS.,  58-60.  Nov.  19tli,  Floris  to 
Janssens.  You  may  impose  a  contribution  of  cattle  and  grain  to  supp:>rt 
your  detachment,  not  to  exceed  15  men.  Jaiissenx,  Doc,  MS.,  40-1.  Nov. 
22d,  Flores  to  Andrews  Pico  and  to  Cota.  Instructions  for  campaign,  as  in  my 
text.  Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  101-3;  Oleera,  Doc,  MS.,  03-7.  Nov.  24th,  Flort .* 
to  Pico.  Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  105.  Nov.  30th,  Raimundo  Carrillo,  couian- 
dante  at  Sta  Bdrbara,  orders  Janssens  to  go  to  S.  Luis  Obispo  and  leani  wliut 
force  was  there,  if  proper  precautions  were  taken,  and  if  there  was  any  news 
of  Fri?mont'8  movements.  Jansstn-',  Hoc,  M.S.,  56-7. 


:UAL. 


OPrOSITIOX  TO  FLORES. 


3:u 


eed  with 
etreat  of 
1  to  havo 
:he  sauio 
and  the 
aight  be 
id.  Two 
lad  gone 
s  ordered 
San  Jos^ 
lie  south, 
ores  hiiu- 
ention  to 
s  a  quan- 
ilso  made 
indini  for 


1  in  a  state  of 

e  up  arms  at 

Dging  of  bells. 

%nn8e}i8,  Doc, 

i,  In(?8.     Kol)- 

t  at  Sta  Inds 

inssens,  iJoc, 

le  latter  un 

is  mal  visto, 

loUar  to  buy 

(Icring  liim  to 

Nov.  12lh, 

iiila  the  difB- 

supplies  and 

IbluBt  report 

o  on  the  8tb. 

him  to  sup- 

inolested  I'l 

oc,  M8.,  99. 

lini;  and  pri- 

Lnnotturnan 

nimit  inipni- 

ow,  and  •.c  is 

ise  his  spirit 

n,  especially 

li,  Florts  to 

to  suppi>rt 

40-1.     Nov. 

gn,  as  in  my 

24th,  Flore," 

•illo,  conian- 

.1  leani  what 

as  any  news 


Floras  was  an  intelligent  and  well  educated  man, 
who,  as  far  as  can  be  known,  had  not  intrigued  for 
his  position,  and  under  difficult  circumstances  had 
performed  its  duties  with  entire  good  faith  toward  the 
Californians  and  with  fair  ability  and  success.  He 
was,  however,  a  Mexican  de  la  otra  handa;  there  were 
many  who  thought  a  native  Californian  should  be  at 
the  head  of  affairs;  and  the  success  of  the  new  gov- 
ernment was  sufficient  to  inspire  jealousies.  It  is 
believed,  though  evidence  on  this  point  is  not  very 
plentiful  or  definite,  that  Jos^  Antonio  Carrillo,  ne.Kt 
to  Flores  in  military  command,  was  the  officer  who 
chiefly  but  secretly  instigated  opposition  to  the  gov- 
ernor. During  the  San  Pedro  campaign  there  are 
related  a  few  instances  of  insubordination  on  the  part 
of  Ramon  Carrillo  and  others;  about  San  Diego  there 
had  been  bickerings  between  Californian  and  Mexican 
officials,  resulting  in  much  demoralization  of  the 
troops;  Joaquin  de  la  Torre  was  accredited  with  hav- 
ing used  his  influence  against  Flores  among  northern 
officers  and  men;  and  Manuel  Cantua  had  been  put 
in  prison  for  disobedience  of  orders  and  wholesale 
plundering  of  ranchos.  But  the  general,  declaring 
that  he  had  not  sought  the  command,  that  he  was 
willing  to  resign  it,  and  that  success  was  difficult 
enough  even  if  all  would  unite  their  efforts,  declined 
to  engage  in  any  quarrel." 

At  last  for  a  brief  period  there  was  open  revolt 
against  Flores'  authority.  The  immediate  cause  or 
pretext  was  his  proposed  action  in  the  matter  of 
obtaining  resources  for  the  war,  and  disposition  of 
the  Chino  prisoners.  Naturally,  as  there  were  no 
public  funds  whatever,  the  task  of  clothing  and  sup- 
porting the  soldiers  in  actual  service  was  a  difficult 
one.  Antonio  F.  Coronel  was  despatched  to  Mexico 
via  Sonora  as  a  commissioner  to  solicit  aid  from  the 
national  government,  taking  with  liim  tlie  American 

<*  Flores'  views  are  indicated  in  several  communications,  especially  in  those 
of  Nov.  Ist,  2d,  to  Manuel  Castro,  in  Dor.  /list.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  270,  272-3. 


JM 


3.1->     THK  FLORKS  IIKVOLUTIOX— FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 


t-  *» 


\IU'^ 


miu 


flag  captured  at  San  Pedro,  and  also  a  band  of  horsus 
jiiid  mules.     Before  he  started  a  party  of  Sonorans 
liad  set  out  with  a  much  lar«^er  band  of  animals  that 
li.id  perhaps  been  stolen.     At  Warner's  lancho  Don 
Antonio  heard  of  a  party  of  Americans  who  had  left 
San  ])iego  to  capture  iiis  horses;  and  it  was  probably 
Ills  report  that  caused  Andres  Pico  to  be  sent  io  that 
rcijfion,  as  already  related.     On  approaching  the  Colo- 
rado ciossing,  Coroncl   hciard  of  an  American  Ibree 
coniing  from  the  east,  and  also  of  the  horse-thieves 
encam|)ed  in  that  region;  whieli  caused  him  to  turn 
back,  after  sending  Felipe  Castillo  to  Sonora  with  his 
des|)at('iies;  and  he  returned  to  Aguanga,  near  Teme- 
cula,  to  await  further  develo|)ments.      Here  he  was 
surprised  on  December  3d,  escaping  capture,  but  los- 
ing his  animals.^     Meanwhile  Fl(jres  devised  another 
scheme  for  obtaining   supplies.     Henry  Dalton,  an 
English  merchant  of  Los  AngeK^s,  who  had  married 
a  sister  of  Flores'  wife,   had  a  quantity  of  needed 
articles  in  stock,  which    he  was  willing  to  deliver  in 
exchange  for  drafts  on  Mexico — of  (bourse  at  a  good 
sound  price,  as  is  customary  in  such  contracts  the 
world  over,  and  as  was  justifiable  enough  in  this  in- 
stance, since  Dalton  assumed  a  great  risk  of  losing 
the  whole  amount  of  the  investment.     In  order  to 
promote  the  payment  of  the  (halts  by  exaggerating 
the  achievements  of  the  Californians,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  enhance  the  general's  personal  glory,  it  was 
proposed    to   send   the    C'hino  prisoners    to    Mexico. 
These  prisoners   were,  however,  men  of  considerable 
influence,  st;veral  of  them  being  married  to  natives. 
Through  tlieir  friends,  ])rominent  among  whom  were 
William  Workman  and  Ignacio  Palomares,  they  made 
civery  efFoit  to  save  themselves.     Of  course  they  took 

'Coronet,  Conas  de  Col.,  MS.,  104,  etc.  At  the  time  of  his  surprise  lie 
liad  come  down  fi'om  his  hiding-place  in  the  sierra  to  nieet  couriers  wIjo  failed 
to  appear,  and  was  drying  his  clothing  in  a  liouse  where  lie  had  eaten  supper. 
liaiefoot,  and  clad  only  in  shirt  and  drawers,  he  escaped  by  climbing  a  tree: 
and  wandered  for  a  long  time  in  the  mountains  before  he  could  obtain  a  horst;. 
Popular  tradition  has  given  another  explanation  of  his  dithabilU,  much  inoio 
I'oiiiantii',  but  probably  less  aocur.-itt'  than  that  given  by  himself. 


KKO'S  i;i:vt)LT. 


.{.13 


advantage  of  tlie  current  prejudice  of  the  Califoi  iiian 
officers  against  Florcs.  Francisco  Rico,  latelv  re- 
turned frooi  tlie  noith,  became  tlie  nominal  leader  of 
the  malecontents ;  and  the  most  absurd  charges  were 
made  against  the  governor,  notably  that  he  was  pre- 
paring to  run  away  to  Son jra  with  the  pubUc  funds! 
How  he  was  to  pay  the  balance  of  his  travelling 
expenses  after  exhausting  the  said  funds  does  not 
appear. 

During  the  night  of  December  3d  Rico  and  his 
companions  took  possession  of  the  cuartel,  apparently 
without  opposition ;  and  placed  Flores  under  arrest. 
His  imprisonnient  lasted  until  the  5th.  On  that  day 
the  assembly  in  an  extra  session  investigated  the  mat- 
ter. Flores  admitted  his  previous  plan  of  sending  the 
prisoners  to  Mexico,  which  plan,  however,  he  was 
willing  to  abfi.idon.  Not  the  slightest  foundation  could 
be  adduced  for  the  other  charges;  and  accordingly 
the  assembly  denounced  the  movement  as  unjustifiable, 
and  especially  so  at  the  present  critical  juncture. 
Alarming  news  from  the  south  had  arrived  the  night 
before;  Carrillo  and  his  fellow-conspirators  deemed  it 
best  under  the  circumstances  not  to  urge  their  cause ; 
Palomares  and  Workman  had  eflfected  their  purpose, 
since  Wilson  and  his  men  were  to  remain ;  and  there- 
fore Flores  was  restored  to  power;  the  opposition  to 
him  was  silenced  temporarily^  though  not  eradicated; 
and  Rico  in  his  turn  was  made  a  prisoner.* 

"  Dec.  5th,  7th,  Florea  to  Cota  and  to  Jansaens,  relatiii;;  his  arrest.  Ob'cra, 
Dor.,  MS.,  68-9,  71;  Jniu<ne>in,  Doc,  .MS.,  45-(i.  Ho  thinks  that  the  affair  of 
the  i)risoaers  was  only  a  pretext,  and  tiiat  Carrillo  and  the  rest  had  been  in- 
lluenced  not  only  by  the  former's  ambition,  but  had  been  bought  with  "i-o 
Americano  to  ruin  their  country,  whicli  he  liolij^ves  has  iiad  a  very  narii^w 
escape.  Dec.  5tl),  action  of  tiio  assembly.  Vhrra,  Doc,  M.S.,  4D-51;  I'ii'o, 
Doc,  MS.,  ii.  109-10.  Dec.  4th,  Olvera  wrote  to  Curouel,  describing  the  af- 
fair. Coronel,  ConoH  lie  C'nl.,  }ii\ii.,  II.").  Narratives  also  in  WUkoh's  Obnrn:. 
MS.,  82-5;  liico,  Mem.,  MS.,  30-5,  whoso  version  is  that  the  a.ssembly,  cnni- 
posed  mainly  of  Mexicans,  would  not  listen  to  his  v,-ell  founded  I'hargcs.  A'o- 
teUo,  Analcs,MS.,  152-3;  Dirr.  Univ.,  viii.  15tM>0.  Dec.  5tli,  Flores  toCuta, 
nicntioning  Coroners  letter,  in  which  ho  announced  hostile  operations  of  tlio 
-Americans.  Cota  is  ordered  to  do  his  best  to  recapture  the  horsesaud  punish 
the  foe.  If  this  be  impossible,  ho  is  to  reoccupy  his  former  position.  Olirrct, 
Dor.,  MS.,  69-70.  Dec.  7tli,  Flores  to  Janssens.  Cannot  send  a  man,  for 
the  enemy  is  upon  us.  Consult  with  Jesus  I'ico,  collect  the  greatest  possil)lo 
I'ovoe  and  keep  it  ready.  JuHHxeii",  Dor.,  MS.,  45. 


r 


•'!'  ■!  '^■■'■ 


334     THE  FLORES  REVOLUTION— FIGHT  AT  SAX  PASCUAL 

Tlie  alarming  news  to  which  I  have  referred  was 
Coronel's  report  that  a  party  of  Americans  had  cap- 
tured his  animals  near  Ahuanga.  Flores  was  greatly 
puzzled  to  account  for  the  presence  of  the  enemy  in 
that  quarter,  since  he  could  not  understand  how  they 
had  left  San  Diego  and  penetrated  into  the  interior 
without  being  seen  by  the  forces  of  either  Pico  or  Cota. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  they  had  come  not  from  San  Di- 
ego, but  from  the  opposite  direction.  They  were  the 
men  from  whom  Stockton  had  received  a  letter  on  or 
about  December  3d ;  and  it  is  now  time  to  explain 
their  p-^esenco  in  California  and  to  follow  their  move- 
ments. 

Colonel  Stephen  W.  Kearny,  leaving  Fort  Leaven- 
worth at  the  end  of  June,  1846,  occupied  Santa  Fe 
and  accomplished  the  conquest  of  New  Mexico  in  Au- 
gust, as  related  in  another  part  of  this  work.  Before 
he  started  on  this  expedition  he  received  orders,  dated 
at  Washington,  Juno  3d,  to  march  across  the  conti- 
nent from  Santa  Fe  and  take  possession  of  Califoiuia. 
He  was  to  cooperate  with  the  naval  forces,  which 
would  be  found  probably  in  possession  of  the  ports; 
and  having  secured  the  country,  he  was  to  organize 
a  temporary  civil  government.  I  append  some  ex- 
tracts from  the  instructions  forwarded  to  Kearny  at 
different  dates.®     They  will  prove  of  .some  importance 

•June  .%  184fi,  instructions  of  Sec.  of  War  Marcy  to  Col.  Kearny.  'It 
li.'iH  been  decided  by  tlie  prca.  to  ])c  of  the  greatest  liiiportance  in  the  pend- 
ing wur  with  Alex,  to  t;ike  the  earliest  po.ssession  of  Upper  Cal.  An  expedi- 
tion with  that  view  is  hercl)y  ordered,  ami  you  are  designated  to  command  it. 
To  enable  you  to  ho  in  suiiicient  force  to  conduct  it  sucoessfully,  this  addi 
tional  force  of  1 ,000  mounted  men  has  been  provideil  to  follow  you  in  th' 
direction  of  .Sta  F<5...\V'hcn  you  arrive  at  Stfi  l''<3  with  the  force  already 
called,  and  shall  have  taken  po.ssession  of  it,  you  may  find  yourself  in  n  con- 
dition to  gaiTison  it  with  a  small  part  of  your  cotnman<l,  as  the  addition:' I 
foroc  will  soon  be  at  that  place,  and  willi  tlu;  remainder  pros.s  forward  to  Cal. .  . 
It  is  understood  that  a  consi'lcraljlo  number  of  Amcrioaii citizens  are  now  set- 
tled on  the  Sacramento  Uiver,  near  Sutter's  establishment,  called  New  llel 
vetia,  who  are  well  disposed  toward  the  U.  S.  Siiould  you  on  your  arrival 
find  this  to  bo  the  true  state  of  things,  you  aroautiiorized  to  organize  and  re- 
ceive into  the  service  of  the  U.  S.  such  portions  of  these  cilizcna  as  } ou  may 
think  useful  to  aid  you  to  hold  possession  of  the  country.  You  will  in  that 
case  allow  them,  so  far  as  you  snail  judge  proper,  to  select  tiieir  own  otlicers. 
A  largo  di.si-retionarv  power  is  ii;vestod  in  you  in  regard  to  these  nui'tors,  as 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  KEARXY. 


33S 


in  connection  with  later  complications,  besidcH  show- 
ing the  ideas  of  the  government  at  Washington  re- 
specting the  future  status  of  California.     At  about 

well  iM  to  all  others. .  The  choice  of  routes  by  which  you  will  cuter  Cal.  will 
be  left  to  your  better  knowledge,  etc. . .  .Though  it  is  very  desirable  that  the 
expedition  should  reach  Cal.  thib  season,. .  .yet  you  are  left  uncmbarrasseil 
by  any  speciiio  dircctiims  iii  this  matter.  It  is  expected  that  the  naval  forces 
ot  the  U.  S.,  which  arc  now  or  soon  will  be  in  the  Pacific,  will  be  in  posses- 
sion of  all  the  towns  on  the  sea-coast,  and  will  cooperate  with  you  in  the  con- 
quest of  Cal. . .  .Should  you  conquer  and  take  ]K>a8cssion of  N.  Mcx.  and  Cal., 
or  considerable  places  in  cither,  you  will  establish  temporary  civil  govern- 
ments therein,  abolishing  all  arbitrnry  restrictions  that  may  exist,  so  far  as 
it  may  l)e  done  with  safety.  In  y.erforming  this  iluty,  it  would  bo  wise  and 
prudent  to  continue  in  their  employment  all  such  of  the  existing  ofBeers  as 
arc  known  to  be  friendly  to  the  I ,  S.  and  will  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to 
tlii'm . .  .You  may  a.*. ire  the  jMioji'.e  of  tho»ie  provinces  that  it  is  the  wish  and 
ilcsign  of  the  U.  S.  U>  provide  for  them  a  free  govt,  with  the  least  possible 
delay,  similar  to  that  which  exsts  in  our  territories ...  It  is  foreseen  that 
what  relates  to  civil  govt  will  be  a  difficult  and  unpleasant  part  of  your  du- 
ties, and  which  must  necessarily  be  I  ft  to  your  discretion. .  .The  rank  of 
brevet  brigadier-general  will  be  co..f.^rred  on  you  as  soon  as  you  commence 
your  movement  toward  Cal.'  Cal.  and  N.  Mcx.,  -Vcss.  (iml  Doc,  '23ft-t). 
.tunc  18th,  'Since  my  last  letter  it  has  been  determined  to  send  a  small  force 
round  Cape  Horn  to  Cal. . .  An.;?'yements  are  now  on  foot  to  send  a  regiment 
of  volunteers  by  sea.  These  troops,  and  such  <is  may  bo  organi>^cd  in  Cal., 
will  Im)  \mdcr  your  command.'  June  r)th,  the  proclamation  sent  you,  in- 
temled  for  Gen.  Taylor,  to  issue  to  the  Mexicans,  will  not  answer  our  pui- 
pose  for  Cal.  '</.,  '2;W-40.  Sept.  I'Jtli,  volunteer  regiment  about  to  sail. 
'This  force  is  t*/  be  a  part  of  your  command;  but  as  it  may  reach  its  ilcstina- 
tion  before  yo..,  the  colonel,  J.  I).  Stevenson,  has  been  furnished  with  iii«truc- 
tions  for  his  conduct  in  the  mean  time.  ''  jcnd  you  a  copy;  also  a  copy  of 
instructions  to  the  commander  of  naval  9i|Uadron,  a  copy  of  a  letter  to  (»cn. 
Taylor,  etc.,  and  a  copy  of  general  regulations  relative  to  the  resi)ectiv<' 
rank  of  naval  and  army  otticcrs.  These,  so  far  as  applicable,  will  be  looked 
upon  in  the  light  (»f  instructions  to  yourself.'  Id.,'2l[-2.  Dec.  10th,  'It  is 
presumed  that  you  will  not  find  a  state  of  things  in  Cal.  re(|uiriiig  you  to 
remain  in  that  country,  but  that  yon  will  deem  it  proper  to  leave  affairs  there 
ill  eliarge  of  Col.  Mason,  recently  sent  out,  and  return  to  Sta  l'\''.'  Jan.  II, 
istT,  '  It  is  proper  to  remark  that  the  provisions  of  the  law  esUiblished  for 
New  Mexico  go  in  some  respects  beyond  the  line  designated  by  the  presi- 
ileut,  and  propose  to  confer  upon  the  people  of  the  territory  rights  under 
the  constitution  of  the  U.  S.;  such  rights  can  only  be  aequired  by  the  ac- 
tion of  congress ...  Under  the  law  of  nations  the  i)ower  eouiiucrhig  a  terri- 
tory or  country  has  a  right  to  establish  a  civil  govt  within  the  same  as  a 
means  of  seeming  the  contiuest,  and  with  a  view  o''  pintectiiig  tli>j  persons 
uiiil  property  of  the  people,  and  it  is  not  intended  to  limit  you  in  the  full 
e\ereiso  ot  this  authority.  Indeed,  i^.  i.s  ilesirei!  that  you  shoidd  e.xercisc  it 
iu  such  a  numncr  as  to  innpire  coutidence  in  the  people  that  our  power  is  to 
be  (irmly  su.stidned  in  that  country.  The  territory  in  our  military  ociiijiation 
uc(iui;'ed  from  the  enemy  by  our  arms  eaiiuot  bo  regarded,  the  war  .still  con- 
tinuing, as  permanently  annexed  to  the  U,  S.,  though  our  authority  to  exer- 
cise civil  government  over  it  is  not  l)y  that  circuni.stancc  the  least  lestrietetl.' 
/'/. ,  244-."i.  Jan.  1 1th,  extract  of  letter  to  Sti>ckton,  foiwar<led  to  Kearny, 
t Ml  Nov.  .")th  you  were  informed  thau  the  prcs.  'has  deemed  it  best  for  the 
piiblio  interests  to  invest  the  military  othcer  commanding  with  the  direction 
of  the  operations  on  land,  and  with  the  admmistrative  functions  of  govt  over 
the  {)eoplc  and  territory  occupied   by  us.'    This  was  lieforo  the  receipt  of 


33G     TlIK  FLORKS  REVOLUTION— FIGHT  AT  SAX  FASCIAL. 


I]' 


^bJ* 


m>!<\ 


iiiiHlr 


the  time  of  Kearny's  expedition,  arrangements  were 
made  for  the  sending  of  several  different  bodies  of 
troops  to  California;  but  as  none  of  these  accom- 
panied Kearny  or  reached  their  destination  in  184G, 
it  will  be  more  convenient  to  defer  an  account  of  mili- 
tary |)reparations  until  I  come  to  treat  of  results  in 
the  annals  of  1847. 

It  was  on  September  25th  that  General  Kearny — for 
his  commission  as  general  had  already  reached  hiu) — 
L'ft  Santa  Fd  with  300  of  the  1st  dragoons  f<»r  Cali- 
fornia. The  line  of  march  was  down  the  valley  of  the 
Rio  Grande.  Nothing  of  interest  occurred  until  the 
army  on  October  Gth  reached  a  point  some  thirteen 
miles  below  Socorro.  Here  was  met  Kit  Carson,  with 
fifteen  men,  including  six  Delaware  Indians,  en  route 
from  Los  Angeles  to  Washington  with  despatches 
from  Stockton.  Carson  brought  the  news  that  the 
conquest  of  California  had,  at  his  departure  in  August, 
bcuii  already  fully  effected  by  Stockton  and  Fremont; 
that  there  was  no  l<mger  tlie  slightest  o[)position  to 
the  American  rule;  that  Stockton  was  enuajjed  in  or- 
gaiiizing  a  civil  govermnent;  and  that  Fremont  was 
to  be  made  governor. 

This  news  caused  the  general  to  modify  his  pUui'^, 
and  to  send  back  200  of  his  J300  dragoons  under  jSla- 
jor  SumiR'r  to  Santa  Fe.  He  retained  companies  C 
and  K,  or  100  dragoons,  under  Captain  Benjamin  D. 
Mot»ie,  Lieutenant  Thomas  C  Ilanunond,  and  Lieu- 
tenant John  W.  J3avidson.  His  staff'  consisted  of 
Captain  Henry  S.  Turner,  aeling  assistant  adjutant- 
general;  Ciptain  Abraham  K.  Johnston,  aide-de- 
camp; Major  Thomas  Swords,  c|iiartermaster;  Lieu- 
tenants William  H.  Emoiyand  William  H.  Warner  of 

Stockton's  (Icsputclies  of  Sept.  IStli,  10th,  which  were  received  iJec.  'JOth. 
Then  follows  II  j,'('tiernl  iliMiiuis-ition  ou  tlic  imtui'o  of  militury  oofupation. 
■  This  ri^ht  of  possession,  howevci',  m  tenn>orary,  unless  inaili-  absolute  l>y 
subnenueut  events,'  coupled  with  a  ).;ei!cral  approval  of  Stockton's  acta, 
though  'at  present  it  is  neediest,  and  might  he  iiijuiious  to  the  public  in- 
terests to  agitate,  tiie  (|uestioii  in  t'al.  as  to  how  long  those  pcrxons  who  have 
been  elected  fee  a  preseriU'd  period  o*'  time  will  havcotticial  authority.'  Tiie 
number  of  Appointments  shotdd  be  made  as  small  as  possible.   A/.,  '240-7. 


;lal. 

nts  were 
)odies  of 
i  accom- 
in  1846, 
t  of  niili- 
esults  in 

krny — for 

3(1  him — 

for  Cali- 

ey  of  the 

until  tliu 

thirteen 

son,  with 

en  route 

espatches 

that  the 

1  August, 

Fremont ; 

)sition  to 

red  in  or- 

iiont  was 

jiis  pUms, 
Incler  jSIji- 
i)|uinit-s  C 
janiin  D. 
iul  Lieu- 
sisted  of 
|a(ljutant- 
aide-(Ie- 
r;  Lieu- 
iVarnerof 

Id  Deo.  -Jtitl). 
occupation, 
ubnolutc  l>y 
L'k ton's  nets, 
it^  jmblic  in- 
Ins  who  have 
lioiity.'  Ihe 
I/.,  24l>-7. 


KEARNY  S  MARCH. 


337 


the  topo<,if,phical  engineers,  with  a  dozen  assistants 
and  servants;^"  and  Assistant  Surgeon  John  S.  Griffin. 
Antonio  Robidoux  was  the  guide,  and  (.'arson  became 
his  associate.  The  latter  was  unwilling  to  turn  back, 
desiring  to  deliver  his  despatches  in  person,  and  also 
to  visit  his  family;  but  Kearny  insisted  and  became 
icsponsible  for  the  safe  aiul  speed  delivery  of  the 
[)apers.  The  whole  force  of  offict..,  and  men  was 
therefore  121.  Two  mountain  howitzers  were  taken 
under  the  charge  of  Lieutenant  Davidson.  The  men 
were  mounted  chiefly  on  mules;  the  luggage  was  car- 
lied  ut  first  in  wagons,  which  were,  however,  soon 
abandoned  in  favor  of  pack-nmles. 

The  15th  of  October,  in  the  region  of  Fra  Cristobal, 
they  left  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  turned  to 
the  westward  into  the  mountains,  passing  the  old  cop- 
per mines,  and  striking  the  upper  Gila  live  days  later, 
without  adventures  requiring  mention."  On  Novem- 
ber Uth  they  emerged  from  the  mountains  into  the 
valley  of  the  lower  Gila;  and  on  the  22tl  reached  the 
vicinity  of  the  Colorado  junction.  The  nuirch  had 
been  a  hard  one;  many  animals  had  been  lost,  some 
eaten,  and  the  rest  were  in  bad  condition;  but  there 

"  Those  named  wore.l.  Nf. Stanley,  draiiglitsman;  Norman  Bcstor,  aHsistant; 
Jus  Early,  W.  II.  Peterson,  llapti.sto  I'errot,  Maurice  I^onj,'cIeaii,  l'"ran<,'ois  Von 
Citur,  Francois  M(;nard,  Jas  Riley,  Dahuey  Eustice,  anil  WdlianiH. 

"Thorn  are  two  diaries  of  tiie  whole  trip  t-xtant.  The  most  complete  is 
Knwry'n  yntes  of' a  MUitary  IlccnHiioi^iawe  Jrom  Fort  Leiircuworth  in  Mia- 
■■■oiiritoSnii  Uit'ijo  in  Cidiforiiiit.  Wa.shin>;ton,  IS48.  Being.  <W  A  ('oh;/.  JstSfMH., 
II.  Ki:  Doi:  41,  p.  .''M-llVi;  tho  diary  1'<;ing  fron)  Sept.  •-».'.,  IH4(I,  to  Jan.  20, 
IM7.  The  other  is  ]>rGri(Iin'8  Jourmil  oj'  ti  tri/>  with  thf  First  ('.  S.  lira- 
'jiidiis /mm  Xew  .)fv.cico  fo  ('uH/ornia  in  JS.}'1.  M.'^.  copy  in  the  liandwritin^ 
"t  Judge  Hayes  from  tho  original.  A  jwit  has  Ihtu  printed  in  the  Los 
.\ii;iilfn  /linfon/.  A  third  diary  is  ('apt.  .lohnston'.s  JoiirKul  iirintcd  witii  that 
lit  Kniory,  p.  ")t)7-(il4.  It  terminates  on  l»ec.  4th,  the  author  having  been 
killi'd  in  battle  liy  the  Californians  on  the  (ith.  Lieut  Cooke  also  gives  a  di- 
•11  y  of  the  umreh  down  the  Jtio  (irande;  but  he  turned  back  to  Stu  Fe.  and 
ilic  rest  of  the  journey  is  deserilH'd  from  the  journals  of  other  ollicers.  (  'oo/h'h 
<  ''iniiiicat  of  Cat.,  (i8-86,  '2'2H-"»({.  Tlu'exi>oditioii  is  brielly  tlcscrilted  in  letters 
•I  <un.  Kearny  of  Pec.  lith,  13th.  .ioth  Co,,;/.  J>t  .V<>«.,  Seu.  Ex.  Dm-.  /,  .TLV 
Ki;  still  more  brielly  in  Major  .Swords'  rejtort  of  Oct.  S,  1S47.  >S()th  t'onij. 
il'lSc-n.,  II.  Hx.  Doc,  i.  '22(5-8;  ami  mentioned  from  the alK)ve  sources  in  scv- 
iMid  govt  documents,  1  have  alst»  a  .MS.  Stiitrmrnt  on  Smi  I'd-^riial,  by  Asa 
M.  Ilowen,  who  Was  with  this  exiu'dition;  and  A'n'"*  oh  .V.  Pa-irnal,  M8.,  by 
\^'m  H,  Dunne.  I  nught  give  a  long  list  of  accouiitj<  made  up  from  the  pre- 
ceding. 

Hut.  Cal.,  Vol..  V,    M 


!?  i 


Ml] 

III  M'i' 
I  I  Pi 


338     THE  FLORES  REVOLUTION-FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 

had  been  no  serious  mishap  or  suffering.  Here  they 
found  a  small  party  with  a  band  of  500  horses  coming 
from  California  and  bound  for  Sonora.  Those  men 
gave  alarming  but  contradictory  reports  of  the  revo- 
lution at  Los  Angeles;  and  a  bearer  of  despatches  was 
fclio  captured,  whose  papers  confirmed  the  news  that 
a  large  portion  of  the  country  was  in  possession  of  the 
Californians,  including  the  region  through  which  they 
were  to  pass.  The  Americans  obtained  all  the  horses 
they  desired;  and  though  most  in  the  band  were  un- 
broken, many  of  the  dragoons  succeeded  in  getting  a 
fresh  mount.  There  is  a  degree  of  mystery  about  the 
men  who  had  the  horses.  They  told  all  kinds  of 
stories  about  themselves.  Coronel  says  they  were 
horse-thieves  proceeding  to  Sonora  with  stolen  ani- 
mals; possibly  some  of  the  ranchcros  had  sent  the 
horses  to  Sonora  on  speculation,  thinking  that  if  not 
sent  out  of  the  country  they  were  sure  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  either  the  native  or  American  armies,  or  cer- 
tain Mexican  officers  may  have  been  interested  in  the 
venture;  but  I  think  there  was  no  foundation  for  the 
statement  made  by  some  of  the  men  that  the  horses 
belonged  to  Flores  or  Castro." 

"Emory  says:  '  Each  gave  a  different  account  of  the  ownership  and  desti- 
nation of  the  horses.  The  cliicf  of  the  party,  a  tall,  veucrablc-looking  man, 
represented  himself  to  be  a  poor  employe  of  several  rich  men  engaged  in  sup- 
I)Iying  tlie  Sonora  market  with  liorses.  Wo  subsequently  learned  that  ho 
was  no  less  a  personage  than  Jos6  Maria  Lcguna  [Segura?],  a  colonel  in  tlic 
Mexican  aervice.'  Kmory  inplies  that  the  Mexicans  were  kept  in  arrest  tor 
a  while,  and  released,  the  animals  lieing  taken  as  contraband.  He  mentions  a 
woman  of  the  party  to  wliom  a  child  was  born  in  camp.  Johnston  says: 
'They  lied  so  much  that  we  could  get  but  very  little  out  of  them,'  though  it 
appears  their  reports  about  atfuirs  in  Cal.  were  very  nearly  accurate.  '  The 
letters  l>eing  opened  were  resealed  by  Capt.  Turner,  and  all  returned  to  the 
man,  who  was  iliscliargeil.  Tliese  fellows  tell  various  stories  about  tlio  horses ; 
they  all  acknowledge  that  a  part  of  them  l)el(ing  to  Gen.  Castro. .  .Nov.  2411), 
completed  our  trading  with  the  Mexicans;  Capt.  Moore's  men  being  in  part 
remounted  on  wild  horses,  on  which  never  man  sat,  tiiey  got  of  course  many 
tumbles;  but  they  stuck  to  the  furious  animals  until  they  succeeded.'  Dr 
Gritlin  says  the  horses,  '20  in  nnmlxir,  were  bought  at  112  each,  or  for  $2  and 
a  broken-down  animal;  and  the  Mexicans  were  surprised  at  being  paid  at  all. 
Lugo,  I'i'Jade  nn  Ji-incfwro,  MS.,  50-1,  mys  that  Cant.  Segura  ran  away  to 
Sonora  with  a  band  of  horses  and  othti  pro)M5rty;  and  that  he  and  Diego  Se- 
p^lveda  started  in  pursuit  and  went  nearly  to  the  Colorado.  He  says  it  was 
suspected  that  Segura  acted  in  secret  accord  with  Flores,  who  sent  the  funds 
in  advance,  intending  to  Oee  to  Sonora  himself  yoon.     It  is  not  unlikely  that  the 


AL. 


ARRIVAL  OF  THE  DRAGOONS. 


339 


re  they 
coining 
se  men 
le  revo- 
hes  was 
svs  that 
II  of  the 
ich  they 
e  horses 
,vere  un- 
retting  a 
bout  the 
kinds  of 
icy  were 
olcn  ani- 
sent  the 
uit  if  not 
I  into  the 
3S,  or  cer- 
bed  in  the 
)n  for  the 
he  horses 


ihip  and  desti- 
fc-looking  man, 
igaged  ill  svip- 
allied  that  ho 
colonel  in  the 
t  in  iirrcst  tor 
Ho  mentions  a 
lohnston  says: 
pm,'  though  It 
curate.     '  The 
uturned  to  tlie 
out  the  horses ; 
...Nov.  •24th, 
l)einK  in  part 
,f  course  many 
icceedcil.'     l>r 
,  or  for  «2  and 
inj»  paid  at  all. 
a  ran  away  to 
f  and  Diego  Se- 
[Hc  sava  it  was 
sent  tlie  funds 
iiUkclytliatthe 


Kearny's  men  forded  the  Colorado  November 
25th;  and  next  day,  provided  with  bunches  of  grass 
and  mezquite-beans  for  the  animals,  they  set  out  to 
cross  the  Californian  desert.  The  worst  of  the  desert 
had  been  passed  at  noon  on  the  28th,  when  they 
reached  the  Carrizo  Creek;  but  the  march  had  been 
attended  with  greater  hardships  than  any  before  ex- 
perienced. Both  men  and  animals  were  completely 
exhausted;  and  many  of  the  latter,  of  which  there 
were  250  at  the  Colorado,  had  been  lost  on  the  way. 
Pressing  on,  they  reached  Warner's  rancho  of  Agua 
Caliente  the  2d  of  December;  and  here  their  troubles, 
so  far  as  lack  of  water  and  food  was  concerned,  were 
at  an  end.  The  route  had  been  for  the  most  part 
Ijirther  south  and  a  more  difficult  one  than  that  usu- 
ally followed  from  the  Colorado  to  San  Gabriel." 
Warner  was  absent,  but  every  attention  was  shown 
to  the  Americans  by  Marshall.  The  Indians  of  the 
region  were  also  friendly.  Here  they  were  visited 
l»y  Stokes,  an  English  ranchero  of  the  region,  who 
volunteered  to  carry  a  letter  to  Stockton,  and  who 
delivered  it  at  San  Diego,  as  we  have  seen,  the  3d  of 
December."     Here  also  they  learned  that   not  far 

luaii-carricr  taken  by  Kearny  was  the  Felipe  Castillo  despatched  by  Coronel, 
though  it  is  Kaid  that  liis  despatclies  bore  date  of  Oct.  l&tli. 

"  The  route  was  as  follows:  Nov.  2(Jth,  '22  or  24  m.  to  Alamo;  Nov.  27th, 
.'{I  or  32  m.  to  salt  Laiguna;  Nov.  'J8th,  27  or  22  m.  to  Carrizo  Creek;  Nov. 
2ytli,  20  ni.  to  liayo  Cita,  or  Biiyeuu  Chitoes  (Vallecito?);  Dec.  Ist,  iS  m.  to 
S.  Felipe,  desertetl  Indian  village;  Dec.  2d,  to  Warner's  rancho.  The  i>ard- 
sliips  of  the  inarch  arc  described  in  detail  by  Kniory,  Johnston,  and  GrilBn. 
Tliu  fi'csji  li<)r.><es  obtained  at  tlie  Colorado  sutTcred  more  tiian  the  mules. 
On  tlio  way  u  Mexican  family  was  met  on  their  way  to  Sonora. 

"Tlio  letter,  in  Storlctoii'»  Mil.  and  Nav.  Op.,  26-7,  is  as  follows:  'Hoad> 
i|imrtci-8,  army  of  tlie  west,  camp  at  Warner's,  Dec.  2,  1840.  Sir:  I  this 
afternoon  reached  here,  escorted  by  a  party  of  the  Ist  regiment  of  dragoons. 
I  caino  by  order  <if  tlie  pies,  of  the  U.  S.  We  left  .SanUi  Ft5  on  tlie  2jth 
Sept.,  having  taken  p().s8e.ssi(jn  of  N.  Mex.,  uiinexe<l  it  to  the  U.  S.,  estab- 
lished u  civil  govt  in  tliat  territory,  mid  secured  order,  peace,  and  (piietness 
tliere.  If  you  can  send  a  ))arty  to  open  communication  with  us  on  the  ix>ute 
to  tliis  place,  and  to  infurni  me  of  tlie  Htatc  of  aiFairs  in  (Jul.,  I  wish  you 
oulil  do  »o,  and  us  ijuickly  as  possible.  The  fear  of  this  letter  falling  into 
Me.\iian  hands  prevents  me  from  writing  more.  V'our  express  liy  MrCar- 
>ou  was  met  on  tlie  D(  1  Nurle,  and  your  mail  must  have  reaelied  Washington 
10  days  since.  V'ou  might  use  the  biiarcr,  iMr  Stokes,  us  a  guide  tt>  coniiiict 
your  |)arty  to  this  place.  Very  respectfully,  etc.'  Stockton's  reply  was  aa 
loUows:  'ileadquartcrs,  .S.  Dii^go,  Dec.  3d,  0;.10  r.  M.  Sir;  I  iiavo  this  mo- 
iiKiit  received  your  note  of  yesterday  by  Mr  Stokes,  and  have  ordered  Capt. 


II 


1 


p; 


340     THK  b LORES  REVOLUTION— FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 

away  was  a  band  of  horses  and  mules  said  to  belon«( 
to  the  goverunient;  and  Davidson  with  twenty-five 
men  was  sent  to  capture  them,  in  whicli  enterprise 
he  was  successful.  These  animals  were  those  of  Coro- 
nel's  party  at  Ahuani^a;  but  the  horses  were  most  of 
them  unbroken,  and  therefore  of  no  great  use  for  the 
coming  emergenc3^"  On  the  4tli  Kearny  marched 
down  the  valley  to  Santa  Isabel,  where  his  men  were 
as  hospitably  entertained  by  Stokes'  majordomo  'Se- 
iior  Bill,'  as  they  liad  been  by  Marshall  at  Agua  Cali- 
ente.  Next  day  they  marched  on  to  the  rancho  of 
Santa  Maria.  On  the  way  they  met  Gillespie,  Lieu- 
tenant Edward  F.  Beale,  and  Midshipman  James  M. 
Duncan  with  thirty-five  men  and  a  four-pounder,  the 
'Sutter  gun,'  sent  by  Stockton  from  San  Diego.^^  At 
different  points  in  the  past  few  days  they  had  heard 
reports,  tolerably  accurate,  though  not  fully  credited, 
respecting  the  state  of  affairs  in  California.  They 
had  learned  that  they  were  likely  enough  to  meet  the 
enemy  upon  their  route;  and  even  that  a  party  es- 
corting priscners  to  Mexico  was  soon  expected  to 
arrive.  Now  these  reports,  except  the  last,  were 
fully  confirmed  by  the  new-comers.  Stockton  an- 
nounced that  a  hostile  force  was  posted  not  many 
miles  away,  and  suggested  a  surprise.     The  soldiers, 

Gillespie  with  a  detachment  of  mounted  riflemen  and  a  ficld-piccc  to  proceed 
to  your  camp  without  delay.  Capt.  G.  ia  well  ir  formed  in  relation  to  the 
present  state  of  things  in  Cul. ,  and  will  give  you  all  needful  information.  I 
need  not,  therefore,  detuiu  him  by  saying  anytiiiug  on  tlic  subject.  I  will 
merely  state  that  I  have  this  evening  received  information  by  two  deserters 
from  the  rebel  camp  of  the  arrival  of  an  additional  force  of  itIO  men,  which, 
in  addition  to  the  force  previously  liere,  makes  their  number  about  150.  I 
send  with  Capt.  Ci.,  as  a  guide,  one  of  the  deserters,  that  you  may  make  in- 
quiries of  him,  and,  if  you  see  fit,  endeavor  to  surprise  them.  Faithfully, 
your  obedient  servant,  Robt  F.  Stockton,  commander-in-chief  and  governor 
of  the  tenitory  of  Cal.,  etc.* 

'^Capt.  Johnston  says:  'After  them  came  a  party  of  French,  English, 
and  a  Chilian,  claiming  their  riding  animals,  as  they  were  goiug  out  of  the 
country,  which  the  general  gave  them.  Many  of  the  animals  from  tiie  herd 
were  put  into  service,  and  arrangements  made  to  secure  the  balance  by  driv- 
ing them  into  some  safe  place  in  the  mountains.' 

'•  'The  force  which  accompanied  Capt.  Gillespie  consisted  of  a  company  of 
volunteers,  composed  of  Acting  Lieut  lieale,  Passed  Midshipman  Duncan,  10 
carbineers  from  the  CoiifffetiH,  (/apt.  Gibson,  and  25  of  tiie  California  battal- 
ion.' Stockton's  Report,  45.     Tiie  whole  number  was  39. 


PICO'S  OPERATIONS. 


341 


after  their  unresisted  occupation  of  New  Mexico,  and 
their  tedious;  niarcli  across  the  continent,  made  no 
secret  of  their  desire  to  be  brought  face  to  face  with 
the  foe.  Kit  Carson  had  affirmed  along  the  march 
that  the  Cahforniana  were  cowards  and  would  not 
fi«dit.  The  battalion  men  from  San  Diego  doubtless 
confirmed  this  view  niore  or  less  fully.  An  attack 
was  therefore  decided  upon;  and  in  the  evening 
Jjieutcnant  Hammond  was  sent  out  to  reconnoitre.'' 

Captain  Andres  Pico,  as  we  have  seen,  had  been 
sent  southward  by  Flores  on  November  22d,  to  cut 
otf  the  retreat  of  a  party  of  Americans  understood  to 
have  left  San  Diego  for  the  region  of  Santa  Isabel. 
The  alarm  proved  to  be  a  false  one — or  at  least,  the 
Americans  returned  before  Pico  arrived;  but  Don 
Andres  remained  in  the  south,  making  his  headcjuar- 
ters  at  San  Luis  Rey  and  Santa  Margarita,  cooperat- 


"  Emory  says:  '  We  heard  that  the  enemy  was  iii  force  9  miles  distant. ' 
After  Haiiiinoiul  had  Ix'en  seen  hy  the  foe,  'we  were  now  on  the  main  road 
to  S.  Diejjo,  all  the  Ijy-ways  being  in  our  rear,  and  it  was  therefore  deemed 
necessary  to  attaek  the  enemy  and  force  a  passage.'  Jolinston -tlie  last  en- 
try of  his  journal — says,  on  Dec.  4th:  'We  iieard  of  a  party  of  (.'aiifornians,  of 
80  men,  encamped  at  a  distance  from  this  [Sta  Isabel];  l)ut  the  informant 
varied  from  lU  to  .iO  miles  i::  his  accounts,  rendering  it  too  uncertain  to  make 
a  dash  upon  tliem  in  tiie  dark;  ho  we  slept  till  nioi'ning.'  l>r  (irillin  telU  us 
tiiat  Gillespie's  men  camped  soon  after  the  meeting,  while  the  rest  went  on 
some  10  miles  to  a  point  two  miles  beyond  SUi  .Maria.  '  \  party  of  the  enemy 
being  reported  in  our  vicinity,  it  was  lirst  determined  that  ('apt.  .Moore 
sliould  take  (K)  men  and  make  a  night  attack;  but  for  some  reason  tlie  gen- 
eral altered  his  mind,  und  sent  Lieut  Hammond  with  the  men  to  reconnoitre.' 
Kearny,  in  liis  rei)ort  of  Dec.  13th,  says:  '  Having  learneil  from  (^apt.  (iilles- 
pie  of  the  volunteers  tiiat  tiiere  was  an  armed  ))arty  of  Calil'orniaus,  with  a 
niind>er  of  extra  horses  at  S.  i'a.scual,  tin'ee  leagues  distiint  on  a  road  leading 
to  this  place,  I  sent  Lieut  Hanmiond,  1st  dragoons,  to  make  a  reconnois.s;ince.' 
<  Jeo.  Pearce,  one  of  tlie  dragoons,  still  living  in  18H0,  says  in  the  Sdh.  Co.  //int. , 
r)81-'2,  that  lie,  Pearce,  was  sent  by  Kearny  tosiunnion  ("apt.  .Moore  to  an  in- 
terview; that  Moore  opposed  a  reconnois.sance,  favoring  an  inniiediate  attack; 
l)Ut  his  objections  were  ov.'rruled,  and  Hanmiond,  Sergt  Williams,  and  10 
iiicn  were  sent  to  reconnoitre.  Pearce  Iieard  their  report,  'that  as  they 
iiearcd  some  Indian  huts  at... 8.  Pascual,  the  guide  stoppeil  them  and 
called  attention  to  a  dim  light  in  one  of  the  huts,  and  told  tiieiii  that  Pico  and 
his  men  were  occupying  those  huts;  that  Sergt  Willams  and  tlu,' guide  [the 
same  native  (.'alifornian  who  had  reported  at  Warner's  ranchoj  ab.suUitely 
went  to  the  door  of  the  hut  and  saw  a  number  of  men  sleepi  ig,  and  a  lone 
Indian  sitting  by  the  tire.  They  beckoned  the  Iiidiun  witlifait  the  hut,  ;ind 
wiiile  coiivei'!*iiig  with  him,  a  sentinel  hailed  the  main  luirt}',  and  the  whole 
detai'hment  instantly  retreated. .  .As  they  retreated  they  distinctly  heard  the 
shouts  of  the  eneiiiy  "  ihva  California"  I' 


l;j  ■; 


li :! 


It!  if, . !  . 

liirl 


342     THK  FLORES  REVOLUTION— FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 

ing  witli  Captain  Cota  in  watchinjif  and  keeping  sup- 
plies from  the  enemy,  awaiting  Flores*  approach  withi 
the  main  force  to  assist  Stockton's  expected  advance. 
He  had  perhaps  taken  100  men,  as  ordered,  from 
Angeles,  but  had  lost  many  who  absented  themselves 
on  one  pretext  or  another,  and  had  also  picked  up  a 
few  recruits,  until  his  force,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascer- 
tained, numbered  about  80,  most  Californians  making 
it  considerably  less.  Of  his  movements,  like  those  o*' 
Cota,  nothing  is  known  in  detail  until  December  5th, 
when  he  was  encamped  at  the  Indian  pueblo  of  San 
Pascual,  where  he  had  arrived  that  day,  or  possibly 
the  day  before.  His  purpose  was  to  cut  off  the  re- 
treat of  Gillespie,  whose  departure  from  San  Diego  on 
the  3d  was  known,  and  whose  mission  was  supposed 
to  be  to  obtain  cattle  and  horses.  Pico  had  no  ex- 
pectation when  he  went  to  San  Pascual  of  meeting 
any  but  Gillespie's  men;  and  Cota,  or  some  of  his 
subordinates,  had  been  sent  to  cut  off  the  Americans' 
retreat  if  by  chance  they  should  take  another  return 
route.  Before  night  on  the  5th  the  Indians  brought 
in  reports  that  a  large  force  was  approaching,  and  not 
far  distant;  but  as  these  reports  were  somewhat  con- 
tradictory, and  did  not  agree  with  what  was  known  of 
Gillespie's  party,  the  only  enemy  whose  presence  was 
suspected,  but  little  attention  was  paid  to  them,  or 
even  to  messages  from  Coronel,  describing  the  taking 
of  his  horses  by  a  party  coming  from  the  east.  So 
far  as  any  reliance  can  be  placed  in  the  statements  of 
his  companions,  Pico  was  inexcusably  careless;  and 
even  sent  away  most  of  his  horses  to  feed  at  a  distance 
of  several  miles.  It  was  a  cold  and  rainy  night. 
Between  11  o'clock  and  midnight  the  sentry  was 
alarmed  by  the  barking  of  a  dog.  To  his  *Quien 
vive?'  no  reply  was  given,  but  he  thought  he  could 
see  retreating  forms;  and  a  party  sent  out  to  recon- 
noitre found  a  blanket  marked  *  U.  S.'  and  the  trail 
of  the  enemy's  scouts.  Now  the  horses  were  sent  for 
in  all  haste,  and  preparations  for  defence  were  made, 


KEARNY  ATTACKS  PICO. 


343 


though  even  then  it  could  hardly  be  comprehended 
that  thirty-five  men  on  a  raid  for  live-stock  would 
vtinture  on  an  attack  by  night.  At  early  dawn,  how- 
ever, on  the  6th,  the  near  approach  of  the  Americans 
was  announced;  and  hardly  eould  the  Californians 
mount  their  horses,  lance  in  hand,  before  the  advance 
guard  of  the  foe  was  seen  riding  at  full  speed  down 
the  hill  upon  them." 

Kearny  had  160  men  under  his  conmiand  at  Santa 
Maria.  The  force  of  the  enemy  at  San  Pascual,  ten 
miles  distant,  had  been  correctly  reported,  as  is  shown 
by  Johnston's  journal,  at  80;  but  no  certainty  could 
bo  felt  on  this  point.  Hammond  returned  about  2 
A.  M.  from  his  reconnoissance,  reporting  that  he  had 
seen  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  and  had  been  seen  but 
not  pursued  by  them.  The  call  to  horse  was  sounded 
without  delay,  and  the  army  was  soon  on  the  march. 
The  San  Diego  force  had  encamped  at  some  distance 
irom  the  general's  camp,  but  all  were  reunited  soon 
after  the  start.  The  order  of  march  was  as  follows: 
(Captain  Johnston  commanded  an  advanced  guard  oi 
twelve  dragoons  mounted  on  the  best  horses ;  close  be- 
liind  was  General  Kearny  with  lieutenants  Emory 
and  Warner  of  the  engineers,  and  four  or  five  of  their 
men;  next  came  Captain  Moore  and  Lieutenant  Ham- 
mond with  about  fifty  dragoons,  mounted,  many  of 
them  on  mules,  followed  by  captains  Gillespie  and 
Gibson  with  twenty  volunteers  of  the  California  bat- 
talion ;  Lieutenant  Davidson  was  next  in  the  line,  in 
•  liarge  of  the  two  howitzers,  with  a  few  dragoons  to 
manage  the  guns,  which  were  drawn  by  mules;  and 
linally,  the  rest  of  the  force,  between  fifty  and  sixty 
men,  brought  up  the  rear  under  Major  Swords,  pro- 
tecting the  baggage,  and  protected  by  Gillespie's  field- 

**Oii  these  proparntions,  as  on  tlie  fullowins  conflict,  much  information  is 
derived  from  Hityeni'  Mincfllaiiy,  .'18  40;  Id.,  Lmvj.  Noten,  400-2,  being  rem - 
inisccnccB  of  old  Californians  colU'ctoit  by  Ju(l;;o  Hayes  during  an  acquaint- 
ance of  many  years;  Coronet,  Conas  de  Cah,  MS.,  115-19;  Fomter'.t  Pioneer 
Data,  MS.,  37-42;  liotello,  A  nates,  MS.,  154-0;  Vifjar,  liecnerdos,  MS.,  C6 
>*0;  Moreno,  Victa  xMilitar,  MS.,  25-31;  Palonuuen,  Mem.,  MS.,  88-95;  Om, 
Hist.  Cat.,  MS.,  492-r)00. 


a44     THK  FLOKKS  UEVOLUTIOX-FIOHT  AT  SAN  I'ASCUAL. 


'iM: 


3 


It  I ''4 


piece.  It  required  more  than  the  ardor  of  anticipated 
victory  to  make  the  march  a  tolerably  comfortable 
one.  The  animals  were  either  stiff  and  worn  out  by 
their  long  journey,  or  p.irtially  unbroken  and  unman- 
ageable; while  the  men's  clothing  was  soaked  by  the 
night's  drizzling  rain,  anl  the  cold  was  now  intense. 
In  the  gray  dawn  of  morning  they  drew  near  San 
Pascual;  and  as  they  came  in  sight  of  the  Indian  vil- 
lage and  the  enemy's  camj),  a  charge  was  ordered  by 
the  general,  and  down  the  hill  dashed  Captain  John- 
ston and  his  men  at  a  gallop. 

It  was  no  part  of  Californian  cavalry  tactics  to 
stand  still  and  receive  a  charge.  Had  Gillespie's  forty 
men  come  down  upon  them  in  a  compact  body,  Pico's 
company  would  have  retired  at  least  far  enough  to 
find  favorable  ground  for  a  countercharge;  and  had 
Kearny's  force  appeared  in  like  manner — of  whose 
presence  Don  Andres  had  as  yet  no  knowledge — the}- 
would  have  retreated  promptly  to  the  hills  to  await 
an  opportuiiity  for  a  sudden  dash  or  to  content  them- 
.selves  with  harassing  the  foe  and  driving  off  his  ani- 
mals. But  seeing  less  than  twenty  horsemen  coming 
down  the  hill,  the  Californians  made  a  stand,  dis- 
charged the  few  muskets  and  pistols  they  had,  and 
with  lances  ready  received  i.he  shock  of  the  advancing 
(hagoons.  Captain  Johnston  received  a  musket-ball 
in  the  head  and  fell  dead;  a  dragoon  also  fell,  badly 
w<junded.  Of  the  very  brief  hand-to-hand  conflict 
that  ensued  at  the  Indian  village,  naturally  no  par- 
ticipant has  been  able  to  give  a  clear  account;  and  it 
is  not  known  if  there  were  any  casualties  beyond 
those  mentioned.  Overpowered  by  numbers  and  con- 
fused by  the  fall  of  their  leader,  the  Americans  perhaps 
fell  back  a  very  short  distance  after  the  first  shock ; 
but  at  that  moment  Kearny's  main  force  ap[)eared 
t)n  the  scene;  and  Pico's  men  fled. 

Filled  with  enthusiasm  at  the  sight  of  the  retreat- 
ing foe,  the  gallant  Captain  Moore  called  on  his  men 
to  charge  in  pursuit,  and  was  followed  by  all  that  had 


JAL. 


FU;HT  BKTWEEN  KEAIINY  AND  PICO. 


34.1 


icipatitl 
fortablt! 
out  bv 
unman- 
by  tht} 
intense, 
jar  San 
lian  vil- 
ored  by 
n  John- 

ictics  to 
ie's  forty 
y,  Pico's 
lOUgh  to 
and  had 
f  whose 
re — thoy 
to  await 
nt  them- 
'  his  ani- 
1  cominijf 
itid,  dis- 
lad,  and 
vancing 
sket-ball 
11,  badly 
confliot 
no  pai- 
;  and  it 
beyond 
nd  con- 
perhaps 
shock ; 
ppoared 

retreat - 
I  his  men 
that  had 


I'onie  up.  Not  all  of  Moore's  and  Gillespie's  force 
had  been  able  to  do  so;  but  it  seems  hardly  probable 
that  enough  of  them  had  been  kept  back  by  theii" 
animals'  lack  of  .speed  to  ju.stify  Dr  Grittin's  opinion 
and  that  of  Dunne  that  not  more  than  fifty  men  oaw 
the  enemy.  No  order  was  observed  in  the  pursuit; 
all  rushed  onward  pell-mell,  each  urging  his  animal  at 
full  speed.  Between  the  fleetest  and  freshest  horses, 
however,  and  the  slowest  and  most  worn-out  nudes, 
there  were  many  gradations  of  speed ;  and  the  efiect 
«»n  the  relative  position  of  the  different  pursuers  may  be 
readily  imagined.  What  were  Pico's  plans,  if  he  had 
any,  it  is  impossible  to  know;  his  movement  lias  been 
called  on  the  one  hand  a  cowardly  retreat,  and  on  the 
other  a  deliberate  trap  for  the  Americans;  I  am  in- 
tlincd  to  think  it  was  neither,  but  rather  the  instinct- 
ive tactics  of  Californian  warriors  in  favor  of  sudden 
(lashes  and  short  decisive  conflict.  However  this  may 
have  been,  after  running  half  a  mile,  more  or  less,  to 
ground  nxjre  favorable  for  cavalry  evolutions,  and  not- 
ing the  line  of  pursuers  extending  with  frecjuent  and 
iri'egular  intervals  far  to  the  rear,  Don  Andres  sud- 
denly wheeled  his  column  and  rushed  back  to  meet 
the  Americanos.  The  conflict,  though  brief,  was  ter- 
rible. Kearny's  men  derived  but  slight  benefit  from 
their  fire-arms,  either  because  the  rain  had  rendered 
them  useless,  or  because  mo.st  of  them  had  been  dis- 
<harged  at  long  range  upon  the  flying  foe.  It  was 
sabre  aj^ainst  lance — .sabres  and  clubbed  guns  ifi  the 
hands  (►f  dragoons  and  volunteers  mounted  on  stupid 
mules  or  half-broken  horses  against  lances,  the  enemy's 
iavorite  weapons,  in  the  hands  of  the  world's  most 
skilful  horsemen.  The  Americans  fought  with  des- 
perate valor  against  heavy  odds  and  with  fearful  loss 
of  life;  and  they  stood  their  ground.  For  ten  min- 
utes, perhaps  less,  the  hand-t(>-hand  conflict  raged; 
and  then,  when  the  force  of  the  assault  Iwul  .somewhat 
spent  itself,  and  when  the  two  howitzers  had  been 
hrought  up,  the  Californians  again  fled.     This  time 


346     THK  FLOHKS  RKVOLUTION- FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 

tho  Americans  were  in  no  condition  to  pursue.     TIk; 
mules  attached  to  one  of  tlie  howitzers  took  fright, 


however,  and  dashed  wildly  after  the  enemy,  who 
captured  the  gun  and  killed  the  man  in  charge  of  it. 
Tho  battle  of  San  Pascual,  th«  most  famous  and 
deadly  in  Californian  history,  was  at  an  end.  Tho 
Americans  camped  on  the  battle-field.  Lieutenant 
Emory  was  sent  back  to  bring  up  Major  Swords' 
party,  who  were  a  mile  in  the  rear,  and  had  not  been 
attacked;  and  he  also  recovered  the  body  of  Johnston 
at  the  village  where  the  first  fight  occurred.  Eigh- 
teen men  had  been  killed  in  the  fight;  nineteen  were 
wounded,  three  of  them  fatally ;  and  one  was  missing.*' 
Only  one  death  and  one  wound  were  caused  by  fire- 
arms; but  all  the  other  dead  and  wounded  had  three 
lance-thrusts  on  an  average  in  each  body,  sonie  hav- 
ing ten.  The  dead  were  buried  in  the  night  under  a 
willow-tree  east  of  the  camp;  but  the  remains  were 
subsequently  removed  to  Old  San  Diego,  where  I  saw 
rude  boards  in  honor  of  their  memory  in  1874.  John- 
ston was  the  first  victim,  as  we  have  seen,  being  shot 
in  the  first  charge.  Moore  fell  early  in  the  second 
charge,  with  a  lar>ce  through  the  body,  after  a  desper- 
ate resistance.  Hammond  is  said  to  have  received 
the  thrust  that  caused  his  death  in  a  few  hours  while 


'•  There  are  some  sliglit  variations  in  different  reports.  Kearny  says  tlicre 
were  18  killed  and  IG  'wounded;  Emory  makes  it  18  killed  and  13  wounded. 
In  tables  contained  in  31st  t'oixj.  l^l  Sik'I.,  11.  Ex.  Doc.  J.'f,  \>.  10,  '28,  tho  num- 
ber is  ^iven  as  17  killed  and  10  wounded.  Tho  best  authority,  iiowever,  is 
Griliin's  quarterly  report  of  Doc.  31st,  of  which  I  have  tho  original  blotter  in 
Oriffin'n  Doc,  MS.,  4-5.  In  a  letter  of  Feb.  14,  1847,  tho  doctor  puts  the  Ikss 
at  17  killed  and  18  wounded.  Id.,  '22.  In  his  Journal,  p.  '28,  ho  makes  it  18 
killed  and  18  wounded,  or  35  in  all  (?).  The  killed  were :  draj^oons,  Capt.  Abni- 
ham  11.  Johnston,  Capt.  Benj.  1).  Moore,  ('o.  V,  Wm  0.  West,  corporal; 
privates  Geo.  Ashmead,  Jos  T.  Campbell,  John  Dunlop,  Wm  Dalton,  Wni 
C  Lucky,  and  Samuel  B\  Repoll.  Co.  K,  Otis  L.  Moor,  Ist  sergeant;  Wiu 
Wliitness,  sergeant;  Geo.  Ramsdale,  corporal;  David  W.  Johnson,  farrier; 
and  privates  \Vm  C.  Gholston,  Win  H.  Ficl,  and  Robert  S.  Gregory.  Henry 
ik)oker,  or  Baker  (?),  private  Cul.  battalion,  ri-an^-ois  Menard,  private  top. 
engineers.  Missing,  and  supposed  to  liavc  been  kiliv-^d,  Hugli  \IcKaffray,  Co. 
K,  Ist  dragoons.  The  wounded  were:  Lieut  Thos  V.  Hammond,  Ist  drag., 
died  Dec.  6th;  Scrgt  John  Cox,  died  Doc.  lOtli,  at  S.  Bernardo;  Jos  1$. 
Kennod}r,  priv.  Co.  C,  died  Dec.  '21st,  at  S.  Diego;  Gen.  S.  W.  Kearny,  Cant. 
Arch.  Gillespie,  Capt.  Gibson,  Lieut  Wm  H.  Warner,  Jos.  Antonio  llohi- 
doux,  David  Streeter;  and  10  others  slightly. 


^, 


JAL. 

3.       TllO 

fright, 
ly,  \yli() 
;o  of  it. 
ous  un<l 
J.     Tlio 
jutenant 
Swords' 
not  been 
fohnston 
,     Eigh- 
3en  were 
nissing." 
i  by  firo- 
ad" throe  ^ 
jino  hav- 
i  under  a 
lins  were 
ere  I  saw 
John- 
eing  shot 
10  second 
a  desper- 

receivod 
ars  while 

uy  says  there 
13  wouiuk'il. 
•28,  thonum- 
|,  however,  is 
ivd\  blotter  iu 
puts  the  1< 'SO 
k  iiiakca  it  IS 
[,  Capt.  Abni- 
iist,  corporal; 

Dalton,  Win 
>rgeaut;  ^^  m 

ison,  farrier; 
Ijory.    Henry 

private  top. 

jKaffray,  Co. 

id,  Istdraj:., 

irdo;  Jos  B. 
icnrny,  Capt. 
rRtonio  llolii- 


AFTER  THE  BATTLE. 


847 


trying  to  save  Moore.  Gillespie,  a  skilful  swordsman, 
lought  bravely,  but  was  unhorsed  and  left  for  dead  on 
the  (iold  with  throe  lance- wounds  in  his  body.  War- 
ner also  received  three  wounds;  while  Kearny  escaped 
witli  two.  Gibson  of  the  battalion  was  slightly 
wounded,  and  Robidoux,  the  guide,  more  seriously. 
Jlespecting  the  losses  of  the  Californians  at  San  Pas- 
(Ual  there  is  no  agreement  of  testimony.  One  man, 
J  *ablo  VcJjar,  whose  horse  fell  in  the  action,  was  made 
a  prisoner,  and  there  was  perhaps  another.  About  a 
dozen  men  were  wounded,  one  or  two  perhaps  serious- 
ly; but  I  think  that  none  were  killed.'^ 

Captain  Turner  assumed  command  in  consequence 
of  Kearny's  wounds.  The  day  was  consumed  in 
(hessing  wounds,  and  in  making  rude  ambulances  for 
the  moving  of  the  disabled.  Alexis  Godey,  a  man 
named  Burgess,  and  one  or  two  others  were  sent  to 
San  Diego  with  a  letter  to  Stockton,  asking  for  re- 
enforcements,  for  supplies,  and  for  carts  in  which  to 
cany  the  wounded.  Stokes  seems  to  have  preceded 
Godey,  starting  before  he  knew  the  exact  results  of 
the  battle.     "When  night  closed  in,"  writes  Emory, 

^"Capt.  Pico's  report  of  Dec.  Gth,  received  by  Floresat4  a.  M.  on  Dec.  7th, 
.iiid  by  him  coni.nunicatrd  to  Bubordiiiatcs,  Janssenn,  Doc,  MS.,  45'(i,  Hays 
tliiit  the  viclovy  was  gained  'without  other  casualty  on  our  side  than  II 
wiiiinilcd,  none  seriously,  since  the  action  was  decided  d  puni  arnia  bliinrd,' 
<iiii.  Kearny  says  in  his  report:  'Tliu  nundier  of  their  dead  and  wounded 
iiiiist  have  been  considerable,  though  I  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  how 
iii.iiiy,  as  just  previous  to  their  final  retreat  they  carried  off  all  excepting  six.' 
It  is  hard  to  resist  the  conclusion  that  the  general  deliberately  misrepresents; 
for  It  is  certain  that  no  dead  Californians  were  left  on  the  field;  and  that  no 
woiiiuled  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans  is  proveil  by  tho  fact  that  a  lit- 
tle lati'i-,  when  Pico  proposed  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  Kearny  had  but  one, 
W'jar,  to  exchange.  .Sergt  Falls  tells  ino  that  ho  and  his  party  sent  to  search 
the  field  found  one  Californiait  with  a  broken  leg.  l)r  (iriliin  speaks  of  see- 
ing one  man  fall  after  a  shot  by  Lieut  Beale;  ho  speaks  of  two  prisoners;  and 
siiys,  '[think  the  enemy  must  have  suffered  oa  much  as  we  did.'  He  says 
that  a  little  later  he  sent  to  Pico  an  offer  to  care  for  his  wounded,  but  the 
1  iipt.  replied  that  ho  had  none.  Pablo  V'ejar  says  that  one  man,  Franeiaco 
Liiia,  was  killed  and  12  were  wounded,  one  of  them,  Casiiniro  Rubio,  fatally. 
Se\ur.^l  Californians  speak  of  Lara's  death;  but  in  tho  Lo^  Ainjcfes  I  Hal.,  '24-H, 
l^ra  is  said  to  have  [>een  wounded,  captured,  and  to  have  liad  his  leg  am* 
piitatcil  at  .S.  Diego,  living  for  a  long  time  at  Angeles.  Botello  tells  us  that 
a  Souoran  was  wounded  and  died  a  little  later  of  fright.  Oslo  says  a  boy  be- 
came  frightened,  was  unable  to  run,  and  was  killed.  Judge  Hayes,  personally 
acijuainted  with  tho  participants  in  the  battle  and  their  friends  for  many 
yciiis,  could  never  fino  evidence  that  any  of  Pico's  men  were  killed. 


lis.; 


Kji' 


4  4.:  ^ 


3ts      THK  FLOUKS  IIKVOLUTION-FICHT  AT  nAN  I'ASCUAL. 

"the  ImxUcs  of  the  tleacl  were  buried  under  a  willow 
to  the  east  of  the  cain[),  with  no  other  accoinpaui 
nient  than  the  howlinj^  of  myriads  of  wolves.  Tlui> 
were  put  to  rest  tot^ether  and  forever  a  band  of  bru\  r 
and  heroic  men.  The  lon«r  march  of  2,000  miles  had 
brouj^ht  our  little  command,  both  otHcers  and  men, 
to  know  each  other  well.  Community  of  hardships, 
danijers,  and  privations  had  produced  relations  ot 
mutual  legard  which  caused  their  loss  to  sink  dec]) 
in  our  memory.  .  .Our  position  was  defensible,  hut 
the  j^i'ound  covered  with  rocks  and  cacti  made  it  «iit- 
Kcult  to  get  a  smooth  place  to  rest,  oven  for  tlic 
woun<led.  The  ni«^ht  was  cold  and  damp;  and  slerji 
was  impossible."  The  Califoinians  were  not  far  awav. 
and  keepinj^  a  close  watch.  Pico  had  re})orted  to 
Flon.'s  that  the  defeated  Americans  were  encamped 
and  besiegcid  on  a  little  height  near  the  battle-field 
without  water;  that  he  was  wailing  only  for  the  ar- 
rival of  the  division  under  C'oia  and  Hermosillo  to 
attack  them;  and  that  not  one  (tould  escape.  And 
Flores  replied,  thanking  Don  Andres  for  hi.s  bril 
liant  service  to  the  country,  and  promising  a  n^eii- 
forceinent  of  80  men,  horses,  and  a  Held-picce."' 

Early  on  tlu;  7th,  Kearny  having  resumed  connnand. 
his  aiiny,  described  by  Kniory  as  "the  most  tattered 
and  ill-fed  deta<'hmcnt  of  m»'n  tliat  ever  the  United 
States  mustcii'd  under  hei' colors,"  set  out  on  it^jinaifli 
down  tlie  vaih  y,  taking  a  route  to  the  right,  alon'i 
the  hills;  while  the  (';.lift»i'niaiis,  whose  pickets  weiv 
jiart  ol'  the  time  in  sight,  retiied  in  the  sanu;  dirc( 
tion.  keejiing  to  the  h^l't,  nearer  tlie  dry  bed  of  tin 
stream,      i^ate  in  tlie  afternoon  they  reached  the  ran 

••'dipt.  Turner's  li'ttrrof  I>ec.  Otli  is  yivfii  in  Slocklim'n  Mil.  mid  Xiw.  <>/•.. 
'J7-8.  I>i'<'  Ttii.  i'"l<iiTs  t(i  .lansufhs,  witli  rioo'u  report,  ./hiimmiiix.  Dor,,  .Ms 
4.")ft.  I>ff.  Tth,  KIdh's  to  I'lco.  in  /'«'.■.-,  />■••.,  MS.,  ii.  ||l-l*.».  I'lcoclaiiii.  .1 
to  liiivi;  •U'fi'.'itfd  '-MK)  .SiiirrjcahN,  killccl  uvrr  'M),  uifliiilin^  'Jill<'.><pi<'.  iiiiJ 
tiikfu  i>ni'  oi  till!  <>n<'Mi>  H  two  ctinnun,  witli  ti  Iohh  of  o(ily  II  8li){litl\ 
Moiinilfil.  This  sliowcil  couMiili  riilily  Icsh  <'xiij{>ji'riitiou  tlian  Kearny's  ri'|Miii 
wriltcna  wfrk  iatiT.  that  liu  iiiiil  (Ictc^iti!)!  MH)  ( 'alitorr.iatm— tin- nm.\iiiiiiiii 
forcf  oil  iwipi'r  ut'  I'ii'u'M  uml  ('oUim  iuimi  tinitt;<l— of  whom  <»  IiimI  Iweti  lelt  mi 
the  lit'lil,  the  rent  of  thi^  killed  ami  wounded  U'in);  earned  away. 


;UAL. 

a  willow 
wnipani 
3.     Thu> 
of  bravr 
niles  had 
and  men, 
lardships, 
ations   ot 
sink  «lee|> 
sible,  but 
idc  it  <Iir- 
1   tor    tlif 
and  sliMp 
tar  away, 
(ported  ti> 
oneain|>('»l 
)attle-tii'l<l 
or  tlu'  ar- 
•inoHillo  to 
L|)o.     Ainl 
■   hi.s  lull 
lijr  a  n^eii- 

('oniniautl. 
it  tattcn-d 
1)0  I'nititI 

it'iinaitli 

Ubt,  aloii'i 

kt'ts  wi'iv 

mv,  dire* 

icd   of  tllr 

I  tli»?  raii- 


[iiid  A'"'!.  '>/.., 

I'ifocliiiiiiiil 

ly    II    sliulitlN 

Itlu-  iimxinuMii 
\\  iHiell  It'll  .'II 


SKIRMISH  AT  SAN  BKRXARIX). 


:i4!> 


olio  of  San  Bernardo,  deserted  by  all  biit  a  few  Ind- 
ians, wiiere  they  found,  however,  some  chickens  and 
cattle.  Here  they  turned  to  the  left,  crossing;  the 
t  lit  inv''-.  trail,  an<l  approached  the  river-be<l  in  search 
(»t  Ixtter  feed  for  their  animals;  but  when  they  had 
ii(!\jin('ed  a  mile  and  reached  the  foot  of  a  detached 
liill,  the  enemy  came  upon  them  from  the  rear.  We 
liave  no  intelligible  account  of  this  skirmish  of  San 
Hcrnardo;  but  it  would  appear  that  after  an  ex(;hange 
of  shots  at  long  range,  the  Americans,  leaving  their 
•  attic,  marched  up  the  hill;  that  Pico's  men  started 
liy  a  longer  course  to  prevent  the  succjss  of  that 
movement;  that  a  small  party  r(\ache'l  tfo-  summit 
on  nuc  sidti  before  the  Americans  who  were  ascend- 
iiiti'  from  the  other  si<le;  but  that  they  promptly  re- 
tired before  the  ritlc-balls  of  CJibson's  \'olnntccrs.  At 
Miiy  late,  K(;arny  formed  his  camp  on  the  hill:  while 
l*i(»»  w  ithdrew  h']>  force  to  a  position  jutoss  the  creek." 
It  was  ajiparent  that  an  attempt  to  a<l\ance  would 
aiiiiist  certainly  result  in  a  loss  of  the  wounded,  and 
nf  the  hajijxaife,  if  not  in  further  disaster;  and  it  was 
icselved  to  remain  for  a  tin;.'  on  the  defensive.  A 
small  sup|)ly  of  watei-  was  obtained  by  digging,  and 
sttiiie  of  the  least  emaciated  mules  were  killed  for  fond. 
Ivirly  on  tlu^  8tli  a  man  arrived  from  Pico's  camp  with 
ii  tlau:  of  truce,  brini;in<;  suuar  and  tea,  and  a  (^hantre 
nf  clothing  sent  by  ;i.  friend  tor-  (iiil!es|)ie,  and  a  j)rop- 
(isition    to    exchange    fniir    prisoners    just    ca[)tured. 

■  Ki'iiniy  HiiyH:  'Kriii'liinj.;  S.  licrp  icl.i,  h  |):ii-)y  nf  tliom  took  |io8Ncssioii 
III'  :t  liill  near  to  it  iiii.i  iiiiiintaiiioil  tlit'ii  |io-<itioii  uiilil  iittiickcil  Ity  our  ail- 
«'iiiri'.  \t  ho  (jiii.  kly  .iioxt'.  tliciii  fitiiii  it.  killing  ami  woiiiiiiiiii;  liv.'  of  tlicir 
iiiMiilii'r  ( !l,  with  no  los.s  oi- our  part.'  Kiiiory  «iy.s;  '.\  .'Imid  of  ravalry  df 
hiiiiilii'il  troin  tlio  iiillN  ill  oiii  I'ciir,  .in.!  a  |Hirtiiiii  of  tliciii  .laslitil  at  full  .vpuoil 
•I  iM.iipy  a  hill  hy  wlii.'h  wc  iiiu.st  pass,  while  the  n'liiaiii.lcr  tlire.ilonc.l 
II  ir  ii'ar.  'riiirty  o>' 40  of  them  (.'nt  poMscHsimi  of  the  hill,  ami  il  was  iiccfs- 
.•<:i,  V  to  lirivc  thi'Mi  from  it.  Tlii.s  wa.s  ai'i'.inipli.'.hi'il  hy  a  small  pai'ty  of  <>  or 
"»,  iijtoii  whom  *lu>  <Jali''.iriiiaii.H  <liMi'liar;k'<'i)  tli.'ir  lire:  ainl  stiaiur.'  to  way,  not 
iiiir  I).' (pur  men  f.l!.  '.'lin  captui't' <)f  ♦he  hill  ua.s  tlu'ii  liiit  tlu'  work  of  a  mo- 
inriit,   .ml  when  Wf   reacLfid   the  crost,  tin-  CaliforniauM  hail    iiioiihIikI  thiir 

lioisim  ,  -111  weriMii  full  tlinht    .  .They  liiid  Mcvrral  ImiUy  m mi.'.l.'     ( Iriliiii  re- 

innrkit:  'Tlio  enemy  iixaiii  apix'tiri-il  an.l  ma.h'  aiiotlirr  iiisli  to  m  riipy  a.  liill 
wliori,'  aiy  could  tinnoy  ns.  Tliry  ),'"t  to  tlu'  lop  alioul  the  liine  w.'  pit  half- 
way ui  I  hen  tho  (ij/ht  ooiunu'ticfd;  l»ut  after  two  or  three  minutes  tlio  rns- 
liils  in   ,  leaving  'A  of  their  spearH  on  the  lit  Id.' 


m- 


.•wo     THE  FLORES  RKVOLUTION— FIGHT  AT  SAN  I'ASCUAL. 

There  was  but.  one  Californian  to  be  exchanged,  and 
with  him  Emory  proceeded  to  an  interview  with  Pico. 
It  was  Godey's  party  that  had  been  captured  near  San 
Bernardo  on  the  return  from  San  Diego,  which  place 
th(iy  had  reached  in  safety.  Burgess  was  the  man  ex- 
fhanged;  the  others  were  sent  to  Los  Angeles.  At 
night  Beale,  Carson,  and  an  Indian  volunteered  to  go 
to  San  Diego,  a  mission  which  they  performed  suc- 
cessfully."*  On  the  9th  Sergeant  Cox  died  from  the 
ett'ects  of  his  wounds,  and  was  buried.  On  the  lOtli, 
as  the  horses  and  mules  were  feeding  at  the  foot  ot 
the  hill,  the  Californians  made  a  characteristic  attcmpi 
to  .stampede  the  animals  by  driving  upon  them  a  band 
of  wild  horses,  some  of  them  with  dry  sheep-skins 
tied  to  their  tails.  By  good  luck  and  active  exertion 
the  success  of  this  trick  was  prevented;  and  it  even 
[)roved  an  advantage,  for  one  or  two  fat  animals  were 
shot  for  food. 

The  wounded  having  improved  in  condition  so  that 
most  of  them  could  ride,  and  there  being  but  little  hope 
that  Btale  and  Carson  could  reach  San  Diego  and  re- 
turn with  reonforcements,  Kearnv  decided  to  make  a 
new  start  ni!xt  day.  An  order  had  already  been  is- 
sued to  destroy  all  property  that  could  not  be  trans- 
ported.^ Before  dawn  on  the  11th,  however,  reen- 
forcements  made  their  appearance  in  the  shape  of 
about '!()()  marines  and  sailors  under  Lieutenant  Gray. 
Stocktons  aide-de-camp,  who  had  left  San  Diego  on 
the  evening  of  the  9th  on  or  before  the  arrival  oi 
Beale  and  Carson.^'     When  the  sun  rose  the  enemy 

"  In  Peters'  Life  of  Kit  Carson,  iJKMl,  is  an  account  of  their  adventurer 
(III  tlie  way,  iuloptcil  liy  Lancey,  ('rniite,  \4l].     Carson's  account  of  tlie  wholr 
S.  i'lMiiMml  c'linpiii^'n  aa  nivt-n  in  I't-torH' work,  p.  '278  !H5,  is  gi-ossly  inoccurutt' 
It  iamiid  liy  tliia  uutliority  and  otiiurH  tiiat  l.iuut  licule  from  his  exciteuiciit 
anil  cxiuiMuro  lu'eiiniu  niiMitally  ilcran^tMl  for  n  tinu;. 

'*  |)(c.  !»th,  order  iiigned  l)y  t'lipt.  Turui-r,  iv  a.  a.  general,  in  Griffin' n 
Doc.,  MS.,  'A. 

''Stockton,  Hefmrt,  4.'i,  tells  us  that  ho  first  licard  of  Kearny's  defeat  witli 
no  imrticulars,  from  .Stokes  in  the  evening  of  Deo.  tith.  Next  morning;,  Dec. 
7th,  (iodey  and  his  companions  arrived  with  a  letter  from  ('apt.  Turner  (>{iven 
in  Lanri'ff  n  ('rHiMf,  142).  l're|taration8  were  made  to  march  witii  all  the  force 
thateouUI  l)oa|>ared;  and  the  advance  under  Lieut  Guest  waa  ordered  toinan.li 
to  the  mission,     ('reparations  seem  to  have  proceeded  somewhat  slowly;  for 


!     .  •■■!> 


lUAI.. 

^eJ,  jukI 
th  Pico, 
near  San 
ich  place 
I  man  ex 
les.     At 
•etl  to  go 
Tied  sue 
from  thi' 
:he  lOtli. 
\e  foot  ot 
3  attcnipt 
!iu  a  baud 
eep-skins 
I  exertion 
»d  it  even 
nals  wer»' 

)n  so  that 
little  hope 
;o  and  re- 
:0  make  a 
been  is- 
be  trans- 
jver,  reen- 
shape  ot 
|antCiiay. 
Diego  on 
[irrival  o\ 
lie  enemy 

lir  ailventure.'' 
J  of  the  wliolo 
(ly  iiiacciinito 

ll,  ill  driffin'* 

L.lefcftt  with 
lioiniun,  l>t'>' 
ll'unipr  (Kivcn 
It  all  tlie  force 
\nd  to  inarch 

It  slowly  J  fur 


RKLIKF  FROM  SAN  DlKliU. 


3.-.  I 


had  disappeared,  leaving  the  cattle  at  San  Bernardo. 
This  sudden  disappearance,  and  tlie  fact  that  they  were 
seen  no  more,  cannot  be  entirely  accounted  for  by  the 
aid  of  any  records  extant;  not  even  by  the  supposition 
.•I' Emory  that  "our  night  attack  had  filled  them  with 
the  unneeessary  fear  of  being  surprised"  by  the  ma- 
liiies  and  sailors!  Pico's  force  had  been  increased  to 
about  150  by  the  arrival  of  Cota's  company ;  and  Ra- 
mon Carrillo  with  50  men,  leaving  Angeles  at  4  p.  m. 
(Ill  the  10th,  had  perhaps  arrived  before  Kearny's  de- 
parture.'^^ That  no  attack  was  made  on  Kearny's 
camp  is  easily  understood;  the  Californians  had  a  par- 
donable aversion  to  charging  on  horseback  uj)  a  hill 
to  meet  cannon-balls  and  riHe-bullets.  They  had  hoped 
that  Kearny  might  be  kept  cut  ofl'from  communication 
w  ith  Stockton  until  forced  to  surrender  or  to  expose 
himself  to  renewed  attack  by  resuming  his  march. 
The  arrival  of  (Cray's  company  removed  all  chance  of 
successful  attack  upon  the  Americans,  if  they  were 
prudent  enough  to  march  in  compact  order.  But 
i  ;  o's  policy  naturally,  and  in  accordance  with  general 
orders,  would  have  been  to  hover  about  the  enemy, 
seeking  opportunities  to  annoy  him,  driving  off  his 
animals,  and  otherwise  impeding  his  march.  Yet, 
upon  learning  Gray's  approach,  he  simply  vvithdrew, 
reporting  to  Flores  that  Kearny  ha<l  received  reiin- 
Inrcements  and  marched  for  San  Dieijo,  he  beingr  un- 
ahlo  to  prevent  it  for  want  of  horses  I  And  Floros 
thereuj)on  ordered  him  to  leave  his  own  and  Carrillo's 
men   to  act  as  scouts  in  the  south,  and  with  Cota's 

lirforo  the  ndvance  started  on  Indian  arrived  (niglit  of  the  8tli  or  nioniiiiy; 
"f  tlin  Otli)  with  reports  imlicaling  that  Kfarny's  tn-vd  of  assistanco  wa»  niinf 
MiL'unt  tlian  had  been  suppoHcd.  Tiiereforc  it  was  decided  to  send  only  a  |):ii't 
111'  the  force  for  rapid  movement.  .\t  10  p.  m.  (tif  tlio  !»tli)  Healo  arrived  and 
luiilinnt'd  the  worst  reports;  and  Lieut  (iray  with'Jl.')  men  wart  seiit  to  Kear- 
n\  '.i  relief.  Emory  makes  Cray's  force  '  |IX)  tars  and  80  marines.'  <>rillin 
Biiys  there  were  \'M  marines  and  SO  sailors. 

^'  Dee.  lOlh,  Flores  to  I'ico,  in  reply  to  letter  i>f  the  Sth.  I  Fas  lieen  delayed 
fur  want  of  horses;  but  sends  Carrillo,  and  will  follow  himself  to-morrow. 
I'ico  must  not  relax  the  siege.  Nothing  is  to  be  fean-d  fn>m  S.  l)ict;o;  for  the 
captured  despatch  of  Stockton,  a  translation  of  whicli  is  eucloseti,  says  it  is 
iiiipossiblo  to  send  aid.   Pico,  Doc.,  MS.,  ii.  11.'). 


3.V_>     THK  FLOUEN  K K VOLUTION— FI( JUT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL 


i  M 


company  to  march  to  Los  Anj^olos — an  orclor  wliicli 
J)on  Andres  obeyed  before  it  was  rocei^'ed,  antl  more 
tlian  obeyed,  since  lie  retired  witli  two  com|)anies, 
leavinir  but  one.  Tliis  was  not  a  brilliant  ending  for 
the  campaign;  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  the  disart'ec- 
tion  accompanying  the  late  revolt  against  the  governor 
had  much  to  do  with  it.*' 

At  10  a.  m.,  DtM'cmber  1 1th,  Kearny's  army  marched 
from  the  hill  camp  of  San  l:Jernardo,  and  proceeded 
unmolested  down  the  vallev.  The  camp  for  the  niijfht 
was  Alvarado's  rancho  of  Penasquitos,  where,  and  at 
other  points  along  the  way,  they  found  considerable 
(juantities  of  cattle,  sheep,  an«l  poultiy,  all  conliscated 
as  belonging  to  enemies.  At  about  4  i'.  m.  on  the  rjtli, 
they  marched  into  San  Diego,  wlu-re  they  were  hos- 
pitably received  by  Stockton  and  by  the  inhabitants.*"* 

• 

■■"Pee.  l.'ttli,  Flort'H  to  I'ico,  on  receipt  of  his  rejiort  of  the  lltli.  Tlio 
want  of  liorsea  lias  Ih-cii  a  HorioiiM  ilrawliack  all  alon^'.  Owiters  kee|i  them 
liiililen,  liut  it  is  notieealile  that  they  aie  leaiiily  eiioiit,'h  foiiiid  for  the  enemy. 
It  Ih  reporteil  that  more  l'.  >S.  triKiiiM  ai-e  eomiii;;  from  New  Mexieo,  and  Neoiit« 
have  heen  sent  to  the  ("olorado.  I'ieo  is  to  leeniit  his  horses  in  the  Sta  Ami 
region.     Cotu  ami  Kei'mosillo  with  their  men  and  the  eaptiired  gun  will  eimie 


to  the  eitv.    /' 


MS.,  ii.  ll!»-L':«.      It  seenm  tiiat  I'ieo  left  .Sun   I. 


Rey  and  went  to  .Sta  Ana  with  his  forci!  In'fore  r«'eeiving  I'lort's' order,  lea \- 
ing  Cotii's  ('(im|iiiny  in  the  smith.  <,'oUi  on  the  I  Ith  asked  to  lie  relieved; 
and  Flor»s  on  the  17th,  in  reiijy,  comiilained  liitterlyof  I'ieo's  disoliedieiii'e, 
and  of  the  gcnei'ul  inditlerence  and  insuliordination  of  ollliU'i's  and  men.  Tiie 
order  to  I'ii'o  Iuih  lie<'ii  r(|)eutecl,  ami  if  disoheyed  Cota  may  almndoii  the 
soutli.  If  tlie  CaliforiiialiH  ilniiot  earo  to  defend  their  country,  lie  M'ill  not 
lierespoiisilije.    /./.,  I'JT-O;  Olirni,  1),h.,  .M S. ,  (kKT 

"1  iijive  deserilied  the  .S.  I'asciial  campaign  from  inforiimtion  derived  from 
all 
page 


existing  sources,  the  original  aiithoiilies  having  lieeii  c 


ited 


pr. 


ital>ly  in  notes  1 1  and    IS.      I  add  the  following  items,  which 


not  cciiivciiiiiitly  Ik!  introduced  in  my  te.xt.     Kniory  says: 


\V, 


e  sulisei|Ueutly 


received  authentic  .-iccounts  that  I'ico's  mimlicr  was  ISO  men  engaged  in  tli< 
light,  antl  that  KNtadditional  men  were  scut  him  '^'oin  the  pnelilo,  whoreachrd 
his  camp  t)ii  the  7lh  '!  <  li  i.lin  allirms  that  limgcss  re|iiirt('d  Stockton  to  havi 
refused  til  send  reciifurcemcnts,  and  on  this  acciiiiiit  Kcjiiiiy  wished  to  nio\c 
at  once;  hut  the  navy  olhcers  jilcdged  themselves  very  strongly  that  tho  cnni- 


imxlore   won 


1.1 


sell! 


1    relief.       It    sliollid    l> 


ited  that  Kciriiy's  report  and 
h'.inory's  notes  are  accompanied  hy  a  plan  of  the  liattle,  which  has  lieeii  sev- 
eral times  reprinted  in  other  work*.  It«'ins  from  IIhiich  Mixcillinui,  ai.d  /</., 
Kiiilij.  Xdirs;  some  of  tliclil  also  piiMislicd  in  l.ni  ^\  mji lis  Hi-it,.'  Capt.   Moore 


as  killed  liy  l.caiidro  Osima.     ( iillesjiie  was  lanced  and  iinhorseil  hy  l-'rai 
SCO  lliuiiera,  or  '  Kl  <  Jiii'io.'     ( lalirid  (larcia  killed  the  man  in  charge  of  the 


« 


howit/er.     .Inaii    1.oImi  anil  .1.    IJ.    Mon'iio  were   coiispii'uons   in    the    light. 
I.'hilip  ("rossthwaite  saved  the  life  of  N'ejar,  the  ))risoiier  whom  ono  of  tli 


Pehi 


aware  Indians  (?)  w 


!»s  alioiit   to  kill.     .lo8(5   .Ant.  Serrano  cla 


to  h 


left  the  tield  while  the  light  was    raging,  and   to   have   fonml  I'ico,  Cota,  ;iiiil 


'romito  Sanche/  safelv  out  of  daiiL 


n  Soto  Hill!     Foster,  ,•( (/(/</( 


/<(»'«■  (// 


IS, 


L 

wliich 
more 
)anies, 
ng  for 
isaffec- 
vernor 

archwl 
)ceo(led 
c  nigl»t 
and  at 
(Un'aV)lt' 
liaoatL'tl 
10  I'ith, 
)ro  lios- 
iitauts.*"' 

nth.     Tlif 
kiop  thoin 
•  tl»o  iMH'iny. 
1,  iiiulwtMmts 
the  Stii  Alia 
III  will  i<'i"«' 
ft  San  l->ii'* 
(inli-r,  l»'iiv- 
lits  rolifvotl; 
i«i)l)filioiu'i'. 
|l  nun.     'I'l"' 
lilmmltin  tlu 
he  will  n>'< 

lliTivcd  from 
,1.11   |ln•vil>^l^■ 

liiliKiMjiu'iitly 
Ijam'tl  ill  tl"' 

Ltull  tl>  Ili'V'' 
It'll    lO    IIKIVO 

llllt  tllOi'olll- 
icjiort  anil 
Lis  liff"  '*''\" 
1(((^  ai.<l  /''  - 
ri'ijit.  Mi'oiv 
li-.l  l.y  Kiaii- 
Iliiirgc  of  tlii> 
I    tlio    tis,'l><- 
Olio  of  tho 
hnm  to  liavi' 
Ji,  ( "otn.  iiii^l 
,7,--  ill   lSi7, 


FALSK  KK POUTS. 


858 


It  i.s  (litticiilt  to  ro*!^ar(l  the  atl'air  of  San  Fascual 
othorwi.so  than  as  a  stupid  blundor  on  the  part  of 
Koarny,  «)r  to  rosi.st  tlu'  «'onclusi<>n  that  tliu  ottu-ial 
io}toit  ot"  tho  so-callfd  'victory'  wa.s  a  dt'liberuto  iniH- 
roprosontation  of  facts.  Tru<',  thi;  Anioricans  roinaincd 
ill  possession  ot"  tlio  battlo-ticKI;  hut  tiiis  I'act  hy   no 

MS,,  S-IO,  rdatoH  what  otIiiTH  I'Diitirin,  tliat  Hi),'iK>ra  would  liavi-  killed  (lil 
U'.spif  if  h<!  had  not  Ix-cii  in  ho  niiicli  of  a  hurry  to  ^et  away  with  hiM  liiic 
Nailill(Miiid  hridli'.  lie  later  oH'c'i't'd  to  return  tlio  urticlfH,  lint  <iiili'siiiu  dc 
riiiu'd  to  rt'i'fivi'  thc'in,  as  thi-ir  ioas  liail  saved  his  life.  NVm  II.  I>niin(', 
\itii.i  itii  lb'.  I'liHCiud,  MS.,  rciiiai'k.s  that  Stokes  was  in  the  lif^ht  and  died  Himn 
after  from  fri;,'ht  ami  expoHUie  on  tin.'  way  to  S.  l)ief;o;  tiie  ollicers  were  full 
of  wine  during  the  tight;  tli*<  men  r<%'arded  tliu  light  us  a  stupid  and  criminal 
all'air  on  tiie  otlicers'  part;  l''mory  showed  great  g^llaiitrv  on  the  taking  o) 
Mule  llill;  Kit  Carson  was  tiirowii  from  his  iiorse  and  liad  his  rille  hiokeii. 
ill  the  Alht,  N'ov.  II,  iHtiS,  (lillespie  refutes  with  imiih  indignation  tiie  state 
iiieiit  of  '('.  Iv  I'.'  ((Jlias  K.  I'iekett),  in  the  saniii  pajier,  that  tiie  Aineiieans 
\( ere  under  the  inlluenee  of  wine.  I'imory  in  a  letter  of  .Mareh  l.'>,  IS47,  to 
thi'  .V.  >'.  '  'iiiirivr  uml  h'liiiiiinr,  tries  to  refute  the  insinuation  in  tin;  X  iiitrn  if 
<  'iiUl'iiriiiiiii,  dan.  "JS,  I.sl7,  that  discredit  was  thrown  on  the  American  arms 
hy  the  action  of  S.  I'ascnal.  .V»7../  /;.-/..  Uxiii.  •205.  Jan.  'J'J,  IH47,  hirUin 
liricll\  dcserilies  the  liattle  in  a  letter  to  Vallejo.  ValUjo,  />(,.<■.,  ?dS.,  i.  "Jv!. 
The  campaign  of  .S,  I'asciial  has  hewn  fie(|ii«'litly  <les'  riU-il  at  second- 
hand  in  iHioks  and  newspapers.  Mrackett,  //m.'.  I'.  S.  *>( (,•((//•_(/.  71-0,  gi vis 
a  Very  giKid  gi'iieial  account.  I'helps,  /■'<)(•<'  din/  A/t,  .■n4-l."i,  talked  with 
I'ico  a  few  weeks  after  tho  hattle,  and  was  tol  I  that  lie  had  not  int'.nded  to 
ri>k  a  light;  luit  that  on  seeing  the  disorder  uf  Kiarii;  's  men  he  could  not  re 
si'*!  the  temptation.  I'ieo  also  told  Hotello,  Aii'ilo  iltl  Sii.;  MS.,  lii-J-ti, 
lliat  his  charge  was  a  pure  accident.  Mnwi'u,  S/ii/i  iniit  on  S.  I'nsniiil,  MS., 
says:  'They  proved  to  lioai>out  4(Kt,  and  they  killed  all  of  us  liiit  H'J  tir  .SM.  We 
Were  all  wounded  more  or  less.'  .Streetei-,  lliri<ll.,  MS,,  !(."»  !t,  gives  a  ntirra- 
ti\i'  tieiived  frum  the  statement  i'(  liavid  Streeter,  his  eousin  anil  one  of  the 
NMiundeil  dragiMiim.  .lolin  X.  .Swan,  in  .s'.  ./ixc  i'ioniir,  April  '27,  I.S7H, 
uaiiK's  llciiry  litHikei  as  the  man  in  charge  of  the  howit/.er.  He  waM  perhaps 
tlie  man  who  had  luought  news  of  the  {{far  Flag  revolt  to  Monterey,  in 
.liiiie,  Hidwcll,  <(il.  ill  JSjJS,  .MS..  l!»!t-'2t»l,  who  was  at  S.  Diego  at  the 
tune,  a<lds  nothing  to  the  general  accounts.  In  the  lii'eof  .Stockton,  p.  Mi.'i,  it 
is  declared  that  the  disaster  was  niiicli  more  -erioiis  than  represented  iii 
Kearny  s  report.  An  account  credited  to  A.  V.  Hi'io\,  in  the  Si(i  ^ 'cm, 
Tiiiii-1,  Aug.  '27,  lH7t!,  is  peiliaps  as  iiiiui  mate  asMiy  extant:  unless  indeed  it 
he  excelled  in  that  respi'ct  hy  that  of  Win  II.  I'lavis,  fi7n,//i.-i>'  i;l' l/ii  I'iimI, 
Ms.,  :ii)|  ,'i,  a  writer  u  ho  on  many  points  is  one  of  the  most  careful  and  accii- 
i.iti'ofall  who  ha  \e  recorded  their  recollect  ions,  Liiiccy,  (riii.-'i,  l.'t.S  47, gives 
a  complete  aceouiit  from  the  otiicial  reports  aiul  joiirnals,  hut  he  inteispeiws 
fi'.'i.!inents  from  tinreliahle  sources,  lie  speaks  uf  .luaii  And.ido  (?),  who  lost 
.1  leg  carried  away  hy  atidli.  hall.  Lieiil  Khiison  ( rjieiiMi'v '^)and  Sergt.loneH, 
III  the  hattalion,  dislingllishe>l  tlielliselxes  at  .S,  llernai'ilo.  Oiilespie  in  the 
Mill,  July  ;J.  Istili,  followed  hy  Liiicey,  says  the 'Sutter'  gun  was  kept 
h^'ck  with  the  iKiggagc,  against  his  protest;  that  a  howit/er  was  hred  l>y  him, 
li'ilding  the  foe  in  elierk  until  the  ti<  Id  piece  was  hvouuht  up  an<l  ilrove  tlielii 
hack:  and  that  at  S.  Iternardo  the  gun  killed  several  <'f  the  enemy.  It  Is, 
Imwever,  pretty  certain  that  no  cannon  was  lired  at  S.  I'asiual;  and  there  in 
no  evicletiee  lieyoiid  t  his  statement  of  ( oilespie  th:il  any  was  til  .'I  at  Hail  Iter- 
nardo. An  aciount  in  the  '  'liihiinliiia  l-'>ir<>l,  \»ii,.  In,  ISIti,  and  the  Sinioitii'- 
<if  .Aug.  '20tli,  has  it  th.it  Ki^arny  waM  killed  and  that  his  nun  shamefully 
ca|iitulat'  d  ' 

Uisr.  I'AL.,  Vi>i .  V.    n 


\m 


ill 


m:H:- 


l-H 


354     THE  FLORES  REVOLUTION-FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASCUAL. 

means  sufficed  to  make  of  dofeat  a  victory,  since  the 
enemy  uninjured  was  free  to  occupy  any  one  of  a  dozen 
equally  defensible  positions  on  the  way  to  San  Diego. 
There  was  no  reason  for  the  attack  on  Pico's  forces; 
and  even  a  blot»dles8  triumph  could  have  done  the 
enemy's  cause  but  slight  harm.  Entering  California 
with  but  a  small  part  of  his  original  force,  after  a  long 
and  tedious  niarch,  n»en  and  animals  exhausted,  Kearny 
finds  the  country  in  revolt.  Instead  of  joining  Stock- 
ton, which  he  might  have  done  without  risk  or  oppo- 
sition, and  proceeding  as  commander-in-chief  to  devise 
means  for  completing  the  conquest,  he  attempts  a  night 
attack  upon  an  unknown  force  of  mounted  Californians, 
knowing  that  the  alarm  had  been  given,  and  that  sur- 
prise was  impossible.  Coming  in  sight  of  the  enemy, 
lie  orders  a  charge,  and  permits  a  part  of  his  men,  be- 
numbed with  cold,  their  fire-arms  wet  and  useless,  their 
sabres  rusted  fast  in  the  scabbards,  mounted  on  stupid 
worn-out  nmles  and  half-broken  horses,  to  rush  in 
confusion  upon  the  Californian  lances,  presenting  a 
temptation  to  slaughter  which  the  enemy — even  if  they 
are  as  cowardly  as  their  assailants  believe — cannot  re- 
sist. Individually,  the  Americans  fight  most  bravely : 
nothing  more  can  be  said  in  praise.  Many  lives  are 
recklessly  and  uselessly  sacriHced.  An  irresponsible 
guerrillero  ciiief  would  be  disgraced  by  such  an  attack 
on  Indians  armed  with  bows  and  arrows;  but  Kearny 
was  a  brigadier-general  commanding  regular  troops 
of  the  United  Stctos.  Success  would  have  brought 
him  no  glory;  de  eat  should  have  brought  him  dis- 
grace. It  does  not  appear  that  any  of  his  officers  op- 
posed the  general's  plans.  It  has  been  said  that  all 
were  uiulorthe  influence  of  wine;  fortunatelv — forthf 
reputation  of  California  wine,  fiery  liquid  though  it 
may  have  been  in  its  primitive  stages  of  development 
— this  theory  is  but  slightly  supported  by  the  evidence. 
Stockto  .  suggested  the  attack;  but  we  may  chaiitably 
suppose  that  he  did  not  realize  the  condition  of  Kear- 
ny's force ;  and  he  certainly  is  to  no  extent  responsible 


AL. 

ICO  the 

I  dozen 

Diego. 

forces; 

me  the 

ilifornia 

r  a  long 

Kearny 

r  Stock- 

jr  oppo- 

,()  devise 

s  a  night 

foinians, 

that  sur- 

t)  enemy, 

men,  be- 

ess,  their 

on  stupid 

.  rush   in 

senting  a 

[en  if  they 

:annot  re- 

bravely : 

lives  ai'o 

isponsiblt! 

,an  attack 

t  Kearny 

jar  troops 
brought 
hini  dis- 
iccrs  oi>- 
that  all 
—forthr 
,hough  it 
dopmcnt 
evidence, 
•haritably 
of  Kear- 
■sponsiblo 


AFFAIRS  AT  LOS  AXGELKS  AND  SAN  DIEGO. 


3S5 


for  the  criminally  blundering  manner  in  which  his 
suggestion  was  followed.  It  is  noticeable  that  Stock- 
ton was  slow  to  respond  to  Kearny's  appeal  for  aid 
after  the  disaster;  even  refusing  at  first  to  send  reon- 
torcenients,  if  we  may  credit  the  statement  of  Bur- 
gess, and  the  letter  which  fell  into  Pico's  hands.  Too 
little  is  known,  however,  on  this  point  to  make  it  the 
uround  of  unfavorable  criticism. 

Of  Governor  Flores*  operations,  and  those  of  his 
subordinates  in  and  about  the  capital,  after  the  San 
Pascual  campaign  and  until  the  end  of  December, 
there  is  nothing  to  be  said,  except  that  those  operations 
consisted  of  rather  feeble  preparations  to  resist  the  in- 
\  ader,  not  without  certain  petty  bickerings  and  jeal- 
ousies among  the  officers.  The  Californian  cause  had 
decidedly  lost  strength  during  the  past  few  weeks. 
The  effect  of  military  success  at  Angeles,  Cliino,  San 
Pedro,  Natividad,  and  San  Pascual  had  been  more 
tlian  neutralized  by  internal  feuds  and  jealousies  show- 
ing the  weakness  of  the  new  government.  It  was 
u  t'lhiigh  impossible  to  obtain  sup{)lies.  The  rancheros 
cnncealed  their  horses  to  prevent  their  seizure.  There 
was  no  powder  except  the  poor  stuff  made  at  San  Ga- 
briel. The  Americans  were  rejH)rted  to  be  advancing 
tVom  the  nortli  and  east,  as  well  as  preparing  for  an 
attack  from  the  south.  Men  of  the  better  class  wer«' 
(i>iivinc(Ml  by  reflection  that  there  was  no  liopo  of  suc- 
cessful resistance;  and  not  a  few  were  already  devis- 
ing;' schemes  for  securing  pardon  and  protecti<»n  from 
the  foe  when  the  collapse  should  conie.  At  the  end 
nl'  the  year  it  was  the  general  opinion,  sustained  by 
the  acts  (»t'  the  militarv  chicrs,  that  the  first  conflict 
was  to  be  with  Fremtait  ratluT  than  with  Stockton. 

At  San  Diego  Kearny's  arrival  with  his  wounded 
(h'.igoons  and  worn-out  animals  did  not  hasten  but 
father  retarded  preparations  for  l»egiiniing  the  cam- 
paign. The  wounds  healed  favorably,  except  those 
ot' Streeter,  sixteen  in  number,  and  of  Kennedy,  who 


[iM\     THK  FLORKS  RKVOLUTION-FIGHT  AT  SAN  PASlUAh. 

had  five  in  the  hrain,  and  diod.  Captain  Hrnsley  vv 
turnod  rr«)ni  his  raid  acrosH  tin?  f'rontior  an«l  bmuy^ht 
a  larjjfu  niunbor  of  cattle  and  h(»rHeH,  the  latter  in  pom 
condition.  Vejjfetables  and  bread  were  scarce;  aixl 
the  nu'ii  were  rediice«l  to  short  rations  of  everythiin; 
but  fresli  meat.  Major  Swords  was  sent  to  Honolulu 
on  a  tradinj^  vi'ssi'l  ('bartered  for  the  trip  in  quest  of 
supplies.  The  l\n'tsniimth  and  (hjanc  arrived  to  join 
the  C'tnnjre.ss.  Tlu;  nie-n  were  constantly  drilled  for 
land  evolutions;  and  the  marines  and  .sailors  are  .sa  it  I 
to  have  e.xecutiid  on  their  broncros  several  moviMuents 
not  laid  down  in  any  authority  on  cavalry  tacjtics. 
Rolati<tiis  betwiHMi  tlie  j^tsneral  and  connnodore  werr 
ostensibly  amicable.  Meanwhile  small  parties  of  Cal- 
iforniaiis  (.'anie  in  from  day  to  day,  including  .soiiu; 
even  of  thosi!  wh<»  had  been  at  San  INiscual,  to  <^ive 
themselves  uj).  and  receive  assurances  of  protection. 
They  brou^^ht  all  kinds  of  minors  about  tiie  where- 
abouts and  plans  of  Flores  and  of  Freuiont.  The  only 
nt^ws  at  the  same  time  e'xcitinj^  and  true  was  that  oi' 
the  killinji'  of  tt-n  (/nifr  «/c  nrjni  at  the  Paunia  ranclin 
by  Indians.  On  DtM-embcr 'J!)th  all  was  at  last  ready. 
iind  the  Americans,  (lOO  strouL?,  with  Kearny  in  com 
maiid  <»f  tli(  troops  under  Stockton  as  commandei'  in 
chief,  started  on  the  march  to  Los  AnjL^eh^s.  M(Hi 
will  be  said  of  this  army  in  the  next  chapter,  whrn  I 
come  to  spt'ak  of  its  achievements.  Proj^ress  was 
slow  and  uneventful.  Tlui  first  camp  wasat  S«)leda<l; 
the  si'cond  at  l^euasquitos;  and  on  th«3  last  day  of  1  S Hi 
they  encamped  near  San  liernardo,  wluae  Kearny's 
men  had  been  besic'jcd  s(>  recently.*' 


it  M 


,tJ 


■'*</riffiii'''  Jotiriinl,  MS.,;W-44;  and  lil.,\n  llayrn'  Emiij.  .Vo/c^,  HTO,  ih  tin- 
chief  F<()un-i-  of  iiiforiniition  on  tlui  liutt  dayn  ot  tho  Htiiy  at  S.  Dic^o.  Socalwi 
h'miiii/'.s  .V(i/(i,  li;i  HI;  Sl<irk-ftni'.'<  /I'r/ior/,  4.'»-(l;  .Siwords' rop(»rt  ill  .WwA  / 'k  i./, 
i'd  Si'hh. .  II.  AV.  Dor.  /,  ]). 'i'.'U  7:  llni/fn'  Mimrl.,  '27-1I;  O'lvin'  (llimiisn.  MS., 
.'UlS-70;  li'tilw,ll'.i  r„l.  IS4I -S,  MS.,  j(H.  .Soiiio  niattrrs  ionne<t«'d  witli  tin 
ri'latioiiH  •iffwfcii  Stockton  and  Koui'ny  nia.y  I"'  notiui'd  innro  conveiiii-ntly  cIm 
where.  In  the  Lim  AiujvIih  lliit.,  IVA,  it  is  rcdated  that  Juan  Handini  niid  lii'« 
fttniily  came  nit  fnnn  lliija  California  with  lleiiHley;  and  that  on  the  wiiy  \w* 
daiiuhterM  iiiailt!  an  I'legaiit  V.  S.  Ha^  for  tho  tr(M)|m  — thu  tlrnt  over  iiuulc  iii 
('Hiitornia  -  for  which  tho  ymn^'  hulioH  wcru  Rcruimdud,  and  thttnkud  l>y  ilir 
uun.niodurc  in  iicrsoii. 


;UAL. 


nsley  11' 
br<)U«j;ht 
r  in  poor 
iFco;   ami 

Honolulu 
qiU'st  ol 
n\  t,o  join 
Irillcd  lor 
[•s  iir»!  saiil 
uiveuioiits 
ry  tactics, 
(lorn   wtrt^ 
jcH  ol'  ('ai- 
ding sonio 
ml,  to  give- 
protection. 
tlu>   whcri>- 
Tl»o  only 
vas  that  of 
iiua  ran<'lio 
last  rtuidy, 
iiv  in  com 
niandcr  ill 

1«>S.        Moir 

(!r,  whtii  I 
o<rrcss   was 

jitSoli'dad; 

llayoriSK'. 
Kt-arnvs 


l)ii>H().     Sceiilw 
Irt  ill  ••"'"'»  ''"';'• 

I' (;/•»»/<«-'.  M'*  ' 

Vo.tnl  Willi   til' 
liivciiifiitly  fl"'- 
|Buii<lini  and  1ih 
loll  tli<-  way  lii« 
|»t  over  mad''  m 
lUismku.l  l.y  tl.c 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

AFFAIRS  IN  THK  NORTH-NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 
NovKMBKU,  IH40— .Ianuaky,  1847. 

KKKMONT'sOaLIFoIINIA  UaTTALION — OKKH'IAI,  I'HINKKR  OV  THK    Kanciikroi 

-SUOCKJISKUI.     HKX'UniTINU— InHIAN     Ai.LIKS— OlMiAMZATKiN     AMI    LiST 

OF  OFFICKIW— MaNUKL  CasTIID  AM>  OTIIKI!   Okkickks   Khkak    I'akolks 

AND  Join  Flurk.s— Fkiim  San  Litis  to  thk  Salinas— BuKRuiroiin  and 
Thompson  at  San   .Juan — Cai'tuhI';   ok   Lakkin  — Amekicans   at  Los 

VkUJKI.KS  -AiM-KOH^H   ok   THK  (JaI.IFoKM ANS — FldHT    AT  KVCINALITO 

KosTtK  Kn,LKU— Uattlk  of  Nativihaii— Dkath  ok  HcKKortiHs— 
Losses  Castro's  Rkthkat  Maiii'H  ok  Kkkmonts  Haitai.ion  kro.m 
San  Jian  to  Santa  IJakhara  ('onokmnation  ani>  I'auhon  of  Jksiis 
Pico— 1)isastr<h's  Ckossino  ok  thk  Ciiesta  i>e  Santa  InAs— Mork 
Forced  C'ontkibi-tions— San(  iikz's  Hkvolt  Ai.akm  at  thk  I'i'kblo 
Mahston's  Kxi'kdition — Cami-aion  ok  Santa  ("i.ara  — Knd  i-f  VVak 
IS  North — Loss  of  the  'VVariien's'  Laonch— \Vrf,ck  or  Mukdkc. 

It  has  hoon  recorded  that  Kreinont,  with  about  IGO 
iiu'ii  of  the  battalion,  suilt!<l  tor  tins  soutli  in  th(»  Stcr- 
lliKj  to  cooperat«>  with  Stockton  against  tlu?  southern 
(  aIitornians,but  having  met  the  Va ik la/ ia, mid  learned 
not  only  of  Mi-rvine's  disaster,  but  that  no  horses 
could  lu'  obtaine'd  at  Santa  Harbara  or  San  Pedro,  In- 
nsulvcd  to  ii'turn  Ibr  rcenlorceincnts  and  animals,  and 
til  advanci!  on  L»ts  Angeles  Ironi  the  north  by  land. 
The  Vessel  was  becalmed  on  appj'oaehing  Montertjy; 
but  a  few  otlicers  weie  s«'nt  ashore  October  "J  tth,  and 
on  the  2Sth  Fremont  and  his  men  landed  from  the 
Shrlln</.  1  append  a  few  items  of  chronologic  hap 
[tcnings  at  Montertiy  in  these  days,  as  an  aiil  to  tlu- 
reader  in  following  the  sabse«pient  record.' 

'  From  t'oliiiii''!  Thrii'  Yeari;  Mdiilervij  ('iilijnniian;  ami  itri/unl's  What  I 
•S'liii',  ro|H!utc(l  liy  Laiii'cy  iiiul  many  otlier  writfi's.  Oct.  'J4tli,  Uiat  Irmii  tln' 
Slirlimi.     Oft.  'JTtli,  Miili'k  Ailhel,  :i  |irizo  liri:,'  tjikt-n  liy  tlio  Wmrin  at  .Mii;ui- 

(  Ml  I 


\  a  .     \U    I      iS.     ImJ 


m 


m 


NATIVIUAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 

Officers  were  at  once  despat('lnnl  in  all  directions  l»y 
]  jioutenant-colonel  Frdmont,  for  he  found  this  now  com- 
mission awaiting  him  at  Monterey,  with  orders  to  en- 
list recruits  for  the  battahon,  and  above  all  to  obtain 
the  largest  possible  number  of  horses  in  the  shortest 
]»ossible  time.  How  they  were  obtained  did  not  mucli 
matter,  for  the  necessity  was  urgent.  Receipts  were 
given,  to  be  settled  by  the  government  al'ter  the  end 
of  the  war;  friends  of  the  cause  were  treated  with 
some  courteous  formalities,  if  they  turned  over  their 
animals  without  delay;  while  the  lukewarm  or  hostile 
were  plundered  without  ceremony  of  all  their  property 
tiiat  could  be  utilized.  The  commander  cannot  hv 
blamed  for  the  proceeding;  but  doubtless  much  bitter 
feeling  was  provoked,  and  justly,  by  the  arbitrary 
methods  employed  by  most  of  his  agents.^    The  United 

thin,  arrived  under  Lieut  \V.  M.  Rcnshaw.  Out.  2Stl),  the  Slerlin;/  arrived 
with  BV^mont.  ("apt.  Mndilux  iiad  gone  to  S.  Juan  witii  .^0  men.  Oct.  2{)tli, 
Maddox  returned  witli  »  hviisa  field-piece.  Imt^'o  number  of  Califomiaiis 
reported  in  tiie  hills,  perhaps  intending  to  attuc'k  Monterey.  Oct.  SOtli,  :i 
man  guarding  Frdmont's  horses  shot  by  two  Californians.  Oct.  .'tist,  cnlifit- 
inents  actively  going  on  among  newly  arrived  innnigrunts,  by  eflortsof  Mont- 
pnnery  in  the  nortn.  Nov.  'ith,  second  rain  of  season.  Nov.  !lth,  Talbot 
and  his  men  from  Sta  Btlrbara  arrived.  Nov.  1 2th,  Grigsby  arrived  from  So- 
noma with  iSO  uien  and  00  horses.  Hastings  expected  from  S.  Josd  with  (iO 
men  and  120  horees.  Nov.  Nth,  the  Sarannnh  arrived  with  news  from  S. 
l>icgo.  Nov.  lOtli,  Delaware  scout  arrived  with  news  of  a  tight  between 
Americans  and  Californians;  also  capture  of  Larkin.  Nov.  17tli,  Fremont 
with  his  .SOO  men  left  Monterey  for  S.  Juan.  Nov.  27th,  pri/.o  brig  Jid'm, 
Lieut  Sclden,  arrived  from  S.  Francisco  with  news  that  a  force  had  been  Heiit 
tf)  protect  S.  Jos<5.  Dec.  1st,  seven  prisoners  escaped  from  jail.  Dec.  2d-Stli, 
etc.,  county  ileemed  unsafe  out  of  town.  I)ec.  17th,  tlie  ./(///« sailed  for  south. 
Dec.  22d,  news  of  IJartlett's  capture  at  (S.  P.;  forces  sent  to  fS.  JosCi.  l)cc. 
SOth,  the  JJale  arrived  with  a  large  mail. 

'Nov.  1st,  all  efficient  horses  but  ',i  taken  from  Fitch's  rancho,  2!)  in  num- 
ber, worth  ?730.  Filch,  J)ui'.,  MS.,  40<i,  422.  Many  mistakes,  witli  harsh  ami 
arbitrary  measures,  provoking  mucli  angry  feeling,  /fi/ilf's  Statement,  M.S.,  ;i. 
'  Kvery  one  who  can  raise  among  the  emigrants  'M  or  40  men  becomes  a  cap- 
tain and  stJirts  off  to  light  pretty  mudi  on  his  own  hook.  Nor  is  he  very 
scrupulous  us  to  the  mode  in  which  he  obtains  his  horses,  saddles,  etc.  Ho 
takes  them  wherever  he  can  find  them,  and  very  often  without  leaving  behind 
!lie  slightest  evidence  by  whicli  the  owner  can  recover  tlio  value  of  his  prop- 
erty. He  plunders  the  C.ilifornian  to  procure  the  means  of  fighting  him, 
Public  exigency  is  the  pleu  which  is  mode  to  coverall  the  culpable  features  in 
the  transaction.  This  may  justify,  perhaps,  taking  the  property,  but  it  can 
never  excuse  the  refusal  or  neglect  to  give  receipts.  It  is  due  to  .Stockton  and 
Fri^mont  to  say  that  this  has  been  tlone  without  their  sanction.  Still  it  re- 
flects reproach  on  our  cause,  and  is  a  source  of  vast  irritiition  in  the  connnu- 
nity.  No  man  who  has  any  possible  means  of  redress  left  will  tamely  submit 
to  such  outrages;  and  yet  weex|iect  the  Californians  to  hug  this  chain  of  deg- 
radation, and  help  to  rivet  its  links.'  Colton'a  Three  Yedrt,  158.     All  AnieatiK 


RECRUITS  AND  HUl'l'LIES. 


860 


ions  l)v 

.>WCOlll- 

8  to  eii- 
)  obtain 
shortest 
ut  much 
its  were 
the  end 
cd  witl> 
rer  their 
r  hostile 
property 
in  not  1)1' 
i\\  bitttT 
irbitrary 
t)  United 

'lin<i  arrivcil 
Oct.2fltli, 
Calif  ornians 
Oct.  30th,  11 
'Mat,  ciilist- 
[)iUof  Mont 
»th,  Talb.it 
|vc(l  from  So- 
,Io8(5  witli  (ill 
liewa  from  S. 
Ut  between 
til,  Krt'inont 
brig  Jiilid, 
[1(1  been  Hent 
)cc.  '.M-Sth, 
[cdforsontli. 

J  08(5.       I'fC. 

'2i)  in  mini 
[|i  harnh  anil 
[enf,  M-^M  ;». 
Ionics  a  cap- 
Ir  ia  In;  very 
T<8,  etc.     Ho 
Iving  behind 
^f  his  prop- 
[(hting  hini. 
1  features  in 
k  but  it  can 
Itocktoii  and 
Still  it  re- 
the  coniniu- 
ncly  submit 
liain  of  deg- 
^11  Amesti'fi 


States  finally  ns.sunied  the  obligation,  as  we  shall  see, 
to  pay  these  'Calilbrnia  claiinH;'  and  while  many 
rancheros  received  no  (soniponsation,  others  were  paid 
lor  property  that  they  had  never  lost.  Such  are  the 
I'urtunes  of  war.  It  is  not  pos.sible  to  tbrni  a  connected 
n.irrative  of  the  operations  by  which  suitplies  and  re- 
tiuits  were  gained,  for  no  otlieial  report  was  ever  made 
(III  the  subject;  but  Fremont's  efforts  were  very  .suc- 
cessful, and  within  a  month  over  200  recruits  were  ob- 
tained for  the  battalion.  Many  immigrants  had  lately 
arrived  at  New  Helvetia,  and  were  ready  to  enlist  for 
the  war  at  twenty-five  (h)llars  per  month.  Bryant, 
.Jacob,  Grayson,  and  Lippincott  were  active  in  enlist- 
ing the  new-comers;  and  they  also  raised  a  company 
of  Walla  Walla  and  native  Californian  Indians  for  the 
.service,  known  as  the  spies,  or  more  conmionly  as  the 
'  forty  thieves.'  A  company  of  Indians  was  also  formed 
to  serve  at  New  Helvetia  under  Kern  and  Sutter, 
thus  releasing  the  old  garrison  for  service  in  the  south. 
Captain  Hastings  had  come  back  to  California,  and 
entered  with  much  zeal  into  the  congenial  work,  rais- 
ing a  company  of  GO  or  80  men  in  the  central  region. 
Captain  (jlrigsby  came  down  to  Monterey  with  his 
Sonoma  garrison  of  Bear  Flag  men.  Louis  MeLano 
exerted  liimself  with  much  success  to  organize  an  ef- 
I'tjctive  artillery  company,  for  which  several  field-pieces 
were  found.' 

horses,  Haddlcs,  and  blankets  taken  witiiout  receipts.  Ho  then  started  with 
liis  family  for  another  rancho  in  an  ox-cart;  but  was  met  by  Cant.  Sears'  men, 
who  took  tlio  oxen  and  left  the  family  in  the  road,  i'allejo,  llixt.  (Ud.,  M.S., 
V.  18'2-;{;  /'into,  ,t/<«H^,  MS.,  l()4-5.  Alualdo  ClmtioUa  of  San  Juan  was 
licaten  for  refusing  to  give  up  his  saddle.  WWkn'  l{cntiii.,  M.S.,  1 17.  All  Ocr- 
Mian's  liorses  were  taken,  10Uinnumb(M';  but  lie  went  to  Monterey  toseo  Fre- 
mont, who  gave  him  back  a  horso  and  mule,  and  also  somo  money.  G.  had 
tried  to  save  11  line  horses  by  concealing  them,  but  a  neighlH>r  ])()inted  them 
oiit.  Gi'rman,  Sucpjiok,  MS.,  LH-IT);  Amudor,  Mini.,  MS,,  17--.'t,  gives  some 
iletails  of  tho  process  of  plundering.  Most  of  tho  rancheros  were  left  without 
liorsea  for  their  work.  See  also  Coiih-'n  ('oiiq.,  'J1H-"J0.  Weber'.s  raids  for 
liorsea  arc  described  in  S.  Jom6  IHoneer,  March  0,  IHJSO;  Lanrcy'i*  <  'mine,  IDl- 
-;  Tmkham'a  IHkI.  Stockton,  103-4;  with  some  corrcspoiulenco  found  also  in 
llalkfk'H  Mex,  Lnnd  Law.%  MS.  Howard  and  Melius  on  complaint  to  Mont- 
KOincry  got  a  i)crmit  to  retain  such  horses  as  were  necessary  for  their  business. 
In  th  Eureka  Went  ( 'oust  Signal,  Dee.  20,  187(5,  I  find  a  burlescjuo  uan'ativo  of 
Kr(5mjnt's  coming  in  |ierson  to  Sonoma  to  get  X'allejo's  horses. 

*  Bryant's  Whnt  I  Saw  and  Colton'a  Threv  years  contain  much  information 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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33  WEST  MAIN  STRICT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4S0J 


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NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


It  was  a  motley  array  in  respect  of  race,  language, 
weapons,  and  especially  uniform;  but  it  would  have 
proved  a  most  formidable  and  effective  one  against 
any  foe  existing  in  California.  It  contained  many 
lawless,  ignorant,  and  unprincipled  men;  but  there 
was  also  a  strong  element  of  intelligent  and  brave 
Americans,  thoroughly  in  earnest,  and  skilled  rifle- 
men; while  the  leaders  were  well  fitted  by  character- 
and  experience  to  discipline  and  control  such  a  force. 
The  different  parts  of  the  battalion  were  reunited  at 
San  Juan,  after  some  stirring  events  to  be  noticed 
presently,  late  in  November.  The  whole  force  at 
that  time,  according  to  Bryant,  who  was  an  officer 
present  at  the  time,  was  428  men.  No  muster-rolls 
were  sent  to  Washington;  and  none  have  been  pre- 
served so  far  as  I  know,  though  I  have  some  partial 
lists  mentioned  in  a  note,  and  utilized  in  my  biograph- 
ical sketches.  According  to  the  official  report,  when 
the  force  was  mustered  out  in  April  1847  the  total 
number  of  men  enlisted  had  been  475  mounted  rifle- 
men and  41  artillerymen,  in  ten  companies.*  I  append 
in  a  note  the  organization  of  the  battalion  into  com- 
panies, with  a  full  list  of  officers.** 

which  has  beeu  widely  copied.  See  also  Fremont's  Gal.  Claims:  Tf  nolulii 
Friend,  iv.   190;  Tuthill'a  Hist.  CaL,  200-3;  and  Lanceifs  Cr  fitter, 

J'crnon.  Jtemin.,  MS.,  15;j-4,  says  that  he,  at  Fremont's  request  gh  Rus- 

Hcll,  organized  the  Walla  Walla  company  under  a  Canadian  naiiiou  .endreau; 
also  a  company  of  reformed  horse-tliieves  from  the  Mokelumneand  Stanislaus 
under  Jos6  Jesus.  Nov.  9tli,  Larkin  writes  to  his  wife  of  Fremont's  rapid 
progress.  He  will  have  400  to  450  men.  Some  fear  that  after  his  force  de- 
parts Monterey  may  be  attacked.  Larkin^s  Doc,  MS.,  iv.  320.  Sutter  says 
1<\  had  officers  who  could  not  sign  their  names.  Many  'que  ni  conocian  la  o 
por  lo  redondo. '  A  Irarado,  J  fist.  Gal. ,  MS. ,  v.  234. 

*Sliit  Cong.  1st  Sess.,  If.  Ex.  Doc.  L'4,  p.  22  h. 

*  Official  list  in  Fr6moiit's  Gal.  Gtaims,  61-3;  with  corrections  from  Brack- 
etVs  List,  MS.;  firynnt's  What  I  Saw,  :iC5-8;  Swasey's  Gal.,  MS.,  19;  aiul 
other  sources.  John  C.  Fr«?mont,  lieut-col.  commanding  battalion  (lieut-col. 
in  U.  S.  A.)  Ai'chibald  H.  Gillespie,  major  (1st  lieut  U.  S.  marines). 
Pearson  B.  Reading,  paymaster.  Henry  King,  commissary  (capt.)  Jacob 
U.  Snyder,  quartermaster  (called  maj.)  Wm  H.  Russell,  ordnance  officer 
(maj.)  Tiieodore  Talbot,  adjutant  (lieut).  John  J.  Myers,  sergeant-maj. 
and  later  lieut.  Detached  officers  serving  in  south  and  elsewhere:  captains, 
Samuel  J.  Hensley,  Samuel  Gibson,  Santiago  E.  Argiiello,  Miguel  Pcdrorena, 
Charles  Burroughs  (killed  before  the  liattt^lion  went  soutli).  Bell,  and  Wm  A. 
T.  Maildox  (2d  lieut  U.  S.  N.)  First  lieutenants,  Hiram  Rheusaw,  James  H. 
Barton,  Eciward  M.  Kern  (at  Sutter's  Fort),  Luis  Argiiello,  Benj.  D.  Wilson, 
Felipe  Butron  (?),  Montgomery  Martin,  and  Alexis  Godey.    Second  lieut, 


THE  CALIFORNIA  BATTALION. 


361 


guage, 
1  have 
igainst 
many 
;  there 
brave 
d  rifle- 
aracter 
i,  force, 
ited  at 
noticed 
Dree   at 
officer 
jer-roUs 
en  pre- 
partial 
ograph- 
t,  when 
be  total 
3d  rifle- 
append 
;o  coni- 


•   TTnolvlii 

cutter, 

gh  Rus- 

,  endreau ; 

Stanislaus 

[ont's  rapid 

lis  force  de- 

Kutter  says' 

liocian  la  o 


|om  Brack- 

19;  and 

(lieut-col. 

marines). 

M.)    Jacot) 

Ince  officer 

geant-maj. 

captains, 

Pcdrorena, 

Li  Wm  A. 

I  James  H. 

Wilson, 

fond  lieut, 


On  hearing  of  Flores'  revolution,  Manuel  Castro 
and  several  other  officers  left  Monterey,  breaking 
their  paroles,  and  made  haste  to  offisr  their  services 
to  the  new  general,  who  on  October  23d  appointed 
Castro   commandant   of  military   operations    in   the 

Andrew  J.  Grayson.  Quartermaster,  John  Bidwell  (capt.)  Among  offi- 
cers signing  a  receipt  for  pay  are  Ed  Gilchrist,  surgeon,  and  Geo.  Waldo, 
rank  not  mentioned. 

Company  A,  composed  chiefly  of  Fremont's  original  explorers.  Richaid 
Owens,  capt.;  Wm  N.  Loker,  1st  lieut  (adjutant  later);  Benj.  M.  Hudsi)eth, 
2d  lieut  (capt.  later);  Wm  ITindlay,  2d  lieut  (capt.  later).  Co.  B,  Henry  L. 
Ford,  capt.;  Andrew  Copeland,  1st  lieut.  Co.  C,  Granville  P.  Swift,  capt.; 
Wm  Baldridge,  1st  lieut;  Wm  Hargravs,  2d  lieut.  Co.  D,  John  Sears, 
capt.;  Wm  Bradshaw,  1st  lieut.  Co.  E,  originally  Co.  C,  or  3d  co.  of  the 
organization  at  >Sonoma  in  July.  List  of  members  extant,  see  below.  Jolni 
(irigsby,  capt.;  Archer  (or  Archibald)  C.  Jesse,  1st  lieut;  David  T.  Bird.  2d 
heut.  Co.  F,  Lansford  W.  Hastings,  capt.;  M.  M.  Wamljough,  Ist  lieut; 
James  M.  Hudspeth,  2d  lieut.  List  of  members  probably  extant.  Co.  G, 
Bluford  K.  Thompson,  capt.;  D.  A.  Davis,  1st  lieut;  James  Rock,  2d  lieut. 
Partial  list  of  members,  see  below.  Co.  H,  composed  mainly  of  Walla 
Walla  and  Cal.  Indians.  Richard  T.  Jacob,  capt.;  Edwin  Bryant,  1st  lieut; 
Benj.  S.  (also  called  Geo.  M.)  Lippincott,  2d  lieut,  acting  asst  quarter- 
master in  Jan.  Artill.  Co.  A,  Louis  McLaue,  capt.,  major  later  (lieut  U.  S. 
N.);  John  K.  Wilson,  Ist  lieut,  later  capt.  (midshipman  U.  S.  N.);  Wm 
Blackburn,  2d  lieut.  Artill.  Co.  B,  apparently  organized  after  the  battalion 
went  south.  First  lieut  A.  Girard  in  conj^mand.  Muster-roll  of  28  names 
extant. 

In  Grigshi/'s  Papers,  MS.,  6-7,  11,  1.V14,  I  find  a  compact  of  33  men  of 
Co.  E,  dated  Oct.  29th  at  Sonoma,  to  serve  under  Fremont;  also  list  of  :{.S 
names  (4  new  ones  being  substituted  for  4  of  the  old),  with  dates  of  enlistment 
from  Oct.  4th  to  Nov.  14th,  chiefly  at  Sonoma.  Horace  Sanders,  orderly 
sergeant.  In  Cal.  Pioneer  Soc,  Arch.,  MS.,  35,  I  find  a  list  of  57  privates 
and  12  officers,  without  reference  to  companies,  who  acknowledge  receipt  of 
pay.  In  Id.,  45,  is  a  muster-roll  of  Girard's  company  of  artillery,  28  names, 
enlistments  July  to  Nov.,  dated  March  25,  1847.  In  Id.,  101-3,  is  a  contract 
between  Fremont  and  71  men,  dated  at  San  Juan,  Nov.  20th,  enlistments 
from  difierent  dates  of  Oct.  and  Nov.  This  would  seem  to  be  Hastings'  Co.  F, 
since  Hudspeth  and  Wambough  appear  among  the  names.  In  Id. ,  209-10,  is 
a  similar  contract  with  31  men  of  the  San  Jos^  company  (Thompson's  Co.  (i). 
EoUstments  for  3  months  from  Nov.  20th.  In  Id.,  21 1-12,  is  similar  contract, 
dated  Monterey,  Nov.  10th  and  28th,  enlistments  from  difierent  dates  of 
Sept. -Nov.,  with  20  men  of  Co.  B  (Ford's),  4  of  Co.  A,  and  3,  company  not 
specified.  C.  P.  Briggs,  in  Napa  Uejiorter,  Sept.  7,  1872,  says  that  Fri'jmont 
wished  to  break  up  Thompson's  company  to  iiU  »ip  the  ranks  of  tlie  others; 
but  Thompson  protested,  and  after  much  trouble  his  men  were  organized  into 
a  separate  company.  T.  had  been  Weber's  lieutenant  at  S.  Jos6;  and  thei-e 
are  indications  that  W.  declined  to  join  tlie  battalion  with  his  men,  from  <lis- 
like  of  Fremont.  In  McKin^try'n  Paperx,  MS. ,  20-3,  is  a  pay-roll  of  50  Indiuu 
soldiers  of  the  New  Helvetia  garrison,  Lieut  J.  A.  Sutter,  certified  by  Lieut. 
Kern.  Nov.  9th  to  Feb.  2Gth,  pay  of  troopers  $12.>'>0  per  month;  infantry, 
$6;  lieut,  $50.  Thus  we  have  approximately  complete  lists  for  companies  B, 
E,  F,  G,  and  Girard's  artillery,  about  190  names.  For  most  members  of  Co. 
A,  see  list  of  Fremont's  explorers  in  vol.  iv.,  p.  583,  of  this  work.  The  names 
of  the  Indians  in  company  H,  are  of  no  special  importance.  For  companies 
C  and  D,  and  McLane's  artillery,  we  have  no  lists;  but  many  additional 
names  will  be  found,  as  well  as  all  those  referred  to  in  this  note,  in  my  bio- 
graphical sketches  of  pioneers. 


362 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


P 


' 


north,  with  headquarters  at  San  Luis  Obispo.  His 
instructions  were  to  enlist  with  or  without  their  con- 
sent all  capable  of  bearing  arras,  and  to  seize  all  mu- 
nitions of  war  wherever  they  could  be  found.  Horses 
and  other  supplies  were  also  to  be  taken  as  found  and 
needed,  though  preferably  from  foreigners  who  had 
favored  the  invaders.  Powder  and  horses  would  be 
sent  from  the  south  if  possible.  Francisco  Rico  was 
j>amed  as  second  in  command;  and  Jesus  Pico,  coman- 
dante  at  San  Luis,  was  ordered  to  put  himself  and 
men  at  the  orders  of  the  northern  chief  The  policy 
to  be  followed  as  in  the  south  was  that  of  harassing 
the  foe  by  a  guerrilla  warfare,  cutting  off  supplies, 
preventing  communication,  stampeding  horses,  and 
watching  for  opportunities  to  attack  advantageously. 
Arriving  at  San  Luis  early  in  November,  Don  Ma- 
nuel set  himself  to  work,  and  with  the  cooperation  of 
Rico,  Pico,  the  brothers  Joaquin  and  Gabriel  de  la 
Torre,  Jos^  Antonio  Chavez,  and  others,  he  soon  raised 
a  force  of  about  100  men,  many  of  whom  became 
soldiers  unwillingly.  Castro's  quest  for  supplies  was 
similar  in  methods  to  that  of  Fremont  in  the  north, 
but  was  less  successful,  since  the  prospect  of  payment 
was  deemed  less  favorable;  though  a  stirring  appeal 
from  the  prefect-commander  was  issued  to  Californian 
patriots  the  7th  of  November.  The  same  day  he  re- 
ported to  Flores  what  had  been  accomplished.  The 
horses  were  in  bad  condition;  the  men  had  few  and 
poor  weapons ;  and  there  was  no  powder  to  speak  of; 
yet  he  hoped  to  take  some  powder  from  the  foe,  and 
he  intended  to  march  for  the  north  two  days  later. 
He  probably  did  start  on  the  9th  or  10th,  and  two  or 
three  days  later,  his  force  being  increased  to  125  or 
130  on  the  way,  he  reached  the  Salinas  River  in  the 
region  of  Soledad.  Pilarcitos,  Tucho,  and  half  a 
dozen  other  places  are  named  in  different  narratives 
as  the  sites  of  military  camps  in  these  days,  all  in  the 
Salinas  Valley  below  Soledad.  The  plan  of  the  Cali- 
fornians  was  to  capture  as  many  as  possible  of  Fr^- 


FEARS  AT  MONTEREY. 


363 


mont's  horses,  and  thus  keeep  the  battahon  from  aid- 
ing Stockton  in  the  south.* 

Meanwhile  all  was  quiet  at  Monterey,  but  for  the 
l)U8tle  of  Fremont's  preparations.  Several  of  the  pa- 
roled officers,  like  Juan  B.  Alvarado  and  the  Estradas, 
were  keeping  their  pledges;  while  Pablo  de  la  Guerra 
and  perhaps  a  few  others  were  put  under  arrest  in 
consequence  of  news  from  the  south.^  On  November 
4th  it  was  reported  that  one  of  the  Torres  had  re- 
cently gone  south  with  30  men  and  200  horses,  caus- 
ing much  loss  to  farmers  between  Monterey  and  San 
Luis.®  We  are  told  also  that  several  men  of  the 
Monterey  district,  with  a  knowledge  of  Castro's  move- 
ments, were  secretly  active  in  collecting  arms  and  am- 
nmnition,  with  a  view  to  cooperate  with  the  approach- 
ing force;®  but  if  this  was  true,  their  operations  were 
not  suspected.  There  were  some  fears  of  possible 
hostilities  at  the  end  of  October;  but  it  was  believed 
that  the  return  of  the  battalion  had  removed  all 
grounds  of  anxiety.  Meanwhile  the  work  of  mili- 
tary reorganization  was  going  on  actively,  and  recruits 
were  coming  from  all  directions  to  swell  the  force. 

On  Sunday,  the  15th  of  November,  Captain  Charles 
Burroughs,  a  newly  arrived  immigrant  who  had  taken 

^Oct.  23d,  Florea  to  Castro.  Appointment  and  instructions.  Castro, 
Doc,  MS.,  ii.  147.  Oct.  30th,  J.  J.  Pico  to  Castro  from  S.  Luis.  Doc.  Hist. 
Veil.,  MS.,  iii.  266.  Nov.  7th,  Castro's  report  to  Flores.  Fernandez,  Doc, 
MS.,  15.  Nov.  7th,  Castro's  procl.  and  appeal  to  Calif ornians.  Dor.  Hint.  Cal., 
M.S.,  iii.  274.  In  Castro's  Servicios,  MS.,  a  report  of  1847,  we  have  a  general 
account  of  the  prefect's  plans  and  operations  during  this  campaign.  The 
author  attempts  no  explanation  of  liis  parole,  but  admits  that  he  was  a  pris- 
oner at  Monterey.  He  seems  not  to  have  been  captured  with  the  rest  on  the 
way  north,  but  to  have  submitted  voluntarily,  with  an  idea  that  the  war  was 
over.  Alvarado,  Hint.  Cal.,  MS.,  v.  256-8,  says  the  army  was  organized  in 
three  divisions  or  companies  of  over  30  men  each:  Ist,  veterans  under  Gabriel 
dc  la  Torre;  2d,  militia  under  Jesus  Pico;  .Sd,  Mexicans  and  New  Mexicans 
un<ler  Herreraand  Quintaiia.     See  also  Orel,  Octir.,  MS.,  14r)-6. 

^  Guerra  states  that  he  was  kept  in  close  confmenient  until  Feb.  '47,  on 
account  of  his  great  influence  on  the  Calif  ornians.  Doc.  Hint.  Cal.,  MS.,  iv. 
1301.    There  are  other  contemporary  references  to  his  captivity. 

'Mont.  Cali/ornian,  Nov.  7,  1846. 

'Torre,  Remin.,  MS.,  160-74,  gives  some  details,  and  names  Cdrlos  and 
Jo8<5  Antonio  Espinosa,  Est^van  and  Pablo  de  la  Torre,  and  Antonio  Ruiz  de 
la  Mota  as  the  leaders.  They  raised  a  force  of  some  30  men,  and  were  some- 
what successful  in  getting  supplies ;  but  they  do  not  appear  to  have  joined 
Castro  either  before  or  after  the  fight. 


3G4 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


an  active  part  in  recruiting,  arrived  at  San  Juan  Bau- 
tista  from  the  Sacramento  with  about  34  men  and  a 
drove  of  several  liundred  horses.  The  same  day  there 
arrived  Captain  Thompson  with  about  the  same  num- 
ber of  men  from  San  Jose,  and  all  camped  for  the 
night  at  San  Juan.  Knowledge  of  their  presence, 
and  especially  that  of  the  horses,  was  promptly  for- 
warded to  Castro's  camp  on  the  Salinas.  It  was  also 
on  the  15th  that  Thomas  O.  Larkin  set  out  with  one 
attendant,  William  Matthews,  from  Monterey  for 
Yerba  Buena.  He  had  previously  sent  his  family 
there  for  safety,  and  had  just  received  from  his  wife  a 
letter  making  known  the  illness  of  his  child,  together 
with  a  message  from  Captain  Montgomery,  who  de- 
sired an  interview.  Larkin  had  no  suspicion  of  dan- 
ger, and  stopped  for  the  night  at  Los  Verjeles,  the 
rancho  of  Joaquin  Gomez,  sending  Matthews  on  to 
San  Juan,  and  intending  to  follow  him  next  morning. 
But  news  of  his  trip  reached  Castro's  camp,^°  and 
Chavez  conceived  the  project  of  capturing  the  consul. 
The  other  officers,  while  admitting  the  advantage  of 
such  a  capture,  seem  to  have  opposed  the  act  as  likely 
to  make  known  their  presence  prematurely  and  pre- 
vent the  success  of  their  main  purpose;  but  Chavez 
either  overcame  their  fears,  or,  as  some  say,  undertook 
the  enterprise  without  their  consent;  and  at  any  rate, 
he  appeared  about  midnight  at  Gomez's  rancho  witli 
a  dozen  men.  Larkin  was  roused  from  sleep,  obliged 
to  dress  in  haste,  and  carried  on  horseback  as  a  pris- 
oner to  the  Salinas  camp;  but  he  was  treated  with 
the  greatest  kindness  by  all  the  Californian  officers 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  his  captivity.  The 
plan  was  to  utilize  the  possession  of  so  important  a 
man  in  later  negotiations  for  a  truce,  exchange  of 
prisoners,  surrender,  or  escape  from  consequences  of 
broken  paroles,  as  circumstances  might  require.    They 

'"Alvarado,  Hist.  Cal..  MS.,  v.  259-64,  aud  several  other  Galifornians 
state  that  the  Fench  consul,  Gasquet,  sent  the  information  of  Larkin's  depart- 
ure to  Castro;  but  perhaps  tliia  is  an  error. 


LARKIN'S  CAPl'URE. 


365 


also  tried  at  first  to  induce  the  prisoner  to  aid  their 
attempt  on  San  Juan  by  writing  letters  to  put  the 
garrison  on  a  false  scent;  but  Larkin  refused  to  write; 
and  they  in  turn  refused  his  proposition  to  be  ex- 
changed for  Pablo  de  la  Guerra  and  others  under 
arrest  at  Monterey.  On  the  IGth  the  whole  force 
started  northward  in  four  divisions,  Larkin  being 
taken  along  closely  guarded.  The  plan,  as  he  under- 
stood it,  was  for  a  smpll  party  to  attack  San  Juan  in 
the  night,  and  by  a  retreat  to  draw  out  the  gariison 
in  pursuit,  to  be  cut  off  by  the  main  body." 

As  had  been  feared,  Larkin's  capture  resulted  in 
making  Castro's  presence  known  to  the  Americans. 
So  far  as  can  be  determined  from  the  complicated  and 
contradictory  testimony.  Captain  Thompson  started 
from  San  Juan  early  on  the  16th  for  Monterey,  to 
consult  with  Frdmont,  accompanied  by  a  small  guard 
and  leaving  the  rest  of  his  men  in  camp.  He  seems 
to  have  taken  a  short  cut;  while  Captain  Burroughs, 

"Larkin's  captivity  is  fully  described  in  his  original  letters  in  my  pos- 
session. Nov.  2oth,  L.  to  his  wife,  f rom Sta  Bdrbara.  Lurkin's  Doc,  MS.,  iv. 
333.  Dec.  4th,  Id.  to  Id.,  from  Angeles.  Id.,  iv.  347.  Jan.  11th,  Id.  to 
Id.,  from  Angeles  after  release.  Id.,  v.  5.  Jan.  14th,  Id.  to  sec.  state,  from 
Angeles.  Id.,  Off.  Co«r>y).,  MS.,  ii.  90-1.  Jan.  22d,  Id.  to  Vallejo,  from 
Angeles.  Vullejo,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  22.  The  writer  gives  many  petty  details, 
and  often  repeats  that  from  Castro  and  his  officers,  as  well  as  from  B'lores 
ii  ul  others  in  the  south,  he  received  always  the  host  of  treatment;  though  on 
a  few  occasions  he  was  threatened  by  irresponsible  soldiers.  In  the  Call- 
fornian  of  Feb.  13,  1847,  he  published  a  card  of  thanks  in  Spanish,  to  Nic.  A. 
Den,  J.  A.  Carrillo,  J.  M.  Flores  and  wife,  Eulogio  Celis  and  wife,  Dofia 
Luisa  Argiiello  de  Zamorano,  R.  S.  Den,  and  Luis  Vignes.  The  news  of  his 
capture  was  published  in  Id.,  Nov.  21,  1846;  and  in  Id.,  Feb.  27,  1847,  a 
kind  of  journal  of  his  captivity,  which  has  often  been  reprinted  wholly  or 
in  part,  as  in  BryanV.*  What  I  Saw,  361-3;  Fremont's  Cul.  Clinins.  75-6; 
fyaiic(')f''ii  Cruise,  147-8,  180-1;  and  various  county  hi.^tories.  See  also,  on 
Larkin's  captivity,  Rico,  Mem.,  MS.,  41-5;  Oomez,  LoQ'ie  Sabe,  MS.,  49-50; 
Rotello,  AncUe.t,  MS.,  170-1;  Sonlc's  Aniial.t,  763-4;  TnlhiWs  Hist.  Cai, 
200;  Davis'  Olimpses,  MS.,  3r>5-6;  Ord,  0cm:,  MS..  146;  SaV'if/e,  Doc, 
MS.,  23;  and  indeed,  nearly  all  the  references  for  the  NaCividad affair  in  the 
following  notes.  After  the  fight  Larkin  was  hurried  south,  by  a  purty  under 
Rico  and  Noriega.  Rico  absurdly  talks  of  a  plot  to  kill  him  and  N.  and  re- 
lease the  prisoner,  who  was  to  pay  $1,000.  L.irkin  was  carried  to  Sta  Bar- 
bara and  finally  delivered  to  Flores,  at  Angeles,  by  whose  order  he  was 
shown  every  kindness,  though  closely  guarded.  It  was  proposed  at  one 
time  to  send  him  to  Mexico  with  some  of  the  Chino  prisoners,  as  already  re- 
lated; but  he  was  finally  released  on  Jan.  9tli,  the  day  before  Stockton's  oc- 
cupation of  Angeles,  and  returned  to  Monterey  on  the  Cyane  early  iu  Febru- 
ary. 


^111 


366 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


with  all  his  men  and  horses,  set  out  a  little  later  by 
the  main  road.  At  Gomez's  rancho  Thompson  not 
only  learned  what  had  happened  there  in  the  night, 
but  saw  and  pursued  ineffectually  two  scouts  who 
had  been  sent  by  Castro  to  make  observations.  Fail- 
ing to  capture  these,  Thompson  sent  a  warning  to 
Burroughs  and  hastened  back  to  San  Juan  to  bring  up 
his  men.  Meanwhile  Burroughs  reached  the  rancho, 
learned  what  had  occurred,  and  sent  out  a  party  of  six 
or  eight  scouts  southward  into  the  plain  to  learn  the 
enemy's  whereabouts  and  numbers. ^^ 

The  Californians  advanced  northward,  Joaquin  de 
la  Torre  with  a  dozen  horsemen  as  scouts  in  advance. 
Then  came  the  vanguard  under  Castro,  followed  by 
Chavez's  company,  with  Larkin  in  charge,  while  Rico 
commanded   the   rear  guard,  including   a   party   in 

"  It  is  impossible  to  be  entirely  certain  about  the  details  of  these  events. 
One  of  the  best  accounts  extant  is  that  by  'E.  C.  K. '  (Kemble,  I  think),  in  the 
S.  F.  Californian,  Aug.  21,  1847.  His  version  is  in  substanctj  that  of  my 
text,  except  that  he  seems  to  represent  Thompson  as  having  accompanied 
Burroughs  in  the  morning,  and  as  first  sending  and  then  coming  back  to  S. 
Juan  for  his  men ;  but  he  also  speaks  of  T.  having  sent  a  man  to  warn  B. , 
which  is  inconsistent  with  the  theory  that  T.  had  accompanied  B.  Again 
'K.'  (perhaps  also  Kemble)  wrote  an  account  for  the  Sac.  Union,  1869,  which 
I  take  from  the  Los  Amjelea  Star,  Dec.  25,  1869,  in  which  he  represents  Bur 
roughs,  after  hia  scouts  had  met  the  foe,  to  have  sent  Lieut  Rock  (of  Thomi>- 
sou's  CO.,  but  who  had  accompanied  B.)  back  to  S.  Juan  to  bring  up  Thom]v 
son  and  his  men.  'K.' was  one  of  T.'s  men.  Again,  Winston  Bennett,  i^(- 
oneer  of  '43,  says  that  when  Burroughs  sent  back  for  aid,  being  attacked,  ii 
me8seiip;cr  was  sent  to  overtake  T. ,  who  had  started  with  3  men  for  Mont, 
across  the  hills.  T.  was  overtaken,  returned,  and  marched  to  aid  B.  Lancey. 
Cruinc,  148-9,  following  'Kemble  and  others,'  has  it  that  B.  and  T.  botli 
started  for  Mont,  with  a  small  guard,  leaving  their  companies  at  S.  Juan: 
that  B.  sent  back  to  his  lieut  to  bring  up  the  force  as  soon  as  he  learned  the 
presence  of  the  foe  on  reaching  Gomez's  rancho;  and  that  T.  came  back  about 
the  same  time  to  lead  his  men,  having  also  learned  the  presence  of  the  foe. 
and  sent  a  warning  to  B.  Swasey,  Col.  in  '45-G,  MS.,  15  et  seq.,  ignores  all 
this  preliminary  matter,  and  implies  that  the  entire  forces  under  B.  and  T. 
(and  erroneously  Grigsby),  advanced  to  Gomez's  rancho,  heard  of  the  foe,  anil 
finally  determined  on  an  attack.  Francisco  Rico,  Mem.,  MS.,  35  et  seq., 
and  several  other  Californians  mention  the  meeting  between  Castro's  scouts 
and  a  party  of  8  Amer.,  some  of  them  naming  Thompson.  Vicente  P.  Go- 
mez, Lo  Que  Sale,  MS.,  316  et  sen.  (other  versions  by  G.,  p.  35,  49),  says 
that  he  and  his  brother,  sons  of  Joaquin  G.,  owner  of  Los  Verjeles,  were 
the  scouts,  and  gives  particulars  of  the  pursuit  by  Thompson's  men.  Most 
of  the  Califoiiiians  think  that  Matthews,  Larkin's  companion,  camped  near 
the  rancho,  escaped  capture,  and  carried  the  news  to  a.  Juan;  but  none  of 
tlie  American  witnesses  say  anything  of  Matthews.  I  have  no  doubt,  from  a 
careful  study  of  the  testimony,  that  the  version  of  my  text  is  in  substance 
correct. 


FIGHT  AT  THE  GROVE. 


ae? 


charge  of  horses  and  munitions  under  Sergeant  Lil- 
zaro  Soto.  It  was  perhaps  3  o'clock  p.  m,,  or  even 
later,  when  the  advance  arrived  at  the  Natividad 
rancho  and  met  the  American  scouts.  These  were 
the  men,  six  to  ten  in  number,  who  had  been  sent 
out  by  Burroughs  before  Thompson's  arrival.  They 
included  George  Foster,  often  called  captain,  John 
(or  James)  Hayes,  the  two  Delaware  Indians,  Tom 
Hill,  and  James  Salmon,  and  several  Walla  Wallas. 
I  think  they  had  been  in  the  vicinity  several  hours. 
On  seeing  the  foe,  two  or  three  of  the  Indians  fled  to 
the  rancho  to  give  the  alarm,  while  the  rest  posted 
themselves  in  the  encinalito,  or  little  grove  of  oaks, 
close  at  hand,  where  they  were  presently  attacked  by 
Torre,  and  completely  surrounded  as  soon  as  Castro 
and  Chavez  came  up.  The  fight  at  the  grove  lasted 
an  hour,  according  to  the  estimate  of  Larkin,  who 
was  a  spectator.  The  consul  was  desired  to  go  to 
the  Americans  and  induce  them  to  surrender;  but 
refused  to  do  so  unless  he  could  oflfer  a  safe  retreat  to 
San  Juan  or  Monterey,  to  which  Castro  would  not 
consent.  The  riflemen  behind  trees  had  an  advan- 
tage notwithstanding  the  disparity  of  numbers  against 
the  horsemen  with  their  few  ineffective  muskets. 
Lieutenant  Chavez  and  Alf^rez  Juan  Ignacio  Cantua 
were  badly  wounded,^^  and  probably  two  or  three 
Californians  were  killed,  to  be  scalped  by  the  Indian 
warriors.  But  Foster,  riddled  with  musket-balls,  at 
last  fell  dead  at  the  foot  of  the  tree  that  had  pro- 
tected him;  and  Hayes  was  disabled  by  serious 
wounds  in  the  thighs.  Then  the  main  body  of  the 
Americans  appeared  in  sight;  25  or  30  men  were  left 

"  Larkin  saw  an  officer  who  crept  up  to  get  a  view  shot,  and  carried  oflf  by 
one  of  his  companions.  This  was  probably  Cantua,  the  standard-bearer,  ami 
Alvarado  names  Mariano  Soberanes  as  the  man  who  distinguished  himself  by 
carrying  off  the  wounded  man  on  his  horse,  thus  saving  him  from  the  toma- 
hawks and  scalping-knives  of  the  Indians.  Alvarado's  informant,  Juan  de 
Mata  Boronda — whose  version  is  also  given  in  Vcdlyo,  Hint.  Cal,,  MS.,  v. 
166-70 — and  some  other  natives  state  that  the  Americans  drew  the  Califor- 
nians into  an  ambush  at  the  grove;  but  this  seems  unfounded,  except  by  the 
fact  that  the  Californians  were  surprised  at  finding  the  grove  occupied  by 
a  foe. 


JiM 


3ti8 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


to  besiege  the  few  remaining  scouts;  Rico's  rear 
guard  was  moved  up;  and  the  Cahfornian  army, 
about  G5  strong,  was  drawn  up  on  the  plain  to  the 
right  or  east  oithe  grove,  to  meet  the  enemy.** 

When  Thompson  arrived  with  reenforcements  from 
San  Juan,  after  the  scouts  had  been  sent  out  but  bo- 
fore  the  encinahto  fight  began,*^  there  arose  a  discus- 
sion as  to  what  sliould  be  done.  Thompson  and  many 
(jf  the  men  in  botli  companies  favored  an  advance  to 
attack  the  Cahfornians;  but  Burroughs  with  much 
reason  hesitated  to  incur  the  needless  risk  of  enufair- 
insf  in  a  conflict  which  mijjht  result  in  a  loss  of  his 
horses  and  the  failure  of  all  Fremont's  plans.  The 
controversy  became  heated  as  time  passed  on,  and 
taunts  of  cowardice  were  flung  at  the  captain  by  the 
irresponsible  volunteers,  Thompson,  a  reckless  fire- 
eater,  becoming  extremely  violent  in  his  remarks.^"  If 
any  further  incentive  was  needed,  it  came  presently 
in  reports  from  the  Walla  Walla  scouts  of  what  was 
going  on  at  Natividad."  Detaching  fourteen  men  to 
guard  the  horses  in  Gomez's  corrals,  and  committing 

'*  Swasey  makes  the  grove  fight  a  part  of  the  general  engagement,  stating 
tliat  the  8C(  iits  entered  the  wooils  to  the  right  as  tlic  Americans  advanced, 
l)oth  fights  going  on  together;  but  tiiis  seems  to  have  no  support.  A  writer 
in  the  Sta  Cruz  Times,  Aug.  127,  1870,  tells  us  that  tiie  grove  siege  lasted  4 
iiours  before  tlie  main  body  appeared ;  but  tins  is  doubtless  an  error,  unless 
we  include  all  the  time  spent  by  the  scouts  at  the  grove  before  the  enemy 
appeared. 

'*Sonie  imply  the  contrary,  and  some  even  state  that  the  figlit  began  be- 
fore a  demand  for  aid  was  sent  to  S.  Juan  at  all;  but  tliis  seems  very  unlikely. 
'K,'  says  Thompson  arrived  at  9  a.  m.,  and  before  nocm  the  lino  was  drawn 
up  uu  the  edge  of  the  plain,  thougli  tiie  advance  did  not  begin  till  .S  r.  m. 
This  may  be  accurate,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  scouts  were  posted  in  the 
grove;  but  that  the  fight  had  begun  or  was  known  to  be  raging  at  tiie  time  of 
his  arrival  I  cannot  believe.  'E.  C.  K.' has  it  tliat  the  message  reached  S. 
Juan  at  10  a.  m.,  and  the  force  arrived  at  the  rancho  an  hour  later,  which  is 
more  probable.  Lancey  says  it  was  r»  r.  M.  when  the  scouts  left  the  main 
body  for  Natividad,  but  tliis  niay  be  a  misprint. 

'*Ked-haired,  sorrel-top,  hell-roaring  Thonipsou  are  some  of  the  names  by 
which  he  was  known. 

"  Bennett  saj's  that  Foster's  Walla  Wallas  broke  through  the  Californian 
lines  and  Jirought  the  news  of  Foster's  death  and  Hayes'  wounds,  B.  being 
the  interpreter  of  the  message  for  Thompson.  All  this  seems  to  me  extremely 
improbable,  especially  as  Bennett  is  clearly  wrong  in  several  other  particulars. 
These  Walla  Wallas  were  probably  tiiose  who  left  Foster  before  the  fight  be- 

fm,  but  possibly  men  who  had  been  sent  out  to  see  what  had  become  of 
ester's  company,  and  saw  the  fight  from  a  distance.    This  theory  agrees 
witli  the  cS7a  Cruz  Tinifs  account. 


FIGHT  AT  XATIVIDAD. 


880 


to  their  care  a  field-piece  found  at  the  last  moment  to 
be  unserviceable  for  tiio  flight,  Burroughs  gave  the 
order  to  advance,  and  the  little  army  of  about  fifty 
men  began  their  march,  ))erhaj»s  half  an  hour  or  more 
after  the  encinalito  fight  had  begun. 

The  Californians  were  superior  in  numbers  and  were 
skilful  horsemen;  but  their  weapons  were  a  miscella- 
neous collection  of  improvised  lances,  reatas,  inefFective 
cscopetas,  and  pistols,  with  powder  for  only  a  few  dis- 
charges of  the  fire-arms.  The  Americans  were,  most  of 
them,  but  indifferent  riders;  but  they  were  well  armed 
with  rifles  and  had  plenty  of  ammunition.  Coming 
in  sight  of  the  enemy,  Burroughs'  men  advanced  rap- 
idly over  the  plain.  Castro's  men  fired  their  muskets 
at  long  range,  doing  no  harm.  The  Americans,  halt- 
ing, discharged  their  rifles,  and  at  once  charged  upon 
the  foe  at  full  speed,  with  wild  shouts,  in  a  manner 
more  creditable  to  their  valor  than  to  their  discipline, 
each  man  for  himself,  with  Captain  Burroughs  in  ad- 
vance on  his  gray  charger  'Sacramento.'  The  charge 
was  a  blunder  like  that  committed  at  San  Pascual  a 
little  later,  and  with  similar  results.  The  Californians 
feigned  flight,  in  accordance  with  their  usual  tactics;^'* 
but  presently  turned  to  attack  their  pursuers,  as  they 
came  at  full  speed  over  the  plain  in  disorder  and  armed 
with  empty  rifles.  At  the  same  time  apparently  the  20 
or  30  men  at  the  grove  rushed  up  to  attack  the  Amer- 
icans on  the  rear  or  flank. ^®  Some  writers  describe 
what  followed  as  a  desperate  hand-tr  hand  fight,  last- 
ing from  ten  to  twenty  minutes;  but  viiis  is  shown  by 
the  results  to  be  an  exaggeration.  In  such  a  conflict 
a  large  number  of  Americans  must  have  fallen.     But 

"Indeed,  ,30  or  40  of  them  ran  away  in  good  earnest,  according  to  Larkin, 
who  was  still  a  spectator.  Tiiese  were  probably  men  who  were  serving  against 
their  will.  During  the  figlit,  Lorenzo  Soto,  in  his  wrath  at  seeing  a  rdative 
fiill,  rushed  upon  Larkin  to  kill  (or  scare?)  him,  but  L.  saved  himself  by 
backing  his  horse  behind  others !  L.  was,  liowcver,  compelled  to  change  ani- 
mals successively  until  he  was  reduced  to  a  '§1  horse  and  $2  saddle.* 

"  Henry  Marshall,  Statement,  MS. ,  2-.3,  was  wounded  by  a  lance  in  this 
part  of  the  fight,  which  he  describes  more  fully  than  any  other,  being  fol- 
lowed by  Lancey.     'E.  C  K.'  also  mentions  this  movement,  stating  that  2 
Americans  were  killed  and  one  wounded. 
Hist.  Cau,  Vol.  V.    24 


III! 


870 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


I  suppose  that  only  the  foremost  pursuers,  and  a  few 
of  Caatro's  men,  came  actually  to  dose  quarters  for 
a  very  brief  period.  The  brave  Burroughs,  however, 
leading  the  charge,  fell  dead,  pierced  by  a  pistol- 
bullet;*'  two  or  three  others  were  killed;  and  several 
were  wounded.  Very  soon,  however,  the  Americans 
fell  back  into  a  more  compact  body;  some  of  those  in 
the  rear,  who  had  either  reserved  their  fire  at  first 
or  had  time  to  reload,  fired  upon  the  advancing  foe, 
killing  and  wounding  several;  and  Castro's  men  again 
fled.''^  The  Californians  remained  in  sight  until  night- 
fall, and  may  have  indulged  in  some  charges  and  evo- 
lutions at  a  safe  distance;  but  there  was  no  more 
fighting,  and  at  last  the  enemy  disappeared  in  the 
distance.  Larkin  describes  the  fijjht  as  haviny:  lasted 
some  twent}'  or  thirty  mmutes,  and  says  the  Califor- 
nians disappeared  in  successive  detachments.  The 
Californians  say  that  the  Americans  finally  dis- 
mounted and  took  refuge  among  the  trees,  which  is 
not  unlikely;  and  that  they  retreated  because  they 
had  no  possible  chance  of  success  against  the  rifles, 
especially  as  they  had  no  more  powder.  Captain 
Thompson  withdrew  his  force  to  Gomez's  rancho  to 
bury  his  dead,  care  for  the  wounded,  and  make  prep- 
arations for  defence,  since  a  renewal  of  the  attack 

'■""E.  C.  K.'  says;  'He  foil  headlong  from  his  horse,  his  unloaded  rifle 
in  hand,  shot  down  by  a  swarthy  New  Mexican,  in  the  t  of  turning  upon 
him.'  'K.'  sa^s  the  clashing  'hidalgo  rode  up  abreast,  ar  .  flourishing  a  nag 
in  one  hand,  with  the  other  sent  his  bullet  through  our  leader's  body.'  Chris- 
tian Chauncey,  an  eye-witness,  tells  us  that  Burroughs  was  shot  by  'Three- 
fingered  Jack,'  who  wished  to  get  his  horse  and  saddle,  though  the  horse  es- 
caped. S.  F.  Alta,  Aug.  8,  1853.  Lanccy  identifies  the  'swarthy  New  Mexi- 
can' with  'Three-fingered  Jack,' as  Bernardino  Garcia,  the  murderer  of  Cowie 
and  Fowler  at  Sta  Rosa  in  July.  According  to  Sta  Cruz  Times,  Torre  was 
the  man  who  killed  Burroughs ;  Alvarado  says  it  was  Juan  de  Mata  Boronda; 
and  Swascy,  who  gives  one  of  the  best  accounts  of  the  battle,  is  positive  that 
it  was  Manuel  Castro  himself.  Clearly  it  is  not  known  who  fired  the  shot. 
Swascy  notes  that  B.  had  in  liis  pocket  a  packet  of  letters  for  men  at  Mon- 
terey, the  corner  of  each  being  cut  off  and  blood-marked  by  the  ball. 

'-'  It  is  said  that  Burroughs  Iiad  at  first  ordered  every  alternate  man  to 
fire;  but  in  the  excitement  little  attention  was  paid  to  the  order.  Thompson, 
however,  induced  some  of  his  men  to  reserve  their  fire,  and  was  thus. able  at 
last  to  repulse  the  enemy.  Wm  M.  Boggs,  in  Napa  Register,  May  4,  1872, 
following  Oregson — see  also  Oregaon's  Statement,  MS.,  4-5 — says  that  the 
arrival  of  Weber  with  reenforcements  put  an  end  to  the  fight ;  but  this  is 
only  a  confused  reference  to  Thompson's  arrival  at  an  earlier  nour. 


KILLKD  AND  WOUNDED. 


S71 


Inloaded  rifle 


was  feared.  Torn  Hill,  with  perlmps  another  Indian 
iiuined  Mcintosh,  was  sent  to  Monterey  with  a  lues- 
hage  for  Fremont,  and  is  said  to  have  had  a  fight  on 
the  way,  in  which  he  was  wounded. ^^ 

The  Americans  lost  at  Natividad  four  or  five 
men  killed,  including  Burroughs,  Foster,  Ames,  and 
Thome;-*  and  five  or  six  wounded,  including  Hayes, 
Hill,  Marshall,  William  McGlone,  and  James  Cash. 
At  least,  these  are  the  losses  reported ;  but  it  is  possi- 
ble that  they  were  more  numerous,  though  the  Cali- 
fornians  doubtless  exaggerate  in  their  narratives." 
Foster  was  buried  at  the  foot  of  the  tree  wh.ere  he 
fell;  the  others  were  interred  at  Gomez's  rancho,  and 
a  salute  fired  over  their  graves.  The  Californian 
loss  was  perhaps  about  the  same  as  that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, though  really  little  is  known  about  it  beyond  Ini 
wounding  of  Chavez  and  Cantua  at  the  grove.  That 
so  few  were  killril  on  the  American  side  is  accounted 
for  by  the  short  duration  of  the  fight  at  close  quarters; 
but  that  thu  rifles  did  so  little  execution,  especially  at 

'^The  Delaware's  arrival  is  noted  (incorrectly  as  on  the  morning  of  the 
l(itli)in  Colton\i  Three  Yeart,  96-7;  also  his  fight  on  the  way,  in  which  he 
met  3  Californians,  killing  one  with  his  rifle,  another  with  bis  tomahawk, 
while  the  third  fled.  Swascy  implies  that  Hill's  wound  was  received  in  the 
light  before  he  started  for  Monterey,  from  the  fragments  of  a  bullet.  Lancey 
liiis  it  that  ho  gut  a  lance  tluougii  the  hand  from  tiie  Indian  he  tomahawked 
on  the  way.  'E.  C.  K.'  saya  Charles  Mcintosh  and  an  Indian  were  sent  to 
Moiitei'ey.  See  also  Californian,  Nov.  21,  1846,  for  adventures  of  the  Walla 
Wulla  messengers. 

"  '  Billy  the  Cooper '  is  mentioned  by  several  authorities  as  having  been 
killed.  His  real  name  was  not  known;  but  he  was  possibly  the  man  called 
Thome  by  '  E.  C.  K.'  and  others. 

**  'Pioneer  '  (John  A.  Swan),  in  reminiscences  called  out  by  '  K.'s '  article, 
Savage,  Doc,  MS.,  iii.  20  et  seq.,  was  personally  acquainted  with  the  killed 
and  wounded,  and  many  others  who  took  part  in  the  fight,  and  ho  thinks  the 
loss  was  heavier  than  reported.  4  killed  and  5  wounded  is  '  E.  C.  K.'s'  state- 
ment. Larkin  says  4  killed  and  2  or  3  wounded,  perhaps  not  including  the 
grove  fight;  and  again  he  says  tlicre  were  10  or  12  killed  and  wounded  on 
each  side.  Gomez  states  that  4  dead  and  9  wounded  were  brought  to  the 
rancho,  0  more  dead  found  .ind  buried  at  the  grove,  and  3  bodies  found  later 
l>y  the  people  of  Natividad.  Jos(5  Ant.  Alviso,  Camprtuade  Natividad,  MS., 
son  of  tlie  owner  of  the  rancho,  who  claims  to  have  first  informed  Castro  of 
the  presence  of  the  Americans  at  S.  Juan,  says  4  Amer.  were  killed  and  4 
wounded.  Rico  says  that  in  the  main  fight  he  saw  8  or  0  Amer.  killed,  and 
heard  of  more,  besides  those  killed  at  the  grove.  In  a  report  of  the  time, 
Castro  claimed  to  have  killed  21  of  the  enemy.  Fernandez,  D^'-.,  MS.,  53. 
Pico  says  the  Amer.  lost  2  officers  and  several  soldiers  killed.  Fiortis  in  Dec. 
reported  that  1 1  Amer.  had  been  killed. 


.372 


NATIVIDAD  AND  S.VNTA  CLARA. 


,'! 


tlio  grove,  whore  the  enemy  came  near  en<)U<;h  to  rid- 
dle Foster's  body  with  rniisket-balls,  is  remarkable; 
and,  indeed,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  the  loss  may  have 
been  greater  than  represented.  From  a  dozen  to 
twenty  was  the  estimate  of  the  Americans,  who  ot" 
course  had  no  means  of  knowing  the  truth,-''  The 
dead  were  probably  buried  at  Alisal  rancho.  Lieu- 
tenant Chavez  was  cared  for  secretly  at  some  of  the 
ranchos,  and  finally  came  to  Monterey  in  January, 
where  for  a  long  time  he  eluded  the  vigilance  of  offi- 
cials, largely  by  the  aid  of  prominent  ladies.'^"  The 
Californians  after  leaving  Natividad  dispersed  for  the 
most  part  as  they  advancetl  southward.  Rico  with  a 
small  party  hastened  with  Larkin  to  the  capital, 
where  C^astro  also  made  his  appearance  later  with  25 
or  30  of  his  arm}^  Though  the  Americans  were  the 
attacking  party,  and  were  content  to  remain  on  the 
defensive  after  the  tight,  yet  the  result  was  practically 
a  victory  ibr  them,  since  the  Californians  were  forcetl 
to  abandon  their  projects  of  seizing  the  horses  and 
haiassing  the  battalion  by  a  guerrilla  warfare.'-' 

Fremont  and  his  men  left  Monterey  November  I7th 
as  soon  as  the  news  arrived  from  Los  Verjeles.     He 

"' Alviso  says  tho  Cal.  lost  4  wouinled.  Rico  says  ho  lost  4  killed  aiul  4 
woniuli'd,  besides  seveiul  killed  before  at  tho  grove.  Loss  about  same  as  tlio 
Aimr.  according  to  Alvai'ado.  Vallejo  gives  the  loss  as  3  killed  aiid  4 
wounded;  including  Vicente  Soto  and  Bautista  (larcla.  3  killed  and  ."> 
wounded  according  to  Castro's  report.  Mrs  Ord  .says  '2  killed.  Inocente  IJai- 
cia,  I/rchos,  MS.,  07-8,  says  his  sou  IJiiutisfai  was  wounded;  also  heard  from 
a  fugitive  at  S.  Luis  that  a  eholo  and  a  cook  from  S.  Luis  and  several  frum 
Monterey  had  been  killed.  I'ico  says  several  of  his  own  men  >vere  killed  and 
wounded.  Nidever,  Li/i',  MS.,  I'J'i-.'U),  says  an  Italian  cutthroat  named  An- 
tonio was  killed  on  the  Cal.  siile.  Larkin  says  3  Californians  were  killed, 
besides  .lost;  Oarcia  from  S.  America;  and  7  wounded.  CJome/  siiys  tlir 
Walla  Wallas  scalped  4  Californians. 

-''■  Many  stories  are  told  of  Cliavez's  adventures  in  trying  to  avoitl  arrest. 
Once  lie  was  concealed  in  beil  between  two  women,  which  prompts  Hev.  Wal- 
ter Colton,  Three  IVar.v,  14r>,  to  wickedly  quote  a  verso  from  Don  Jiinn.  Ser 
also  Ord,  Ociirrcnciai<,  MS.,  152-4;  Gomez,  Lo  Que  Snliv,  MS.,  95-4!.  Lauccy, 
( 'mine,  ir>l,  tells  us  Chavez  was  taken  on  board  tho  guard-ship  at  Monterey 
mid  had  his  wounds  dressed. 

-''  Besides  the  references  already  given  on  the  Natividad  aflfair,  see  //(niolulii 
Friend,  iv.  190;  Martiii'n  Xarr.,  M8.,  .'15;  Osio,  Hist.  Ca/.,  MS.,  479-SO;  Ln 
rios,  Vida,  MS.,  23-4;  Amador,  Mem.,  MS.,  170-2;  Upham's  Life  Fniuonl, 
•J4'2-5;  Taylor's  Eldorado,  i.  MW;  and  nuuiy  of  the  ct>unty  histories. 


MARCH  OF  THE  BATTALIOX. 


373 


\x\\  to  rid- 
iiarkablo ; 
may  have 
dozen    to 
s,  who  of 
,li.-5     The 
().     Tjiou- 
ine  of  the 
January, 
ICO  of  otti- 
os.2«     The 
,od  for  the 
,ico  with  a 
le    capital, 
3r  with  25 
s  were  the 
ain  on  the 
practically 
rare  forced 
horses  and 

"7 

ire. 

;niber  I7th 
jelcs.     He 

U  killctl  aiul  4 
jut  same  as  tlio 
killed  aiul  4 
killed  aud  ."> 
luoceiitc  liar- 
Jso  heard  froin 
Id  several  i'lom 
Ivere  killed  ami 
l{iat  named  An- 
Jis  wero  killed, 
fiiiRV.  says   the 

lo  avoid  arrest, 
lipts  Hev.  Wal- 
poll  J  nail.  Sec 
j5-(>.  Lauccj, 
at  Monterey 

k  see  llviiolulu 
|.,470-S0:  Lu 
ILi/V  Fnniont, 
tries. 


made  some  expeditions  in  different  directions  in  search 
(if  such  parties  of  the  enemy  as  might  still  be  lurking 
in  the  district";  but  found  no  Californians,  and  in  four 
or  live  days  united  his  forces  at  San  Juan,  where  he 
remained  till  the  end  of  November.  Some  parties  of 
recruits  joined  the  force  there,  and  one  from  the  Sac- 
ramento did  not  arrive  until  the  army  had  started 
southward.  At  San  Juan  the  organization  of  the  bat- 
talion, as  already  described,  was  completed;  and  on 
the  29th  the  army  started  on  its  march  to  cooperate 
with  Stockton  against  Flores.  The  march  was  for 
the  most  part  uneventful,  and  requires  no  extended 
description.  Bryant's  diary  is  in  print,  and  is  supple- 
mented by  many  other  narratives  more  or  less  com- 
plete.'*'* The  rains  of  an  extremely  wet  season  had 
i)egun,  and  progress  was  conse(juently  slow  and  diffi- 
<'ult  along  the  muddy  way.  The  old  grass  was  spoiled 
by  the  rain,  and  the  new  was  not  sufficient  to  keep  the 
horses  in  strength.  Many  of  the  animals  had  to  be 
abandoned  on  the  way,  and  still  more  could  barely 
carry  their  saddles  without  the  liders,  so  that  a  large 
part  of  the  march  was  perlbrmed  by  the  men  <m  foot. 
Luggage  was  carried  by  pack-mules.  Beef  was  almost 
the  oidy  article  of  food,  cattle  being  driven  along  with 
the  army  and  killed  at  each  halt  as  required.  Many 
of  the  men  were  ill,  but  onl  v  one  death  (xrurred.  The 
route  was  up  the  San  Benito,  over  the  hills  to  the 
Salinas,  up  that  valley  and  past  San  ^Miguel  to  San 
Ijuis,  where  they  ariived  the  I4tli  of  December. 

There  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  Freiiuuit  and  his 
officers  exerted  themselves  to  [)revcnt  disorders  and 
outraires  on  the  march,  and   with  a  high  decree  of 

■'"'  liryaiif^  Whit  I  Saw,  3flr)-9l;  itiner.nry  of  dates  and  ilistanees  in  <7ri()n- 
/'//V  Paprv,  MS.,  9-\2;  weather  record  in  Frimnnl'^d'rofi.  Mini.,  41-'_'.  (Hhei' 
narratives  will  he  mentioned  in  later  notes  on  .special  )ioi;its;  hut  the  follow- 
i.iL;  may  ho  named  as  not  reiiuirin;:;  further  mention,  tiioutjli  some  of  tiiem  .-ire 
aeiMnate  enou^'h:  (S'.  K  .SVnr,  Jan.  !».  l.'>47.  eopied  in  other  papers;  S.  /•'.  Alfa, 
Dec.  18,  1S.V2;  iVart!ii\i  Nun:,  MS.,  .'{ti-S;  Laiini/'s  CriitKi;  l.")((-(i.">;  TiiHull\ 
//(V.  (,'((/.,  L'{K)-3;  irphnni'.t  Life Frimout,-2l-2-9;  Dice.  Uiiiv.,\\n.  100;  ihittn' 
Coii'i.,  IGO-'J;  Honolulu  Friend,  iv.  liK);  YoloCo.  Hist.,  'JO;  and  several  other 
loe;d  liistorii!S. 


374 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


h  ,  V 


success,  considering  the  unfavorable  circumstances. 
There  was  some  complaint  and  insubordination  among 
the  men  and  subaltern  officers,  requiring  a  court-mar- 
tial for  the  trial  of  certain  offenders  on  December 
7th. ^  The  trail  of  Castro's  retreating  force  was 
crossed;  and  on  the  8th  two  Californians  were  arrest- 
ed, as  were  several  later.  An  Indian  servant  of  Jesus 
Pico  was  taken  on  the  12th,  and  next  day  shot  as  a 
spy  after  trial.  The  evidence  against  him  has  never 
been  made  public,  but  the  act  was  doubtless  an  un- 
justifiable compliance  with  a  bitter  popular  feeling  in 
the  army.  On  the  same  day  the  rancho  of  Ojitos  was 
plundered,  its  buildings  being  burned  by  a  scouting 
party.**  At  San  Luis  Obispo  it  was  thought  there 
might  be  an  armed  force,  and  the  place  was  accordingly 
surrounded  and  taken  by  a  sudden  assault  on  the  14th 
in  the  rainy  darkness  of  night;  but  only  women,  chil- 
dren, and  non-combatants  were  found.^^ 

The  house  of  Pico,  the  former  commandant,  was 

'^^Bryant,  371.  Swaaey,  Cat.  1S45-6,  MS.,  21,  mentions  James  Savage  .ns 
one  of  the  worst  malecontents,  and  says  that  several  otiicers  were  reduced  to 
tlie  ranks,  there  being  also  several  desertions.  Swaaey,  p.  24-5,  notes  that  on 
one  occasion  shots  were  heard  in  advance,  and  the  men  were  found  engaged 
in  a  battle  with  grizzly  bears,  of  which  26  were  killed.  Boggs,  in  Kapa  Rt'j- 
inter.  May  4,  1872,  notes  a  mirage  by  which  a  madroflo  tree  was  made  to  ap- 
pear a  large  force  of  the  enemy.  Also  in  Id.,  June  1,  1872,  is  described  a 
practical  joke  in  which  the  bugler,  Butler,  was  made  to  blow  his  morning 
blast  and  rouse  the  camp,  mistaking  the  moon  for  the  sun. 

^"Pico,  Acont.,  MS.,  70,  saya  the  Indian,  named  Santa  Maria,  had  been 
sent  out  by  him  to  watch  the  Americans.  It  is  generally  stated  that  papers 
were  found  on  his  person,  perhaps  communications  to  the  enemy.  /S'.  Jaxe  Pio- 
neer, Jan.  27,  1877.  Paso  Roblesis  mentioned  by  several  as  the  place  where 
he  was  arrested.  Swasey  says  the  shooting  of  the  Indian  was  opposed  by 
many  of  the  officers,  but  it  was  deemed  unsafe  to  disregard  the  feelings  of  tlio 
undisciplined  men.  Jansscns,  V'ula,  MS.,  197,  says  that  Fr<jmont  farther 
south  mentioned  the  different  outrages  as  the  acts  of  detached  parties,  whom 
he  could  not  control.  Serrano  says  Los  Ojitos  was  burned  because  the  owner 
had  two  sons  in  the  Calif ornian  anny;  also  that  the  bell-ringer  of  San  Luis 
was  threatened  with  death  for  having  rung  the  vesper  bells,  and  soon  died  of 
Iright.  Gonzalez,  Mem.,  MS.,  42-3,  denounces  these  acts  as  cowardly,  and 
notes  that  an  American  tried  to  mount  a  wild  colt  and  was  killed,  probal)ly 
an  error. 

"  Swasey,  Ccd.  '4o-6,  MS.,  21-2.  graphically  describes  the  amusing  scenes 
of  this  night  assault,  including  Capt.  Sears'  valiant  charge  over  adobe  walls 
into  a  sheep  corral.  He  also  notes  that  many  were  made  ill  by  eating  rav- 
enously of  the  pumpkins  e  .id  frijoles  found  at  San  Luis.  There  have  been  re- 
ports that  the  inhabitants  were  surprised  at  a  ball,  but  this  seema  to  have  no 
foundation  in  fact.  See  fin/aH^,  374;  Jananew,  Vida,  MS.,  193;  Pico,  AcoiU,, 
MS.,  71;  Lancei/'x  Cruise,  IGO. 


JESUS  PICO'S  TRIAL. 


375 


searched  with  special  zeal,  but  was  found  to  be  occu- 
pied by  Henry  J.  Dally,  from  whom  it  was  learned 
that  the  owner  was  probably  at  Wilson's  rancho;  and 
51  party  was  despatched  at  once  to  arrest  him,  under 
Daily's  guidance.  They  returned  next  day  with  their 
jtrisoner,  and  on  the  16th  he  was  tried  by  court-mar- 
tial. Pico  had  not  only  broken  his  parole  in  taking 
up  arms  for  Flores,  but  he  had  been  prominent  in  the 
movement,  had  forced  many  Californians  into  the 
ranks,  and  had  taken  part  with  them  in  the  campaign 
of  Natividad.  These  facts  were  made  known  to  ¥t6- 
mont  through  certain  communications  that  had  been 
delivered  to  him  by  Petronilo  Rios  a  few  days  before, 
and  which  were  produced  at  the  trial.  The  sentence 
was  that  Don  Jesus,  familiarly  known  as  Totoi  Pico, 
must  be  shot,  a  fate  that  he  technically  deserved. 
But  his  wife,  accompanied  by  her  fourteen  children 
and  many  women  of  San  Luis,  came  to  throw  herself 
at  the  American  leader's  feet,  begging  for  her  hus- 
band's life.  Fremont  could  not  resist  her  tearful  plead- 
ings, to  which  were  joined  the  solicitations  of  his  offi- 
cers and  of  some  of  his  men  whom  Pico  had  befriended 
in  former  years.  He  granted  a  pardon,  and  though 
it  provoked  much  temporary  dissatisfaction  among  his 
rude  followers,  the  act  gained  for  him  the  life-long 
gratitude  and  devotion  of  Don  Jesus,  who  accompa- 
nied the  battalion  to  the  south,  rendering  every  as- 
sistance in  his  power.  Several  others  were  arrested, 
but  released  in  the  region  of  San  Luis,  including  Joa- 
<iuin  Estrada,  Inocente  Garcia,  and  Mariano  Bonilla, 
the  latter  being  left  as  alcalde  to  preserve  order  at  the 


ex-mission.'^ 

"Pico,  AcontecimienloK,  MS.,  G7-73.  Ho  saya  tho  documents  had  been 
intrusted  by  him  to  Reed,  owner  of  S.  Miguel  rancho,  who  had  sent  them  to 
Capt.  Villavicencio  by  Uios,  who  was  taken  by  FrcJniont.  Dally,  NarrcUiw, 
MS.,  27-41,  gives  complete  details  of  the  affair.  Both  Dally  and  Breck  had 
been  arrested  by  the  Californians  during  the  military  preparations,  but  re- 
leased on  parole.  It  appears  from  Xna  statementn  and  from  other  evidence 
that  some  of  tho  Californians  on  returning  from  Natividad  were  very  bitter, 
and  swore  they  would  kill  all  foreigners,  who  were  advised  by  the  oflBcers 
to  keep  in  close  retirement  until  tlie  daiiger  was  past.  Some  wore  arrested 
for  protection.     Streeter,  Recoil.,  MS.,  07-7"),  also  gives  many  details  of  tlio 


m 


370 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


Leaving  San  Luis  on  the  I7th,  the  battalion  con- 
tinued its  march  southward  without  incidents  requir- 
ing notice,^  and  on  the  24th  cHmbed  the  lofty  Cuesta 
de  Santa  Inds  by  a  difficult  pass  not  far  from  that  of 
the  modern  stage  route.  The  afternoon  of  Christmas 
was  spent  in  descending  the  southern  slope  of  the 
mountain,  an  operation  rendered  difficult  and  even 
perilous  by  the  rain  which  fell  in  torrents  all  the 
afternoon  and  night  with  a  continuous  gale  of  wind. 
Horses  to  the  number  of  a  hundred  or  more  fell  over 
the  precipices  or  were  drowned  in  the  mountain  tor- 
rents; the  cannon  and  other  luggage  were  left  scat- 
tered along  the  way;  the  men  slid  rather  than 
marched  down  the  slippery  rocks,  waded  the  gullies, 
and  at  dark,  storm-drenched  and  half-frozen,  lay  down 
to  rest  near  the  foot  of  the  mountain  without  pro- 
tection from  the  pouring  rain,  some  not  arriving  till 
late  at  night.  Next  day  the  guns  and  some  other 
effects  were  brought  down  to  camp;  and  on  the  27th 
the  battalion  went  on  to  Santa  Barbara.  No  enemy 
appeared  to  resist  their  advance;  a  few  foreigners 
came  out  to  meet  them;  but  the  town  was  wellnigh 
deserted.  Here  Fremont  remained  a  week  in  camp 
before  proceeding  southward,  whither  we  shall  accom- 
l)any  him  later.^ 


troubles  of  foreigners  in  those  days.  Inocente  Garcia  went  to  Sta  Barbara 
with  Pico  and  Fremont.  In  his  Jlechos,  MS.,  92-100,  ho  gives  many  partic- 
ulars, ^lartiu,  Nan:,  MS.,  36-7,  one  of  Daily's  and  Pico's  captors,  has 
also  something  to  say  on  the  subject.  Swasey,  Cal.  '//Ji-6,  gives  an  eloquent 
account  of  tlic  pardon  scene;  as  also  docs  Talbot  in  Cutta^  Conq.,  160-1.  See 
also  Biijeloin's  Mem.,  145-7;  Davis'  Glimpsex,  MS.,  378-9;  Lancey's  Crime, 
117,  161.  Dec.  16th,  Bonilla's  appointment  as  alcalde  of  S.Luis.  Bonilla, 
Doc,  MS.,  20.  It  is  hard  to  say  what  Frdmont,  Court-martial,  378,  means 
by  the  statement  that  ho  captured  Pico  'with  35  others,  among  them  the 
wounded  captain  who  liad  commanded  at  Ija  Natividad'! 

"'Janssens,  Vida,  MS.,  19.3-5,  who  was  living  near  Sta  Inds  at  the 
time,  gives  some  unimportant  details  of  the  passage  of  Fremont's  army. 

3* Davis,  Glimjwes,  MS.,  357-00,  374-6;  Dittmann,  Narrative,  MS.,  39-41; 
iStreeter,  llrcoll.,  MS.,  75-81;  and  Nidever,  Life,  MS.,  127-9,  give  some 
ilutails  about  Fremont's  arrival  and  stay  at  Sta  lidrbara.  The  last-named 
takes  particular  pleasure  in  recounting  his  services  in  aiding  in  the  search  of 
houses  belonging  to  prominent  citizens  like  Guerra.  See  also,  on  the  march 
of  the  battalion  and  passage  of  the  mountains,  Orrgaon's  Statement,  MS.,  5- 
6;  McChriMan's  Narr.,  MS.,  5-8;  lieinutt's  Pioneer  of  '43;  BidweWa  Gal., 
MS.,  201-4;  Sta  Cruz  Sentinel,  March  21,  1868. 


UNJUST  CRITICISM. 


877 


ilion  cen- 
ts requir- 
by  Cuesta 
Q  that  of 
^Jhristmas 
^e  of  the 
and  even 
;s  all  the 
I  of  wind. 
?  fell  over 
atain  tor- 
left  scat- 
her    than 
le  gullies, 
,  lay  down 
hout  pro- 
riving  till 
fme  other 
the  27th 
fo  enemy 
Poreisrners 
wellnigh 
in  camp 
ill  accom- 


Sta  Bdrbara 
[many  partic- 
I  captors,  has 
an  eloquent 
100-1.  See 
Iccy's  Criiixe, 
luis.  Bonilla, 
I,  378,  means 
\g  them  the 

luds  at  the 

1  army. 
|MS.,  39-41; 
give  some 
last-named 

\e  search  of 
the  march 

hit,  MS.,  5- 

Iwell'a  Col., 


With  their  vivid  descriptions  of  hardships  expe- 
rienced in  crossing  the  Cuesta  de  Santa  Ines  many 
writers  mingle  sarcasm,  ridicule,  and  blame,  directed 
jigainst  Fremont  for  his  choice  of  a  route  over  the 
.summit,  instead  of  by  the  comparatively  easy  Gaviota 
[lass.  They  accuse  him  not  only  of  bad  judgment  and 
(.  xcessive  timidity  in  his  fear  of  hostilities  along  the 
way,  but  <jf  having  deliberately  prolonged  his  march 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  with  a  view  to  avoid  an 
encounter  with  the  foe  at  Los  Angeles.  The  charsxe 
of  cowardice  or  lack  of  energy  is  an  unjust  one,  though 
it  may  be  clear  to  us,  knowing  the  exact  condition  of 
affairs,  that  the  trip  over  the  mountains  involved 
needless  risks  and  hardships.  But  at  the  time,  the 
.strength  of  the  Californians  in  men,  horses,  and 
weapons  was  grossly  exaggerated ;  rumors  of  impend- 
ing attack  were  current  at  every  point;  and  there 
were  probably  definite  warnings  of  danger  at  the  pass 
from  persons  whom  the  leader  deemed  trustworthy, 
making  it  seem  important  to  take  an  unusual  route, 
which  but  for  the  violent  storm  woukl  have  involved 
no  very  serious  hardships.  Unfavorable  comment  on 
Fremont's  action  in  this  matter,  as  on  his  achieve- 
ments as  an  explorer  in  earlier  years,  has  sprung 
largely  from  the  political  j^rejudices  of  1856.  The 
average  American  cannot  be  trusted  to  te.stify  fairly  in 
the  case  of  a  political  foe,  being  in  that  respect  strik- 
ingly similar  to  the  citizen  of  any  other  nation. 

A  final  northern  campaign  of  the  war  remains  to  be 
[)ut  on  record  before  we  return  to  the  operations  of 
Stockton,  Kearny,  and  Fremont  in  tlic  south.  Could 
we  credit  all  i'^'^t  has  been  written  of  this  campaign, 
a  long  and  soiiiowhat  interesting  story  might  be  told. 
Reduced  to  approximate  limits  of  truth,  the  record  is 
much  less  bulkv  and  loses  somethinij  of  its  fascination. 
While  the  organization  and  outfit  of  the  battalion 
were  in  progress,  Captain  Weber  took  an  active  part 
in  procuring  horses  for  that  force,  and  most  of  his 


378 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


^lin 


i 

1 

I 

Ei 

fl 

1 

■  if- 

tf' 

I': 

volunteer  company  joined  Frdmont  under  Thompson ; 
but  Weber  raised  another  company  for  the  protection 
of  San  Jos(5  and  the  adjoining  region,  since  there  was 
no  lack  of  rumors  respecting  impending  hostilities  by 
bands  of  roving  Californians.  Lieutenant  Pinkney, 
of  the  Savannah,  with  midshipmen  Watmough  and 
Griffin,  and  a  company  of  50  men  or  more,  was  also 
sent  by  Captain  Mervine  from  Yerba  Buena  to  garri- 
son the  pueblo,  while  Weber  was  busy  in  obtaining 
horses  for  the  battalion.  Many  immigrants  came 
down  from  the  Sacramento  to  Santa  Clara,  fortifying 
the  ex-mission,  and  organizing  a  company  of  about  30 
men,  under  Joseph  Aram  as  captain,  for  the  protection 
of  their  families  and  those  of  their  companions  who 
were  absent  with  Frdmont.  Thus  the  garrisons  at 
Monterey,  San  Francisco,  San  Jos^,  and  Santa  Clara 
were  amply  sufficient  for  protection.  There  was  much 
difficulty  in  obtaining  supplies  of  food ;  and  Fremont's 
methods  of  plundering  every  rancho  where  cattle  or 
other  stores  could  be  found  were  to  a  great  extent 
those  still  employed.^ 

Throughout  the  preceding  troubles  many  Califor- 
nians of  the  better  class  had  remained  quietly  on 
their  farms,  submitting  not  cheerfully  but  without  re- 
sistance to  the  exchange  of  their  animals  and  other 
property  for  Frc^mont's  receipts.  Their  patience,  how- 
ever, had  been  sorely  t^ried  during  the  process  by  the 
outrageous  acts  of  different  irresponsible  Americans, 
who  carried  on  the  work  of  plunder  under  a  show  of 
military  authority  but  beyond  the  control  of  the  bat- 
talion officers;^"  and  it  was  completely  exhausted  when 

'*0n  the  organization  of  Weber's,  Pinkney's,  and  Aram's  companies,  seo 
Hall's  Hist.  S.  Josf,  155-7;  Ilecox,  in  Hta  Cruz  Times,  July- Aug.  1870;  A,a«- 
cey'a  Crime,  192.  Nov.  26th,  J.  A.  Forbes  at  vSta  Clara  certifies  that  in  con- 
sequence of  immigrants'  fears  of  attack  a  wall  is  to  be  made  in  front  of  mission 
with  only  one  entrance.  Dofia  Silveria  Pacheco  rents  her  house  for  this  pur- 
pose at  $12  per  month.  S.  Jofifi,  Arch.,  Loom  Pap.,  57. 

'"  They  are  a  class  of  persons  who  have  drifted  over  the  mountains  into 
the  country  from  the  borders  of  some  of  our  western  states.  It  is  a  prime 
feature  in  their  policy  to  keep  in  advance  of  law  and  order,  and  to  migrate 
as  often  aa  these  trench  on  their  irresponsible  privileges.  Tlicir  connection 
with  our  military  operations  here  is  a  calamity  that  can  only  find  a  relief  in 


tk. 


SANOriEZ  CAPTURES  BARTLETT. 


379 


lere  was 


It  became  evident  that  the  depredations  were  to  be 
continued  after  the  departure  of  both  armies.  They 
were  ready  to  resist  if  an  opportunity  should  pre- 
sent itself  About  the  8th  of  December  as  is  gener- 
ally stated,  but  later  I  think,  since  the  news  did  not 
reach  Monterey  till  the  2 2d,  Alcalde  Bartlett  with 
five  men  started  down  the  peninsula  from  Yerbu 
Buena  on  one  of  the  usual  raids  for  cattle — that  is 
ho  went  to  'purchase'  supplies.  Francisco  Sanchez, 
who  had  a  rancho  in  the  San  Mateo  region,  and  who 
had  lost  his  own  horses  and  those  of  Howard  and 
Melius  under  his  care  at  the  hands  of  Weber,  could 
not  resist  the  temptation  to  retaliate.  So  with  a 
small  party  he  waylaid  Bartlett  and  his  companions, 
making  them  prisoners  and  carrying  them  to  a  camp 
in  the  hills.  It  is  not  probable  that  thece  had  been 
any  formal  organization  or  plan  before,  but  now  reen- 
forcements  came  in  from  different  quarters  until  San- 
chez had  perhaps  100  men.  Some  were  impelled  by 
exasperation  at  past  losses;  others  by  fear  of  vicari- 
ous punishment  for  Sanchez's  act;  and  there  was  prob- 
ably a  party  of  some  20  men  who  had  been  recruited 
by  Torre,  Espinosa,  and  Mota  for  Castro's  army  but 
had  not  joined  that  force,  and  had  been  ranging  about 
the  country  secretly  since  the  fight  at  Natividad,  joined 
perhaps  by  a  few  members  of  the  dispersed  army."^ 
The  plan,  so  far  as  any  plan  was  formed,  was  to  utilize 
the  prisoners,  with  such  other  advantages  as  they 
might  gain,  to  exact  from  the  Americans  a  treaty  to 
protect  their  property  and  put  an  end  to  depredations.** 
No  acts  of  hostility  were  committed. 


tlic  exigencies  of  war. .  .The  principal  sufferers  are  men  who  have  remained 
"luietly  on  their  farms,  and  whom  wo  are  bound  in  Ijoiior  as  well  as  sound 
policy  to  protect.  To  permit  such  men  to  be  plundered  uniler  the  filched 
authority  of  our  flag  is  a  national  reproach.'   Cotton's  Three  Yeur.>;  155. 

"Est^van  do  la  Torre,  Remin.,  MS.,  gives  some  detiiils,  but  he  does  not 
stiite  that  the  men  of  his  party  joined  Sanchez,  or  indeed  give  any  informa- 
tiiiu  about  this  affair. 

^' Col  ton  describes  them  us  with  few  exceptions  '  men  of  the  better  stamp, 
nicu  who  had  a  permanent  interest  in  the  soil,  and  had  refused  to  join  the  rash 
spirits  of  the  south. '  They  stated  '  that  they  had  taken  up  arms  not  to  make 
war  on  the  American  flag,  but  to  protect  themselves  from  the  depredations 


380 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


Ill    1;! 
In 


'  'm 

I 


In  the  eyes  of  the  Americans  this  act  of  Sanchez 
was  the  outbreak  of  a  new  rebelUon,  in  which  the  Cal- 
ifornians  took  advantage  of  Fremont's  departure  to 
rise,  200  strong,  for  tlie  purpose  of  committing  out- 
rages on  the  unprotected  immigrants.""  As  soon  as 
proper  steps  for  defence  could  be  taken,  but  somewhat 
tardily  it  would  appear  if  Bartlett  was  captured  on 
the  8th,  Captain  Weber  marched  from  San  Jose  with 
33  men  on  the  25th  to  attack  the  foe;  but  changed 
liis  mind  and  went  to  San  Francisco  for  orders  and  re- 
enforcements.  Sanchez  is  said  to  have  taken  advan- 
tage of  Weber's  absence  to  approach  San  Jose  the  next 
day,  iioping  to  find  the  pueblo  unprotected,  but  to 
have  retired  on  finding  Pinkney  and  his  garrison  pre- 
pared to  fight.*"  Meanwhile,  a  force  was  fitted  out 
and  despatched  on  the  29th  by  Commandant  Hull, 
who  had  succeeded  Montgomery  at  San  Francisco. 
This  force  of  about  100,  including  Weber's  com  pan}', 
was  commanded  by  Captain  Ward  Marston  of  the  ma- 
rines.*'    The  march  was  down  the  peninsula,  delayerl 

of  those  who  under  color  of  that  flag  were  plundering  tliem, . .  .and  that  ou 
assurance  being  given  that  these  acts  of  lawless  violence  should  cease,  they 
were  ready  to  return  quietly  to  their  homes.'    Three  Yearti,  152. 

"For  instance,  Hecox,  Sta  Cruz  Times,  July  2.3,  1870,  talks  of  Sanchez'.s 
men  as  raiding  through  the  county,  capturing  Bartlett,  and  then  turning  their 
attention  to  Sta  Clara  in  hopes  to  make  short  work  of  the  men  and  'appro- 
priate the  women  to  their  own  use ' ! 

'"Hall,  fiixt.  S.  Jos^,  157  et  seq.,  followed  by  others,  speaks  of  a  warniiii,' 
sent  to  Pinkney  by  Sanchez,  but  I  doubt  that  there  was  any  correspondence 
at  all.  Tlio  same  writers  say  that  Forbes  went  to  the  Californian  camp  to 
negotiate  for  a  release  of  the  prisoners.  Sanchez  put  Bartlett  in  Forljes' 
keening  for  several  days,  and  otFered  to  give  up  all  the  captives  in  exchange 
for  Weber;  but  the  authorities  at  S.  F.  being  consulted  refused  to  consent  to 
any  such  arrangement.  I  do  not  believe  that  any  such  proposition  was  made, 
and  I  think  it  most  likely  that  Forbes'  visit  and  the  partial  release  of  Bartlett 
were  later  occurrences.  See  note  45.  In  S.  Jos6  Pionem;  March  6th,  it  is 
stilted  that  Pinkney  was  sent  down  to  take  Weber's  placo  at  this  time,  and  it 
may  bo  true  that  P.  had  previously  retired  and  now  returned;  as  this  would 
explain  the  approach  of  Sanchez.  Hall  represents  Bartlett  as  having  crieil 
like  a  child  when  sent  back  to  the  Califoraians,  expecting  to  be  killed! 

*'  According  to  list  in  Monterey  Gali/ornian,  Feb.  G,  1847,  followed  by  Biy- 
ant,  Hall,  Lancey,  and  also  in  V.  /'.  Pacific  News,  Dec.  12,  1850,  from  CiviU 
Lit.  and  Naval  Oazette,  the  force  was  made  up  as  follows:  Capt.  Wai'd  Mars- 
tun,  with  Asst  Surgeon  J.  (or  Marius)  Duval  as  aid;  34  marines  under  Lieut 
liobert  Tansill;  10  seamen  with  a  field-piece  under  Master  Wm  F.  Delong 
(I),  (jrough  or  do  Longh  or  Do  lough)  assisted  by  Midshipman  John  Kell; 
John  Pray  as  interpreter;  33  mounted  San  Jos6  volunteers  under  Captain  Clias 
M.  Weber,  with  lieutenants  John  Murphy  and  John  Reed;  and  12  mounted 


BATTLE  OF  SANTA  CLARA. 


381 


I  rancisco. 


soiucwhat  us  it  appears  by  the  quality  and  (piantity  of 
aguardiente  found  at  one  of  the  halting-])hices;  and 
on  January  2d  the  enemy  was  seen  on  the  Santa  Clara 
plain.  As  the  Americans  advanced  along  the  road,  the 
Californians  on  horseback  hovered  about  them  on  front 
and  flanks  at  a  safe  distance,  Marston  firing  grape  from 
his  field-piece  and  Sanchez  replying  apparently  with  a 
few  nmsket-shots.*^  Thus  the  two  forces  slowly  ap- 
proached Santa  Clara,  being  in  sight  of  each  otliei"  for 
several  hours.  Either  at  the  beginning  or  at  some 
later  point  of  the  advance  the  gun  and  part  of  Mars- 
ton's  force  seem  to  have  become  mired  in  crossing  a 
marshy  spot,  and  Sanchez  made  a  'charge;'  that  is, 
his  men  came  for  a  few  minutes  within  gunshot,  and 
slightly  wounded  two  of  the  Americans,''*  but  retired 
as  soon  as  the  cannon  was  again  in  condition  to  be 
used.  As  they  drew  near  to  the  mission,  perhaps 
Captain  Aram  came  out  to  aid  Marston;  at  any  rate, 
the  Californians  disap})eared  from  sight,  going  toward 
the  Santa  Cruz  mountains.  The  Americans,  making 
no  attempt  to  pursue  the  foe,  repaired  to  the  mission, 
and  the  'battle  of  Santa  Clara'  was  at  an  end.  It  has 
generally  been  described,  though  with  many  curious 
complications  of  detail,  as  a  sharp  engagement  of  sev- 
eral hours,  in  which  Marston's  gallant  band  attacked 
the  enemy  in  a  strong  position,  broke  their  line,  drove 
them  back  inch  by  inch  under  a  constant  shower  of 
bullets,  and  finally  caused  them  to  flee  with  four  or 
five  men  killed  and  as  many  wounded,  so  demoralized 
that  there  was  nothing  left  for  them  but  unconditional 
surrender!  No  Californian  was  hurt;  and  evidently 
Sanchez  had  no  intention  of  risking  a  fight,  unless  by 


Verba  IJuena  volunteera  under  Capt.  \V.  M.  Siiiitli  and  Lieut  Joliu  Hose,  in- 
cluding a  few  men  under  Captain  Julius  Martin — or  101  men  in  all.  Jan.  i)th, 
Kichardson  to  Fitcli.  Mentions  Bartlctt's  capture  and  the  departure  of  Marii- 
ton's  force.  Fitch,  Doc.,  MS.,  411. 

*'Tho  Californians  are  said  to  have  had  a  field-piece  given  up  later;  but  it 
is  not  stated  that  it  was  used. 

"  One  of  Weber's  men  and  a  marine  from  the  Dale.  Lancoy  names  thera 
as  Jackson  Bennett  and  Kobert  ilceney.  I.  M.  Baker  assures  mo  that  he  saw 
the  men  wounded. 


382 


NATIVIDAD  AND  SANTA  CLARA. 


good  fortune  the  marines  might  be  tempted  into  a 

()ursuit  resulting  in  a  liand-to-hand  conflict  on  horse- 
)ack." 

In  the  evening  a  messenger  came  in  from  Sanchez 
with  a  flag  of  truce,  doubtless  to  explain  the  griev- 
ances which  had  driven  his  countrymen  to  arms,  and 
t(j  oflfer  submission  on  condition  that  the  United  States 
officers  would  guarantee  protection  of  property ;  and 
an  armistice  was  agreed  upon  until  a  reply  could  he 
obtained  from  San  Francisco.*'     Next  day,  the  3d, 

♦*Tlie  earliest  account  in  the  Monterey  Cnli/ornian,  Jan.  16,  1847,  men- 
tioned no  fight,  Ijut  says  that  Weber  was  ilriven  into  Sta  Clara  by  the  Cali- 
fomiaiiH,  the  leaders  met  under  a  flag  of  truce,  and  tha  Califomians  agreed 
to  disiiirao  under  proper  guaranties.  In  the  next  accounts,  Id.,  Feb.  G, 
1847;  Jiri/ant,  415-1(5,  there  had  been  an  hour's  fight,  2  Amer.  wounded,  Cal. 
losing  a  horse,  and  'probably'  some  men  killed  and  wounded;  but  the  Cal. 
were  able  to  escape,  having  superior  horses.  '':•  the  S.  F,  Cal.  Star,  Jan. 
9,  1847,  is  a  report  that  Marathn  had  capturuu  the  whole  party  of  Cal.  anil 
ended  the  war.  In  Id.,  Jan.  2;M,  the  version  is  that  the  enemy  had  retired 
from  tliuir  'fortifications'  near  S.  F.,  on  Marston's  approach,  and  retreated  U> 
near  Sta  Clara,  where  they  made  a  stand ;  but  the  cannon  in  a  few  hour.s 
brought  out  a  flag  of  truce,  leading  to  a  satisfactory  settlement  and  full  par- 
don of  all.  In  Id.,  Feb.  Gth,  the  battle  is  described  as  iu  Galifomian  and  ii 
list  of  officers  is  given ;  but  after  this  was  put  in  type  it  was  learned  that  4 
Cal.  had  been  killed  and  5  badly  wounded  I  In  the  Annapolis  Civil,  Lit.  and 
Naval  Gdzefte  of  1850,  or  earlier,  appeared  an  elaborate  account  of  the  battle, 
and  especially  of  the  evolutions  of  Marston's  forces,  from  the  journal  of  an 
officer.  I  have  no  doubt  this  account  is  correct  enough,  except  in  the  impli- 
cation that  the  enemy  were  within  gunshot  and  defeated  by  the  said  evolu- 
tions. This  writer  also  says  the  Cal.  had  5  killed  and  'a  considerable 
number '  wounded.  Hall  and  Lancey  are  guided  by  the  accounts  mentioned, 
but  are  somewhat  careful  not  to  commit  themselves  as  to  the  bloodshed.  It 
must  be  admitted  that  only  the  long  distance  between  the  combatants  pre- 
vented an  exciting  aft'air.  The  iS'.  Jos6  Pioneer  of  Mar.  C,  1880,  on  Weber'.s 
authority,  represents  W.  as  having  been  the  prominent  man  of  the  affair,  and 
as  having  by  his  generalship  saved  the  army  from  defeat  wlien  involved  in 
the  mustard  growth  at  the  creek  crossing  and  charged  by  Sanchez  at  full 
gallop.  The  battle  'was  of  short  duration,  about  2  hours,  for  experience  has 
showu  that  Mexican  valor  is  unequal  to  American  pluck,  and  Sancliez,  the 
last  revolutionist  of  the  period,  was  obliged  to  capitulate  to  Capt.  Weber, 
the  man  of  all  men  whom  he  most  desired  as  a  prisoner.'  Hecox,  Sta  Cruz 
Times,  notes  that  tlio  immigrants  crept  out  tlirough  the  mustard  to  at- 
tack the  Californians  in  the  rear,  putting  tliem  to  flight.  Eight  Cal.  were 
killed!  Miguel  Flores,  Recuerdos,  MS.,  16-21,  gives  a  confused  account  ot 
the  fight.  Secundino  Robles,  lielacion,  MS.,  15-25,  gives  a  detailed  narra- 
tive, which  is  pure  fiction  from  beginning  to  end.  Henry  Marshall,  Statement, 
MS.,  3-4,  narrates  the  affair  briefly  but  with  tolerable  accuracy.  See  also 
Ilyan's  JudijeM  and  Criminals,  chap.  xvi. ;  Hyde's  Statement,  MS.,  9;  Cooke's 
Cniiq.,  27Q;  Dnvis'  Glimpses,  MS.,  356 ;  Tinkham's  Hist.  Stock/on,  105;  and 
the  different  county  histories. 

**  Lancey  speaks  of  an  offer  by  Sanchez  to  surrender  on  certain  conditions, 
a  reply  that  it  must  be  unconditional,  an  assurance  from  S.  that  he  would  die 
first,  etc.  It  wa3  during  the  term  of  this  truce,  I  think,  that  Forbes  took  a 
prominent  part  in  negotiations;  and  then,  if  at  all,  that  Bartlett  was  intrusted 
temporarily  to  his  care,  and  not  earlier,  as  Hall  has  it.     See  note  40. 


Jl. 


SURRENDER  OF  SANCHEZ. 


383 


r 


Captain  Maddox  arrived  with  his  company  of  50  men 
or  iiioro.  News  of  his  approach  came  through  San- 
cliez,  and  an  officer  was  sent  to  meet  him,  make  known 
the  truce,  and  prevent  an  attack  by  his  men,  who  were 
eager  for  the  fray — so  eager  that  they  had  only  taken 
ten  days  to  come  from  Monterey  1"  Two  days  later 
H  reply  came  from  the  cc»mmandant  at  San  Francisco, 
probably  to  the  effect  that  the  surrender  must  be  nom- 
inally unconditional, but  with  unofficial  assurances,  con- 
firmed by  prominent  citizens,  that  property  should  be 
no  longer  seized  without  the  proper  formalities  and 
leceipts.*^  On  the  7tli  arrived  Lieutenant  Grayson 
with  15  men  from  the  north  to  join  Maddox;*''  and 
on  the  8th  the  treaty  was  concluded,  Sanchez  givinj, 
up  his  prisoners  and  arms,  and  his  men  retiring  qui- 
etly to  their  farms.  Marston  and  his  men  returned 
to  Yerba  Buena  to  receive  congratulations  from  Cap- 
tain Mervine  for  their  valor  and  success.  The  war  in 
the  north  was  at  an  end.*" 

"Maddox  left  Monterey  Dec.  22d  or  23d.  CoKon's  Three  Years,  128;  Monf. 
Calif ornian,  Dec.  26,  1847.  I  do  not  mean  to  imply  that  M.  nnd  his  men 
wore  timid  and  did  not  come  as  fast  aa  was  necessary;  but  simply  to  expose 
tlio  absurdity  of  current  accounts  about  the  difficulty  of  restraining  the  force 
from  attacking  Sanchez. 

*'  According  to  Colton  and  the  Calijurnian,  Sanchez  and  his  companions 
protested  that  they  had  no  intention  of  fighting  against  the  U.  S.,  but  only 
desired  to  protect  themselves  from  lawless  depredations;  and  their  tenns 
were  acceded  to. 

**Boggs,  in  Napa  liegiater.  Mar.  .^0,  Apr.  20,  1872,  was  one  of  these 
men,  recruited  by  himself,  Grayson,  and  Martin  in  the  Sonoma  region.  After 
txeiting  adventures  in  crossing  the  bay  they  reached  S.  F.  after  Marston's  de- 
parture, and  even  after  the  fight  of  the  2d.  They  were  sent  down  by  water 
to  the  Sta  Clara  landing,  stole  round  the  hostile  camp,  joined  Maddox,  and 
'-'liarged  into  the  midst  of  the  Californians !  Tlien  they  learned  that  there 
was  a  truce  to  terminate  at  9  o'clock  next  morning.  At  that  hour  they 
I  harged  again  ( !),  but  were  met  by  Bartlett  with  news  of  his  release.  Maddox 
sent  him  back  with  an  order  to  surrender  in  10  minutes,  and  Sanchez  obeyed. 
K  took  from  Sanchez'  men  as  many  horses  as  were  needed,  and  then  marched 
\vi  til  Maddox  for  San  Jos(5,  and  soon  to  Monterey  via  Sta  Cruz.  B.  gives  many 
iletails,  the  value  of  which  may  be  estimated  from  the  fact  that  one  of  their 
exploits  on  this  march  was  the  arrest  of  Gen.  Castro  at  Sta  Cruz ! 

'•Jan.  12th,  Mervine  to  the  army.  'It  is  a  novel  instance  in  the  history 
I  if  Cal.  that  her  unrivalled  cavalry  were  obliged  to  surrender  and  lay  down 
their  arms  iu  consequence  of  being  so  eflectually  entrapped  as  to  deprive  them 
of  their  usual  alternative,  and  render  escape  impossible'!  Special  thanks  to 
the  volunteers  and  Capt.  Smith,  who  on  13th  replies:  'Our  watchword  is  in- 
scribed upon  our  banner,  and  we  trust  that  you  will  find  us  semper  paratus.' 
Mont.  Calif, ,  Feb.  6, 1847.  Lancey  says  that  Sanchez  was  detained  for  a  while 
on  the  Savannah. 


384 


NATIVIDAD  AND  8ANTA  CLARA. 


^^■■^n 


A  sad  event  in  northern  anmils  of  1846,  which  may 
as  well  be  recorded  here  as  elsewhere,  was  the  loss  of 
the  Warren's  launch  and  twelve  men,  including  two 
sons  of  Captain  Montgomery — William  H.,  acting 
master  of  the  Warren,  and  John  E,,  his  father's  secre- 
tary— with  Midshi[)man  Daniel  C.  Hugenin.""  The 
boat  was  despatched  late  in  November  or  early  in 
Deceniber  from  Yerba  Buena  to  New  Helvetia,  the 
officers  having  some  business  to  transact  with  Captain 
Kern,  and  perhaps  carrying  $900  with  which  to  pay 
off  the  garrison.  They  never  arrived  at  Sutter's,  and 
after  several  weeks  Robert  Ridley  was  sent  in  another 
hiunch  up  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin,  finding 
no  traces  of  boat  or  crew.  Ridley's  opinion  was  that 
they  had  been  lost  in  a  gale  shortly  after  setting  out; 
and  this  became  the  prevalent  theory  among  men  ac- 
quainted with  the  circumstances,  though  there  were 
those  who  thought  the  officers  had  been  murdered  by 
the  crew,  or  that  possibly  all  had  been  killed  by  the 
Indians.  The  question  whether  young  Montgomery 
w  as  alive  or  dead  figured  in  later  litigation  respecting 
certain  lands  in  San  Francisco.'^'  In  later  years  a 
report  became  current  in  the  newspapers  that  one  of 
the  missing  men,  apparently  Ladd,  had  been  seen  in 
New  York,  and  confessed  that  his  companions  mur- 
dered the  officers,  destroyed  the  boat,  and  fled  with 
the  money,  some  of  them  perhaps  joining  the  Indians.^-' 


''" The  sailors  of  the  crew  were:  Geo.  Rodman,  Anthony  Sylvester,  Alex. 
McDonald,  Sam.  Turner,  Sam.  Lane,  Milton  Ladd,  John  W.  Dawd,  Oilman 
Hilt(ju,  and  Lawton  Lee. 

^^Mo)U.  Cali/orniav,  Jan.  '23,  1847;  -S".  F.  Cal.  Stnr,  Jan.  23,  1847;  Davis' 
Glimpses,  MS.,  352;  Honolulu  Polynesian,  iv.  51;  and  inaccurate  mention  in 
Sherman's  Mem.,  i.  35.     See  also  Cal.  Ucpts,  1  Sawyer,  0(58-  \ 

^^  A  correspondent  of  the  S.  F  liulklin,  Jime  17,  1669,  claims  to  have  met 
an  early  Californian  who  met  one  )f  the  party  in  New  York  and  heard  his 
story.     A  'Pioneer,' in  Id.,  Juu  -   'id,  says  that  in  1857  or  1858  he  met  a 

" 'nted  out  a  man  as  one  of  the  murderers, 

%  companion  worked  at  various  ranchos, 
Told  discovery  at  Hangtown.  This  story 
'iVheeler,  ios.<  o/' </ie  '  JFarren,' MS.,  a 
boy  "on  the  ira/vf?i"in  1840,  and  w<  acquainted  with  Ladd  and  Turner,  is 
strong  in  the  belief  that  the  officers  ^^  cc  murdered.  He  cites  some  mysterious 
acts  and  words  of  his  chum  Turner  parting;  and  he  thinks  in  case  of  wreck 
some  part  of  the  boat  or  the  water-task  would  surely  have  come  to  light. 


miner — still  living  in  18GS) — who 
and  gave  details  of  his  having  wi\ 
one  of  the  two  being  hanged  after  th 
is  repeated  in  other  papers.     Wm  ' 


tioh  limy 

0  loss  of 
liii*^  two 
.,  acting 
r's  secre- 
!.»'  The 
early  in 
'etia,  the 

Captain 
h  to  i)ay 
ter's,  and 

1  another 


1,  finding 
was  that 
;ting  out; 
f  men  ac- 
lere  were 
idered  by 
d  by  the 
itgomery 
especting 
years  a 
at  one  ot" 
In  seen  in 
ions  nmr- 
ied  with 
Indians."' 


ireater,  Alex. 
Iwd,  Gilman 

|l847;  Davis' 
Ic  mention  in 

I  to  have  met 

Id  heard  his 

58  lie  nict  a 

J  murdereis, 

Idus  rauchos, 

Thi8  story 

rcn,' MS.,  a 

|l  Turner,  is 

f  mysterious 

kse  of  wreck 

►  light. 


CHAPTKK  XV. 

THE  CONQUEST  COMl'LirfED  HY  STOCKTOX  AND  FREMONT. 

.rASl'.^KY,     l>S47. 

Stockton's  Aiimv — The  Auvanck  fuom  San  JJkiinakih)  ki  Los  Covote.s — 
PlloPOSITIONS  niOM  FloKES — A  l'KOl'l,A.MAT""N— Sami-stoum  —  Fous- 
TEU'fi  SEIIVICES— CllAMiK  OE  IiOI'TE  To  AVOIH  .\MnrsiI  -I'RBl'AKATIONS 
nK  TItK  CaLIFOHNIA.VS — FllOM  La  .IaBONEKIA  Til  I' A. SO  1«K  lUllTOI.O— Til  K 

Baitlk  of  the  Sa\  (' .nuiEL — Stockton's  IIepdkt— Defeat  of  tiii, 

CAI.lF()HNIAN.S~Fl(iHT  OF  THE  Mk.SA — KnTKY    INTO   LoS  ANtlELKS-   FllE- 
MONT's  MAIiCIl  FROM  SaNTA  BaRBAUA  To  SaN  FekNANUo—ThE  t'AI.IKOU- 

xiANS  AT  Los  Veku(;go.s — Effokts  of  .Fesits  Tico — Flokeh  Tran.sfki:s 

CCMMAND   TO    ANURilS   PlCO — ARMISTICE— TuKATY    OF   CaIHENIIA — TllE 

War  at  an  End — Fremont  at  Anc.eles — Flu;iit  of  Flokes  and  Ma- 
ntel Castro  to  Sonora. 

We  left  Stockton  and  his  army  of  about  GOO  nun 
t'licamped  at  San  Bernardo  on  l)eceinber  31,  184(». 
They  had  left  San  Diego  two  days  before  for  an  ad- 
vance on  Los  Angeles.  The  composition  of  the  force 
is  given  in  the  appended  note.*     Only  Gillespie's  vol- 

'  Commodore  Robert  F.  Stockton,  U.  S.  N.,  commander-in-chief.  Gen. 
Stephen  W.  Kearny,  in  command  of  the  division.  Lieut  Stephen  C.  Rowan,  U. 
S.  N.,  of  Cijaiie,  major.  Uapt.  Wm  H.  Emory,  U.  S.  top.  engineers,  acting  lul- 
jutant  general.  Lieut  Geo.  Minor,  U.  S.  N. ,  of  Savannuli,  quartermaster,  as- 
sisted liy  Daniel  Fislicr,  "urser  Win  Speiden,  of  Coiiijrentt,  commissary,  as- 
sJHti'd  l)y  John  Bidwell  (capt.  of  volunteers).  John  Soutliwick,  carpenter  of 
Conijrms,  chief  engineer  in  com.  of  sMi)pcr3  and  miners.  Doctors  John  S. 
•  iiillin,  U.  S.  A.,  Andrew  A.  Henderson,  of  /'orlsinouth,&nd  Chaa  Eversfielii, 
i.<i  < 'oin/rexs,  surgeons.  Capt.  Miguel  I'ediorena,  of  Cal.  battalion,  and  Litut 
AiKh'cw  F.  V.  Gray,  U.  S.  N.,  aides-do-cainp  of  commander-in-cliief. 

1st  division,  or  battalion,  eommanded  V)y  Capt.  J.  Zielin :  Zieliu's  marines, 
Co.  C,  musketeers  of  Portsmouth,  Caj  i,.  Beiij.  F.  B.  Hunter,  acting  lieut  L'. 
S.  N. ;  Lieut  Ed.  C.  Grafton,  midsliipman  U.  S.  N.  Co.  F,  carbineers,  Ciii)t. 
■  lames  M.  Duncan,  passed  mid.;  Lieut  Joseph  I'arrisli,  miil.  Co.  E,  ciii 
l'inet.i-3  of  Ci/aiie,  Capt.  J.  Feuwiok  Stcnson,  passed  mid.;  Lieut  Edmund 
Shepherd,  mid.  Co.  G,  carbiueerR  of  Coiujresx,  Capt.  John  Reed  (Peet  or 
Peco),  sailmaker. 

2d  battiilion,  coninianded  by  Capt.  Henry  S.  Turner:  Companies  C  and 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    25  (  aSo  ) 


I 


386 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


'■)  "•  m 


ri  i 


unteer  riflemen  were  mounted;  and  the  luggage  was 
carried  in  tea  ox-carts.  Horses  and  oxen  in  small 
numbers,  as  well  as  small  food  supplies,  were  obtained 
at  several  points  along  the  route.  Says  Stockton: 
"Our  men  were  badly  clothed,  and  their  shoes  gen- 
erally made  by  themselves  out  of  canvas.  It  was 
very  cold  and  the  roads  heavy.  Our  animals  were 
all  poor  and  weak,  some  of  them  giving  out  daily, 
which  gave  much  hard  work  to  the  men  in  dragging 
the  heavy  carts,  loaded  with  ammunition  and  provi- 
sions, through  deep  sands  and  up  steep  ascents,  and 
the  prospect  before  us  was  far  from  being  that  which 
we  miijht  have  desired;  but  nothini;'  could  break 
down  the  fine  spirits  of  those  under  my  command, 
or  cool  their  readiness  and  ardor  to  perform  their 
duty;  and  they  went  through  the  whole  march  of 
one  hundred  .  )d  forty-Hve  miles  witli  alacrity  and 
cheerfulness."'^  Leaving  San  Bernardo  the  1st  of 
January,  1847,  they  encamped  successively  at  Buena- 
vista,  San  Luis  Rey,  and  Las  Flores,  in  their  unevent- 
ful progress.^     Reports  came  in  that  Fremont  was 

K,  U.  S.  1st  dragoons,  united  and  disnioiinted,  o't  men;  Lieut  John  W.  Da- 
vidson. Co.  D,  musketeers  of  Cyane,  Capt.  Edward  Higgins,  acting  lieut 
U.  S.  N. ;  Lieut  John  Van  Ness  Philip  and  Albert  Allmand,  acting  lieuten 
ants,  also  Wm  Simmons,  commodore's  clerk.  Artillery  co.  of  sailors,  (i 
jjiins,  45  men.  Capt.  llichard  L.  Tilghman,  lieut  U.  S.  N. ;  Lieut  Wm  H. 
Thompson,  passed  mid. 

.Sd  battjilion,  commanded  by  Capt.  Wm  B.  Renshaw,  lieut  U.  S.  N.:  Co. 
J5,  musketeers  of  Savannah,  Capt.  Renshaw;  Lient  Geo.  E.  Morgan;  Pliiliji 
II.  Haywood  and  Robert  C.  Duvall,  mid.  Co.  A,  musketeers  of  Conqn-:.^. 
(';ipt.  John  Guest,  passed  mid.;  Lieut  Theodore  Lee  and  Kenj.  F.  Wells 
mid.     There  were  379  sailors  and  marines  in  all  the  divisions. 

4th  battalion:  squadron  of  mounted  volunteers,  including  .W  Californians, 
acting  as  guards  or  skinnishcrs  on  front,  rear,  and  Hanks;  under  command  ot 
Capt.  Arch.  H.  Gillespie,  also  captains  Samuel  Gibson,  Sam.  B.  Hensley. 
and  Santiago  E.  ArgUello;  lieutenants  Luis  Argiiello,  Hiram  Rheusaw,  and 

.     84  men,  besides  3  cmploy(!3  of  the  topographical  engineers.     The  total 

fi>rce  was  GO?  nun,  of  whom  44  were  oflicers. 

The  authorities  for  this  list  are  Stockton's  official  report  in  Sfih-k/on'/t  Mil. 
and  Xar.  O/i.,  31  et  seq.;  Emory's  NotcK,  115;  and  a  MS.  list  by  Brackett,  in 
Mined,  lli-t.  Pap.,  31.  The  company  lettering  is  from  Brackett;  according 
to  Stockton's  accountof  laterevents,  companies  E,  F,  audG  were  respectively 
Co.  A,  carbineers  of  the  Cyane,  Co.  C,  curb.,  and  Co.  A,  carb.  of  the  Con- 
ijrcss.     Lieut  H.  B.  Watson  is  also  named. 

'Report  of  Feb.  5th,  in  Sto<:kton\f  Nil.  and  Kav.  Op.,  31. 

*Oriffin^s  Diary,  MS.,  44  etseq.,  and  Emory'' s  Xotes,  116  et  seq.,  are  the 
best  original  authorities  for  t'..c  march,  the  former  being  much  the  more  com- 
plete.    .Jan.  1st,  J.  A.  Pico  sent  word  that  he  had  horses  for  the  army,  but 


I''.  SSf."  . 


thp:  march  ox  los  angeles. 


387 


approaching  Los  Angeles  from  the  north,  and  that 
the  Californians  had  gone  to  meet  him  GOO  strong 
under  Andrds  Pico.  Soon  after  they  left  Las  Flores 
on  the  4th,  three  men  appeared — William  Workman, 
Charles  Fliigge,  and  Domingo  Olivas — under  a  flag 
of  truce,  bringing  a  letter  from  Flores,  dated  on  the 
1st.  In  this  communication  the  general  suggested, 
rather  than  asked  for,  a  truce  to  await  confirmation 
of  a  current  report  that  peace  had  been  made  between 
Mexico  and  the  United  States,  and  thus  avoid  a  use- 
less spilling  of  l>lood.*  But  Stockton  peremptorily  re- 
fused to  enter  into  negotiations  with  Flores,  declaring 
him  to  be  a  man  without  honor,  who  had  broken  his 
parole,  and  would  be  shot  as  a  rebel  if  caught."  The 
envoys  made  a  plea  in  behalf  of  the  people;  but  the 
commodore  would  listen  to  nothing  but  propositions 
of  unconditional  surrender.  Workman,  however,  ac- 
companied the  army  to  San  Juan  Capistrano,  where 
on  the  5th  he  induced  Stockton  to  issue  a  proclama- 
tion offering  a  general  amnesty  to  all  Californians  ex- 
cept Flores,  on  condition  that  he  should  be  given  up 
as  a  prisoner."     It  was  noted  that  at  the  pass  be- 

\vas  distrusted.  Jan.  2d,  at  S.  Luia  some  sailors  broko  into  the  church  and 
t'oiiiiiiitted  petty  thefts.  Forster  came  in  with  reports.  Hensley  went  to 
Pico's  rancho  of  Sta  Margarita  and  hrougiit  in  some  horses  and  45  oxen  next 
day. 

^Jan.  1st,  Flores  to  Stock<\»n,  in  Stockton'n  Mil.  and  Nav.  Op.,  19-20, 
evidently  a  not  very  accurate  translation.  F.  says  he  had  been  urged  by  for- 
eign residents  to  communicate  with  S.  tin  ough  tliem  as  mediators  for  an  hon- 
orable adjustment,  but  has  not  felt  at  liberty  to  do  so  until  now,  wiien  such 
action  is  required  by  the  iiimors  of  peace.  He  denounces  S.  for  the  unjust 
war  ho  is  waging,  and  exj)resses  f'e  determination  of  himself  and  men  to 
defend  their  country  to  the  last  u  8.  declines  tlie  truce.  In  'Jlnra,  Doc, 
MS.,  71-3,  is  a  blotter  of  a  somewhat  similar  letter,  written  by  Flores  on 
Dec.  ;Mst;  but  he  must  have  made  great  changeH  in  it  if  the  translation  may 
be  trusted  at  all.  In  this  copy  F.  expresses  his  ji>y  on  the  news  of  prolmble 
peace,  and  his  surprise  that  S.  should  have  started  from  S.  Diego  under  such 
circumstances;  and  he  writes  bimply  to  save  his  responsibility  in  case  blood 
.'iliall  be  siied  after  a  treaty  has  bijen  made.  Ntithing  is  said  of  the  unjust 
wai  or  resolution  to  resist,  etc.  Forster,  Pioneer  Data,  MS.,  45  ct  seq.,  is 
tiie  only  one  Mho  names  Olivas;  and  he  also  notes  the  fact  that  each  of  the 
three  ainbassadora  linally  met  a  tragic  death. 

■'Grittin,  Forster,  and  others  represent  Stockton  as  having  shown  much 
.Miijer.  especially  at  the  idea  of  Flores'  claiming  to  be  governor  of  Cal. 

"Spanish  translation  in  Olvera,  Doc.,  MS.,  75.  Stockton  says  nothing  of 
tills  document,  but  it  is  mentioned  by  Gritfin,  who  feared  a  pretended  accept- 
ance by  the  people. 


It 


388 


THE  COXQUKST  COMPLETED. 


1 


'HI 


tween  Las  Flores  and  San  Juan  a  small  tbrcc  of  the 
enemy  might  easily  have  defeated  the  army, 

Stockton's  camp  of  the  5th  was  at  Los  Alisos;  next 
day  he  marched  to  Santa  Ana;  and  on  the  7th  to  Los 
Coyotes.  John  Forster  accompanied  the  arnjy  and 
rendered  valuable  aid  in  obtaining  supplies  and  infor- 
mation, A  violent  wind,  raising  clouds  of  dust,  con- 
tinued through  the  night  and  morning  of  the  6th-7th, 
of  which,  as  Emory  says,  the  enemy  should  have  taken 
advantage  for  an  attack.  Conflicting  rumors  had 
been  received  about  Flores'  movements,  the  general 
impression  being  that  his  first  meeting  would  be  with 
Frdmont  rather  than  Stockton;  but  in  the  region  of 
Los  Coyotes  reliable  information  was  obtained  tluit 
the  Californians  would  make  a  stand  at  the  San 
Gabriel  River;  and  indeed,  the  enemy's  scouts  wen; 
seen,  making  some  hostile  demonstrations.'^  Next 
morning,  the  8th  of  January,  anniversary  of  the  battle 
of  New  Orleans,  as  the  soldiers  did  not  need  to  b<; 
reminded,  the  advance  was  resumed.  Though  the 
official  reports  make  no  allusion  to  any  change  of  plan 
or  route,  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  original  intention 
was  to  proceed  by  the  most  direct  way,  crossing  the 
San  Gabriel  at  the  lower  ford,  but  was  changed  in 
consequence  of  informatitm  received  through  Forster 
that  the  Californians  occupied  a  most  advantageous 
position  on  the  lower  route.*     At  any  rate,  Stockttm 

^GriflBn,  Diary,  MS.,  52,  says  they  even  cajjtured  two  vaqucroa,  and  also 
Forster,  whom  they  released,  fi)r  he  soon  came  back  to  camp. 

•Forster,  P'ciieer  Data,  MS..  49  et  seq.,  as  in  conversation,  state-s  pusi 
tively  that  such  waa  the  case.  He  learned  tliat  Flores,  thougli  supposed  l>y 
the  Americana  and  non-combatant  Californians  to  be  at  S.  i'emantlo  awaiting 
Fremont,  had  really  passed  Angeles  in  the  night  and  had  posted  his  men  in 
ambush  in  the  willows  and  mustard  at  a  i>oint  near  the  modern  Gallatin,  w-lioi  r 
Stock ton's  men  could  be  attacked  at  a  fearful  disadvantage.  This  is  continued, 
as  we  shall  see,  by  Coronel  ami  other  Californians.  In  his  narrative,  Forstei- 
says  he  got  the  information  from  an  Indian.  He  also  mentions  interviews 
with  Ramon  Carrillo,  who  was  willinj^  to  abandon  the  cause  of  Flores,  but 
feared  punishment  for  breaking  his  parole  and  for  his  sr.pposcd  part  in  the 
killing  of  the  Bear  Flag  men  at  Sonoma.  Forster  promised  to  ijiteroede  with 
Stockton,  from  whom  he  got  a  written  guaranty,  but  could  not  lind  Carrillo 
again.  He  claims  that  Carrillo  knew  nothing  of  Flores'  real  movements— not 
a  very  plausible  claim.  Dr  Griilin  also  noted  in  his  diary  Carrillo's  reported 
presence  and  desire  for  pardon.     In  ISTt  Forster  stated  that  having  fallen 


FLORES'  PREPARATIONS. 


889 


'cc  of  the 

isos;  next 
th  to  Los 
arujy  and 
and  infor- 
dust,  con- 
3  6th-7tli, 
lave  taken 
mors  had 
le  general 
Id  be  with 
3  region  ot 
ained  that 
b  the  Sau 
couts  wori; 
is/     No\t 
'the  hat  tic 
leed  to  he 
lough   the 
ige  of  i)laii 
intention 
|oR.sing  the 
hanged  in 
;h  Forstc'i' 
antaget  )us 
Stockton 

kicros,  and  hImo 

In,  states  posi 
111  supposed  liy 
\amlo  awaiting 
[ed  his  men  in 
K;dlatin,wliciv 
18  iscoiilirmed, 
Wive,  Forster 
tns  interviews 
lof  Floros,  Imt 
led  jiart  in  tlio 
Intercede  witli 
It  lind  Carrillo 
pvcments— not 
jillo's  reported 
[having  fallen 


soon  swerved  to  the  right  after  leaving  Los  Coyotes, 
and  directed  his  course  toward  the  upper  ford,  the 
Paso  de  Bartolo.  He  approached  the  river  between 
2  and  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  found  the  enemy 
in  possession  of  the  opposite,  or  north-western,  hank, 
the  Californian  scouts  having  been  seen  before  in  the 
distance. 

What  has  been  said  of  Flores'  operations  during 
the  last  half  of  December,^  may  be  literally  applied 
to  the  first  week  in  January.  There  exists  no  docu- 
nitntary  record  of  what  was  being  done  by  the 
(7alifornians  in  these  days,  but  there  is  nothing  of 
mystery  connected  with  the  subject.  Dissensions 
continued  between  the  leaders,  Flores  being  less  to 
blame  than  the  others  for  this  state  of  things,  but 
still  much  discouraged.  His  original  intention  had 
been  to  so  harass  the  foe  by  a  guerrilla  warfare  as  to 
liiiiit  the  American  occupation  to  a  few  points  initil 
either  aid  or  news  of  a  treaty  should  come  from  ^lex- 
ico.  With  the  hearty  cooperation  of  all,  even  with 
his  limited  resources,  he  might  have  accomplished 
much  in  this  direction.  But  there  was  no  longer  any 
popular  enthusiasm  whatever.  Such  patriotic  zeal 
as  liad  at  first  existed,  and  had  been  fanned  into  tiame 
by  early* successes,  had  now  disappeared  in  conse- 
quence of  official  disputes  and  mismanagement,  calm 
Inflection,  and  the  personal  liardships  resulting  from 
war.  There  was  left  no  hope  of  success.  The  only 
ivmaining  stimulants  to  action  were  a  degree  of  stub- 
iiorn  national  pride,  and  a  i'ear  of  j^unishment  for  ])ast 
"ffences,  fomented  by  the  officers  who  had  l)roken 
tiieir  paroles.     The  Californiaiis  were  not  in  earnest, 

into  the  stream  he  went  back  to  a  house  to  dry  hia  clothintr.  Here  lie  mot  a 
party  of  C'alifornians,  anion^  whom  was  a  friend  anxious  to  .secure  Stockton's 
|irotection,  but  fearful  because  of  his  Sonoma  record:  and  from  him,  for  a 
promise  of  protection,  the  information  was  received.  Thus  it  appears  elrar 
<  nough  that  Carrillo  was  the  informant,  though  Forster  thougiit  it  desiralde, 
"11  second  tiioughts,  to  conceal  the  fact.  The  < 'alifornians,  however,  generally 
attributed  tlio  revelation  of  the  plnn  to  Ixirenzo  Soto. 
'See  ]).  :t."i."i  of  this  volume. 


390 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


and  they  accomplished  nothing.  Their  scouts  retiicd 
before  the  advance  of  Stockton  and  Frduiont,  not 
even  driving  off  the  cattle  and  horses  along  the  route. 
The  letter  of  January  1st  was  sent  by  Flores  merely 
in  the  hope  of  gaining  time.  What  reasons  if  any  he 
had  for  expecting  news  of  a  treaty  I  do  not  know; 
but  Stocktoii's  verbal  reply. was  not  encouraging,  and 
still  less  so  his  later  written  ofibr  of  armistice  to  the 
people  if  they  would  give  up  their  general.  As  the 
enemy  approached  from  south  and  north  the  situation 
became  more  critical,  and  no  new  resources  were  de- 
veloped. It  was  thought  that  Fremont  would  arrive 
first,  or  at  least  that  the  first  conflict  should  be  with 
his  forces,  and  the  Californian  army  was  accordingly 
stationed  for  several  days  at  San  Fernando;  but 
Stockton's  advance  was  perhaps  more  rapid  than  had 
been  expected;  and  at  the  last  the  plans  were  changetl. 
On  the  6th  or  7th  the  army  was  moved  rapidly  and 
secretly,  without  entering  the  town,  to  the  vicinity 
of  the  San  Gabriel  River,  and  posted  at  La  Jabon- 
eria  in  the  willows  and  mustard  at  a  spot  command- 
ing the  route  by  which  Stockton  was  expected  to 
pass.  But  early  on  the  8th  the  scouts  brought  news 
that  the  plnn  had  been  revealed  and  the  Americans 
were  marching  for  the  upper  ford.  The  disappoint- 
ment was  great  at  losing  an  expected  advantage ;  but 
Flores  at  once  set  out  up  the  river,  and  reached  the 
Paso  de  Bartolo  shortly  before  the  Americans  made 
their  appearance.^*' 

^"Coronet,  Cosaa  de  C'til,,  MS.,  120,  etc.  Amh'ds  Pico  seems  to  have  been 
in  commaiul  at  Iri.  Feniaudo,  while  Flores  and  Carrillo  remained  in  the  south. 
ordering  Pico  to  join  them  after  Stockton  had  reached  Sta  Ana.  Pico's 
route  was  liy  Los  Venlugos  and  Arroyo  Seco.  The  lower  ford  is  c.iUcd 
Los  Nietos.  Tliis  writer  names  the  Sonoran.  Lorenzo  Soto,  as  the  man  who 
revealed  t)ie  anibusli.  Most  of  the  Sta  Barbara  company  deserted  in  the 
night  of  the  7tli.  Larkhi's  journal,  in  Mont,  t 'ulijornian ,  Fol).  27,  1847,  men- 
tions the  encampment  for  2  or  3  days  at  S.  Fernando.  Kioo,  Mem.,  MS.,  48 
et  seq.,  mentions  the  ambusii  and  change  of  route,  but  tiiinks  the  warning 
was  given  by  one  Dominguez.  Eacli  narrator  is  inclined  to  attribute  this  act  to 
some  personal  enemy  but  I  have  already  noted  tlie  probability  that  Kamon 
Carrillo  was  the  man.  Manuel  Castro,  Hervicios,  MS.,  in  presenting  the 
troubles  of  tlie  Colifornians,  throws  tlic  blame  chiefly  on  Flores,  as  cowardly 
and  incoinijetent,  inspiring  no  faith,  keeping  liis  place  by  intrigue,  and  tlnis 


THE  CALIFORNIAN  ARMY. 


30) 


ts  retired 

iumt,  not 

the  route. 

Bs  merely 

if  any  ho 

ot  know; 

ging,  and 

ice  to  the 

As  the 

situation 

were  de- 

idd  arrive 

1  be  with 

'cordinoly 

mdo;    but 

than  had 

i  changed. 

ipidly  ai)d 

e  vicinity 

La  Jabou- 

jounnaiid- 

peeted   t<  < 

ight  news 

LUiericaiis 

isappoint- 

age;  but 
ched  the 

ns  made 


I  to  have  been 

lin  the  south. 

lAna.     Pico's 

Vd   is   ealleil 

Ithe  man  who 

lerted  in  the 

J,  1847,  men- 

tem.,  MS.,  48 

Itho  waminj,' 

Ite  tills  act  to 

]  that  Ramon 

ssenting  the 

laa  cowardly 

Lie,  and  thus 


Flores  posted  liis  men,  nearly  500  in  number,  on  a 
\t\uff,  or  bank,  forty  or  fifty  feet  high,  skirting  the 
river  bottom  at  a  distance  of  from  400  to  600  yards 
from  the  water.  The  two  cannon,  nine-pounders  ap- 
parently, were  placed  opposite  to  and  commanding 
the  ford.  Two  squadrons  of  horsemen  under  Andres 
Pico  and  Manuel  Garfias  were  stationed  on  the  right 
a  few  hundred  yards  southward,  and  another  s<juad- 
ron  under  Jo.s^  Antonio  Carrillo  on  the  left  at  a 
i;reater  distance  up  the  stream.  A  party  of  skir- 
mishers seems  to  have  been  sent  across  the  liver,  and 
to  have  retired  as  the  Americans  advanced.  Stock- 
tun's  order  of  march  was  as  follows:  Centre,  Turner's 
•Jd  division,  with  Hensley's  riflemen  as  advance 
iiuard,  and  two  guns  on  each  flank;  right,  1st  division 
under  Zielin;  left,  3d  division  under  Renshaw;  rear, 
4tli  division  under  Gillespie,  with  two  guns  under 
Thompson,  and  guard  of  49  men  under  Haywood, 
tlie  cattle  and  wagons  being  in  the  centre,  in  what 
the  sailors  termed  a  *  Yankee  corral.'  The  army 
lialted  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  river  to 
make  final  preparations,  and  then  moved  forward 
again  to  attack  the  Californians.  I  ap[)end  in  a  note 
Stockton's  official  report  of  the  engagement  that  ft>l- 
lowed,  interspersed  with  items  from  (»ther  sources." 

robbing  real  patriots  of  their  due  glorj!  Osio,  Jfi<<(.  Cnl.,  MS.,  487  et  sefj., 
tells  US  the  Californians  had  no  advantages  but  their  courage.  To  the  am- 
bush he  adds  Flores'  plan  to  fire  the  mustard  on  the  enemy's  approach,  and 
charge  under  cover  of  the  smoke!  He  does  not  name  the  'spurious  Califor- 
iiian  who  betrayed  his  country.  Botello,  AiiuIih  del  Sur,  MS.,  156,  etc., 
gives  a  good  account  of  the  preparations,  agreeing  for  the  most  part  with 
that  of  Coronel.  He  says  Riimoii  CarriUo  commanded  a  party  of  scouts  in 
the  south,  and  Jos6  Carrillo  (son  of  Don  Ciirlos)  a  similar  party  in  the  nort!>. 
to  watch  Frt'^mont,  while  the  rest  of  the  force  was  concentrated  at  S.  Fer- 
nando. It  was  on  the  7th  that  the  army  countermarched  secretly  to  l^^ 
Jalioneria.  But  Stockton  tunied  off  at  Los  Nii'tos  and  spoiled  the  plan. 
I'alomares,  Mem.,  MS.,  76  et  soq.,  gives  sonu!  particulars  of  the  retreat  of 
tlie  scouts  before  Stockton's  advance,  as  well  as  of  Flores'  geneial  mo\<-- 
nients.  Avila,  A'bto*,  M.S.,  .32et8eq.,  calls  the  upper  ford  Corn nga,  imply- 
ing that  it  was  distinct  from  Bfirtolo.  In  Loi  Anijeles  Hist.,  2.3,  it  is  called 
<  umnga,  or  Pico  Crossing. 

"Report  of  Feb.  5,  1847,  to  Sec.  Bancroft,  in  Stockton's  Mil.  ami  Xav. 
O/m:,  32  et  seq.  Stockton  also  briefly  describes  the  battle  in  hia  report.s  of 
Jan.  11th.  /(/.,  17-H»,  and  Feb.  \Hth, 'slorUoii's  Jte/mrt,  47-8;  but  gives  no 
additional  information.  There  are  mentions  also  in  sever  d  other  otlicial  re- 
ports of  different  officers,  but  no  details.     These  documents  have  been  ofU'n 


:il  III 


392 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


"If 


From  the  testimony  thus  cited,  the  official  report 
somewhat  ridiculously  magnifying  the  battle  of  San 
Gabriel  for  effect  at  Washington,  it  appears  that 
Stockton's  force  forded  the  river  un  ^era  constant  fire 

reprinted  wholly  or  in  part,  especially  by  Cutts,  Bryant,  Stocktori'a  Life,  Lan- 
cey,  etc.  A  brief  but  clear  account  is  given  in  Emory' 8  Notes,  119-20.  See 
also  Californian  narratives  as  cited  in  note  10. 

'A  detachment  of  marines,  under  Lieut  Watson,  was  sent  to  strengthen 
the  left  flank.  A  jMirty  of  the  enemy,  150  strong,  had  now  crossed  the  rivei- 
and  made  several  ineffectual  efibrts  to  drive  a  band  of  wild  mares  upon  the 
advance  party. '  There  is  no  other  authority  for  this  attempt,  though  Castro, 
Servicios,  MS.,  and  others  speak  vaguely  of  having  captured  some  horses  and 
saddles  at  some  time  during  the  fight;  and  Grifhn  says  21  horses  were  lost, 
lijiving  been  tied  by  the  volunteers  before  the  fight,  and  forgotten  until  it  was 
too  late.  '  We  now  moved  forward  to  the  ford  in  broken  files;  Capt.  Hensley'a 
command  was  ordered  to  dismount,  and,  acting  as  skirmishers,  it  deployed  to 
tlio  front  and  crossed  the  stream,  which  is  alwut  50  yards  in  width'  (Emory 
Siiys:  '  The  river  was  about  100  yards  wide,  knee-deep,  and  flowing  over 
(quicksand.  Either  side  was  fringed  with  a  thick  undergrowth.  The  aji- 
proach  t)n  our  side  was  level;  that  on  the  enemy's  was  favorable  to  him '). 
'  driving  before  him  a  party  of  the  enemy  M-liich  had  attempted  to  annoy  us.' 
(iarcia,  Herhos,  MS.,  102-3,  is  the  only  Californian  who  says  anything  of  this 
party,  which  he  says  was  of  200  men  under  Joaquin  and  Gabriel  de  la  Torre. 
I'^mory  says  that  on  approaching  the  thicket  they  received  the  scattering  fire 
of  the  enemy's  sharpsliooters.  '  The  enemy  had  now  taken  their  position 
upon  the  heights,  distant  COO  yards  from  the  river  and  50  feet  above  its  level; 
their  centre  or  main  body,  about  200  strong,  was  stationed  immediately  in 
fiont  of  the  fori^  upon  which  they  opened  a  Are  from  two  pieces  of  artillery, 
throwing  round  and  grape  shot  without  effect.'  (Emory  says:  'As  the  lino 
— of  skirmishers — was  about  the  middle  of  the  river,  the  enemy  opened  liia 
battery,  and  made  the  water  fly  with  grape  and  round  sliot.')  'Their  right 
and  left  wings  wore  separated  from  the  main  body  about  300  yards. '  The 
Californians  say  that  Carrillo's  division  was  1,000  or  1,500  yards  away;  and 
.several  add  that  he  was  stationed  there  on  pretext  of  giiarding  a  pass  to  the 
hills,  hut  really  because  Florcs  distrusted  him.  'Our  column  halted  upon  the 
edge  of  the  stream;  at  this  time  the  guns  were  unlimbcred  to  retn'ii  the 
enemy's  lire,  but  were  ordered  again  to  be  limbered  and  not  a  gun  to  \>o  fired 
until  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river  was  gained.'  It  is  stated  in  Stoi'l:toii'g 
Life,  144  et  seq.,  and  confirmed  by  other  witnesses,  that  Kearny  ordered  tlie 
guns  unlimbered  before  crossing,  as  was  doubtless  tiie  most  prudent  course, 
but  Stockton  countermanded  tlie  order.  Half-way  across,  K.  sent  a  message 
tliat  it  wouUl  be  impossible  to  cross,  as  there  was  a  quicksand;  but  S.  dis- 
mounted, seized  the  ropes,  and  declared,  'Quicksand  or  no  quicksaud,  the 
guns  shall  pass  ovei'.'  The  phrase  as  heard  by  Korster,  who  was  present,  was 
'  Quicksands  be  damned,'  etc.  See  also  JUdwelVfi  Cal.,  MS.,  '207  ct  seq.  He 
says  Kearny  showed  mueli  sup])res3ed  anger  at  this  and  before  at  Stockton's 
roply  to  Florea'  letter;  ))ut  1  fancy  this  is  an  exaggeration.  'The  two  0- 
pounders,  dragged  by  officers  as  well  as  men  and  mules,  soon  reached  the 
opposite  bank,  when  they  were  immediately  placed  in  battery.  The  column 
now  followed  in  order  under  a  m<)st  galling  fire  from  the  enemy,  and  became 
warmly  engaged  on  the  opposite  bank,  their  round  sliot  an(l  grape  falling 
thickly  amongst  us  as  we  approached  tlie  stream,  without  doing  any  injury, 
our  men  marciiing  steadily  forward.  The  dragoons  and  (Ujnne's  musketeers, 
occupying  the  centre,  soon  crossed  and  formed  upon  a  bank  about  4  feet  above 
the  stream.  Tho  left,  advancing  at  the  same  time,  soon  occupied  its  position 
across  the  river.  The  I'ear  was  longer  in  getting  across  the  water;  the  sand 
being  deep,  its  passage  was  delayed  by  the  baggage  carts;  however,  in  a  few 


iAl 


BATTLK  OF  THE  SAX  GABUIKL. 


393 


troiu  the  enemy's  guns,  which  under  ordinary  eircuni- 
stunces  would  have  caused  iiieat  loss  of  life,  but  had 
practically  no  eft'uct  because  of  the  bad  j)owder  used, 
planted  his  artillery  on  the  right  bank,  and  soon  si- 
moments  the  passage  of  the  whole  force  was  effected,  witli  only  one  man 
killed  and  one  wounded,  notwithstanding  the  enemy  kept  up  an  incessant 
tire  from  the  heights.'  (Emory  sayn:  'On  the  right  bank  of  the  river  there 
Wiis  a  natural  banquette,  breast-high.  I'niler  tliis  tlio  line  was  deployed. 
To  this  accident  of  the  ground  is  to  be  attributed  the  little  loss  we  sustained 
from  the  cnemy'.s  artillery,  which  showered  grape  antl  round  shot  over  our 
heads.')  Neitlier  gives  the  chief  reason  for  the  slight  loss  of  life,  which  was 
tlie  worthlessnoss  of  the  powder  made  at  San  (jabriel.  Emory's  further 
statement,  'Wiiilst  this  was  going  on.  our  rear  was  attacked  by  a  very  bold 
cliarge,  and  repulsed,'  is  unintelligible,  to  say  nothing  of  the  '  bull.' 

'  On  taking  a  position  upon  the  low  bank,  the  right  flank,  under  Capt. 
Zieliti,  was  ordered  to  deploy  to  the  right;  two  guns  from  the  rear  were  im- 
mediately brought  to  the  right;  the  +-poundcr  under  Thompson,  supported 
by  the  ridemen  under  Renshaw.  The  left  Hank  deployed  into  line  in  open  or- 
der. During  tiiis  time  our  artillery  began  to  tell  upon  the  enemy,  who  con- 
tinued their  lire  without  interruption.  The  O-poundcrs  standing  in  plain  view 
upon  the  bank  were  discharged  with  such  ])recision' — most  witnesses  state,  as 
was  doubtless  true,  that  Stockton  himself  aimed  one  of  the  guns — '  that  it 
soon  became  too  warm  for  the  enemy  to  remain  upon  tho  brow  of  their  heights; 
eventually  a  shot  told  upon  their  9-pounder,  knocked  the  gun  from  its  trail, 
astounding  the  enemy  so  much  that  they  left  it  for  four  or  five  minutes.  Some 
20  of  them  now  advanced,  and  hastily  fast«?ning  ropes  to  it,  dragged  the  gun 
to  the  rear.'  Coronel  says  that  the  brow  of  the  hill  protected  the  Californi- 
ans,  but  at  the  same  time  prevented  their  own  guns  being  fired  eflfcctively  ex- 
cept as  they  were  advanced  to  the  brow,  discharged,  and  dragged  back;  and 
soon  both  were  dismounted  by  the  Americans'  fire.  Rico  claims  that  the  guns 
were  at  first  of  no  service;  but  that  after  they  were  put  by  Flores  in  his 
charge  they  were  dragged  forward  by  reatas  and  fired  with  much  effect.  Osio 
s.Tys  Flores'  best  gun  was  dismounted  at  the  first  shot.  Forstcr  says  the  sec- 
ond shot,  aimed  by  Stockton,  destroyed  one  of  the  wheels  of  the  enemy's 
gnn,  but  still  they  continued  to  fire  it  7  or  S  times,  tiie  balls  only  reaching 
li;ilf-way.  Both  Coronel  and  Botello  represent  tiie  artillery  conflict  as  much 
less  hot  than  does  Stockton.  Emory  says  tiiat  it  required  one  hour  and  20 
minutes  to  cross  the  river  and  silence  tho  enemy's  guns. 

'Capt.  Hensley's  skirmishers  now  advanced  and  took  the  hill  upon  the  right, 
the  left  wing  of  the  enemy  retreating  before  them.  The  (J-pounder  from  the 
rear  had  now  come  up;  Capt.  Ilensley  was  ordered  to  support  it,  and  returned 
from  the  hill.'  Neither  Emory  nor  anyone  else  mentions  this  movement. 
'This  movement  being  observed,  the  enemy's  left  made  jiii  attempt  to  charge 
tiie  two  guns,  but  the  right  flank  of  tho  marines  under  Zielin,  being  quickly 
thrown  back,  showed  too  steady  a  front  for  the  courage  of  the  Ctilifornians  {<> 
engage,  who  wheeled  to  tho  left  and  dashed  to  tho  rear  across  the  river.  At 
tliis  time  the  enemy  were  observed  collecting  on  our  left  and  making  prepara- 
tions to  charge  our  left  flank.  Gen.  Kearny  was  now  ordered  to  form  a  square 
Mith  the  troops  on  the  right  flank,  upon  which  tiic  left  flank,  in  case  of  Vic- 
ing worsted,  might  i-ally.  The  right  wing  of  tho  enemy  now  maile  an  unsuc- 
ci  ssful  attempt  to  charge  our  left,  but  finding  so  wann  a  ivccption. .  .they 
changed  their  purpose  and  retired,  when  a  discliarge  of  artillery  told  upon 
tlicir  ranks.  The  dispositions  for  charging  the  heights  were  now  made.  The 
troops  having  been  brought  into  line,  tlie  command  ' '  Forward"  being  given,  on 
they  went  (the  artillery  in  battery)  charging  the  heights,  which  the  enemy'n 
centre  contested  for  a  few  moments,  tiieii  broke  in  j'ctreat;  their  right  wing 
charging  upon  the  rear  under  Uillespie,  encumbered  with  packs,  etc, . . .  but  re- 


f!  ri 


394 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


lenced  the  Californian  battery.  Then  his  men  were 
t'ormed  in  squares  and  advanced  toward  the  bluff. 
Flores  ordered  a  charge  by  his  horsemen;  but  tiie 
movement  was  clumsily  executed,  as  by  men  whoso 
heart  was  not  in  the  work;  some  of  the  companies 
failed  to  cooperate  promptly;  an  order  to  halt  from  an 
aid  increased  the  confusion;  and  the  few  who  came 
within  reach  of  the  Americans  were  quickly  repulsed. 
Then  the  Californians  retired,  and  Stockton  took  pos- 
session of  their  post  on  the  bluff  without  further  op- 
position. The  engagement  had  lasted  probably  a 
little  less  than  two  hours  from  the  time  when  the  first 
allots  were  fired.  The  American  leader  distinguished 
himself  by  his  valor  and  skill,  though  his  policy  at  the 
ford  could  not  have  been  justified  in  case  of  disaf  ter. 

ceiving  a  well  directed  firo  from  the  guard,  whicli  hurled  some  of  them  from 
their  saddles,  tlicy  fled  at  full  speed  across  the  river  wo  had  just  left.  The 
other  portion  of  their  forces  retreated  behind  their  artillery,  which  had  taken 
position  in  a  ravine,  and  again  opened  lire  upon  our  centre;  our  artillery  Mas 
immediately  thrown  forward — the  troops  being  ordered  to  lay  (sic)  down  to 
avoid  the  enemy's  cannon-balls,  which  passed  directly  over  their  heads.  The 
tire  from  our  artillery  was  incessant,  and  so  accurate  that  the  enemy  wore 
from  time  to  time  driven  from  their  guns  until  they  Anally  retreated.  We 
were  now  in  possession,  where,  a  short  time  before,  the  insurgents  had  so 
vauntingly  taken  strong  position;  and  the  band  playing  Hail  Columbia,'  etc. 
Emory  describes  this  last  part  of  the  battle,  doubtless  much  more  .iccu- 
rately,  as  follows:  'Half-way  between  the  hill  and  the  river,  the  enemy  made  a 
furious  charge  on  our  left  flank.  At  the  same  moment  our  right  was  threatened, 
riie  1st  and  '2d  battalions  were  thro«n  into  squares,  and  after  tiring  one  or 
two  rounds,  drove  off  the  enemy.  The  right  wing  was  ordered  to  form  a 
square,  but  seeing  the  enemy  hesitate,  the  order  was  countermanded;  the  1st 
battalion,  which  formed  the  right,  was  directed  to  rush  for  the  hill,  suppos- 
ing that  would  be  the  contested  point,  but  great  was  our  surprise  to  find  it 
abandoned.  The  enemy  pitched  his  camp  on  tho  hills  in  view,  but  when 
morning  came  he  was  gone.  We  had  no  means  of  pursuit.'  Emory  also 
gives  a  plan  of  the  battle.  Griffin's  account  agrees  well  with  Emory's.  He 
says  the  plain  was  about  250  yards  wide,  thougli  Southwick  by  pacing  made 
it  900  paces.  Wilson,  Ohserv.,  MS.,  92,  etc.,  who  was  a  spectator  at  a  dis- 
tance, says  a  part  of  the  Californians  charged  and  seemed  for  a  time  to  have 
lirokeu  the  American  line.  Avila,  Notas,  MS.,  34  et  seq.,  waa  also  a  lookcr- 
•  ai,  and  gives  a  similar  account.  Tho  Californian  authorities  already  cited, 
tliough  their  accounts  are  confused  in  detail,  all  agree  that  a  charge  was  or- 
dered and  partly  executed;  but  state  that  the  failure  of  Carrillo  to  promptly 
<ibey  orders,  or  at  least  to  arrive  in  time,  and  an  order  to  halt  given  oy  Diego 
•Sepulveda,  one  of  Flores'  aids,  caused  a  failure  of  what  at  first  seemed  likuly 
to  DO  a  successful  movement.  No  witnesses  support  Stockton's  account  of  tlie 
final  scenes  of  tho  fight,  reopening  of  artillery  fire,  etc. ;  and  I  have  no  doubt 
they  aro  purely  imaginary.  Juan  Bautista  Moreuo,  Vidn,  MS.,  31-3,  was  in 
command  of  one  of  the  charging  companies,  and  was  seriously  wounded.  Tlie 
battle  is  described  on  autiiority  of  Agustin  Olvcra  in  Los  Amjclea  Hist.,  23-4. 
For  additional  authorities  on  this  tight  and  that  of  the  next  day,  see  note  lii. 


BATTLE  OF  THK  MESA. 


395 


The  sailors  and  marines,  like  the  dragoons  and  vohm- 
teers,  behaved  admirably,  and  displayed  all  the  bravt^ry 
required  by  circumstances,  losing  two  men  killed  and 
tight  wounded.  The  Californian  loss  was  probably 
the  same  in  killed,  but  the  exact  number  wounded  is 
not  known.  Each  party  as  usual  greatly  overrated 
the  enemy's  loss. 

The  Americans  encamped  near  the  original  position 
of  Florcs'  right  wing,  and  are  said  to  have  been  aroused 
l)y  firing  on  the  pickets  at  midnight;  but  no  further 
hostilities  were  committed.  The  Californians  at  ni«jht- 
tall  were  in  sight  on  the  hills,  but  in  the  morning  had 
disappeared.  Many  of  them  dispersed,  and  the  rest 
lepaired  to  the  Canada de  los  Alisos,  not  far  from  the 
main  road  to  town.  Here,  ashamed  to  run  away  and 
give  up  the  struggle,  they  posted  themselves  in  a  fa- 
vorable position  and  awaited  the  enemy's  approach. 
At  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  January  Dth 
Stockton  resumed  his  march  for  Los  Angeles;  but 
instead  of  following  the  road  lie  turned  to  the  left  into 
the  open  plain  as  soon  as  he  became  aware  of  Floros' 
position,  apparently  just  before  noon.  The  Califor- 
nians, however,  approached  and  fired  their  cannon  and 
the  Americans  replied.  This  artillery  duel  at  long 
range  continued  for  several  hours  as  the  army  advanced 
at  oxen's  pace  in  a  compact  square  over  the  plain,  with 
some  slight  loss,  chiefly  of  animals,  on  both  sides.  On 
one  or  two  occasions  the  cavalry  charged  upon  the 
square,  coming  within  a  liundred  yards  or  less,  but 
did  not  succeed  in  breaking  it,  and  were  repulsed  by 
the  musketry.  Floies  lost  one  man  killed,  and  an 
unknown  number  wounded;  Stockton,  five  wounded.^' 

''  The  Americans  killed  on  the  8th  were:  Fred  Stearns  (or  Strauss),  seaman 
of  Portsmouth,  Thos  Smith,  seaman  of  Ctjuiie  (accidental),  and  Jacob  Haii^iit 
I  or  Hait),  volunteer  (died  Uth);  Stockton  in  his  report  says  one  was  killetl  on 
the  9tli,  but  perhaps  refers  to  Haight,  wlio  died  on  that  day.  Wounded  on 
the  8tii,  WmCopo  (or  Coxe),  seaman  of  Savanimh  (severely),  Geo.  Bantam,  of 
C'yane  (accidental),  Pat.  Campbell,  of  Ci/aiie,  Wm  Scott,  marine  of  Portsmotith, 
•Joseph  Wilson,  of  Couf/retin,  Ivory  CofBn,  of  Savamia/i,  and  James  Hendy,  of 
('ongreat;  on  the  9th,  Mark  A.  Child,  Co.  C  dragoons  (severe),  James  Camp- 
l>el],  seaman  Von<jress  (accidental  and  sovere),  Geo.  Crawford,  boatswain's 
mate  Cyanc  (severe),  Lieut  Kowan  and  Capt.  Gillespie,  slightly  contused  by 


396 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


About  4  o'clock  the  Calit'ornians  retired, and  the  'bat- 
tle of  the  Mesa'  was  at  an  end.  Respecting  particu- 
lars there  is  no  agreement,  and  I  do  not  deem  it  nec- 
essary to  reproduce  all  the  versions  or  to  notice  the 
various  inaccuiacies  and  exaggerations  of'eacli  witness. 
Stockton  crossed  the  Los  Angeles  River  and  encampt>(l 
on  the  right  bank  about  three  miles  below  the  town.' ' 
Next  morning,  the  lOth  of  January,  a  flag  of  truce 
was  brought  to  Stockton's  camp  by  Celis,  Avila,  and 
Workman,  who  came  to  intercede  in  behalf  of  tlic 
Angelinos.  They  said  that  no  resistance  would  be 
made  to  the  Americans,  and  were  promised  kind  treat- 


spent  balls.  Dr  Ever.sfield's  rcpoit  in  (.iriffiu'n  Papers,  MS.,  18-19;  reporta 
i)f  Griffiu  and  Emory  in  Stockton's  MU.  and  Nav.  Op.,  30-7;  Id.,  lAJ'e,  appeii., 
lG-17.  Thus  the  t<jtal  was  three  killed  and  12  wounded,  though  generally 
stated  as  1  killed  and  14  wounded.  This  Sa  tlicstatenientiiiiJ/sM  V>h(/.  Ist8<ss., 
Jl,  Ex,  Doc.  24,  p.  18,  whore  it  is  said  that  the  man  killed  was  au  otticcr. 
Stockton  liimself  says  8  killed  and  14  wounded. 

The  Californiaiis  lost  .'1  killed  in  both  fights:  Ignacio  Sep''ilveda,  Francisco 
Rubio,  and  a  Yaqui  Indian  known  as  'El  (.Juaymeno.'  The  only  wounded 
men  named  are  Cfapt.  Juan  B.  Moreno  and  Aifurez  Ramirez;  but  there  may 
have  been  a  dozen  more  slightly  wounded.  Avila  says  only  '2  were  wounded 
at  tiie  Mesa.  In  his  report  Stockton  says  tiie  loss  was  between  70  and  80, 
besides  many  horses.  In  Stockton's  Life,  147,  it  is  stated  that  over  70  were 
killed  and  100  wounded! 

"See  Stockton,  (iriflin,  Emory,  Coronel,  Hotello,  Avila,  and  other  autiiori- 
ties  as  cited  in  preceding  notes.  Coronel  notes  the  exploits  of  a  boy  of  1 2 
years,  named  Pollorena,  who  captured  a  horso  and  saddle  from  the  Auuti- 
cans,  being  uninjured  by  the  many  shots  sent  after  him.  A  scrap  in  hand- 
writing of  Jos(5  Castro,  in  Doc.  /list.  Cat.,  i.  Tc.'.^,  says:  'Mr  Flores  on  tlii.s 
occasion  hid  himself  in  a  little  thicket  of  alders,  and  this  was  the  only  occa- 
sion when  he  saw  the  enemy.'  Griffin  tells  us  that  in  the  morning  of  Jan.  !ith 
Soto  arrived  with  a  flag  of  truce,  reporting  PVmont's  arrival  at  S.  Fernando, 
and  two  U.  S.  vessels  at  Sta  Barbara.  Cen.  Kearny  gives  a  brief  account  ot 
the  campaign  in  his  report  of  Jan.  12th.  SOthComj.  Isl  Scss.,  Sen.  Ex.  1,  p. 
516-17.  Emory  gives  a  sketch  also  of  the  Mesa  battle-field;  and  I  have  also 
the  2  plans  on  a  larger  scale  from  other  govt  documents.  Gillespie,  in  the 
S.  F.  Altii,  July  3,  1806,  lias  something  to  say  of  what  was  accomplished  by 
liis  '  Sutter '  gim,  which  at  La  Mesa,  at  one  discharge,  took  J)  of  the  enemy 
from  their  saddles !  The  earliest  printed  account  of  the  campaign,  and  a 
very  good  one,  was  thiit  in  the  Mont.  Californian,  Jan.  28,  1847;  often  re- 
l>riiited  in  other  newspapers.  See  also  S.  F.  Ccd.  Star,  Jan.  10,  Feb.  13, 
J847;  Valdes,  Mem.,  MS.,  32-4;  Alvarado,  Hist,  t'al.,  MS.,  v.  268-70; 
/>ar«V  Glimp.'<es,  MS.,  321,  300-78;  Fernandez,  Dor.,  MS.,  CO-1;  Vallpjo, 
Doc,  MS.,  xxxiv.  254;  i.  '22;  Julio  Cfsar,  Cosas,  MS.,  10;  Bowen's  San  Pas- 
riiid.  MS.,  33;  Ciitt.^'  Covq.,  1'29-31,  201-<t;  Bryant's  What  I  Saw,  398-400; 
ronkr'n  C'oiKj.,  '203-9;  Ph<lps'  Fore  and  Aft,  311-19;  TuthilVs  Hist.  C<d., 
197-200;  Itipleys  War,  i.  482-5;  Qmr/ley's  Irish  Race,  '227-9;  Frigmt,  Ccd., 
77;  Broohi'  Hi^t.,  '2.">7-9;  Cayron's  Hint.,  41-2;  Dice.  Univ.,  viii.  160;  Lan- 
cey's  Cruise,  170-89;  Yolo  Vu.  Hist.,  21;  Hayes'  Scraps,  Cat.  Notes,  iii. 
33,  .36;  Ind.,  v.  2.30;  Sarram-ulo  Union,  Apr.  27,  IS.w;  .S'.  /'.  Alta,  Jan.  9. 
1853. 


LOS  AXUKLKS  RETAKKN. 


307 


ment  and  protoetioii  for  the  citizens.'*  At  10  a.  m.,  or 
a  little  later,  the  army  broke  camp  and  advanced 
slowly  up  the  river.  Notwithstanding  the  assuraiu'es 
just  received,  it  was  deemed  wise  to  neglect  no  precau- 
tion, and  the  advance  was  in  military  order  as  if  to 
meet  a  foe.  About  noon  the  troops  entered  the  city 
by  the  principal  street,  directing  their  march  to  the 
plaza  with  Hying  colors  and  band  playing.  Many 
families  had  retired  to  the  ranchos  or  San  (jrabriel; 
small  parties  of  Flores'  horsemen,  perhaps,  disap- 
|)eared  from  view  as  the  Americans  entered;  but  the 
hill  was  covered  with  curious  spectators  of  the  pag- 
eant. A  few  reckless  and  drunken  fellows  indulged 
in  threatening  and  insulting  acts,  and  were  tired  on  by 
some  of  the  sailors;  but  otherwise  there  was  no  oppo- 
sition to  the  entry.'"  A  strong  detachment  with  artil- 
lery was  posted  on  the  hill;  Gillespie  raised  over  his 
old  quarters  the  flag  he  had  been  obliged  to  lower  four 
months  ago;  and  the  Californian  t.'apital  was  once  more 
in  possession  of  the  invaders.  On  the  1 1th  Stockton, 
as  governor  and  commander-in-chief,  issued  an  order 


^*  Avila,  Notcui,  MS.,  30-1,  35-6;  also  mciitioiieil  by  others.  Avila  says 
they  were  sent  by  Flores,  wliioh  may  or  may  not  be  accurate.  Their  visit 
was  about  9  o'clock. 

'^GriiBn  tells  us  titat  one  of  these  fellows  struck  down  another  and  at- 
tempted to  lance  him,  which  act  brouglit  out  a  cry  of  'Shoot  tlio  damned 
rascal,' and  a  volley  from  tho  sailors  which  di<l  no  harm.  Kearny  swore  at 
the  men  tirsfc  for  tiring  without  orders,  and  then  for  not  shooting  better. 
Stockton  merely  says  their  progress  was  'slightly  molested  by  a  few  drunken 
fellows  who  remained  about  tho  town.'  But  Emory  makes  a  much  moro  seri- 
ous matter  of  it.  He  says:  'The  streets  were  full  of  desperate  and  drunken 
fellows,  w  ho  brandished  their  arm.s  and  saluted  us  with  every  term  of  reproach. 
The  crest  overlooking  tho  town  in  rifle-range  was  covered  with  horsemen  en- 
paged  in  the  same  ho.spitable  manner.  One  of  them  had  on  a  dragoon's  coat 
stolen  from  tho  dead  body  of  one  of  our  soldiers  after  wo  had  buried  him  at 
San  Pasqual.  (Griffin  also  mentions  this.)  Our  men  marched  steadily  on 
until  crossing  tho  ravine  leading  into  the  jmblic  square,  when  a  fight  took 
place  among  tho  Califomians  on  the  hill;  one  became  disarmed,  and  to  avoid 
death  rolled  down  the  hill  toward  us,  his  adversary  pursuing  and  lancing 
him  in  the  most  cold-blooded  maimer.  The  man  tumbling  down  tho  hill  was 
supposed  to  be  one  of  our  vaqueros,  and  the  cry  of  "Rescue  him"  was  raisi-d. 
The  crew  of  tho  Cyaiie,  nearest  the  scene,  at  once  and  without  order.s  halted 
and  gave  the  man  lancing  him  a  volley.  Strange  to  say,  ho  did  not  fall. 
Almost  at  tho  same  instant,  bu^  .i  little  before  it,  the  Californians  from  the 
hill  did  tire  ou  the  vaqueros.  The  rifles  were  then  ordered  to  clear  the  hill, 
which  a  single  fire  effected,  killing  two  of  the  enemy.'  I  have  no  doubt  thi» 
is  liction. 


I  * 


l. 


398 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLKTED. 


of  congratulation  to  the  "officers  and  men  of  tho 
southern  division  of  U.  S.  forces  in  California,  on  the 
brilliant  victories  obtained  by  them  over  the  enemy, and 
on  once  more  taking  possession  of  the  ciudad  de  Los 
Angeles."'* 

There  was  no  further  disturbance  in  town,  except 
such  as  was  naturally  caused  by  the  eflfects  of  Califor- 
nia wine  on  the  sailor-soldiers.  Families  gradually 
returned  to  their  homes  on  assurance  of  protection 
from  the  new  authorities,  and  for  everal  davs  tho 
chief  excitement  arose  from  speculations  and  rumors 
respecting  the  whereabouts  of  Flores  and  Fremont. 
It  was  reported  that  the  latter  had  run  away  to  So- 
nora;  but  also  at  first  that  he  had  gone  to  attack 
the  battalion;  and  later  that  it  was  pardon  not  battle 
that  the  remnants  of  tlie  force  sought  at  San  Fer- 
nando. From  San  Luis  on  the  3d  Stockton  had  de- 
spatched a  njessenger  to  Fri^mont  by  way  of  San 
Diego  and  Santa  Barbara;  and  on  the  9tli,  before  the 
tight,  a  courier  had  come  into  camp  with  news  that 
Fremont  was  at  or  near  San  Fernando.  In  the  after- 
noon of  the  10th  General  Kearny  sent  a  letter  to  the 
colonel,  announcing  the  occupation  of  Angeles  and 
asking  for  information  respecting  his  position  and 
needs.  It  rained  in  torrents  all  day  the  11th,  but 
Lieutenant  Emory  made  some  progress  in  planning 
fortifications,  also  obtaining  from  Griffin  an  official 
statement  of  casualties  which  he  reported  to  Stockton, 
while  the  latter,  in  addition  to  his  congratulatory  or- 
der already  cited,  found  time  to  write  a  brief  report 
to  Secretary  Bancroft  on  recent  happenings,  in  whicli 
he  said:    "We  have  rescued  the  ci^untry  from  the 

^'StocktOH^s  Mil.  and  Nav.  Op. ,  20;  Id.,  Lif^.,  iip^mu.,  9.  The  steady  cour 
age  of  the  troops  in  forcing  their  passage  aciv)-."  U\e  Rio  San  Gabriel,  whet  e 
oiKcers  and  men  were  alike  employed  in  dragging  the  guns  through  tho  water, 
against  the  galling  fire  of  tho  enemy,  without  exchanging  a  shot,  and  their 
gallant  charge  up  the  banks  against  the  enemy's  cavalry,  has  perhaps  never 
been  surpassed;  and  the  cool  determination  with  which  in  the  battle  of  the 
9th  they  repulsed  the  charge  of  cavalry,  made  by  the  enemy  at  the  same  time 
on  their  front  and  rear,  has  extorted  the  admiration  of  the  enemy,  and  do- 
serves  the  best  thanks  of  their  countrymen.' 


FREMONT  s  A  KHIVA  L. 


II  of  tllO 
a,  on  the 
ioiuy,and 
d  lie  Los 

n,  except 
f  Califor 
gradually 
iiotection 
days  till' 
d  rumors 
Fremont. 
ay  to  So- 
to attack 
lot  battle 
San  Fer- 
1  had  ile- 
Y  of  San 
)efore  the 
ews  that 
he  after- 
,er  to  the 
elea  and 
tion  and 
1th,  but 
planning 
1  official 
tockton, 
,tory  or- 
f  report 
in  wliicli 
Tom  the 


[steady  cour- 
Ibriel,  where 
111  the  watei-. 
It,  and  tlK'ir 
Irhapa  never 
jjattle  of  the 
|e  same  time 
ly,  and  de- 


liands  of  the  insurgents,  but  I  fear  that  the  absence 
of  ( 'olonel  FremontH  battalion  will  enable  nu»stof  the 
Mexican  officers  who  have  broken  their  |)ar<>le  to  es- 
cape to  Sonora."  Emory  broke  ground  for  his  forti- 
fications on  the  12th;  while  Kearny  sent  another  note 
to  Frdmont,  and  also  wrote  a  brief  report  of  the  cam- 
paign addressed  to  the  adjutant  general.  In  the 
morning  of  the  13tli  an  armistice,  signed  the  day  be- 
fore ana  perhaps  received  by  Stockton  the  preceding 
evening,  was  given  by  the  latter  to  Kearny,  who 
wrote  two  more  notes  at  noon  and  2  p.  m.  to  Frdniont; 
and  also  wrote  to  Stockton,  expressing  his  fear  that 
the  riflemen,  in  ignorance  of  what  had  occurred  at 
Angeles,  might  be  embarrassed  in  their  movements, 
or  that  Fremont  might  capitulate  and  retire  to  the 
north.  He  oflered  to  take  half  the  force  and  march 
to  effect  a  junction,  liie  commodore's  repl}'  is  not 
known,  but,  perhaj)s  before  a  decision  couM  be  made, 
Russell  arrived  with  definite  news  from  Fremont  in  a 
letter  for  Kearny.  On  the  14th  Fremont  himself 
ajtpeared  with  his  battalion;  and  the  same  day  both 
Kearny  and  Stockton  reported  his  arrival  to  the  gov- 
ernmcni  at  Washington.^' 

Fremont  and  his  battalion,  after  a  week  of  rest, 
inarched  from  Santa  Bdrbara  the  3d  of  January,  prob- 
ably informed,  though  I  find  no  definite  record  on  the 
subject,  of  Stockton's  i)roposed  advance.  An  addi- 
tional 'iinnon  was  obtained  from  the  prize  schooner 
Julia,  which  vessel  also  went  to  render  aid  in  case  an 

"  All  the  coninuinicatioiis  referred  to  may  ho  found  in  FrfmonVa  Court- 
viarlial,  G-7,  7;}-4,  85,  88,  108-9,  162,  24.V4.  272,  41X>,  40.'}-4;  Stockton'^  Lli>, 
appcn.,  8-9,  10-17,  35,  40;  Id,  Mil.  and  Nor.  Op.,  20,  30-7;  SOth  Conn.  ^»< 
<S'm-.,  Sni.  Ex.  Doc.  1,  p.  510-17;  Griffin'x  Diary,  MS.;  and  Emory'n  S'oii-i. 
122.  Most  of  the  cori'espondence  has  been  often  relocated  in  other  publica- 
tions which  it  is  not  necessary  to  name.  I  have  in  Olvera.  Doc,  MS.,  77,  one 
of  the  documents  issued  by  Stockton  to  the  people.  It  jiermits  Agustin 
Olvei-a  and  Narciso  Botello  to  come  to  Angeles  without  molestation,  dated 
Jan.  12th.  This  was  doubtless  an  attempt  to  bring  into  his  presence  the  mem- 
Iters  of  the  old  assembly,  who  might  make  some  kind  of  a  surrender  by  virtue 
of  their  Itgal  authority.  It  appears  from  Botello's  narrative  and  from  Los 
Angeles  Hist.,  16-17,  that  none  of  the  ex -legislators  were  induced  to  present 
themselves. 


40" 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


attack  should  be  made  at  the  Rincon  pass;  but  no  foe 
was  seen  until  the}'  arrived  at  San  Buenaventura  on 
the  5th.  Here  a  small  party  of  Californians  appeared 
at  :  distance,  but  ran  away  at  the  approach  of  the 
riflemen  and  the  discharge  of  two  cannon.  As  a  pre- 
caution, a  detachment  was  sent  to  occupy  a  hill  about 
a  mile  from  the  mission  during  the  night.  As  they 
advanced  next  day  up  the  valley  of  the  Santa  Clara, 
in  the  face  of  a  dust-laden  gale,  the  enemy  again  aj)- 
peared,  GO  or  70  strong,  and  remained  in  sight  for 
some  time,  entertaining  the  Americans  with  a  variety 
of  equestrian  antics,  but  always  at  a  safe  distance. 
1'he  Indian  scouts  under  Tom  Hill  rode  towards  the 
Californians  and  exchanged  a  few  harndess  shots  with 
them ;  and  (jiice  an  attempt  was  made  by  the  battalion 
to  cross  a  spur  of  the  hills  with  a  view  of  attacking  an 
imaginary  foe  on  the  flank;  but  the  route  was  found 
to  be  impracticable,  and  the  army  wisely  returned  to 
their  plodding  way  up  the  valley.  Each  day  small 
parties  of  Californian  scouts  were  seen  on  the  hills, 
but  there  were  no  ho.stilities.  The  8th  brought  a 
renewal  of  the  sand-storm.  Supplies  for  man  and 
beast  were  plentiful  at  the  ranchos,  and  the  horses 
were  daily  gaining  in  strength.  I  follow  Bryant's 
journal,  additional  details  from  other  sources  being 
either  hopelessly  contradictory  or  obviously  erroneous. 
The  Californians  give  some  unimportant  particulars 
of  their  movements  in  the  hills.^'^ 


PI  I* 


^' Bryant'n  What  I Saiv, ',)f^Gct  acq.-,  Firmoi>t\i  Gei»i.  Mem.,  42;  yulfirr'^ 
Life,  MS.,  i;{2-5;  Loncey's  Cruise,  181-8;  TnlhiWs  lii<t.  Cat.,  203-5;  Jfar- 
liu'3  A'arr.,MS.,  3S-40;  <S'.  /'.  Alta,  Dee.  18,  18,V2.  Frt'iiKint,  Courtmaitial, 
379,  says:  'A  corps  of  observation,  ot'  some  ."iO  or  100  liorseinen,  galloped 
about  us,  without  doin^'  or  receiving  lianii,  for  it  did  not  come  within  my 
policy  to  have  any  of  tlieni  killed' !  Arnaz,  ll'Ciierdos,  M.S.,  89-91,  says  lie 
was  aiTcsted  by  FrtJniont  at  S.  IJiicnaventura,  and  threatened  with  death  if 
he  did  not  reveal  the  whereabouts  of  the  priest,  Jos(5  M.  Resales.  Jose  K. 
(iarcia,  E/iisodiu-i,  MS.,  ).S-'2;{,  was  one  of  the  scouts  under  Josii  Carrillo's 
couimaiid,  and  gives  a  description  of  events.  Ho  says  his  party  was  joined 
at  Sanchez's  rancho  by  a  force  from  S.  Buenaventura  under  Raimundo  Car- 
rillo  and  Deniesio  Dominguez;  and  ho  speaks  of  a  plan  to  surprise  the  Ameri- 
cans at  Carrillo's  rancho,  which  failed  by  the  accidcntiil  discharge  of  a  musket, 
roster  wrote  for  the  Lou  Aii'jiic'  lixiyreiis  an  account  of  a  blunderbuss  and 
cutlass  whicii  were  among  the  trophies  of  Fremont's  campaign,  copied  in  S. 
Joi6  Pioneer,  Feb.  1(5,  1878. 


MARCH  OF  THE  BATTALION. 


401 


but  no  foe 
'entura  on 
;  appeared 
ch  of  the 

As  a  pre- 

hill  about 
As  they 
nta  Clara, 
'  again  aj> 
I  sight  for 
1  a  variety 
3  distance. 
>\vards  the 
shots  with 
e  battalion 
tacking  an 

was  found 
eturned  to 

day  small 
fi  the  hills, 

broufjht  a 
man   and 

the  horses 
Bryant's 

rces  being 

erroneous, 
articulars 


I,  42;  Suli  v(r\< 

1,  203-5;  Mar- 

XCourlmartial, 

Imen,  galloped 

|mo  within  niy 

J59-91,  siiys  lie 

with  tkath  if 

lak'S.     Joso  E. 

Jcsti  Carrillo's 

|ty  was  joined 

limundo  Car- 

kse  the  Ameri- 

leof  amuE^ket. 

Inderbuss  and 

1,  copied  in  S. 


Fremont  has  befen  criticised  unfavorably  and  with- 
out much  justice  for  the  slowness  of  his  march  by 
I  lie  same  men  who  have  found  fault  with  liis  crossing 
of  the  Cuesta  de  Santa  In(5s.  His  delay  is  ascribed 
to  a  desire  to  keep  out  of  danger  until  others  should 
liave  defeated  the  foe.  If,  however,  he  knew  from 
the  first,  as  he  certainly  did  at  the  last,  what  were 
Stockton's  plans,  his  movements  were  well  timed, 
since  he  arrived  at  San  Fernando  the  day  after  Stock- 
ton entered  Los  Angeles.  If  he  was  ignorant  of 
those  plans,  there  was  no  possible  motive  for  haste, 
and  every  reason  to  advance  slowly  and  cautiously  in 
compact  order.  His  horses  were  weak;  his  troops 
as  horsemen  were  without  skill  or  discipline;  he  had 
Xatividad  in  mind;  and  he  had  heard  of  San  Pascual. 
Had  he  rushed  forward,  as  his  opponents  of  later 
years  pretend  to  think  he  should  have  done,  he  would 
have  given  the  enemy  their  only  possible  chance  of 
success;  and  had  the  Californians  been  half  as  numer- 
ous and  well  prepared  as  they  were  believed  to  be, 
the  result  would  have  been  most  disastrous  to  the 
battalion.  In  the  morning  of  the  9th  a  messenger 
came  into  camp  with  a  letter  from  Stockton,  dated  at 
San  Luis  Rey  on  the  3d — an  explanation  of  the  com- 
modore's movements  and  plans,  and  a  warning  to  pro- 
ceed with  great  caution.'"     As  thoy  entered  the  San 

" '  My  dear  colonel:  We  arrived  here  last  night  from  S.  Diego,  and  leave 
to-day  on  our  march  for  the  City  of  the  Angels,  where  I  hope  to  ho  in  5  or  0 
(lays.  I  learn  this  morning  tliat  yon  are  at  Sta  T}:U-bani,  and  send  this 
iluspatch  by  way  of  S.  Diego,  in  tlin  hope  that  it  2.iay  reach  you  in  time. 
If  tliore  is  one  single  chance  for  you,  you  i.ad  bet^'.  not  li;L;lit  the  rebels 
until  I  get  up  to  aid  you,  or  you  can  join  me  on  li»e  road  to  the  pueblo. 
These  fellows  are  well  prepared,  and  Mervine's  a.i  I  Kcimy's  defeat  have  given 
tliem  a  deal  more  confidence  and  courage.  If  jou  do  (iglit  before  I  sec  yon, 
la-ep  your  foi-ccs  in  compact  order;  do  not  allow  them  to  be  separated,  or 
even  unnecessarily  extended.  They  will  probably  try  to  deceive  you  by  a 
suililen  retreat  or  pretend  to  run  away,  an<l  then  unexpectedly  return  to  the 
I'liarge  after  your  men  get  in  disorder  in  the  eliase.  My  advice  to  you  is  to 
allow  them  to  do  all  the  charging  antl  ruiuilug,  and  let  your  rifles  do  the  icit. 
In  the  art  of  horsemanship,  of  tlodging,  and  iiinning,  it  is  in  vain  to  attemi,* 
to  compete  with  them.'  FrimonVs  Court-mat tiaf,  272-3,  with  mention  in  Id., 
8.">,  229,  370;  Stockton's  J  "  ■    143-4;  Bryant,  .3h9. 

The  messenger's  nan...  .aa  George  W.  Haniley,  Haiily.  Hawley,  Ilandin, 
Haml)lin,  or  Hamlyn — being  written  in  all  these  ways — master  of  the, Slonimj- 
ton.  He  sailed  from  S.  Diego  on  the  Mulck  Adhcl;  landed  at  S.  Buenaverstura 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    2G 


102 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


I't 
I  llif 


I  > ' 


Fernando  plain  on  the  11th,  two  Calif'ornians  nit-t 
them  with  the  news  that  Stockton  had  defeated  the 
Cahfornians,  and  had  occupied  Angeles  the  day  be- 
fore; a  little  fiarther  on  was  met  a  FreP'^hman  with 
Kearny's  note  for  Fremon:.^"  Then  the  battalion 
advanced  ana  occupied  the  mission  buildings  of  San 
Fernando  about  1  p.  m.  of  the  same  day.  Before 
night  Jesus  Pico  was  despatched  to  the  camp  of  the 
Cahfornians. 

It  is  not  possible,  nor  very  important,  to  follow  the 
Californian  forces  in  all  their  movements  after  the 
fight  of  January  9th.  Many  simply  dispersed  and 
went  home,  as  others  had  done  before.  The  rest  in 
small  detachments  visited  the  different  ranchos,  some 
going  to  San  Fernando,  but  retiring  with  Carrillo's 
party  before  Fremont's  arrival.  The  chief  points  of 
reunion  were  the  ranchos  of  San  Pascual  and  Los 
Verdugt)s,  about  100  men  being  assembled  at  the 
latter  place  on  the  11th.  One  of  Flores'  last  acts  on 
the  9th,  before  quitting  the  city,  was  to  release  Lar- 
kin  and  the  other  prisoners.^^     There  was  much  dis- 

011  the  8th;  and  >va3  guided  by  Pedro  Carrillo  to  Fri^mont's  camp  at  the  Wil- 
lows, passing  round  a  camp  of  tlic  enemy.  Forstor  thinks  Lieut  Beale  was 
the  man  sentfromS.  Luis;  and  Wilson,  Obaerv.,  MS.,  102-3,  states  that  Daniel 
Sexton  carried  this  message  or  an  earlier  one.  As  to  the  cnuricr  who  reachcil 
Stockton's  camp  on  the  morning  of  the  9th,  according  to  Griffin,  there  is  ni 
record  of  liis  having  been  sent  bj*  Fri^niont.  He  was  probably  sent  by  Aniei- 
icans  in  Angeles,  who  had  heard  of  F.'s  approach. 

-'0  '  Pueblo  de  Los  Angeles,  Sunday,  Jan.  10,  184G  (7),  4  r.  M.  Dear  Fre 
niout:  We  are  in  iKjssession  of  this  place  with  a  force  of  marines  and  sailors, 
having  marched  into  it  this  morning.  Join  us  as  soon  as  you  can,  or  let  nii- 
know,  if  you  want  us  to  march  to  your  assistance;  avoid  cliarging  the  enemy; 
their  force  does  not  exceed  400,  perhaps  not  more  than  300.  Please  acknowl 
edge  the  receipt  of  this,  and  dcsjKitch  tlie  bearer  at  once.  Yours,  S.  W 
Kearny,  Brigadier-General  U.  S.  A.'  Fn'monVs  Court-, .lartial,  73,  40.1 
FriHuont  did  not  send  an  immediate  answer  as  requested;  and  lie  receive! 
three  more  notes  of  similar  purport  from  Kearny  during  the  next  two  day-, 
before  he  sent  an  answer.  Id.,  73-4,  403-4.  It  does  not  seem  necessary  t 
copy  tlicm.  They  were  familiar  in  tone,  and  more  and  more  urgent  in  tli' 
request  for  news. 

'■"Ijirkin's  letters  describing  his  captivity  as  already  cited.  Larkin  w;i< 
taken  out  to  the  battlefield  in  the  aftenioou,  and  it  was  then  decided  to  n 
lease  him;  but  at  lus  request  Flores  and  other  officers  escorted  him  back  t' 
town.  On  movements  of  the  t'alifornians  in  these  days,  most  of  the  rcfei 
cnces  also  covering  the  subsequent  capitulation,  see  Coronet,  Coia.<,  Ms  ■ 
129-30;  liico,  Mem.,  MS.,  52-3;  Botello,  Anaks,  MS.,  107 -9;  Garcta,  Ki>i<"- 
dio",  MS.,  2.^-5;  Lifjo,  Vida,  MS.,  03-7;  Jaimens,  Vkla,  MS.,  196;  (M'>, 
IfiM.  Cal.,  MS.,  r>02-4:  Fcrnande:,  Cosow,  MS.,  148-9;  Jtdio  Ct'sar,  ('oin^. 


FLORES  GIVES  UP  THE  COMMAND. 


403 


•nians  met 
feated  the 
tie  day  be- 
hman  with 
!  battalioi) 
igs  of  Sail 
y.  Before 
mp  of  the 

1  follow  the 
s  after  the 
persed  and 
rhc  rest  in 
ichos,  some 
h  Carrillo's 
sf  points  of 
al  and  Los 
led  at  the 
last  acts  on 
elease  Lar- 
nmch  dis- 

|amp  at  the  Wil- 
Lieut  Beale  wa.-- 
,ates  that  Daniol 
icr  who  reacheil 
ffin,  there  is  ui 
ly  82nt  by  Amer- 

M.     Dear  Frc 
lines  and  sailors. 
can,  or  let  mo 

f'  ing  the  enemy; 
'lease  acknowl 
Yours,  S.  W 
\artica,  73,  403 
Ltid  ho  receivel 
Inext  two  day^. 
iin  necessary  t  • 
urgent  in  th- 

ll.  Larkin  w;i< 
In  decided  to  ri 
l>d  him  back  t" 
list  of  the  rcfoi 
el,  f"om.^,  M^  ' 
I  Garcia,  Epi<"- 
Lis.,  19f>;  Osin, 
|o  Cisar,  Com^. 


cussion  among  officers  and  men  about  the  best  course 
to  be  taken  in  the  immediate  future.  None  thought 
of  farther  resistance ;  and  it  does  not  appear  that  any 
thought  of  complying  witli  Stockton's  conditions  by 
giving  up  their  leader,  though  Flores,  having  enemies 
in  the  camp,  was  very  cautious  in  his  movements. 
Such  being  the  state  of  affairs,  Jesus  Pico  made  his 
appearance  late  on  the  1  Ith,'*^  being  apparently  ar- 
rested and  brought  into  camp  at  Los  Verdugos.  He 
came  to  urge  not  only  submission,  but  submission  to 
his  new  master  and  friend,  Fremont.  He  was  a  man 
of  some  influence,  came  to  men  who  had  no  fixed 
plans,  dwelt  with  onthnsiasin  on  the  treatment  lie 
had  received,  and  without  much  difficulty  persuaded 
'li.-  c  untrym-'n  that  the}'  had  nothing  to  lose  and 
j)eriJii  much  to  gain  by  negotiating  with  Fremont 
ii!.<tead  of  Stockton.  A  message  was  sent  to  the 
jiarty  at  San  Pascual,  and  by  the  latter  to  Flores 
and  Manuel  Castro,  at  some  other  jioint  not  far 
away.'^^  Flores  came  in  response  to  this  invitation, 
and  all  went  to  Los  Verduijo.s  to  hold  a  final  council, 
ill  which  an  appeal  to  Fremont  was  decided  on.  The 
general  had  resolved,  however,  to  quit  California, 
and  started  the  same  i»ii?ht  for  Sonora;  but  before 
his  departure  he  form.illy  transferred  the  command 
to  Andres  Pico."* 


MS.,  10;  ir«isoM'«f,  '.v.,  >1^  ,  08-100;  Palomare.i,  Mem.,  MS.,  SS-9;  Los  Ann*-- 
/'■ji,  Ili/it.,  lG-17.  i^ioneof  tluj  particulars  or  errors  seem  to  require  special 
notice. 

••'At  milir  ht  n.3t;^iii»g  to  the  Los  Angelen  Hint.,  10,  but  I  have  im 
doiilit  i*^  was  i!;i  liti- 

-''SS.  D'  iSI'uu^l  'ar.tio  -I'ld  D.  J(  '^  M*  F'.ores.  At  this  moment  then" 
lia-s  arrived  a  mt3.si.r"<'  ir<i  .;  tiic  Verdugos  rancho  with  the  enclosed  note' 
(imt  extant),  '  and  a  jnvtu,  (  t  trl'i'uds  has  ri'.solved  o»  communicating  tliis  news 
t"  you;  since  they  have  Don  Josus  Pico  sciurcd  at  that  iroint  where  are  also 
;i*-i-inbled  100  men,  so  that  wo  oidy  w;iit  for  your  opinion  to  march  and  kci- 
uiiat  guaranties  can  bo  obtained.  We  advise  all  the  friends  to  come  and 
t.iliP  advantage  of  t\m  opportunity,  it'  they  doom  it  best.  San  I'ascual,  Jan. 
II,  1847.  Francisco  do  la  Gucrra,  Josii  Antonio  Camllo.'  Translation  from 
oriifinal  in  my  possession.  Cwitro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  loO. 

'*' '  Comandanciu  General.  No  pudiendo  continuar  con  el  mando  que  in- 
t'-rinanientu  he  obtcnido,  y  habicudo  variedad  do  opiniones  resnecto  ;i  los 
'ii'iviiiiientos  '  deben  cmprenderae;  se  entregara  Vd  del  mando  de  estu 
Division,  poi   v     .  ^»(»ondcrle  por  su  gruduacion.     Dios  y  Libertad.     Campu 


i,.n 


404 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


Then  Francisco  de  la  Guerra  and  Francisco  Rico 
were  chosen  as  representatives  and  went  witii  Don 
Jesus  to  San  Fernando.  They  were  well  received  by 
Fremont,  who  promised  all  the  Californians  could  de- 
sire, named  commissioners  to  negotiate  a  treaty,  and 
signed  an  armistice  suspending  hostilities.'^^  On  the 
return  of  Guerra  and  Rico,  Jos^  Antonio  Carrillo  and 
Agustin  Olvera  were  appointed  by  Pico  as  treaty  com- 
missioners for  the  Californians  and  the  camp  was 
moved  to  the  region  of  Cahuenga.  Fremont's  com- 
missioners were  Major  P.  B.  Reading,  Major  Wilham 
H.  Russell,  and  Captain  Louis  McLane;  and  the  bat- 
talion moved  its  '-amp  to  the  rancho  of  Cahuenga. 
Here  the  negotiar:  ,i«  were  completed  and  a  treaty 
drawn  up  in  Englisii  Spanish  before  night;  and 

next  morning,  Januaij  .3th,  it  received  the  signa- 
tures of  the  respective  commandants,  Fremont  and 
Pico,  the  document  with  a  letter  to  General  Kearny 
being  presently  carried  by  Russell  to  Los  Angeles. '*^ 

en  los  Verdugos.  Encro  11,  1847.  Jos<5  M»  Flores.  Sr  M""- G"'  D.  Aiub 
Pici).'    From  the  pencil  original,  in  Olvera,  Doc,  MS.,  78. 

"'To  all,  etc.  la  consequence  of  propositions  of  peace ...  being  sub- 
mitted to  me  as  commandant  of  the  Cal.  battalion  of  U.  S.  forces,  which  has 
(sic)  so  far  been  acceded  to  by  me  as  to  cause  me  to  appoint  a  board  of  com- 
missioners to  consult  with  a  similar  board  appointed  by  the  Californians;  ami 
it  requiring  a  little  time  to  close  the  negotiations,  it  is  agreed  upon  and  or- 
derecl  by  me  that  an  entire  cessation  of  hostilities  shall  take  place  until  tn- 
morrow  afternoon  (Jan.  13t';),  and  that  the  said  Californians  be  permitted  to 
bring  in  their  wounded  to  the  mission  of  San  Fernandez,  where  also,  if  tin  v 
choose,  they  can  remove  their  camp,  to  facilitate  said  negotiations.  Given, 
etc.,  Jan.  12,  1847.  J.  C.  Fremont,  Lieut-colonel  U.  S.  A.  and  Mil.  Com. 
Cal.'  In  Stockton\s  Mil.  and  Nai\  Op.,  21.  This  armistice  was  sent  to  thi 
city  and  was  received  by  Kearny  from  Stockton  in  the  morning  of  the  13th. 
How  it  was  sent  to  Stockton  does  not  appear.  See  also  on  these  and  the  fol- 
lowing negotiations,  Pico,  Acont.,  MS.,  73-5;  //Oi  Angeles  HiM.,  16-17. 

'*  'Articles  of  capitulation  made  and  enteral  into  at  the  ranch  of  (.'o- 
wonga  this  13th  day  of  Jan.,  A.  i>.  1847,  between,  etc.  Art.  1.  The  com- 
missioners on  the  part  of  the  Californians  agree  that  their  entire  force  shall, 
on  presentation  of  themselves  to  Lieut-Col.  Frtimont,  deliver  up  tiieir  ar- 
tillery and  public  arms,  and  they  shall  return  peaceably  to  their  homes,  con- 
forming to  the  laws  ;nd  regulations  of  the  U.  S.,  and  not  again  take  up 
arms  during  the  war  between  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico,  but  will  assist  and  aid 
in  placing  the  country  in  a  state  of  peace  and  tranquillitj'.  .\rt.  2.  The 
com.  on  the  part  of  Lieut-col.  Frc-mont  agree  and  bind  themselves,  on  the 
fullilment  of  the  1st  art.  by  the  Californians,  that  they  shall  be  guaranteeil 
protection  of  life  and  property  whether  on  parole  or  otherwise  Art.  3.  Thai 
until  a  treaty  of  peace  bo  made  and  signed  between  the  U.  S.  of  N.  America 
and  the  republic  of  Mexico,  no  Californian  or  other  Mexican  citizen  shall  be 
bound  to  take  tiio  oath  of  allegiance.     Art.  4.  That  any  Cal.  or  other  citizen  of 


TREATY  OF  CAHUENGx\. 


405 


Fremont  also  marched  for  the  city,  which,  as  we  have 
seen,  he  entered  with  his  battalion  on  the  14th,  having 
been  rejoined  by  Russell  on  the  way. 

By  the  terms  of  this  (?apitulation,  the  original  ot 
wliich  is  in  my  possession,  and  the  somewhat  clumsy 
translation  of  which  has  been  given  in  a  note,  the  Cal- 
iturnians  were  pardoned  for  all  past  hostilities,  and 
were  free  to  go  to  their  homes  on  giving  up  their  public 
arms — two  cannon  and  six  muskets  as  it  proved — and 
promising  not  to  take  up  arms  during  the  war.  They 
were  guaranteed  protection,  with  all  the  privileges  of 
American  citizens,  without  being  required  to  take  un 
oath  of  allegiance;  and  they  were  free  to  depart  if 
Aiey  so  desired.     There  we:^  no  exceptions,  and  even 


>r  Gr»i  D.   Allib 


Mex.  desiring,  is  permitted  by  this  capitulation  to  leave  the  country  without 
let  or  hindrance.  Art.  5.  That  ir  virtue  of  the  aforesaid  articles,  equal  rights 
and  privileges  are  vouchsafed  to  every  citizen  of  Cal.  as  are  enjoyed  by  the 
citizens  of  the  U.  S.  of  >'.  America.  Art.  G.  All  otUcers,  citizens,  foreign- 
ers, iir  others  shall  receive  the  protection  guaranteed  by  the  '2d  art.  Ai't.  7. 
'I'lii-s  capitulation  is  intended  to  be  no  bar  on  ellccting  such  aiTangements  as 
ii>ay  in  fuuirebe  in  justice  required  by  both  parties.  P.  IJ.  Reading,  ma- 
jor (.'al.  Battalion;  Wni  II.  llussell,  ordnance  officer  Cal.  Bat.;  Louis  Mc- 
l.ane.  Jr..  com.  artill.  Cal.  Bat.;  Jose  Antonio  Carrillo,  coin,  de  esquadron; 
Agustin  Olvera,  diputado.  Approved,  J.  C'.  Fremont,  It-col.  U.  .S.  army, 
and  mil.  com.  of  Cal. ;  Andres  Pico,  com.  do  cscjuadron  y  en  gefe  do  las 
fiier/as  nacionales  en  (al.  Additional  article:  That  the  paroles  of  all  of- 
ficers, citizens,  and  others  of  the  U.  S.,  and  of  natui  vlized  citizens  of  Mex- 
ico, are  by  this  foregoing  capitulation  cancelled,  and  every  condition  of  said 
paroles  from  and  aftoi  this  date  are  of  no  further  force  and  efiect,  and  all  pris- 
oucis  of  Iwth  parties  arc  hereby  released.  (Same  signatures  as  above.)  Ciu- 
<iad  de  l.os  Angeles,  Jan.  ItJ,  1847.'  Official  printed  copies  in  Stockton's 
Mil.  ami  Xnr.  Op.,  '22-1^;  U'nr  with  Mex.,  Gli-o,  printed  in  Si)anish  and 
English  in  Moutucti  Calij'oniiuii,  Feb.  13,  1847.  Often  reprinted  in  English. 
Original  7  articles  of  tiie  l.'Uh,  with  autograph  signature,  in  Carrillo  {D.).  Doc, 
MS.,  1 1;$-10.  This  is  in  the  hand^vriting  of  J.  A.  Carrillo,  and  the  signatures 
to  tiie  additional  article  are  copied  by  him.  In  Olvera,  Doc,  M.S.,  70,  I 
have  a  copy  from  the  original,  including  all  tiio  articles.  There  are  copies 
in  various  collections. 

Jan.  14tli,  I'adre  Ordaz,  at  S.  I-'ernando,  certifies  th.\o  F.  and  paity  lived  on 
the  mission  sheep  and  cattle,  and  carrieil  oil'  wljat  horses  they  could  tind. 
Tins  cirtiticatc  to  protect  tho  lessee.  /',•'•<>,  Pup.  Mix.,  MS.,  l.")7.  Jan.  IGth, 
llutsell  acknowledges  receipt  from  .Vndres  Pico  of  '2  pieces  artillery  with  G 
charges  of  grape,  and  G  muskets,  according  to  the  treaty.  (Hvcra,  Doc,  MS., 
70  7.  Jan.  Ibth,  Angeles  blotter  of  G  articles  suirgested  by  Carrillo  and  Ol- 
vera in  accordance  with  art.  7  of  the  IreatVi  and  said  to  bcapprnveil  by  Stix;k- 
l"n;  but  without  signatures,  in  /'/.,  7!I-8I.  This  document  provided  for  the 
euntiniianccof  incumbents  in  otlico  at  their  desire;  popular  elections;  a  recog- 
nition of  tlie  govt  ilebt  by  the  V .  S.;  payment  of  back  salaries!!) :  protection 
o!  jirii  sts:  and  payment  of  damages  for  pro]>ertv  destroj'ed  i>y  Americans!  It 
is  possible  that  these  measures  may  have  l)een  favorably  considered  with  a 
vi'w  to  a  subsequent  treaty  with  Mexico. 


406 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


Flores  might  have  claimed  protection.  The  wisdom 
of  granting  such  hberal  terms  cannot  be  questioned; 
since  a  rigorous  enforcement  of  miHtary  laws  by  inflict- 
ing due  punishment  on  officers  who  had  broken  their 
paroles  would  have  done  great  harm  by  transform- 
ing a  large  part  of  the  native  population  into  guerrilla 
bandits.  That  the  Californians  should  have  preferred 
to  treat  with  Fremont  rather  than  with  Stockton, 
under  the  urging  of  Jesus  Pico,  is  easily  understood. 
That  Fremont  should  have  made  a  treaty  at  all,  when 
the  commander-in-chief  was  so  near  and  there  were 
no  urgent  reasons  for  haste,  is  more  remarkable.  Un- 
der ordinary  circumstances,  it  might  be  plausibly  sus- 
pected that  he  acted  under  secret  instructions  from 
Stockton,  who  desired  an  excuse  for  not  carrying  out 
his  former  threats;  but  such  was  probably  not  the 
fact.  Fremont  .•;  motive  was  simply  a  desire  to  make 
himself  prominent  and  to  acquire  poi)ularity  anions 
the  Californiars,  ovor  whom  he  expected  to  rule  as 
governor.  It  was  better  to  adopt  conciliatory^  methoils 
late  than  never.  True,  his  treaty  might  not  be  a[>- 
proved;  out  even  then  he  would  appear  as  tiie  natives' 
advocate;  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  he  already  fore- 
saw certain  strong  reasons  why  his  acts  were  sure  to 
be  approved  by  one  commander  or  another.  Stockton 
was  perhaps  slightly  oiTended  at  Fremont's  assumption 
of  responsibility,  and  he  even  pretended  to  disapprove 
the  conditions  of  the  treaty,  though  1  have  no  doubt 
ho  would  have  granted  the  same  conditions,  especially 
now  that  Flores  had  escaped.  At  any  rate,  the  rea- 
sons at  which  I  have  just  hinted,  and  of  which  I  shall 
have  much  to  say  in  the  next  chapter,  were  amply 
sufficient  to  prevent  any  controversy  between  the  com- 
modore and  lieutenant-colonel.  An  additional  article 
was  annexed  to  the  treaty  by  the  commissioners  and 
the  original  commandants  on  the  16th;  and  it  wa> 
virtually  approved  by  Stockton,  though  1  find  no  evi- 
dence that  he  appended  his  signature  to  any  copy  ol 
the  document.     In  his  report  of  the  loth  to  his  gov- 


11  <i 


FLORES  AND  CASTRO  LEAVE  CAUFORXIA. 


407 


ernment  he  wrote:  "Not  being  able  to  negotiate  with 
me,  and  iiaving  lost  the  battles  of  the  8th  and  9th, 
the  Californians  met  Colonel  Fremont  on  the  r2th 
instant  on  his  way  here,  who,  not  knowing  what  had  oo- 
ourred,  entered  into  the  capitulation  with  them,  which 
I  now  send  to  you ;  and  although  I  refused  to  do  it 
myself,  still  I  have  thought  it  best  to  approve  it.  "^^ 
The  conquest  of  California  was  completed.  It  only 
remained  for  the  new  rulers  to  preserve  order,  to  regu- 
late details  of  civil  and  military  administration,  to 
quarrel  among  themselves,  and  to  await  the  comple- 
tion of  a  national  treaty. 

As  we  have  seen,  General  Flores  started  for  Sonora 
in  the  night  of  January  11th,  after  turning  over  the 
command  to  Andres  Pico.  Both  Florts  and  Castro 
believed  that  in  view  of  their  part  in  the  late  cam- 
paign their  absence  would  aid  the  Californians  in  ob- 
taining favorable  terms  from  the  Americans;  they  had 
besides  a  degree  of  pride  as  Mexican  officers  that 
made  surrender  seem  disagreeably  humiliating;  and 
it  is  doubtful  if  the  former  would  have  remained  it 
he  had  been  sure  of  unconditional  pardon.  The  two 
leaders  met  and  were  joined  by  about  80  men  in  the 
San  Bernardino  region  on  the  12tli  or  13th;  but  after 
reflection  on  the  hardships  of  the  journey,  for  which 
they  were  but  ill  prepared,  and  on  the  not  cheerful 
prospect  of  enforced  military  service  in  Mexico,  more 
than  half  the  fugitives,  including  Coronel  and  his 
[)arty,  wisely  decided  to  stifle  their  Mexican  pride  and 
return  to  their  homes.  Some  half  a  dozen  officers  and 
30  privates  resolved  to  accompany  Flores  and  Castro, 
the  former  including  Gartias,  Juan  and  Tomils  So- 
beranes,  Francisco  Limon,  and  perhaps  Diego  Sepi'il- 


•'  Stockton  to  Bancroft,  Jan.  15, 1847,  in  Stockton's  Mil.  niul  X(tv.  Op.,  21. 
Kearny  in  liis  report  of  the  lith,  Fremont's  Cou it-mart iul,  80,  says:  'The 
enemy  capitulated  with  him  yesterday  near  San  Fernando,  agreeing  to  lay 
down  their  arms,  and  we  have  now  the  prospect  of  having  peace  and  quiet- 
ness in  this  country.' 


408 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


veda  and  Segura.'"  Most  of  the  men  wore  Sonorans 
or  Mexicans,  who  followed  their  natural  inclinations 
in  quitting  California;  and  it  may  be  doubted  that 
any  besides  the  two  leaders  were  influenced  by  either 
fear  or  pride. 

The  journey  of  the  refugees  over  the  desert  was  a 
tedious  one,  involving  niucji  suffering;  and  it  is  said 
that  Alferez  Linion  died  on  the  wav.  On  the  Gila, 
when  for  some  time  there  had  been  no  other  food 
than  the  flesli  of  their  lioises,  Flores  with  three  offi- 
cers and  a  small  guard  took  the  best  animals  and 
pressed  on  in  advance  of  the  company.'*  The  route 
was  through  Papaguerfa  by  way  of  Sonoita;  and  from 
Zoni,  where  he  arrived  on  February  2d,  Flores  sent 
back  some  provisions  and  horses  for  his  companions.*' 
From  Altar  on  the  5th  Flores  addressed  to  Govern- 
or Cuesta  and  Vice-governor  Redondo  brief  reports 
of  past  occurrences  in  connection  with  the  invasion  by 
"los  pdrfidos  Norte  Americanos,"  and  an  appeal  for 
aid.  The  reply  from  the  governor  at  Ures  contained 
expressions  of  sympathy  for  the  exiles,  and  of  indig- 
nation against  "our  implacable  enemies,"  but  gave  n(t 
hope  of  material  aid,  though  within  a  month  or  two 
the  munificent  sum  of  $15  was  paid  out  of  the  treas- 
urv  on  this  account.^'  Castro  soon  arrived  at  Altar, 
and  the  two  went  on  to  Hermosillo,  whence  Don 
Manuel  wrote  on  ^lay  16th  to  Pio  Pico  a  brief  ac- 
count of  the  ills  that  Jiad  befallen  California;  and  at 

■•'' StateiiK'nt-s  of  Coronel,  Botello,  and  Larkin.  IJotcUo,  the  governor's 
secretary,  says  he  wished  to  go,  l)ut  was  advised  by  Flor'^s  not  to  do  so.  Ho 
saj-s  ho  gave  $.")()()  to  Linion,  presumably  government  funds.  Lugo,  F'/(/a, 
MS.,  00-7,  says  lie  dissolved  his  party  at  Cucamonga,  and  was  urged  by  F.  to 
go  with  him,  but  ilcclined.  He  also  states  that  he  was  .sent  by  Frcimont  in 
Manli  to  follow  Flore?;'  trail,  picking  up  00  abandoned  horses. 

'"Alvarado,  litst.  Cal.,  M.S.,  "JtiiS-?-,  gives  some  details,  apparently  ob- 
tained from  Castro,  who  in  liis  Helarloii,  MS.,  does  not  include  a  narrative  of 
these  events.  Alvarado  claims  that  Flores  treacherously  abandoned  Casti" 
and  the  company  to  save  himself,  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  this  is  erroneou>. 

3" Feb.  3d,  Flores  to  Ca.stro  from  Zofii.  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,ii.  174.  'Pnoi- 
encia,  amigos,  y  constancia,  ponpie  la  rrpublica  est;l  perdida.' 

"  Feb.  5th,  Flores  to  Cuesta  and  Kcdoudo;  Feb.  l'2th,  reply  from  Cuesta. 
Caxtro,  Dor.,  MS.,  ii.  178,  181,  183;  Sonorensc,  March  .">,  June  11,  1847;  Fer- 
nandez, Doc,  MS..  18-21;  Bustamante,  Nuevo  Bernal  JHaz,\i,  108-10;  Id,, 
Mem.  Hist.  Mex.,  MS.,  vi.  107-9. 


MEXICAN  EFFORTS. 


409 


Alamos  in  June  he  issued  a  written  appeal  for  con- 
tributions to  enable  him  and  his  two  companions  to 
reach  Mazatlan.  The  total  contribution  in  suras  from 
two  reals  to  ten  dollars  was  $59.'"  It  is  not  necessary 
here  to  follow  the  subsequent  career  of  the  two  ofR- 
tcrs.  Both  were  somewhat  prominent  in  annals  of  the 
Mexican  north-west  during  the  next  few  years,  and 
Castro  returnetl  later  to  California,  where  he  still  re- 
sides as  I  write  in  1884.^'' 

In  January  General  Bustamante,  commanding  the 
Avestern  department  at  Guadalajara,  had  received  from 
Flores  in  California  a  report  of  his  revolt  and  successes 
at  Angeles,  Chino,  and  San  Pedro,  with  an  appeal  for 
aid  to  continue  his  victories  over  the  invaders.  Later 
Flores  had  sent  a  courier  with  reports  of  the  triumphs 
at  Natividad  and  San  Pascual ;  but  this  man  failed  to 
reach  his  destination,  and  was  found  by  the  general  on 
his  way  to  Sonora.  Bustamante  promptly  applied  to 
tlio  minister  of  war  for  troops  to  be  sent  to  California; 
ordered  the  governor  and  comandante  general  of  So- 
nora to  sent  immediate  reenforcements  to  Flores  to 
secure  his  triumph  pending  the  arrival  of  the  troops 
from  Mexico;  and  congratulated  Don  Josd  Marfa  and 
liis  patriotic  associates  for  tiieir  brave  and  successful 
movement  aijainst  the  foreign  invaders.  It  is  toler- 
ablv  certain  that  all  this  would  have  resulted  in  noth- 
ing  under  any  circumstances ;  but  the  governor's  letter 
from  Ures,  congratulating  the  Californian  hero,  and 
legretting  his  inability  to  obey  Bustamante's  order,^ 


IS  erroneous 


"May  16th,  Castro  to  Pico.  Doc.  Hist.  Col.,  MS.,  iii.  29-'.  June  7tli, 
Castro's  original  subscription  paper,  with  17  signers.  Id.,  i.  504. 

"Seo  biographical  sketches  of  Castro  and  Flores.  In  June  1849,  Flores, 
then  sub-insi>ector  de  Colonias  Militarcs  do  Occidentc,  proposed  to  go  to  Cal. 
for  his  family,  but  was  not  at  that  time  permitted  to  do  so.  Doc.  Hisl.  Cal., 
MS.,  iii.  300. 

'*  Jan.  ISth-lOth,  Bustamante  to  Flores  and  others;  Feb.  4th,  gov.  to  Flores. 
Castro,  Doc.,  MS.,  ii.  164,  167-8,  173,  175,  182. 

I  make  no  attempt  to  name  all  the  accouuts  of  the  conquest  iu  184f>-7  tliat 
liavo  been  printed;  but  I  have  before  nie  tlio  following  reference?,  mostly  ad- 
ditional to  those  given  in  other  notes,  some  of  them  accurate  enough,  but  none 
adding  anything  of  value  to  the  record  that  is  before  the  reader :  Arco,  /n'l, 
Aug.  1847-Jan.  1848,  passim;  Bifjlow's  Mem.  Frtmont,  147  et  seq.;  Brack- 
ett'8  U.  S.   Cnv.,  04-77;  Bustamante,  Inva.no»,  05-6;  county  histories,  see 


THE  CONQUEST  COMPLETED. 


was  dated  Februarv  4th,  the  verv  dav  that  Flores,  no 
longer  triumphant,  made  his  appearance  at  Altar! 

names  of  counties;  Faniham'a  Life  Cal.,  419-2(5;  Fn-ry,  Cal.,  17-43;  Frost's 
Hist.  Cat.,  27-34;  Id.,  Hint.  Mex.,  435-56;  Fiirher's  J  J  Vol.,  267-71;  Good- 
rkh'g  ll\»t.  Amer.,  85»-61;  Giien-a  eiitre  Mex.,  35:1-61;  Hiltell's  Hist.  S.  F.; 
Id.,  editorials  in  Alia  (cited  by  inc  on  special  pointsi;  Ifonoluln  Friend,  1846- 
7;  Iluf/hex'  JJoriiphan'a  Expe'd.,  23-42;  Jai/s  Mcr.  Wur,  144-50;  Jenkins' 
llii'l.  Mcx.  War,  125-35;  Lnncty'*  Criiisr,  passim;  Loa  Amjeles  Star,  Mar. 
16,  1872,  anil  other  dates;  McKiuie,  in  Terr.  Piou.,  let  An.,  40  2;  McCUUan's 
Golden  Stale,  89-109;  Maw-Jield'n  Mex.  Wur;  Mayer'n  Mex.  Aztec,  i.3io-6; 
Mc.r.  War  IIeroeif,ii. '20^7;  Nitea'  Reainter,  \H46-1.  See  index;  Oxwald,Cal., 
9-21;  Oregon  Spectator,  \M(i-';  liiplei/t  IFa/- .lAe.r.,  i.  295-8;  lioUmon'a  Cal., 
73-85;  Ryan'x  Judgfn  and  Crim.,  chap,  xi.-xii.;  S.  /.  Alta,  Sept.  24,  1866; 
July  7th  of  dif.  years,  and  many  other  dates;  X.  /'.  Bulletin,  July  20,  1867, 
and  many  dates;  S.  /'.  Cal. Star,  1847-8;  .S'.  /'.  Po.s<,  July2i,  1877,  etc.;  .S".  /'. 
Sun,  Sept.  5,  1856;  S.  Joai  Pioneer,  passim;  Sta  Cruz  Sentinel,  Apr.  22,  1876; 
Soulc'a  Annnls  S,  F.,  90-124;  Sutter'.'*  Dittri/;  UphanCa  Life  Frimont,  235-51, 
Williama^  Lecture,  June  11,  1878,  in  S.  F.  papers. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


STOCKTON'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 
Jandary-Februaky,  1847. 

POUCY   OK  SlOAT  and  StCM.'KTON— A  R&UM^  OF  THE  CoNQnEST— KkARNY's 

Instructions  from  Washington — Later  Orders— State  of  Affairs 

ON  THE  GkSER.\L's  ARRIVAL — DISCUSSION  AT  SaN  DiF.OO — TnE  CAM- 
PAIGN— The  Commodore  as  Commandeu-in-chief — At  Los  Anoelks 
— Kearny  and  Fremont — The  Controversy  Beoun — The  Gknerai/s 
Authority  not  Recognized— He  Gota  to  San  Diego  and  Monteiiey— 
Arrival  of  Commodore  Shubrick— A  Policy  of  Peace — Stockton's 
Last  Acts  as  Governor— General  Conclusions — Kearny  in  the 
Right— Stockton  in  the  Wrong — FRi:H0NT's  Action  Justified — 
Rule  of  Fremont  as  Governor— Legislative  Council— Proclama- 
tion— Financial  Troubles. 


The  war  in  California  was  at  an  end,  and  the  forces 
of  the  United  States  were  in  full  possession.  Who 
was  to  rule  the  country  until  an  international  treaty 
should  fix  its  destiny?  So  accustomed  had  become 
the  inhabitants  to  controversies  between  their  civil 
and  military  chiefs  that  they  would  perhaps  have 
questioned  the  legitimacy  of  an  harmonious  adminis- 
tration. Be  this  as  it  may,  the  old  ways  were  not  to 
bo  abruptly  and  radically  broken  up  in  this  respect  at 
least  under  the  new  regime.  Under  existinj^  con- 
ditions, there  were  abundant  opportunities,  if  few 
reasons,  for  a  quarrel  at  Los  Angeles. 

In  July  1846  Commodore  Sloat,  acting  under  in- 
structions from  Washington  to  "at  once  possess  your- 
self of  the  port  of  San  Francisco,  and  blockade  or 
occupy  such  other  ports  as  your  force  may  permit," 
had  not  only  occupied  Monterey  and  San   Francisco, 


(*ti) 


jrliii 


41-. 


STOCKTON'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


but,  relying  on  presumed  instructions  to  Fremont,  had 
also  raised  the  Hag  at  different  points  oi'  the  northern 
interior,  proclaiming  a  conciliatory  policy,  for  his  in- 
structions also  required  him  "to  preserve  if  possible 
the  most  friendly  relations  with  the  inhabitants,"  and 
"encourage  them  to  adopt  a  course  of  neutrality." 
His  policy,  when  he  learned  that  Frdmont  had  no 
additional  orders,  was  to  hold  the  ports  and  await 
further  news  and  instructions,  having  some  doubts 
whether  war  had  really  been  declared.  He  was  not 
in  sympathy  with  the  American  revolutionists,  and 
was  not  disposed  to  utilize  their  battalion  for  an 
aggressive  warfare  on  the  Californians.  But  ho  soon 
retired,  and  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  naval 
squadron  by  Stockton.  The  latter  had  no  orders  ot 
later  date  than  Sloat's,  but  he  decided  promi)tly  to 
extend  the  occupation  to  the  southern  ports  and  to 
Los  Angeles,  the  capital.  In  this  respect  he  acted 
wisely,  but  no  more  can  be  said  in  his  favor.  In 
utter  disregard  of  his  government's  policy,  as  made 
known  to  a  confidential  agent,  and  without  any  good 
reason,  he  adopted  the  aggressive  policy  of  the  Bear 
Flag  men  and  filibusters,  issued  an  offensive  and 
warlike  proclamation,  and  on  going  south  practically 
refused  to  receive  the  voluntary  submission  of  tlie 
Californian  leaders,  thus  disobeying  the  spirit  of  his 
instructions.  Yet  he  was  in  a  sense  successful;  tlic 
south  was  occupied  without  resistance.  Then  tlu; 
commodore,  deeming  the  conquest  complete,  resolved 
to  organize  a  temporary  civil  government  and  to  Icavo 
Fremont  in  charge  as  governor,  reporting  his  inten- 
tion at  the  end  of  AuLjust,  and  making  Fremont  mil- 
itary  commander  early  in  September.^ 

Certain  dishonorable  and  imprudent  phases  of  these 
proceedings  not  being  fully  understood,  there  was 
no  reason  why  they  should  not  be  approved  at  Washing- 
ton.    Notwithstanding  the  blunders  and  braggadocio 

'For  details  of  wliat  is  brietly  reforred  to  liere  see  diap.  x-xi.  of  this 
volume. 


RtSUMR  OF  THE  CONQUKST. 


413 


iiiul  tilihusterisui  t)t'  Frdmoiit  and  Stockton,  roullv  the 
oivntt'st  ol)stuclos  to  the  I'onqucst,  tliesc  ofiicurs  miijjlit 
plausibly  claim  to  be  tho  ciuiquerors.  The  purpose 
to  ori^anizea  civil  «i;overnmoiit,  if  not  altosji-ether  ri'ou- 
lar  ami  commundable,  was  in  accordance  with  orders 
then  on  the  way  to  the  naval  commander.''  Had  the 
conquest  proved  permanent  and  complete  as  reporteil, 
had  Stockton  organized  his  government  as  intended, 
making  Frdmont  governor,  and  had  reports  of  such 
action  reached  Washington  before  other  measures  had 
been  adopted,  doubtless  all  wt)uld  have  been  approved 
and  the  governor's  appointment  confirmed.  But  a 
serious  revolt  occurred,  which  involved  both  in  the 
south  and  north  all  the  tiixhtinij:  and  bloodshed  that 
attended  the  war  in  California;  and  the  commodore 
and  colonel  were  forced  to  postpone  all  thought  of 
civil  organization  and  give  all  their  energies  to  the 
military  task  of  putting  down  a  revolt  that  was 
largely  due  to  their  own  errors.  Stockton  v  ith  his 
naval  force  proceeded  to  San  Diego  to  renew  opera- 
tions against  Los  Angeles;  Fremont  as  military  com- 
mandant hastily  ransacked  the  country  for  recruits 
and  supplies  for  his  battalion,  and  marched  south  to 
cooperate  with  the  commodore,  after  some  of  his  men 
had  engaged  in  a  light  at  Natividad;  and  garrisons  of 
marines  and  volunteers  were  left  to  protect  the  north- 
ern posts,  and,  as  it  proved,  to  engage  in  some  slight 
warlike  service.  Details  and  results  have  been  re- 
corded in  preceding  chapters.  But  before  the  con- 
quest was  really  accomplished,  and  the  leaders  were 
ready  to  think  again  of  civil  affairs,  several  things 
had  happened  to  affect  their  plans.^ 

^  July  12th,  Sec.  Bancroft  to  Sloat.  The  sending  of  an  artillery  company, 
and  of  tho  N.  Y.  volunteers  soon  to  start,  is  announced;  and  Sloat  is  in- 
structed to  extend  his  possession  to  S.  Diego,  and  if  possible  to  Lo8  Angeles. 
'This  will  brinff  with  it  the  necessity  of  a  civil  administration.  Such  a  gov- 
ernment should  be  established  under  your  protection;  and  in  selecting  i)ei - 
sons  to  hold  oi&ce,  duo  respect  should  bo  had  to  tho  wishes  of  tho  people  of 
Cal.'  News  of  Kearny's  appointment  and  a  copy  of  his  instructions  are 
enclosed.  'The  govt  relies  on  tho  land  and  naval  forces  to  cotiperato  with 
each  other  in  the  most  friendly  and  effective  manner.'  Doc.  in  Frimont'» 
Court-martial,  59-60;  Stocktoti's  Life,  30. 

'  The  later  theory  of  Stockton  and  Friimont,  that  the  revolt  was  a  mere 


./^a 


414 


STOCKTON'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


i|l 


The  administration  at  Washington  on  the  outbreak 
of  the  Mexican  war,  taking  it  for  granted  that  tho 
naval  forces  would  occupy  the  ports,  but  not  ar.tici- 
pating  that  they  wouid  be  able  to  do  much  more, 
resolved  to  send  a  military  force  bj-  land  and  sea  to 
cooperate  in  the  conquest  or  occupation.  General 
Kearny  was  selected  to  take  command,  and  in  June 
was  ordered — as  soon  as  he  should  have  completed 
the  conquest  of  New  Mexico — to  march  across  the 
continent.  His  instructions  were  to  take  possession 
of  California,  to  assume  command  not  only  of  the 
troops  that  accompanied  him,  but  of  those  to  be  sent 
after  him  by  sea  and  land,  and  of  such  volunteers  as 
might  be  organized  among  the  settlers,  and  to  estab- 
lish a  temporary  civil  government.*  It  was  hoped, 
but  not  confidently  behe/ed,  that  Kearny  might  reach 
California  in  the  winter  of  1846-7. 

There  were  as  yet  no  definite  instructions  on  tJie 
course  to  be  followed  if  the  thinsfs  the  general  was 
sent  to  do  should  be  done  before  his  an  ival  by  others, 
ibr  no  such  emergency  was  foreseen;  but  there  were 
later  orders  throwing  light  on  the  government's  in- 
tention. In  July  the  artillery  company  was  despatched 
by  sea,  with  orders  dated  in  June,'  and  the  instrue- 

local  anil  insignificant  matt.M',  not  interfering  at  all  with  the  conquest  previ- 
ously offected  or  the  civil  go\  t  already  orgauizeil,  merits  no  consideration  what- 
ever; but  it  is  fair  to  notioe  that  the  revolt  was  put  down  mainly  by  their 
cflforts,  tliei*  energy  deserving  some  uuiiui'.'judation. 

*  Si'o  chap.  xiii.  of  this  volume  for  details  of  Kcaniy's  instructions  aiitl 
operations.  The  essential  points  of  the  former  were  as  folluivs-  June  3,  184(i 
'It  has  been  decided  by  the  jiresidcnt  to  l)e  of  tlic  greatest  importance  in 
tlie  pending  wa""  to  take  the  earliest  possession  of  I'jiper  California.  Am 
t'X)H'ditiou  with  that  view  is  hereby  ordered,  and  you  are  designated  to  com- 
mand it. .  .You  arc  authori-icd  to  orgimize  and  receive  into  the  service  of  I  lie 
r.  S.  such  portion  of  these  citizens  ns  you  may  tliink  useful  to  aid  you  to 
hold  the  possession  of  tliu  country. ..  It  is  expected  that  the  naval  forces  oi 
tlio  U.  S. .  .will  be  in  iiossession  of  all  the  towns  on  the  sea-coast,  and  will 
<c>operate  with  you  in  the  conquest  of  Cal. .  .Should  you  coaquerand  take  p>.* 
session  of  N.  Mex.  and  Upper  Ca\.,  or  considerable  places  in  cither,  you  wi  1 
establish  temporary  civil  gcvernments tiierein. .  .It  is  foreseen  that  what  re- 
lates to  the  civil  govt  will  be  a  difficult  and  unpleasant  iMirt  of  your  duty, 
and  much  must  necessarily  be  left  to  your  own  iMscretion.'  Juno  18.  An- 
nouncement of  the  proposed  sending  of  troops  by  sea,  artillery  and  N.  Y.  vol- 
unteers; •  these  troops  and  such  as  maybe  organized  in  Cal.  will  Ixi  under 
your  command.'  Cal.  and  X.  Mcx.,  Me'<s.  and  Doc.,  ISoO,  p.  'IM,  240. 

-  june  "iOth,  Scott  to  Capt.  Tompkins.     He  is  not  to  be  'under  the  orders 


NY, 


INSTRUCTIONS  FROM  WASHINGTON. 


41.-. 


lie  outbreak 
kI  that  tlio 
not  antici- 
iiuch  more, 
and  sea  to 
1.  General 
\d  in  June 
completed 
across  thf 
i  possession 
>nly  of  tlu' 
J  to  be  sent 
)luntoers  as 
id  to  estab- 
was  hoped, 
might  reach 

ons  on  the 
L^eneral  was 
I  by  others, 
there  were 
iment's  in- 
despatcheil 
|he  instruc- 

I  conquest  prcvi- 

Hdcration  what- 

lainly  by  their 

jistriictions  aiul 

June  3,  lS4(i. 

iinjwrtuncc  m 

palifomi.i.     An 

juated  to  com 

service  of  the 

J  to  aid  you  t.i 

liaval  forces  of 

foast,  and  will 

•and  takcpii< 

ttlior,  you  wi  I 

Itliat  what  re- 

:>f  your  duty, 

Funo  18.     Aii- 

tuulN.  Y.  vol- 

Iwill  be  under 

m,  240. 

ller  the  orders 


tions  already  cited  were  sent  to  the  naval  commander, 
alluding  to  the  possibility  of  having  to  establish  a 
civil  government  before  Kearny's  arrival,  but  not  im- 
plying that  this  was  to  affect  the  general's  authority." 
And  in  September  instructions  to  Colonel  Stevenson, 
given  after  the  reception  of  unofficial  reports  that 
Monterey  had  been  occupied,  were  based  on  the  idea 
that  the  New  York  volunteers  would  arrive  before 
Kearny,  that  the  latter  would  come  later  to  take 
command,  and  that  probably  before  his.  arrival  not 
much  would  be  accomplished  in  the  interior,' 

strictly  speaking  of  any  naval  office: ,'  but  is  to  cooperate  with  the  naval 
forces  in  the  occupation  of  Cal.  i>orts.  'You  may  lind  on  the  north-west  coast 
an  army  officer  with  higher  rank  than  your  own,  when  of  course  you  will 
I'cport  to  him,  and  if  ashore,  come  under  his  commanu.  CntW  Conq.,  251. 

*See  p.  413  for  iiustnictions  of  July  12th.  If  Kearny's  instructions,  en- 
closed with  these,  were  to  be  disregarded,  surely  an  order  to  that  eflfect  would 
have  been  given  in  clear  language.  In  the  instructions  of  Aug.  13th,  ITtli. 
to  the  naval  conimandor.  Sec.  Bancroft  says:  'A  militiiry  force  has  been 
directed  to  proceed  to  Cal.  for  tlio  purjiose  jf  cooperation  with  the  navy '  in 
taking  and  holding  S.  F.,  Monteicy,  S.  Diego,  and  if  possible  'San  Pueblo 
de  los  Angeles.'  '  A  detachment . . .  has  sailed  in  the  Lexiiifflon.  A  regiment 
. .  .will  soon  sail  from  N.  Y.,  and  a  body  of  troops  under  Brig.-gen.  Kearny 
may  reach  the  coast  over  .Sta  Fi5.  Copies  of  so  much  of  tiio  instructions  to 
Tompkins  and  Kearny  as  relates  to  object:?  requiring  cooperation  are  here- 
with enclosed.  The  president  expects  and  rcquiici  the  most  cordial  and 
effectual  cooperation  oetween  the  oflicera  of  '.lie  two  .lervices, .  .  .and  will 
hold  any  commander  of  either  branch  to  a  stact  responsibility  fur  any  fail 
ure  to  preserve  Iiarmonv  and  secure  the  objcjts  pnqiosed.'  Viilt.s'  t'ouq.,  10", 

2:kj. 

'Sept.  11th,  sec.  war  to  Stevenson.  'Instructions  have  been  given  to 
the  naval  commiinder, .  .  .and  you  arc  directed  tu  coiiperatc  with  him  in  car- 
rying out  his  plans.  The  regiment  under  your  command,  as  well  as  the  com- 
pany of  Capt.  Tompkins,  is  a  iwrt  of  Gen.  Kearny's  command;  but  it  may 
bo  that  he  will  not  be  in  a  situation  to  reach  you,  by  his  orders,  iminedi.'vtely 
on  your  debarkation.  Until  that  is  the  case,  yours  will  be  an  iiulependcnt 
command,  except  when  engaged  in  joint  operation.*  witl«  the  naval  force. 
It  is  not  expected  that  you  will  be  able  to  advance  far  into  the  country. .  In 
the  event  of  hostile  resistan<M',  your  operations  must  be  governed  by  circum- 
stances, and  you  must  use  the  means  at  your  eominaud  to  acconi))lish  the 
object  in  view — the  military  occupation  of  the  counti »-.  It  is  not,  however, 
expected  that  much  can  be  done,  if  preparations  shall  have  been  made  to  re 
sist,  until  the  forces  under  Gen.  Kearny  shall  have  entered  tlie  country.. . . 
Where  0  place  is  taken  by  the  joint  action  of  the  naviil  aii<l  land  force,  the 
naval  officer  in  command,  if  superior  in  rank  to  yourself,  will  be  entitled  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  civil  govt  of  it  wiiile  it  is  held  bv  the  coopera- 
tion of  l>otK  brandies.  All  your  poweis  in  this  ivinect  Mill  of  couise  be 
devolved  on  <.»eii.  Kearny,  whenever  he  shall  arrive.'  i'liHn'  Cuni/.,  'JlO-r-O. 
iiept,  12th,  sec  war  to  Kcaniy,  enclosing  the  instrn  ?tions  to  Stevenson. 
'  This  force  is  to  be  part  of  your  command;  but  as  it  may  reach  the  place  of 
its  doatiuation  before  you  are  in  a  condition  to  subject  it  to  yo"»'  orders,  the 
colonel ...  Las  been  famished  with  instructions  for  his  conduct  in  the  mean 
time.'  Co/,  ami  N.  Mtx.,  Me$».  and  /)(>•..  1830,  p.  241. 


416 


STOCKTON'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


hi! 


The  uext  orders,  in  November — issued  after  news 
had  come  of  Sloat's  operations,  of  Stockton's  acces- 
sion to  the  naval  command,  ond  of  his  acceptance  of 
Fremont's  battahon  of  volunteers,  but  before  the  re- 
ception of  the  commodore's  plans  for  civil  government 
— were  positive  to  the  effect  that  Kearny  on  his 
arrival,  and  the  rankino*  military  officer  before,  was 
to  be  recoi^nized  as  civil  governor;  and  these  orders 
were  sent  by  Colonel  Mason,  who  was  to  command 
after  Kearny's  departure.® 

Thus  we  see  that  Kearny  by  the  original  orders  of 
June  1846  was  required  to  conquer  California  in  co- 
operation with  the  naval  forces,  to  command  all  troopis 
and  to  direct  all  land  operations  in  the  province,  andt»> 
establish  a  temporary  civil  government,  being  gover- 
nor by  virtue  of  his  military  command.  The  later 
(Orders  cited,  though  not  received  till  after  the  contro- 
versy began,  confirm  the  apparent  mea'"iing  of  thf 
first,  and  show  that  Kearny  did  not  misinterpret 
them.  They  show  that  the  at! ministration  anticipated 
the  possibility — though  not  a  probability — of  the 
conquest  being  extended  to  the  capital,  and  of  a  civil 
fyovernment  beinjx  organized  by  the  naval  forces  un- 
der  Stockton,  the  regulars  under  Tompkins,  r.nd  vol- 
unteers under  Fremont  and  Stevenson,  bafore  Kearny's 
arrival  and  assumption  of  the  command.  They  do 
not  show  tha,t  the  general's  authority  was  to  be  af- 

•  Nov.  3,  1S46,  Gen.  Scott  to  Kearny.  '  It  is  desirable  that  tlio  volunteers 
(Fremont's  men),  '  if  not  originally  musterevl,  should  bo  caused  by  you  to  Im 
regularly  mustered  into  8er^•ice  retrospectively  under  the  volunteer  act  ot 
May  13th.'  The  appointment  of  collectors,  etc.,  'appertains  to  the  civil  gov- 
ernor of  the  province,  who  will  be,  for  the  time,  senior  officer  of  the  land 
forces  in  the  country.'  'As  a  guide  to  the  civil  governor  of  Cal.,  in  our 
hands,  see  the  letter  of  June  .'id  last.'  '  After  occupying  witii  our  forces  all 
necessary  points  in  Upper  Cal.,  and  establishing  a  temporary  civil  govt 
therein,  as  well  as  .issuring  yourself  of  its  internal  tranquillity, .  ..you  may 
charge  Col  Mason, .  ..or  the  land  otiicer  next  in  rank  to  your  own,  with  your 
several  duties,  and  return  yourseli'  to  St  Louis.  Frdmoiit'n  Court- marl iol,  48- 
50.  Nov.  5th,  sec.  navy  to  Stockton.  '  TIio  president  has  deemed  it  best  for 
the  public  interests  to  invest  the  military  officer  commanding  witli  the  direc- 
tion of  the  operations  on  Und,  and  with  the  admini.strative  functions  of  govt 
over  the  people  and  territory  occupied  by  us.  You  will  relinquish  to  Col 
Mason  or  to  Gen.  Kearny,  if  the  latter  shall  arrive  before  yon  have  done  so, 
the  entire  control  over  these  matters.'  A/..  5l-'.'. 


i^ 


KEARNY'S  ARRIVAL  AND  MISSION. 


417 


iter  news 
n's  acces- 
(ptance  of 
re  the  re- 
>vernnient 
ly  on  his 
)tbre,  was 
ese  orders 
command 

i  orders  of 
•nia  in  co- 
all  troops 
lice,  and  to 
ng  gover- 
The  later 
he  contro- 
ng  of  the 
isintcrpret 
nticipated 
—of  the 
of  a  civil 
'orces  un- 
f.ad  vol- 
Kearny's 
They  do 
to  be  af- 

eyolunteers' 

by  yoa  to  bf 

ntecr  act  of 

lie  civil  gov- 

of  the  lanil 

Cal.,  in  our 

ur  forces  all 

civil  govt 

..you  may 

1,  witli  your 

inarlMl,  48- 

vl  it  best  for 

the  (lirec- 

iona  of  govt 

uish  tx>  Ck»l 

ve  (lone  so, 


tected  bv  such  events;  nor  tlo  thev  indicate  that  un- 
<ler  any  ciivuiiistaiices  the  position  *A'  civil  governor 
rould  be  held  l)y  any  other  than  the  ranking  military 

'ttioer.  Kearnv,  as  we  have  seen. '^started  from  Santa 
Fe  in  September,  earlier  than  had  been  expected,  with 
three  hundred  dragoons.  Presently  he  met  Carson, 
Stockton's  messenger,  with  despatches  for  Washing- 
ton, and  news  that  Cahfornia  had  been  conquered  and 
;i  civil  government  organized  by  Stockton  and  Fre- 
mont. Nothing  indicates  that  he  questioned  the  ac- 
cuiacy  of  the  report;  neither  did  he  iind  in  it  any- 
thing to  modify  ids  instructions  or  duties.  He  sent 
hack  two  thirds  of  his  dra<2:oons,  believini;  that  the 

•ther  troops  provided  for  would  suffice  for  holding 
the  eountrv,  and  continued  his  march  acro.ss  the  con- 
tinent.  Had  he  on  arrival  found  Carson's  report 
>trictly  true,  all  being  tranquil,  and  civil  aft'airs  being 
(juietly  administered  by  the  connnodorc  or  lieutenant- 
n)lonel,  he  would  have  been  entitled,  i>eyond  question 
I  think,  to  assume  the  military  command,  and  with  it 
the  governorship. 

But,  as  the  reader  knows,  he  found  no  such  state 
of  thinofs.  He  learned  that  Stockton  had  not  orfjan- 
izt'd  but  only  planned  a  civil  government,  and  that 
the  conquest  was  yet  to  be  effected  before  the  plans 
(Kuld  be  carried  out.  The  necessity  for  military  s«'r- 
\  ice,  in-^  tead  of  having  disappeared,  was  much  UMrc 
urgent  than  had  ever  been  anticipated  at  Washiug- 
ti»n.  But  Kearnv,  after  the  disaster  of  San  Pascual — 
which  reriected  no  credit  on  his  ability  as  an  officer 

—entered  San  Diego  under  peculiar  eircumstances, 
wounded  like  many  of  l,i.s  men,  deprived  of  his  best 
"tticers  who  had  boen  killed,  Ids  whole  command  per- 
haps saved  from  destruction  by  the  eommodore's  aid. 
The  delicacy  of  his  position,  courtesy  due  to  the  naval 
'•"mmander,  and  the  fact  that  Stockton  was  activelv 
■  11  gaged  in  organizing  an  expedition  against  the  enemy 
prompted   the  general  not  only  to  abstain   from  de- 

' See  chap.  xiii.  of  tills  volume. 
Hut.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    27 


418 


STOCKTON'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


manding  the  chief  command,  but  to  decline  it  when 
proffered  by  Stockton. ^'^ 

The  two  officers,  however,  had  some  correspond- 
once,  conversation,  and  even  argument  respecting  their 
claims  to  the  ultimate  connnand.  Kearny  showed 
his  instructions,  expressed  his  opinion  that  undt-r 
them  he  was  entitled  to  the  governorship,  and  prob- 
ably announced  his  intention  to  assume  that  position 
later.  Stockton,  on  the  other  hand,  showed  copies  of 
his  earlier  reports  explaining  his  plans  for  a  civil  gov- 
ernment, and  made  an  argument  in  support  of  hi> 
theorv  that  the  general's  contingent  instructions  had 
l)een  superseded  by  events,  since  he  and  Frdmout  had 
already  done  the  things  that  Kearny  was  ordi  red  to 
do.'' 

'"  So  Stockton  states,  offering  a  certificate  of  two  of  his  aids  who  were  prcs- 
sent  as  witnesses.  The  point  was  not  touched  in  Kearny's  testimony  in  the 
court-martial,  l)ut  tiiero  is  no  contradictory  evidence.  Stockton  8.tvs:  'After 
•  Sen.  Kearny  arrived,  and  in  my  quarters  and  in  presence  of  two  of  my  mili- 
tary family,  I  offered  to  make  him  commander-in-chief  over  all  of  us,  and  I 
offered  to  go  as  his  aid-de-camn.  He  said  no;  that  the  force  was  mine,  an<l 
that  he  would  go  as  my  aid-de-camp,  or  accom])any  me.  A  fvw  days  after 
tliis,  and  when  lien.  K.  had  removed  to  other  quarters,  I  made  a  formal  cjdl 
upon  him;. .  .during  that  interview  I  made  the  same  offer  to  him,  pretty  muili 
ill  the  same  language,  and  received  pretty  much  the  same  answer.  My  ni  > 
tives  for  niakins  this  otl'cr  were  two:  the  first  was  his  high  character  as  a  sol 
dier;  the  second  was,  I  desired  he  should  know  that  I  was  disposed,  on  lii> 
tirst  arrival,  to  give  all  power  into  his  hands,  without  making  a  question  nf 
rank  at  all.'  Friimmt'it  Court-martial,  18t);  and  to  same  etfv  ct  in  Sto'L'oi,\ 
Ji'cport,  Feb.  IS,  1847,  with  more  explanations  that  the  offer  wa.s  made,  'al- 
thuugh  it  was  my  decided  opinion. .  .that  I  was  entitled  to  retain  the  posi- 
tion lu  which  I  was  placed  of  commander-in-chief.' 

"  Kearny's  testimouj':  'In  that  conversation '—that  of  Dec.  '2Sth,  p.ml  tli<' 
only  one  held  on  the  subject  as  he  states — 'I  told  Com.  S.  that  he  had  seen. . 
llio  instructions  of  the  president  to  me  relating  to  Cal. ;  that  I  had  eomo  t" 
Ciil.  with  but  a  small  military  force;  that  deference  and  respect  for  his  si'cuu 
tiou,  he  being  then  in  command  of  the  racitio  squadron  and  having  a  larg* 
f.)rce  of  siiilora  and  marines,  prevented  me,  at  thi.t  time,  from  relieving  him 
and  taking  charge  of  the  civil  govt;  that  as  .soon  as  my  command  was  increase! 
1  would  take  charge  of  affairs  in  Cal.  agreeably  to  my  instruction.s.  Com.  .'^ 
s;iid  in  reply  that  he  had  in  Aug.  reported  the  state  of  affairs  in  Cal.  toWaali- 
iiigtoii,  and  that  ho  could  not  permit  himself  to  be  interfered  with  until  he 
received  an  answer  to  that  report. '  Fr(mout''sCourt-marthil,  79,  81-3.  Stoi  k- 
lon'.s  testimony:  'About  the  time  when  (!en.  K.  was  leaving  my  quarters,  he 
handed  mo  his  instructions,  and  when  I  read  them,  I  wjis  simple  enough  ti 
believe  that  he  had  handed  them  to  me  that  I  might  be  gratiticd  l>y  seeing 
how  fully  and  thoroughly  I  had  anticipated  the  wishes  of  the  govt.  (!)  Wlion 
[  returned  the  papers  with  a  note  of  thanks. .  .1  sent  him  copies  of  some  <>f 
my  own  des]mtchcs  to  the  govt,  that  he  as  a  friend  might  participate  in  tii' 
pleasure  I  felt. . .  After  thi.s  at  S.  Diego  the  general  in  a  conversation  with  me 
introduced  the  snliject  of  tlic  governorship,  and  intimated  that  he  tliouglit 


r 


DISCUSSION  AT  SAN  DIEGO. 


419 


Doubtless  the  commodore  reijarded  Kearuv's  non- 
aecej^tanoe  of  the  immediate  command  as  indicating 
a  probable  yielding  at  the  last.  There  would  be  time 
enough,  however,  to  settle  these  matters  after  the 
taking  of  Los  Angeles;  and  at  San  Diego  there  was 
no  interruption  of  friendly  relations.  It  would  seem. 
however,  that  the  general  took  at  least  one  slight  step 
to  strengthen  himself  in  a  foreseen  controversy ;"  thus 
indicating,  as  also  by  certain  later  acts,  that  he  did 
not  fully  appreciate  the  strength  of  his  position.  It 
had  been  understood  that  Kearny  after  declining  the 
iliief  command  would  serve  in  the  campaign  as  Stock- 
tons  aid;  but  just  before  marching  from  San  Diego 
a  new  arrangement  was  made  at  the  general's  re- 
quest. All  agree  that  Kearny  accepted  and  exercised 
throughout  the  expedition  the  immediate  command 
of  the  troops,  and  that  Stockton  reserved  for  liimself, 
as  publicly  announced  to  the  officers,  the  position  of 
commander-in-chief  and  acting;  jjovernor  of  California. 
his  tenjporary  authority  as  such  being  fully  recognized 
by  the  general.  Yet  a  little  later  there  was  nmch 
dispute  about  the  relative  positions  of  the  two  offi- 

he  ought  to  b«  governor  under  his  instructions.  This  of  course  amazed  me. 
because  I  hod  more  than  once  voluntarily  oflfored  to  place  him  at  the  iiead  of 
atl'airs  in  Cal.,  which  ofier  he  hatl  as  often  refused.  >Ve  argued  the  matter. 
Imwever,  he  relying ujwn  his  instructions.'  Stockton  in  /</.,  190,  and  tc  sam<' 
etlVct  elsewhere.  Pec.  10th.  Stockton  to  Kearny,  returning  with  thanks 
despatches  and  sending  copies  of  liis  own  letters,  etc.,  'that  you  may  see 
how  far  the  wishes  of  the  govt  have  becii  anticipated.'  Slorkton'n  Mil.  an<l 
Xav.  Op.,  --'8. 

"It  is  difficult  to  attach  any  other  meaning  to  K.'s  letter  of  Dec.  '2"2d,  ad- 
vising S.  to  marcli  as  soon  as  possible  on  Los  Angeles  to  form  n  junction  with 
Frt^mont's  force,  and  adding,  'I  sliall  be  liappy,  in  sucli  an  expedition,  to  ac- 
eoni|iany  and  to  give  you  any  aid  eitlier  of  head  or  hand  of  which  I  may  be 
callable.'  FrdmoiU'.-i  Cinirt-murtiul,  47.  Next  day  Stockton  replied  in  a  note 
explaining  that  his  rarpose  to  march  on  .Vngeles  at  the  e.irlicst  jnjssihle  mo- 
iiiont  had  been  liUuic  known  to  K.  in  conversation  the  morning  liefore,  and 
implying  some  surprise  that  K.'s  advice  liad  l)een  dceme<l  necessary.  //. , 
111.  K.  in  his  reply  of  the  same  d.ite,  alluding  to  the  conversation,  s.iys, 
If  I  had  so  understood  you,  I  certainly  would  not  have  written  my  letter  to 
>ou  of  last  evening.'  Id.,  \\'2.  Itispossiblc  that  K.  really  nnsunderstoodS.'s 
[tlans,  but  it  seems  unlikely;  especially  as  in  his  report  cif  Jan.  17,  1847,  he 
says,  'The  march  of  the  troops  from  S.  Diego  to  this  place  was  reluctantly 
cciiiscnted  to  by  Com.  Stockton  oa  my  urgent  advice,  />/.,  95;  and  in  his 
later  testimony  that  the  expedition  to  AngoTes  '  was  organi^e<l  in  conseciuence, 
as  1  Ijclieve,  of  a  paper  winch  I  addressed  to  Com.  S.  — the  one  cited  aboTe. 
//,.47. 


420 


STOCKTON'S  CoXTIlOVEllSY  WITH  KEAllNY. 


cers,  Kearny  donyiiig'  that  ho  liad  boon  in  any  sense 
under  the  eonimodore's  orderei.  The  evidence  leaves 
no  possible  doubt,  I  think,  that  in  this  dispute  Stock- 
ton was  right  and  Kearny  wrong,  that  the  former  did 
act  as  coniniander-in-chief  of  the  forces,  issuing  in  that 
capacity  many  routine  orders,  which  were  obeyed, 
some  of  them  against  the  general's  commands.  So 
clearly  is  this  established  that  I  do  not  deem  it  neces- 
sary to  present  in  detail  the  bulky  testimony,  es- 
pecially as  the  matter  had  no  such  importance  in  the 
general  controversy  as  was  imputed  to  it  then  and 
later.  ^'^     Kearny  had  a  right  by  his  instructions  and 

"  Kearny  admits  that  lie  recognized  S.  as  acting  governor,  and  even  as 
coniinander-in-chief  'of  California,'  tliat  is,  of  all  forces  except  those  at  S. 
Diego,  but  claims  that  ho  letained  no  authority  over  K.  or  the  troops  over 
wliich  K.  was  put  in  immediate  command,  and  that  his  so-called 'orders' 
were  regarded  as  mere  'suggestions,'  In  other  wonls,  K.  claims  to  have  as- 
sumed tlio  military  command  iu  accordance  with  his  rank  and  instructions  as 
far  as  was  possible  at  S.  Diego  before  absent  portions  of  the  forces  should  re- 
port to  him,  or  should  bo  formally  turned  over  by  Stockton.  The  distinction 
is,  however,  a  very  lino  one,  hardly  satisfactory  to  the  mind  not  imbued  witli 
military  technicalities;  and  as  I  have  said,  tlio  testimony  that  Stockton  acted 
practically  as  connnander-in-chicf  is  overwhelming, 

Stockton's  testimony  in //•e»jOH<'/»  CourC- martial,  191-4,  199,  201,  and  to 
samo  clicct  in  other  reports,  '  I  did  not  send  my  aid  to  Gen.  K.  to  say  to 
him  that  I  ordered  him  to  do  this  and  that;  but  I  sent  all  my  messages  to 
him  ill  the  most  resi)ectful  and  considerate  manner. .  .Most  of  the  execution 
of  details  was  confided  to  (Jen.  K.  as  second  in  command.'  Testimony  of 
Lieut  Gray,  as  S.'s  aid,  in  Id.,  210-11;  Lient  Minor,  /(/.,  '241-'2.  Certificate 
of  Mosely  and  Speiden  of  the  navy  to  K.  'a  original  offer  to  go  aa  S.  's  aid.  lit. , 
480.  liussell's  testimony  on  K.'s  later  adniission  that  he  had  served  uiuUi' 
K,  /(/.,  202.  Kearny's  testimony  iu  Id.,  47,  61,  70,  116-17,  322-5,  Ho  iv- 
represeuts  S.  as  saying  at  S.  Diego,  'Gentlemen,  Gen.  K.  liaa  kindly  con- 
sented to  take  com.  of  the  troops  on  this  exped.  You  will  therefore  looU 
upon  him  as  your  commander.  I  shall  go  along  as  gov,  and  com. -in-chief  in 
Cal.'  'I  exorcised  no  com.  over  Com.  S.,  nor  did  he  exercise  any  over  me.' 
'He  was  considered  by  me  as  com. -in-chief  in  Cal.  until  he  had  on  Dee,  20tlt 
turned  over  a  portion  of  that  com.  tome.'  'During  the  march  many  mes- 
sages were  brought  to  mo  from  Com.  S. ;  these  I  looked  upon  as  suggestions 
and  as  expressions  of  his  orders.'  Lieut  Emory,  Id.,  101-3,  171-2,  testifies 
that  K.  was  in  command,  but  that  'my  information  is  confined  very  much  to 
the  immediate  com.  of  the  troops.'  'Com,  S.  claimed  to  be  gov.  and  com. - 
in-chief. .  .On  tiio  march  Com.  S.,  I  understood,  did  several  acts  in  tliat  ca- 
pacity.' Ho  mentions  also  an  instance  where  ho  obeyed  S.'s  oriler  on  t!;u 
location  of  a  camp.  In  Id.,  70,  is  Emory's  report  of  casualties,  dated  Jan.  1 1  tli, 
and  addressed  to  'His  Exoell.  11.  F.  Sockton,  Gov.  of  Cal.,  etc.;'  and  in  /(/., 
108-9,  K.'sadvico  and  ofler  to  march  with  part  of  the  troops,  addressed  to 
'Com.  R.  F.  Stockton,  Gov.  of  Cal.,  com'd'g  U.  S.  forces.'  John  Bidwell, 
'  'ft/.  lS.'fl~S,  MS.,  '204-7,  says:  'I  as  quartermaster  received  orders  from  both, 
and  obt-'yed  iKJtii  so  far  as  I  couUl.  S.  was  determined  to  commanil.  A  con- 
flict was  growing  between  the  two.  Sometimes  I  thought  I  could  see  K.  bite 
his  lips  with  rage.'  Testimony  of  John  Forater,  Pioneer  Data,  MS.,  45,  and 
of  B.  D.  Wilson,  Obscrv.,  MS.,  105-9,  that  S.  was  in  coininaud.     See  also 


ON  THK  MARCH  TO  LOS  ANGELES. 


421 


1)V  his  rank  of  briixadier-s^eneral — Stockton's  assinii- 

,7  OCT 

lilted  rank  being  tliat  of  colonel — to  assume  when- 
over  he  thought  best  the  military  command,  involving 
the  civil  governorship.  He  deferred  the  act,  as  he 
liad  also  a  right  to  do.  His  subsequent  eft'orts  to  h^- 
iiore  Stockton's  real  j)osition  in  the  campaign  must  be 
attributed  to  a  wish  to  strengthen  himself  for  a  com- 
ing controversy,  and  later  to  the  spirit  aroused  by 
1  hat  controversy. 

During  the  campaign,  as  at  San  Diego,  there  was 
no  interruption  of  friendly  relations,  api)arently  at 
kast;  and  the  same  state  of  things  continued  for  about 
a  week  at  Los  Angeles,  thougli  Bidwell  and  a  few 
others  thought  that  the  general  was  angry  at  Stock- 
ton's attitude  on  the  march,  and  Emory  testified  that 
Kearny  forbade  the  reading  of  the  commodore's  con- 
gratulatory order  to  the  troops.  IMeanwhile,  how- 
t'vor,  it  is  not  unlikely  tliat  divers  petty  occurrences, 
not  recorded,  furnished  fuel  for  the  coming  fire;  at 
any  rate,  it  became  more  and  more  evident  to  Kearny 
that  Stockton  did  not  intend  voluntarily  to  surrender 
the  command.  He  also  began  to  foresee  that  the  at- 
titude of  Fi'einont  and  his  battalion  of  volunteers 
would  be  a  factor  in  the  problem.  Ho  had  deter- 
mined to  assert  his  authority  as  soon  as  his  force 
should  be  increased,  antl  the  nearest  source  of  such  in- 
crease was  the  battalion.      He  did  not  yet  claim  au- 

iinrrativc  of  the  ciiiiip.Tigii  in  chap.  xv.  of  this  volume.  h\  tlie  Monterey 
<''ili/i)rnian,  Jiiii.  "JS,  Felt.  IM,  1S47;  >'.  /•'.  ('al'j'ornmn,  June  '1{\,  .Inly  17, 
IS47;  reprinted  as  an  appeiulix  to  lUMiton".-*  speech  of  July  1S48  in  the  Couij. 
<i'lob<';  and  also  as  appen.  ]>  of  N'  ici,f  >ii\f  Lil'<\  43-8 — is  amass  of  eoiresi)ond- 
ciu'o  on  this  Bultject.  It  cont.'iins  not  only  Stockton's  statement,  hut  cer- 
tilieates  from  some  15  naval  ollioers  atlirming  most  positively  that  S.  held 
the  ciiief  command,  and  tliat  Iv.,  commanding;  the  troojis  hyS.'s  a[>point- 
mcnt,  was  considered  hy  all  the  olhcers  as  second  in  command.  I  iiave  no 
sjiace  for  the  hidky  details. 

In  his  report  to  tlie  govt  of  .laii.  I'Jth,  Kearny  wrote:  'At  the  reipicst  of 
<'nm.  S.,  who  in  Sejtt.  last  asHnined  the  title  of  (!ov.  of  t'al.,  I  consented  to 
tiiljc  com.  of  an  cxped,  to  tills  ])laco.  .  .Com.  S.  accompanied  ii»,'  etc. 
I'licn  follows  an  account  of  tlie  liattle.  etc.  f.  S.  (Inrl  Jim-.,  ,'{|)tii  coii_'.  1st 
sess..  Sen.  ICx.  Doc,  I,  p.  r>ll)-l7.  Stockton,  in  his  report  of  .Ian.  I  Ith,  rep- 
resented himself  as  having  l)een  'aided  by  Ceii.  Kearny.'  S/orkl",i's  l.ij'e, 
appen.  H.  In  his  four  notes  to  l''reinont,  dated  Jan.  lOtii,  rjtii,  \'M\\,  *'"itrt- 
/irirtial,  73-4,  Kearny  did  not  name  Stockton  at  all,  and  in  one  of  tlicBi  he 
Slid,  'I  am  here  in  possession  of  this  place.' 


^m   ^^^^^^^Hiifiiiiiiia 

i 

^^B       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B 

1 

f 

i 

1 
1 

1 

1 

^H    H^^^^^^^^H 

1     1 

II 

\ 

1    ^^^^^^^^H'' 

■1 
In 

III 

III 

l^P 

I 
i 

^HH 

H 

[jliBH||HI               ;ii 

^^H 

ili^ 

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ifl 

mi 

•  ]' 

:'■  i     ■"*:'; 

4'.'-J 


STOCKTONS  CONrROVEIlSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


tliority  over  the  volunteers;  to  assume  it  by  a  general 
order,  and  require  compliance  from  Stockton  and  Fre- 
mont, would  be  to  precipitate  the  controversy;  and 
he  chose  rather  to  gain  his  end  by  more  indirect 
methods.  His  notes  to  Frdmont,  and  his  proposition 
to  join  him,  on  January  10th-13th,  were  due  in  part 
to  the  motive  alleged,  anxiety  for  the  safety  of  his 
force;  but  also,  and  chiefly,  to  a  desire  for  friendly 
relations  with  Fremont,  and  to  the  hope  of  obtaining 
from  that  officer  at  least  a  technical  'report'  to  him- 
self as  commander.  In  this  last  respect  his  crafty 
plan  was  successful,  for  on  the  evening  of  the  13th, 
Major  Russell  arrived  from  the  battalion's  camp  with 
the  required  report.** 

Russell  had  been  sent  by  Frdmont  to  deliver  the 
letter,  to  learn  who  was  in  actual  command,  and  to 
report  to  that  officer  the  capitulation  of  Cahuenga. 
Having  called  on  Kearny  and  learned  that  he  recog- 
nized Stockton  as  commander-in-chief,  the  major  pro- 
ceeded to  report  the  treaty  to  the  commodore.  That 
evening  he  had  at  least  two  interviews  with  each  ol 
the  chiefs,  and  finally  passed  the  night  with  Kearny 
and  Turner  at  their  quarters,  engaging  in  long  con- 
versations on  current  events.  As  to  the  general  pur- 
port of  results,  there  is  no  essential  discrepancy  in 
testimony.  Russell  learned  that  Kearny,  while  yet 
recognizing  Stockton  as  commander-in-chief,  claimed 

'*  'On  the  march,  Jan.  13,  1847.  Dear  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to 
you  my  arrival  at  thia  place,  with  400  mounted  riQemcu  and  six  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, including  among  the  latter  two  pieces  lately  in  tiie  poascssiou  of  the 
Califomians.  Their  entire  force,  under  the  command  of  D.  Audiiis  Pico,  have 
this  day  laid  down  their  arms  and  surrendered  to  my  command.  Very  re- 
spectfully, your  obedient  servant,  J.  C.  Fremont,  Lt-col.  U.  S.  A.,  and  mili- 
tary commandant  of  the  territory  of  Cal.  Brig. -gen.  S.  W.  Kearny,  com- 
manding U.  S.  forces,  Puebla  do  los  Angeles.'  In  Fr^mont'n  Conrt-marlial, 
37,  and  elsewhere.  It  was  later  claimed  by  Fremont  and  his  friends  that 
this  letter — drawn  out  by  friendly  notes  addressed  to  'Dear  F.,'ctc.,  and 
asking  for  information  as  to  his  whereabouts — did  not  constitute  a  'repoit'  of 
his  command  to  Gen.  K.  in  a  military  sense;  but  a  military  court  decided 
otherwise.  Another  point  made  by  the  same  party  with  some  force  was,  that 
in  the  immediate  controversy  at  Los  Angeles,  K.  did  not  urge  this  report  as 
the  foundation  for  his  authority  over  the  battalion,  but  reserved  it  as  the 
foundation  of  later  charges.  This  document  was  really  the  basis  of  the  ver- 
dict in  one  of  tlio  two  principal  phases  of  the  court-martial. 


INY. 

by  a  goiieiiil 
toil  and  Fru- 
•oversy;  aiul 
lorc  indirect 
s  propositi* til 
3  duo  in  part 
safety  of  liis 
for  friendly 
of  obtainin;jj 
port'  to  hiiii- 
ct  his  crafty 
of  the   13th, 
n's  camp  with 

;o  deliver  the 
imand,  and  to 
of  Cahuenga. 
:hat  ho  recou- 
the  major  pi"- 
lodore.     That 
with  each  <»t 
with  Kearny 
in  long  coii- 
e  general  pur- 
iscrepancy  in 
ny,  while  yet 
[-chief,  claimed 

L  honor  to  report  to 
faiul  six  pieces  of  ar- 
llie  poasessiou  of  the 
T).  Audrtis  Pico,  have 
Command.    Very  re- 
l  U.  S.  A.,  and  mill- 
p.  W.  Kearny,  com 
hont's  Conrt-ni(trlial, 
liid  his  friends  that 
I'Dear  F.,' etc.,  and 
listitutea'report   of 
llitary  court  decided 
Isoino  force  was,  that 
It  urge  this  report  as 
lit  reserved  it  as  the 
Ithe  basis  of  tho  ver- 
lal 


FRfiMONT  AND  THK  BATTALION 


423 


the  right,  under  his  instructions,  to  assume  the  com- 
mand and  organize  the  civil  government;  that  he  was 
friendly  to  Frdmont  and  disposed  to  encourage  his 
hopes  for  the  governorship;  and  that  he  fully  approved 
the  treaty  of  Cahuenga,  Ho  also  learned  that  Stock- 
ton still  maintained  his  authority  to  hold  the  civil 
and  military  command  as  unimpaired  by  Kearny's 
arrival  and  instructions;  that  he  disapproved  the 
capitulation;  but  that  he  changed  his  mind  in  this 
latter  respect  after  listening  to  arguments.'''  There  is 
no  doubt  that  both  the  general's  and  commodon's 
approval  of  Frdmont's  recent  acts  was  founded  mainly 
on  their  own  immediate  interests,  as  the  making  of 
the  treaty  had  been  an  irregular  proceeding. 

Russell  left  town  in  the  morning  of  the  14th,  met 
Fremont  five  or  six  miles  out,  and  reported  the  state 
of  affairs  at  the  capital.  This  report  was  to  the  effect 
that  the  lieutenant-colonel  would  have  to  choose 
between  the  general  and  commodore,  since  each 
claimed  a  right  to  organize  a  civil  government,  either 
would  probably  make  Fremont  governor,  and  both 
approved  the  treaty  of  Cahuenga.  A  controversy 
was  clearly  foreseen;  Russell  believed  that  Kearny 
was  more  friendly  than  Stockton;  and  Fremont  ai»par- 
ently  agreed  with  him.     There  was,  however,  as  yet 

•*  Testimony  of  Russell  and  Kearny  in  Frimonfa  Cotirt-martkU,  87-8, 
243-5,  251-2,  262-5,  268,  321-4,  392.  They  agree  on  the  points  inentioncil  ii. 
my  text.  Russell  states,  however,  that  K.  relied  exclusively  on  his  instruc- 
tions and  admitted — against  R.'s  opinion — tliat  Stockton  outranked  iiini.  This 
is  denied  by  K.,  and  is  very  improbable.  R.  also  says  that  Stockton  cluiiiuMl 
to  be  acting  under  written  instructions  not  shown,  whicii  is  not  supported  bv 
any  other  evidence.  And  finally,  Russell  makes  K.'s  cncouragLinent  of  F.V 
hopes  for  the  governorship  amount  almost  to  a  promise,  at  Iciist  to  a  state 
nicnt  that  he  intended  soon  to  leave  C:d.,  and  proposed,  if  his  authority  watr 
recognized,  to  make  F.  governor;  but  Kearny  denies  that  ho  made  any  prom 
iso,  announced  any  intention,  or  ottered  any  other  encouragement  to  F.  than 
to  speak  of  him  in  favorable  terms.  It  is  to  bo  noted  that  in  their  testimony 
R.  would  naturally — and  probably  did — exaggerate  and  K.  underrate  the  en- 
couragement to  F.  s  hopes;  that  F.  was  at  tho  time  the  ranking  army  otlieer 
in  CaT  next  to  K.,  an<l  would  naturally  be  left  in  command  on  tiie  latter's  de- 
parture, though  Lieut-col  Ck>oke  was  expected  soon  to  arrive;  and  tliat  Fre- 
mont in  his  defence,  p.  392,  notes,  as  a  very  strong  indication  against  K.'s 
testimony  and  in  support  of  R.,  tho  fact  that  Capt.  Turner,  a  witness  for  the 
prosecution,  was  not  questioned  about  the  conversation  between  R.  uud  K., 
most  of  which  w.i.s  in  his  presence. 


I  I 


1  t 


})l 


424 


STO(.lvTOX'.S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KKARXY. 


no  call  for  a  decision;  the  battalion  nmrchocl  into  the 
city  early  on  the  14th;  and  Fremont  called  on  both 
ohiet's,  first  on  the  commodore,  no  particulars  beiny^ 
known  about  either  interview.  Indeed,  so  far  as  the 
controversy  is  concerne<l,  no  developments  of  this  day 
or  the  next  are  recorded.  Kearny  reported  to  the 
government  Fremont's  arrival  and  capitulation,  and 
alluding  to  the  troops  en  route  by  land  and  sea,  said : 
"On  their  arrival  I  will,  agreeably  to  the  instructions 
of  the  president,  have  the  management  of  things  in 
this  country,"^"  thus  perhaps  implying  a  doubt  whether 
he  would  be  able  to  obtain  control  before  the  coming 
i  >f  reenforcements.  And  Stockton,  reporting  the  samr 
matters,  said:  "The  civil  jfovernment  formed  bv  wv 
is  again  in  operation  in  the  places  where  it  was  inter- 
mitted by  the  insurgents..  .1  will  immediately  with- 
draw my  sailors  and  marines,  and  sail  for  the  coast  of 
Mexico;"''  thus  taking  it  for  granted  that  there  was 
to  be  no  opposition  to  his  authority.  Yet  while  there 
is  no  definite  record  of  what  was  being  said  and  done 
in  the  matter,  it  was  well  known  to  Kearnv  and  t'> 
many  others  at  Los  Angeles  that  Stockton  intended 
tt>  ignore  the  general's  authoritv.  Indeed,  he  had  on 
the  14th  tendered  to  Fremont  and  Russell  their  com- 
missions as  governor  and  secretarv  of  state. 

On  the  IGth,  therefore,  Kearnv  ordered  Stockton 
eitlier  to  show  his  authority  from  the  government  or 
to  take  no  further  action  in  relation  to  a  civil  organi- 
zation.'-    The  commodore  in   his  reply  of  the   same 

'*Jan.  14,  1847,  K,  tu  adj. -gen.,  in  Frf!»ioi)t's  Coiirt-mariial,  SO. 

'"Jan.  loth.  S.  to  Sec.  liaiicroft,  hi  Sto<'f.ion''<  I.i/',  appoii.  9-10.  This  %vas 
.■■ent  liy  Lieut  (Jiay,  who  left  L'js  Ant,'ch'8  iov  the  cast  oil  tho  10th.  Grijh'ir.-i 
hinnj,  MS. 

'-.Ian.  IC),  1">-17,  Kearny  to  Stockton.  'Sii-:  I  am  infornnil  that  you  are 
now  enj;age(i  in  organiiing  a  ii\  il  govt,  ami  appointing  otllctrs  for  it  in  tliis 
tei  rit(jry.  As  this  iliity  has  iietn  specially  assigned  to  myself  hy  orders  of  tin 
|)resident, .  .  .in  letters  to  me  from  the  sec.  war,  of  June  .'{  and  IS,  l!>i4tj,  tin' 
originals  of  which  1  gave  you  on  the  12th,  and  which  you  returned  to  nic 
on  the  i;Uh ' — there  seems  to  be  no  other  record  of  tiiis  corresp. — '  and  copiis 
of  which  I  furnished  you  with  the  "JtJth  of  Dec,  I  have  to  ask  if  yon  have 
any  authority  from  the  president,  from  the  sec.  navy,  or  from  any  other  chan- 
nel of  the  president's,  to  form  such  a  govt  and  make  sucii  appointments '! 
If  you  have  such  authority  and  will  show  it  to  me,  or  will  furnish  me  witii 


GENERAL  AND  COMMODOUE. 


I  into  the 
Oil    both 
irs  beinsj: 
Car  as  the 
i"  this  (lay 
id  to  the 
itioii,  and 
.sea,  said: 
itructions 
things  in 
b  whether 
e  coming 
the  same 
id  by  me 
vas  inter- 
el  V  witli- 
Q  coast  (»t' 
here  was 
liile  there 
and  done 
V  and  t't 
intended 
e  had  on 
eir  com- 

>tockton 
iment  or 
organ  i- 
lie   same 


This  was 
th.   Grijh'ii's 

|iat  you  a IV 
it  in  this 
J  iler.s  of  the 
I,  lfS4tj,  th.' 
luol  to  lau 

land  copiis 
1°  you  have 
Ither  chnu- 

Itintmcuts  ? 

Ill  nie  witli 


day  declined  to  obey  the  general's  order,  on  the  ground 
that  the  conquest  had  been  completed  and  the  civil 
government  put  in  operation  before  his  arrival.  He 
also  suspended  Kearny  from  the  command  of  the 
troops  conferred  on  him  at  San  Diego,  as  ho  hail  a 
ii<;ht  to  do  so  far  as  the  sailors  and  marines  were  con- 
cerned.^'' 

Thus  in  clear  terms  the  general  asserted  his  author- 
ity, which  Stockton  refused  to  recognize,  and  to  en- 
torce  which  the  former's  force  was  less  than  a  hundred 
ih'agoons.  The  only  source  of  possible  increase  at 
tlie  time  was  the  battalion;  therefore  Kearny  sent  to 
Fremont,  through  Emory,  a  test  order  to  make  no 
changes  in  the  ori'-anization  of  the  battalion.^*  This 
order  was  delivered  in  the  evening,  and  later  Fre- 
mont called  upon  Stockton  at  the  latter's  request  to 
receive  his  commission  as  jjovernor,  seeing  at  that 


ciitified  copies  of  it,  I  will  cheerfully  acquiesce  in  what  you  arc  doing.  If 
yuu  iiave  not  such  authority,  I  then  demaml  that  you  cca.so  all  further  p:o- 
•.fcdings  relating  to  the  formation  of  a  civil  govt  for  tliis  territory,  as  I  can- 
not recognize  in  you  any  right  in  assuming  to  perform  duties  contided  to  me 
liy  the  president.  Yours  resp.,  S.  W.  Kearny,  Brig. -gen.  U.  S.  A.  Com. 
K.  F.  Stockton,  U.  .S.  N.,  acting  gov.'  In  Fremont's  CouH-martlil,  00, 
11  ml  often  repeated  elsewhere. 

"Jan.  10,  1S47,  .Stockton  to  Kearny,  in  /;/.,  118.  '.Sir:  in  answer  to 
yuur  note  received  this  afternoon,  I  need  say  but  little  more  than  that  which 
I  communicated  to  you  in  a  conversation  at  S.  Diego:  tliat  Cal.  was  coii- 
i|iiered  and  a  govt  put  into  succes.sful  operation;  that  a  copy  of  the  laws  made 
t  ir  me  for  the  govt  of  the  territory,  and  the  names  of  the  oflicers  selected  to 
.-.  e  them  faithfully  executed,  were  transmitted  to  the  pres.  of  tlie  U.  S.  bc- 
Jmic  your  arrival  in  the  territory.  I  will  only  add  that  1  cannot  do  any  tiling, 
ii'ii- desist  from  iloing  anything,  or  alter  anything  on  your  demand;  whicli  I 
uill  submit  to  the  president  and  ask  for  your  recall.  In  the  mean  time  you 
"ill  consider  yourself  suspended  from  tlic  command  of  tlie  U.  .S.  forces  in 
this  place.  Faithfully,  your  obed.  serv.,  1!.  F.  Stockton.  e<iiii.  in-chief.  To 
llrevet  Brig. -gen.  S.  ^V.  Kearny.' 

-"'Headquarters  army  of  tlie  west,  ciudad  de  Los  Angeles,  .Ian.  10,  1S4T. 
lly  direction  of  Brig. -gen.  Kearny  I  send  yi.ii  a  cnpy  "f  a  enniniiinication  to 
liim  from  the  sec.  of  war,  dated  June  IS.  lS4tl.  in  wliieh  is  the  fullowiiig: 
"These  troops  and  such  as  may  lie  or^'ani/.ed  in  ("al.  will  be  under  y(jur  com- 
mand." Tlie  geneial  directs  that  no  eliaui:e  will  be  made  in  the  orgaiiiAition 
"f  your  battalion,  or  otiieers  appoiiitid  in  it,  without  his  siinetiou  or  ajiproval 
1 'ting  first  obtained.  Very  resp. ,  W.  II.  Knicn-y,  Lieut  and  A.  A.  A.  (icii. 
lu  Lieut-col  J.  C.  Fremont,  nicuinted  rilleiiun,  commanding  battidioii  Cal. 
volunteers.'  Court-martial,  o.  bee  also /(/.,  7S.  1  IS,  103,  IW,  ;VJj,  :wy,  40l.  Tin 
particular  change  anticipated  was  the  appointment  of  Gillespie  to  command 
the  battalion  in  Frc-mout's  place.  Kearny  says  the  order  to  F.  was  written — 
but  perhaps  not  delivered — before  he  received  S.'s  letter,  and  even  before  he 
wrote  to  S. 


4-.'«l 


STOCKTONS  CONTKOVKKSY  WITH  KEAHNY, 


I  I 


interview  the  eomimmicutions  tluit  hatl  passed  he 
tween  the  general  ami  commodore,  and  shctwint^  tlu' 
latter  Kearny's  order  to  himself'."*  Next  morning, 
the  irth,  Fremont  wrote  a  reply,  in  which  he  declined 
to  ohey  the  general's  order,  on  the  ground  that  he  had 
received  his  appointment  from  Stockton,  and  on  ar- 
I  ival  at  Los  Angeles  had  found  that  ofticor  still  rec- 
ognized as  commander.  "I  feel  myself,  therefore, 
with  great  deference  to  your  professional  and  personal 
character,  constrained  to  say  that  until  you  and  Com- 
modore Stockton  adjust  between  yourselves  the  ques- 
lion  of  rank,  where  1  respectfully  think  the  difficulty 
itelongs,  I  shall  have  to  report  and  receive  orders  as 
heretofore  from  the  commodore."*'* 

Leaving  this  reply  to  be  copied  by  the  clerk,  FrtJ- 
mont,  in  response  to  a  note — "Dear  Colonel:  I  wish 
to  see  you  on  business" — called  at  Keai-ny's  quarters. 
During  the  interview  the  reply  was  brought  in,  and 
after  being  signed  was  given  to  the  general,  who 
earnestly  advised  tne  lieutenant-colonel,  as  a  friend 
and  senior  officer,  to  take  back  and  destroy  the  paper, 
offi3ring  to  forget  its  contents.  But  Fremont  declined 
to  reconsider  his  refusal  to  obey,  even  vhen  Kearny 
implied  a  willingness  a  make  him  governor  in  four  or 
six  weeks,  on  his  own  departure.  There  is  .some  Cvui- 
tradiction,  more  apparent  than  real,  and  resulting  from 
the  exaggerations  of  controversial  prejudice,  respect- 

*' Stockton's  testimony.  Fremont's  Court-martial,  190-7.  F.'s  com.  .is 
governor,    hi.,  175-0.     Otlicr  commissions  by  S.  boro  the  same  date. 

*'■' Jan.  17,  1847,  Fr(5mont  to  Kearny.  'Sir:  I  liavo  tlio  iioaor  to  bo  in  re- 
ceipt of  your  favor  of  last  night,  in  whicii  I  am  directed  to  suspend  the  exe- 
cution of  orders  which,  in  my  capacity  of  mil.  com.  of  this  territory,  I  had 
received  from  Com.  Stockton,  gov.  and  com. -iu-chief  in  Cal.  I  avail  myself 
of  an  early  hour  this  morning  to  make  such  a  reply  as  tho  brief  time  allowed 
for  reflection  will  enable  me.  I  found  Com.  S.  in  possession  of  the  country, 
exercising  tho  functions  of  mil.  com.  and  civil  gov.,  as  early  as  July  of  last 
year;  and  eliortly  thereafter  I  received  from  him  tho  commission  of  mil.  com., 
the  duties  of  which  I  immediately  entered  upon,  and  have  continued  to  ex- 
ercise to  the  present  moment.  I  found,  also,  on  my  arriralat  this  place  some 
three  or  four  days  since,  Com.  S.  still  exercising  the  functions  of  civil  ami 
military  gov.,  with  the  same  apparent  deference  to  his  rank  on  tho  part  of  all 
officers  (including  yourself )  as  he  maintained  and  required  when  he  asBumed 
in  July  last.  I  feel  myself,  etc.  (as  in  text),  with  considerations,  etc. 
Fr«^mont,  Lt-col  U.  S.  A.  and  mil.  com.  of  the  ter.  of  Cal. 
Kearny,  U.  S.  A.'  Id.,  li,  •-':{!. 


J.  ('. 
To  Brig. -gen.  S.  W. 


V. 


T4E  OKNKKAI.  VIKLDS. 


V27 


passed  he- 
»o\vin«^  llu' 
:  inoriiiiig. 
10  declined 
liat  he  had 
nul  on  ar- 
jr  still  rei- 

therefori', 
»d  personal 

and  Coni- 
s  the  quos- 
o  difficulty 

orders  as 

clork,  Fre- 

lel:  I  wish 

s  quarters. 

flit  in,  aiul 

neral,  who 

s  a  friend 

the  pa{)er, 

it  declined 

n  Kearny 

in  four  or 

some  con- 

llting  from 

,  respect- 

F.'s  com.  as 
date. 

r  to  be  in  re- 
penil  the  exe- 
ritory,  I  had 
|l  avail  myself 
time  alloweil 
the  country, 
July  of  last 
of  mil.  com., 
inucil  to  ex 
is  place  soinu 
of  ciril  and 
he  part  of  all 
he  asaumed 
,  etc.    J.  ('. 
gen.  S.  \V. 


ino;  this  interview,**  hut  F  have  no  douht  that,  with- 
out detinite  promises  on  either  side,  each  believed  tlu; 
date  of  appointment  to  he  the  essential  point  at  issu<'. 
b'remoi'^  certainly  understood  that  by  yielding  he 
•  ould  have  the  governorship  late*";  and  Kearny  prol»- 
ably  believed  that  by  offering  an  immediate  appoiiit- 
ingiit  he  could  secure  obedience. 

Finding  his  authority  and  his  in.sf  ructions  from  the 
government  thus  ignored  by  Stockton  and  Fremont, 
an<l  having  no  troops  with  which  to  enforce  his  orders, 
Kearny   wrote  to  the  commodore:    "I  must  for  the 

»Se6  testimony  in  Id.,  38-1),  70,  7S-81,  87,  91-2,  101,  104,  2.')2-3,  SSO-IKJ. 
K'-arny  says:  'Having  tiniahed  the  rt-ading,  I  told  F.  that  I  woa  a  much  oldor 
iiiuu  than  himself,  that  I  wua  a  much  older  soldi c-r  than  himself,  that  I  had 
^rcat  regard  for  his  wife  and  great  friendship  for. .  .(.'ol.  Bonton;. .  .that  thcsu 
ousiderutious  induced  me  to  volunteer  advico  to  him,  and  tho  advice  was 
liiat  he  should  taku  back  >,'  at  letter  and  destroy  it,  that  1  was  willing  to  tur- 
gut  it.  Lt-cul.  F.  declined  taking  it  back,  ami  tohl  mu  that  Com.  S.  wuulil 
support  him  in  tho  positioi.'  ho  had  tnki-u.  I  told  him  tiiat  Com.  S.  could  imt 
.-<upport  him  in  disobeying  the  orders  of  his  senior  otiiccr,  and  that  if  In.! 
|>orsisted  in  it  ho  would  unc^ucstionnbly  ruin  hini»>elf.  Ho  told  mo  that  Com. 
i>.  was  about  organizing  a  civil  govt,  and  iutenditl  to  appoint  him  as  gov.  I 
told  him  Com.  8.  had  uo  such  authority,  that  authority  having  been  con- 
fi'ired  on  mo  by  tho  president.  Ho  asked  mo  if  I  would  appoint  him  gover- 
nor. I  told  him  I  expected  shortly  to  leave  Cal., . . .  that  as  soon  as  tho  country 
was  (juicted  I  should  moat  probably  organize  u  civil  govt,  and  that  I  at  that 
'i'lii  knew  of  no  objections  to  my  appointing  him  as  tho  gov.  Hu  tiien 
.itati  i  to  mc  that  he  would  seo  Com.  8.,  and  that  unless  he  appointed  him 
.'ov  at  once,  ho  would  not  obey  his  orders,  and  left  mo.'  It  would  seem  un- 
likely that  F.  should  niako  this  last  statement,  since  both  ho  and  K.  kni^w 
that  S.  wouhl  mako  him  gov.  at  once;  and  F.  in  his  defence  makes  several 
>trong  points  against  parts  of  K.'s  testimony.  This  '  bargaining  for  tho  gov- 
<  ruorship'  is  what  he  deems  most  seriously  to  affect  his  honor,  and  he  accuses 
l\.  of  testifying  falsely  on  tho  interview.  It  is  to  bo  noted,  however,  that 
Iv.  docs  not  state  positively  that  F.  offered  ol>cdiencu  in  return  for  an  imme- 
diate appointment:  that  F. ,  with  all  his  righteous  indignation  on  the  charge 
of  'bargaining,'  omits  all  details  of  tho  interview;  and  that  the  extract  of  a 
letter  to  Benton — 'Both  offered  me  tho  post  of  gov.;  Com.  S.  to  redeem  his 
pledge  immediately,  anil  Gen.  K.  offering  to  give  the  commission  in  four  or 
six  weeks' — introduced  by  F.  as  his  own  testimony,  seems  to  support  K.'s 
testimony  and  tho  theory  that  'time'  wa.s  made  tho  test.  Tho  matter,  how- 
iver,  is  ono  that  affects  the  personal  veracity  of  the  two  olBoers  more  than  it 
does  the  general  controversy.  It  appeurs,  al.so,  that  at  tliis  interview  F.  ex- 
pressed sorrow  for  tho  dissensions  between  S.  and  K. ,  and  ]icrhaps  tried  to 
iiring  about  an  interview,  which  K.  desired  but  wouM  not  a^^k  for. 

Ihis  reply  of  Frdmont  refusing  obedience  was  made  the  foundation  of  the 
principal  accusation  against  him  before  a  military  court.  In  defimce,  he 
made  tho  point  thatK.,  at  tho  interview,  byoflering  to  permit  the  paper  to  bu 
di^stroyed,  to  forget  its  contents,  and  to  eonsiiler  the  matter  of  making  F. 
iiovemor,  condoned  the  act  of  disobedience,  or  '  mutiny.'  This  is  true  to  tho 
extent  that  K.  was  technically  at  fault;  but  the  dishonor  in  such  cases  always 
pertains  not  to  the  officer  who  shows  such  leniency,  but  to  tln'  recipient  who 
uses  it  against  him. 


428 


STOCKTON'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


purpose  of  preventing  collision  between  us,  and  pos- 
sibly a  civil  war  in  consequence  of  it,  remain  silent 
for  the  present,  leaving  with  you  the  great  responsi- 
bility of  doing  that  for  which  you  have  no  authority, 
and  preventing  me  from  complying  with  the  presi- 
d«!nt's  orders."  He  also  announced  in  writing  his 
intention  to  withdraw  with  his  dragoons;  and  reported 
the  state  of  affairs  to  the  adjutant-general  at  Wash- 
ington.-^ 

On  the  18th  about  10  a.  m.  General  Kearny  marched 
from  Los  Angeles  with  his  dragoons,  having  no  fur- 
ther comminication  with  Stockton  or  Fremont,  and 
reaching  San  Diego  on  the  23d.  He  told  Lieutenant 
EuKjry,  sent  east  with  despatches  a  few  days  later,  that 
he  would  assume  control  as  soon  as  his  force  should  be 
sufficiently  increased;  but  the  arrival  of  the  battalion 
of  Mormon  vt^lunteers,  over  three  hundred  strong, 
under  Lieutenant-colonel  Cooke,-'  who  reported  to 
the  general  at  San  Diego  on  the  29th,  was  not  deemed 
to  justify  such  a  step.  >  Cooke  was  ordered  to  station 
his  nien  at  San  Luis  Rey  and  await  further  develop- 
ments; and  Kearny  embarked  on  the  C/fani'  January 
81st,  reaching  Monterey  on  February  8th.  Hcmv  lu 
found  Commodore  W.  J^ranford  Shubrick,  who  had 
arrived  the  22d  of  January  in  the  Indcpeiidenci',  ti» 
succeed  Stockton  in  command  of  tlie  Pacific  squail- 
lon.  On  the  25th  Shubrick  had  written  a  friendly 
letter  to  Fremont  as  the  senior  militiirv  ullicer  in  tlu 

'^*  Jan.  17,  1847,  Kearny  to  Stockton.     The  (|notation  in  my  text  is  pre 
ceded  Ijy  a  reforcne-i' to  prei'dliii",' I'onvup.  of  the  lUtli,  nnd  a  statement  tliat 
l>y  tlio  battles  of  tlio  Mtli  an<l  ilili,  and  eapitiilatioii  of  ilie    l.'ttli,  ( 'al.  'niiu'lit 
iinw   for  the  tiist  time  lie  considered  as  eoniinered.'    ('niirf-iirirtntl,   7'J  S(i. 
.I;iii.  17tli,  K.  to  S.      'I  lia\'e  to  inform  you  tliat  I  intend  to  withdraw  to-mor- 
row from  tiiis  phioe  witl\  tlio  small  party  wliieli  escorted  mo  to  tiiis  country, 
addressed  to  S.  aa  'acting  governor  of  Cal.'  /•/.,  l'X\.     Jan.  17tii,  K.  to  adj.- 
gen.,  inclosiiiLC  copies  of  eorresp.  with  S.  and  V.   'It  will  he  seen  hy  tin-  pres. 
and  8i'c.  war  that  1  am  not  reeogni/.eil  in  my  utlieial  eaiiaeity,  iMther  !iy  Com. 
S,  or  Lieut-col  V.,  Iiotl'  of  whom  refii.se  to  ohey  my  or  ler.s  or  theinstruction> 
of  the  pres.;  and  as  1  have  no  tnwips  in  the  country  mider  my  autiiority  e.\ 
eept  a  tew  dra^'oons,  I  have  no  power  of  enforcing  tliem.'  /«/.,  lU  ."». 

•'•■Oix  the  .Mormon  liattalion,  see  eiiap.  xvi'i..  tiiis  volume.  IJeeivd  of  K.'i* 
departure  from  Loa  Angeles,  also  Kinory's  departure,  in  FriiiiDiit'/ii  'oiirl-mar- 
tiiil,  87,  O'J-.'J,  Ulo.  ;<s;{.  lli-illhi'A  lYmni  MS.,  is  authority  for  the  arrival  af 
S.  Diego. 


SIlLBKlCIv'S  ARRIVAL  AND  POLICY. 


429 


and  po8- 
aiii  silont 
respouisi- 
authority, 
tho  presi- 
riting  his 
d  rej)t)i'ted 
at  Wa^h- 

y  marcliod 
ig  no  fui- 
hnont,  and 
Lioutonant 
1  later,  that 
)  should  hv 

0  battalion 
•od  strong, 
eportod  to 
not  doomed 

1  to  station 
r  devolop- 

January 
Hoii'  1k' 
who  luul 
lulemr,  to 
ific  squad- 
a  friendly 
t-er  in  tho 

ly  text  is  pro 
itati'incnt  tliat 
li.Cal.  'iiii.iiht 
iiiiiiil,  1\}-^^- 
liilniw  to-mor 
tliis  country,' 
th,  K.  toiiilj.- 
|n  t)y  tin-  pros, 
itliir  !vv  Com 
llioiiistrui'tion^ 
autliority  ox 

i;oc(  v.i  of  K.  .- 

Itlio  airiviil  n' 


!« 


countrv,  not  knowinjjf  that  Koarny  had  arrived,  hut 
throe  days  later  had  writton  a  similar  letter  to  the 
general.  On  the  I'Hth  tho  L'xintjton  had  arrived  with 
( 'a[>tain  Tom[)kins  antl  an  artillery  oonijKiny,  as  fully 
ivcordeil  in  another  ehaptei  ;  and  next  ilay  Sluibriek 
had  sent  the  Dalr  southward  with  the  letter  to 
Kearny  and  another  to  Stockton,  recjuesting  his  pres- 
tMjoe  at  Monti'ro}'.  Kearny  found  the  new  commo- 
dore disposed  to  recognize  his  authority  as  military 
connnander-in-chief,  and  to  ilisapprove  Stockton's  act 
in  organizing  a  civil  government  in  opposition  to  tho 
'general's  instruct! ins,  but  also  to  favor  a  peaceful 
settlen^ent  of  the  dispute.  He  had,  moreover,  the 
instructions  addressed  to  Sloat  on  July  12,  184G,  as 
already  cited,  which  authori£:cd  the  naval  officers  to 
organize  a  civil  government.  The  general  agreed 
witii  Shubrick  that  it  wa.«s  l>"8t  not  to  reopen  the  con- 
trctversy,  but  to  wait  for  more  explicit  instructions 
from  Washinijton.  Therofoie  he  started  for  San 
bVancisco,  Febmary  llth,  on  the  Ci/aur;  while  tho 
connnodore  rej.orted  the  decisi(jn  to  Fremont  and  to 
the  government.*' 

'^Shiihrick's  Jtept,  Feb.  Xiith,  is  a  iiiiirativo  of  events  since  liiaarrivaL  In 
It  the  only  remark  liearing  on  the  controversy  is,  '  I  Imve  recocnized  in  Ciou. 
Iv.  tho  senior  ollleer  of  the  army  in  t'al. ;  iiavo  consiiltcil  and  sliatl  cooperate 
witli  him  as  sncii;  and  I  feel  that  1  am  particularly  fortunate  in  liaviug  so  < 
aallai't  a  soldier,'  etc.  Shuhrick's  letters  of  .Jan.  v.'')th  and  'JHth  to  Fremont 
mid  Kearny  are  not  extant,  l»ut  are  mentioned  in  IiL,  and  Ff^moiit'x  Court- 
iiiiirtial,  1).  The  general's  account  of  his  airivul  an<l  consultation  with  Shu- 
liiiik  is  in  Krariiy'*  llfpt,  March  l.'i,  \M1 .  Me  says:  'On  my  showing  tc 
<  oni.  Sli.  my  inatruc.  of  June  3,  IS,  1840,  lie  was  at  once  prepared  to  pay  all 
proper  respect  to  them;  antl  l)eing  at  that  time  com. -in-chief  of  tlio  naval  forces, 
III'  acknowledged  me  as  the  hea»l  and  com.  of  the  troops  in  C'al . . .  He  thenshowed 
1110  the  instruc.  to  coin.  .SI.  of  .Inly  I'Jtli, . .  .and  as  they  contained  directions 
lor  Com.  Si.  to  take  charge  of  civil  altairs,  I  iiuinodiately  told  Com.  Sh.  that 
I  1  hocrfully  acijuiesced  and  was  ready  to  a(ii;nl  iiiin  any  assistance  in  my 
l"i\ver.  ^yc  agreed  on  our  sejianite  duties,  and  I  then  went  to  S.  K.,'  etc. 
I'ri'inont's  iilca  of  tliis  agrecniont,  in  ''ouri-marti  il,  4I!)-'.I0,  is  that  it  was 
virtually  an  rcknowledgment  of  the  le^iitimacv  of  tlie  position  assumed  liy 
iiii'iself  and  Stockton.  Shubricks  letter  of  l-'e!).  i;Hh  to  F.,  Id.,  417,  in  n- 
ply  to  F.'s  of  Feb.  Tth,  to  bo  notiot-tl  later,  was  non-committal  aiiil  friendly. 
'While  tiio  gen.  was  here,  we  i-onsultcd  fully  as  enjoined  on  mo  by  my 
luittruc,  and  on  him  by  his,  on  tlio  measures  necessary  to  bo  taken  by  us  for 
tlie  security  of  Cal.  1  am  l<K>king  daily  for  the  arrival  of  Com.  St.,  when  I 
^liaM  of  course  receive  from  him  a  full  account,  etc.  It  is  to  bo  hoped  that 
ilie  pleasure  of  tho  pi-esident  on  civil  govt,  etc.,  will  soon  be  known.'  IJas 
uo  funds  to  spare  for  F.     In  his  reiHjrt  of  samo  dutu  to  tho  govt,  /</.,  290,  .Si<. 


430 


STOCKTON  .S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KKARNY. 


Meanwhile  Coininoilore  Stocktonf  still  holding  the 
position  of  governor  down  to  the  date  of  his  depart- 
ure, left  Los  Angeles  the  19tii  of  January  and  marched 
with  his  marines  and  sailors  to  San  Pedro,  where  all 
embarked  on  a  man-of-war  for  San  Diego.  Hereon 
the  22d  he  reported  the  civil  government  to  be  in  sui- 
oessful  operation.  On  February  4th  he  sent  a  longei 
report  «)n  the  troubles  with  Kearny,  demanding  that 
flBeer's  recall,  "to  prevent  the  evil  consequences  that 
iiiaj  grow  out  of  such  a  temper  and  such  a  head'! 
and  next  day  he  wrote  a  full  report  of  the  recent 
campaign,  from  which  I  have  quoted  extensively  in 
the  preceding  chapter.^^  Also  in  February  and  March 
the  commodore  and  his  naval  officers  took  some  pain> 
to  enlighten  the  public  respecting  his  position  as  com- 
mander in  the  final  campaign,  as  already  recorded.-' 
As  to  his  correspondence  or  conversation  with  Sliu- 
brick,  if  he  had  any,  nothing  is  known.  From  Fre- 
mont during  January,  February,  and  the  first  ten 
days  of  March,  we  have,  so  far  as  the  controversy  is 


alludes  to  the  '  nnfortunate  difference'  between  St.,  K.,  and  F.  'I  have  e\ 
changed  opinions  with  Gen.  K.,  and  shall  continue  to  concert  with  him  8u«.K 
measures  as  may  seem  best. .  '.With  regard  to  the  civil  govt, . . .  measures  haw 
been,  in  my  opinion,  prematurely  taken  by  Com.  St.,  and  an  appointment  "t 
}^ov.  made  of  a  gtntleman  wiio  I  am  led  to  believe  is  not  acceptable  to  the 
pi'oplo  of  Cal.';  but  Sh.  intends  to  awo.it  further  instructions  and  contino  hi^ 
.ctForta  to  keeping  quiet  possession  of  the  territory.  The  desputch  ^'l  tiu- 
i;Hh  was  sent  cast  by  Lieut  Talbot,  reaching  Washington  June  3d. 

"  A  lett4T  of  Jan.  19th  signed  by  \'2  citizens  of  Los  Angeles,  and  preauin 
ably  recognizing  the  legitimacv  of  S.'s  proceedings,  was  offered  as  eviilence. 
but  not  ailo\<ca  to  be  read,    fv^monfn  Ccurt-martial,  195.    Jan.  22d,  St.  to 
Bancroft.     A  brief  report,  sent  by  Lieut  Gray,  containing  an  allusion  to  K.'s 
'perilous  condition  after  his  defeat  at  S.  Pascual.'    S.  waasomowiiattoo  fon<l 
ot  these  sly  hits.   StocUon'n  Li/<,  apuoi.  10.     Feb,  4th,  Id.  to  Id.     'As  tho 
^niardian  of  the  honor  and  services  of  the  navy,  I  take  leave  to  send  you  tin' 
tVillowiiig  narrative.     Thi :  case  re(|uircs  no  argument;  nnr  will  I  make  a  sin 
ulo  remark  in  relation  to  the  extraordinary  conduct  of  (Jen.  K.  or  the  iiiil>- 
t'cnsiblo  language  of  his  notes:  "denwnds,"  "personal  collision,"  "civil  war, 
and  the  bold  assertion  that  the  country  was  not  conquered  until  the  8tli  nii'l 
!»th  of  Jan.  by  the  ti'oops  und-T  his  command,  speaK  for  themselves.'   /■/., 
I0-1'2.     Stockton  s  rept  of  Fcl .  ."th.  in  T'l..  IMO:  Id.,  Mil.  and  Nav.  O/ifi:, 
.".0.     This  was  sent  by  Lieut  Hcalc,  iiiid  tculu'd  Washington  May  .31st.    Fn  - 
iHoiifs  ('onrl-tH'irtitil,  ;{(i(l. 

•*  See  note  1  'A  of  this  chapter.  Fob.  .">th,  certificate  of  Spiedeu  and  .Mosely 
at  S.  Diego,  la  FWmont'4  Court-martial,  430.  Marcli  0th,  Capt  Zielin  to  cap 
tains  IVdrorena  and  Argiiello,  asking  lor  their  rciwrta  of  the  battles,  and 
particularly  for  their  testiiuonv  as  to  who  was  in  coiiuMaiid.  Savaqr.  Doc.. 
MS.,  iii.  72. 


GENERAL  CONCLUSION'S. 


431 


concerned,  oitiy  three  letters,  addressed  to  Benton,  to 
Shubrick,  and  to  W.  P.  Hall,  all  written  to  defend 
his  position  and  that  of  the  commodore  who  had  ap- 
pointed him.*' 

Thus  the  annals  of  the  controversy  have  been 
brought  down  in  a  sense  to  the  end  so  far  as  Stock- 
ton was  concerned,  and  to  the  end  of  tt  first  phase 
in  Fremont's  case.  And  here  I  may  say,  as  has  been 
implied  in  what  precedes  and  as  the  facts  fully  justify 
uie  in  saying,  that  on  the  merits  of  the  dispute,  Kearny 
was  ill  the  ^'ight  and  Stockton  in  the  wrong.  General 
Kearny,  in  obedience  to  instructions  from  Washington, 
had  marched  to  California,  had  cooperated  with  the 
naval  officers  in  conquering  the  country,  and  was  en- 
titled to  the  chief  command.  Stockton's  claim  to 
have  effected  the  conquest  and  organized  a  civil  gov- 
ernment before  the  general's  arrival  was  unfounded; 
but  had  it  been  supported  by  facts,  it  would  by  no 
means  have  justified  his  disobedience.  His  position 
was  untenable,  and  popular  sympathy  f^r  him  as  acon- 
<lueror  unfairly  deprived  of  the  glory  of  his  achieve- 
ment has  been  misplaced  through  a  nnsconception  of 
the  facts.  He  had  shown  a  creditable  degree  ol" 
<  nergy  and  skill  in  overcoming  obstacles  for  the  most 
part  of  his  own  creation,  in  putting  down  a  revolt 

"  Feb.  3, 1847,  F.  to  Bentou,  only  u  brief  fragment  cii  K. 'a  offer  of  the  gov 
ei'uui-Hliip,  quoted  in  note  23.  A  lunger  extract  of  perhaps  the  same  letter  ii 
found  in  Bigelow's  Mem.,  J 97-8.  Feb.  7th,  F".  to  Shubrick,  in  reply  to  note 
uf  Jan.  25th,  cxpluiuiug  his  reiisons  fur  having  refused  to  recognise  K.'a 
.tuthiirity — that  is,  that  Iv.'s  contingent  instructions  had  been  auperaeded  by 
tvtnta.  *  I  trust  the  foregoing  explauatiou  will  fully  satisfy  you  that  the 
position  I  take  is  au  iaoident  of  the  extraordinary  oirounistauces  surrounding 
IMP,  .lud  is  borne  out  by  a  rigid  adlierence  to  the  line  of  duty.'  Ho  also  ex- 
pluiiis  that  ho  is  financially  hard  pressed,  and  hopes  8li.  cau  advance  money 
lor  govt  expenses.  Frimoiit'KCoiirt-vmrtial,  9-10.  Feb.  Ilth,  F.  to  Hon.  Wii 
lani  P.Hall.  '  I  learn  with  surpri^<o  and  nioiliHcatiou  that  (ten.  K.inubodi- 
I'lK  I!  to  what  I  cannot  but  regard  as  obsolete  instructions,  means  to  ijuustiun 
iiiy  right,  and. .  .1  cannot. .  .yield  or  permit  myself  to  1k3  interfered  with  by 
:iny  other  until  directed  to  do  so  l>y  the  proper  authorities.'  'lutiinatiuns. . 
iiave  reached  mc  that  you  were  using  your  talents  aud  high  character  as  a 
iiu'inber  uf  the  American  congress,  in  your  intercourse  witli  citizens  of  this 
plitoo  and  the  troops  under  my  command,  to  raise  doubts,  if  nut  questioning 
altogether  the  legitimacy  or  validity,  of  my  tenure  of  oflice;  therefoie 
wants  to  know  if  the  intimations  are  t'ouuded  in  fact.  Id.,  10-11;  Hall's 
testim.    /./.,  208-9. 


'\  i 


m 


% 

r 

1; 

[i 
It 

fi 

N  !  1  ' 
|lj 

i  ikc 

IL 

432 


STOCKTON'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KKARNY. 


that  but  for  his  own  folly  would  have  had  no  exist- 
ence. No  more  can  be  honestly  said  in  praise  of  the 
ooniniodore's  acts  and  policy  in  California.  A<jainst 
Kearny's  j)osition  in  the  dispute  nothing  can  be  urged, 
and  against  his  conduct— his  blunder  at  San  Pascual 
aftect'ug  oidy  himself  and  his  men — nothing  mon- 
seri(  us  than  a  savor  of  sharp  practice  in  certain  minor 
proceedings  indicating  a  lack  of  confidence  in  the 
real  strength  of  his  position,  or  perhaps  an  excess  of 
personal  bitterness  against  his  rival. 

As  far  as  Frdmont  is  concerned,  his  action  in  «lis- 
obeying  Kearny's  order,  or  rather  in  leaving  the  two 
chiefs  to  settle  their  own  quarrel,  nmst  I  think  be 
aj)|)roved ;  that  is,  as  compared  with  the  only  alterna- 
tive. Like  Stockton,  he  merits  no  praise  for  earlier 
[)roceedings.  He  had  perhaps  done  even  more  than 
the  commodore  to  retard  the  conquest.  His  mishaps 
as  a  political  adventurer  call  for  no  sympathy.  But 
his  cause  was  identified  with  that  of  Stockton,  who 
had  adopted  his  views,  had  saved  him  from  a  position 
that  might  have  been  dangerous,  had  given  him  his 
command,  had  approved  his  irregular  acts  at  Ca- 
huenga,  anil  depended  upon  his  support  in  his  own 
ussum[)tioa  of  authority.  There  is,  or  should  be, 
honor  even  among  filibusters.  For  Frdmont  to  havr 
deserted  his  patron  at  the  last,  particularly  when 
Kearny's  ofler  of  the  governorship  was  sure  to  make 
the  transaction  appear  a  bargain,  would  have  been 
dishonorable  and  treacherous.  True,  the  colonel's  act 
was  declared  later  by  a  military  court  to  be  techni- 
cally mutinous  disobedience  of  a  su[)erior's  orders. 
This  amounts  to  little,  and  is  all  that  can  be  said 
against  Fremont.  Had  there  been  no  further  devel- 
opments in  the  controversy,  the  verdict  wouKl  juissibly 
have  been  different;  or  rather  it  is  probable  that  no 
charges  would  have  been  preferred. 

Commissions  to  Fremont  as  governor  and  Russell 
as  secretary  of  state  were  issued  by  Stockton  on  Jan- 


GOVEUNOK  AND  COUNCIL. 


4;;3 


imiy  lOth,  but  their  respective  terms  of  ottice  Itegaii 
uu  the  H>th,  when  the  commodore  turned  over  the 
command  on  his  departure  from  Los  Angeles.  It  iiad 
been  intended  to  make  Gillespie  secretary,  but  he  j»re- 
terred  to  be  major  of  the  battalion,  and  his  commission 
was  dated  the  18th.*'  Besides  a  governor  to  succeed 
himself,  Stockton  also  appointed  on  the  IGtii  a  legis- 
lative council  of  seven  members,  as  follows:  M.  G. 
Vallejo,  David  Spence,  J.  B.  Alvarado,  Thomas  O. 
Larkin,  Eliab  Grimes,  Santiago  Arguello,  and  Juan 
Handini.  The  council  was  summoned,  by  Stockton's 
jjioclamation  of  the  18th,  to  convene  at  Los  Angeles 
the  1st  of  March;  but  no  meeting  was  ever  held. 
Some  members  declined  to  serve;  there  was  appar- 
entlv  a  degree  of  sectional  dissatisfaction;  and  finallv 
IK)  council  was  deemed  necessary  by  a  new  adminis- 
tration.^' After  the  commodore's  departure  the  bat- 
talion was  paraded,  the  commissions  were  read  by 
Secretary  liussell,  and  the  new  government  went 
into  operation     On  the  22d  Governor  Fremont  i.ssued 

'"On  these  commissions,  already  recorded  indirectly,  see  Fr^monCs Court' 
imrlidl,  lirMJ,  ItM,  20:J,  '2o'2,  'ioT-S,  384,  410. 

•"  Jan.  10,  1847,  Vallijo's  original  commission  signed  by  Stockton.  Va- 
llej",  Doc.,  MS.,  i.  "JO.  I  find  no  other  up|ioiiitment«,  and  no  oliicial  list  of 
the  iiiomberM.  Jan.  iNtli,  8tuckt<ju's  proclamation  convening  the  council  fur 
Mairh  1st.  /(/.,  xii.  '2(M.  .Ian.  "i-d,  Fri'inont  to  Vallejo,  enclosing  commis- 
Mun,  with  much  llattt-ry.  Id.,  i.  21.  Jan.  2'2d,  Larkin  to  V.,  enclosing  F.'s 
litter.  !/.  himself  will  not  serve;  will  send  a  vessel  for  V.  and  Grimes.  /(/  , 
i.  '22.  "an.  'JOth,  liaiidini  to  V.,  urging  him  to  accept  and  work  for  the  go<«l 
<if  his  ountry,  as  he  intends  to  do.  /</.,  xii.  '2U4.  Jan.  'JOth,  Lieut  Revere  to 
v.,  urging  him  not  to  accept,  since  the  peace  will  not  be  permanent,  and  Frc- 
iimnt's  i,v)urse  can  not  ho  approved.  /»/.,  xii.  '2ChK  Jan.  .'{Ist,  Scmple,  Ojlttm, 
uikI  Tali>ot  li.  Green  urge  V.  to  a>ccpt.  /(/.,  xii.  "200-8.  Fel>.  l.ith,  V.  to 
F.  .\i<'(pt.'»  the  [Mjsition.  /(/.,  xii.  "277.  .fan.  "-Mitli,  llandini  to  Stockton,  de- 
iliiiiii,'  on  acciiunt  of  ill  JH-altli  Jiandini,  D"-.,  MS.,  lo;{.  \'v\>.  "JOth,  at  a 
I'lililic  meeting  at  .Sjiioiiia  it  wa.s  resolvod  that  the  district  north  of  the  kiy 
was  entitled  to  oni!  third  of  the  couiK'il,  and  iivu.  Kearny  wa.s  asked  to  in- 
in'as"'  the  numl>er  of  nicuihers  to  l,"i,  giving  the  di.strictr>;  and  Vallejo,  Bol'«», 
•  iii^'shy.  Stephen  C'oo|)er,  and  \V.  A.  Itichardson  were  lecommended.  Cnl'. 
h<»:,  NIS.,  ";{.V!t.  According  to  6'  /'.  r,,t.  Star,  .March  0th,  the  citizens  of 
."^DUoma  Nclci  .ed  Vallejo,  IJojiu.s.  and  (,'uuper.  F'.'l>.  '20th.  ain'ctiiig  also  helil 
at  Sta  Clara,  and  Klant  Brown  selecteil.  Id.  March  4th,  Kearny  to  aluiMe 
"f  .S.  F.  '  I  have  not  called  any  such  council,  nor  do  I  at  ptesent  eonteinplute 
'I'luigst).'  lul.  ami  X.  Mi'jL-.,  Mn^t.  itiiil  Ihc,  IA'jO,  p.  ^S'J-IM.  April  l.'Jth, 
Larkin  writes  to  .Stockton  that  many  lilamo  him  (L.)  that  the  council  did 
nut  MKHtt.  'Vou  kindly  sent  us  the  Cijanf,  hut  (.'om.  .Sh.  prevented  her  <1<- 
I'.u'ture.  The  niendx.i'ii  eould  not  go  l>v  land  and  get  there  in  time.'  Larkin  4 
'->f.  Cvrrc"/,.,  .MS.,  i.  i:»7. 

UuT.  041..,  Vol.  V.    28 


43 1 


STOt  KTOX'S  CONTUOVKRSV  WITH  KKARXY. 


a  i)roflamati(Hi  or  circular  annouii'  ing  the  establish- 
ment of  civil  rule.  "I  do  hereby  proclaim  order  and 
peace  restored  to  the  country,  and  require  the  innne- 
diato  release  of  all  prisoners,  the  return  of  the  civil 
officers  to  their  appropriate  duties,  and  as  strict  an 
obedience  of  the  military  to  the  civil  authority  as  is 
consistent  with  the  security  of  peace  and  the  niain 
tenance  of  good  order  where  troops  are  garrisoned."^' 
For  a  peri(jd  of  about  fifty  days  Fremont  was 
recojifnized  in  a  sense  throughout  California  as  ijov- 
crnor,  though  it  does  not  appear  that  he  had  occasion 
to  exercise  his  authority  directly  beyond  the  Los 
Angeles  district."^^  Nor  were  his  duties  as  ruler 
onerous  even  at  the  capital.  Part  of  the  volunteers 
were  discharcfed,  and  the  rest  were  stationed  at  San 
(jrabriel.  Locally  aH  was  quiet,  the  Angelinos  devot- 
ing themselves  as  in  earlier  times  to  social  pleasures, 
and  the  governor,  as  all  agree,  winning  many  friends 
among  the  natives  by  joining  in  their  festivities  and 
adopting  to  some  extent  their  ways  of  dress  and  life. 
The  happen ing.i  of  those  days,  however,  are  but 
mea«xrelv  recorded.  Official  orders  were  for  the  most 
part  of  a  petty  routine  nature;  and  indeed,  the  only 
ones  known  are  such  as  were  subsequently  included 
in  charges  against  Fremont  as  supplementary  acts  of 
disobedience."* 


'Man.  2"2,  1847.  Prdmont's  circular.  Monterey  Cal\fornian,  Feb.  6tlr, 
liriinnVn  What  I  Saw,  414;  CiUts'  Vonq.,  1G4. 

"Lieut-col  Cooke,  Conq.  Vol.,  2^,  under  <late  of  March  \'2th,  writes: 
'  (ii'ii.  Kearny  is  supreme — soinewhcro  up  tijocoiv^t;  Col  Friimont  supremo  (it 
l*uci)lo  dc  los  Ancelos,  Corn.  Stockton  is  "communder-in-chief  "  at  S.  Diego; 
Com.  Shubrick,  the  same  at  Monterey;  and  I,  at  San  Luis  Rey;  and  wo  art' 
all  supremely  poor;  the  government  having  no  money  and  no  credit;  and 
wu  hold  tlie  territory  Inicauso  Mexico  is  iworeat  of  all.'  Cooke,  however, 
was  a  foo  to  Fremont.  Feb.  '20tl>,  J.  B.  Hull,  commandant  of  the  nortlicrn 
district,  proclaims  that  civil  authority  has  taken  place  of  the  military;  and 
revokes  all  past  orders  bearing  on  civil  rights.  But  ho  says  nothing  of  anv 
governor.  S.  F.  ('<tf.  St<ir,  Feb.  20,  1847. 

"Jan.  ■J4th  -7th,  ordera  in  coimcction  with  courts-martial,  by  which  Lieut 
liiick  was  casliiered  for  drunkenness  and  fighting  with  Private  Geo.  Smith. 
Ian.  '2otli,  order  to  Cupt.  J.  K.  Wilson  to  recruit  men  for  a  'Jd  artillery  co. 
at  i$25  a  month  for  tlirco  months.  Feb.  5th,  order  to  Major  Ix)uis  McLane  t» 
proceed  northward  for  tliu  purpose  of  obtaining  recruits;  also  to  examine  the 
ilefenccs  of  Yerba  Buena,  and  erect  a  fort  on  White  Island.  Feb.  l.')th, 
Accepts  the  resignation  of  captains  Ford,  Gibson,  Finlay;  and  lieuts  Bald- 


fV. 


FINANCIAL  TIJOUBLES. 


4»5 


establish- 
i  order  and 
tho  iuiine 
f  the  civil 
3  strict  an 
ority  as  is 
I  the  main- 

•  1    "3' 

rrisouecl. 
einont  was 
nia  as  gov- 
ad  occasion 
d    the  Los 
js   as    ruler 
t  volunteers 
icd  at  San 
linos  devot- 
1  pleasures, 
lany  friends 
:ivities  and 
!ss  and  lite, 
r,    are    but 
iM'  the  most 
|d,  the  oidy 
[ly  included 
,ary  acts  of 

iiian,  Feb.  6th; 

[h  l'2th,  writes: 
Jont  supremo  .it 
If"  atS.  Diego; 
^y;  and  wo  nn' 
Ino  credit;  imil 
|<»oke,  luiwevoi , 
\i  the  nortlitni 
military;  miil 
jiotliiiig  of  liny 

L)y  whicli  Lieut 
lo  Geo.  Smitli. 
id  artillery  co. 
luia  McLauo  to 
|to  exammo  tliu 
ll.  Icb.  13tli, 
Id  lioutu  Bald- 


The  chief  difficulty  experienced  was  to  obtain  funds 
and  supplies  for  the  battalion.  Holders  of  claims  for 
property  taken  in  the  past  complained  that  payment 
was  too  long  delayed,  and  these  complaints,  with  a 
jtrevalent  doubt  that  Fremont's  authority  to  contract 
debts  would  be  recognized  by  his  successors,  increased 
present  financial  troubles.  Yet  men  were  found  will- 
ing in  consideration  of  high  prices  to  risk  delays  and 
losses.  I  shall  have  more  to  say  of  these  'California 
claims'  a  little  later;  only  two  need  be  mentioned 
here.  From  Antonio  J.  Cot  in  February  the  gov- 
ernor obtained  a  loan  of  $3,000  at  three  and  two  per 
ctait  per  month;  an<;l  from  Eulogio  Cells  in  March 
another  of  $2,500  at  two  per  cent  after  eight  months. 
With  Ct3lis  he  also  made  a  contract  to  furnish  600 
head  of  beef-cattle  for  $6,000,  payable  in  eight  months; 
Itut  the  battalion  was  discharged,  and  Fremont's  au- 
thority was  gone,  before  any  of  the  beef  was  eaten.*' 

ridge,  Rhcusaw,  Blackburn,  J.  Scott,  J.  U.  liarton,  and  J.  M.  Hudspeth. 
They  are  blamed  for  resigning  at  such  a  time  by  Adj.  Loker  in  his  onler. 
March  '2d,  P.  binds  himself  in  name  of  U.  S.  to  pay  9<'>tOOO  to  .John  Teniplo 
for  White  (or  Bird)  Island  in  S.  ¥.  Bay.  Fremont's  Court-martial,  7,  8,  I'J, 
Iti,  17,  (Vi,  (i3,  408. 

"Cfj/.  and  X.  Mex.,  Mens,  and  Doc.,  ISoO,  p.  328-9,  363-73;  Fremont'* 
Cal.  Claima  (no.  75),  p.  35-0;  Id.  (no.  817).  Tlicso  claims  were  presented 
for  payment  after  F.'s  departure,  and  without  his  having  left  any  record  of 
tlio  transactions.  Tho  oattlo  contract  was  perhaps  somewhat  'orooked.'  On 
April  '2(ith  F.  certified  that  C^lia  had  delivered  tho  cattle,  and  gave  to  C.  a 
oi'rtificato  that  $G,!)75  (including  tho  hides  which  C.  was  originally  to  havo 
I'i'tnined)  was  duo  him  from  tho  U.  S.  govt.;  but  in  fact  tho  cattlo  were  nut 
ilolivered  by  C.  until  May  1st  and  July  7tli,  and  then  to  Abel  Stearns  to 
liR'cd  for  thrco  years  on  F.'s  account  for  half  tho  increase !  F.'s  defence  was 
that  he  put  tho  cattlo  in  privato  hands  to  secure  himself  if  the  govt  should 
not  acknowledge  tho  debt;  and  this  is  plausible  if  not  regular,  but  it  does 
not  explain  his  certificate  of  delivery.  Ilensley  testitied  that  ho  teceived  the 
eattlo  for  tho  battalion;  but  this  does  not  agree  with  Stearns'  receipts. 


li*'! 


:'■  i 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

FREMONT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 

MAncii-MAY,  1847. 

New  Instiiuctions— CiRct'LAK  of  SunBBicK  AND  Kkauny— TuE  Lattkr 
Assumes  tue  Govebnorship— Proclamation  and  Report— I 'o.m mo- 

DORE  BiDDLE — ORDERS  TO    FREMONT,  GiLLESPIE,    AND  CoOKE — Tl'KNKR 

IN  THE  SocTii— Fremont's  Disobedience,  Excuses,  and  his  Famocs 
Ride  to  Monterey— Quarrel  with  Kearny — Cooke  at  Los  An- 
oeles— Mason  and  FrAmont — A  CiiALLENfiE— Rumors  ok  Mexh  an 
Invasion — Kearxy  in  the  South— Stkvenson  Isucceeds  Cookk  — 
Journey  OF  Keauny,  Fremont,  and  Cooke  Overland  to  the  .Statk>  — 
Stockton  Goes  East — Petition  on  the  Governorship — Fremont's 
Trial  by  Court-martial— Found  Guilty  and  Pakdoned— Thk  Vov- 
ULAR  Verdict— Benton's  Tirade  in  the  Senate— The  Calikoknia 
Claims — Expenses  of  the  Con  ^'iiiST. 


LI 


At  Sail  Francisco  Kcariiy  fouiul  Colonel  Richard 
R.  Mason  of  the  1st  dragoons  and  Lieutenant  Watson 
of  the  navy,  who  had  arrived  the  12th  of  February,  and 
with  whom  the  general  returned  to  Monterey  by  the 
Savannah  on  the  23d.^  Mason  and  Watson  brought 
instructions,  dated  Washington  November  3d  and  51  li, 
for  both  general  and  commodore,  which  were  positive 
to  the  effect  that  the  senior  officer  of  the  land  forces 
was  to  be  civil  governor.  They  also  required  that 
the  volunteers  of  the  battalion  shouUl  be  mustered 
into  the  service  regularly  if  it  had  not  already  been 
done,  that  Fremont  should  not  be  detained  in  Call 
fornia  longer  than  the  necessities  of  the  service  might 
require,  and  that  the  military  and  naval  chiefs  should 

'  Kearny's  Itept,  Mar.  15tli;  S.  F.  Cat.  Star,  Feb.  27, 1847.     About  the  I'.Mh 
Lieut  Bealc  left  Cal.  for  the  cast.    Fremont's  Court-martial,  271. 

(436) 


NKW  IXSTHUCTIONS. 


437 


lioltl  frequent  conferences,  acting  always  in  harmony. 
Colonel  Mason  was  to  be  recojjnizetl  as  commander 
jiikI  governor  in  the  absence  of  Kearny,  who  was  per- 
mitted to  retire  as  soon  as  tranquil  possession  should 
l>e  insured  and  a  t«.Mnporary  civil  government  organ- 
i/ed;^ 

I  [ad  Stockton  been  still  in  command  of  thes(juadron, 
III' would  probably  have  refused  compliance  with  these 
orders,  on  the  ground  that  they  were  issued  before 
liis  report  of  August  had  been  received;  butShubrick 
was  impelled  by  inclination  as  well  as  <luty  to  obey. 
Accordingly  on  the  1st  of  March  the  general  and 
commodore  issued  a  joint  circular,  in  which  the  for- 
mer assumed  the  governorship,  and  Monterey  was 
named  as  the  capital.'^  Kearny  issued  on  the  same 
ilay  general  orders  and  instructions  to  Cooke,  Fre- 
mont, and  Gillespie,  which  will  be  noticed  presently, 
and  bearing  which  Captain  Turner  started  for  tlie 
south  next  day.     Also  on  the  2d  there  arrived  Com- 


iK   Calikiikma 


^  Nov.  3,  1840,  Scott  to  Kearny.  Nov.  Stli,  Sec.  of  Navy  Mason  to  Stock- 
ton, in  FrtmonVa  Court-martial,  4l*-53.  Seo  quotations  from  these  instructions 
ill  note  8,  cliap.  xvi.  of  this  volume.  They  were  written  after  Sloat's  arrival 
at  Wiisliington  with  Monterey  news  of  July  "28,  1840.  It  was  supixMcd  that 
.Miison  might  an-ivo  and  take  coininanil  before  Kearny. 

'.March  I,  1847.  'To  all  whom  it  may  concern,  bo  it  known:  That  tin- 
lirositlcnt  of  the  U.  S.,  desirous  to  givo  anil  secure  to  the  people  of  Cn\.  a 
shui'c  (if  the  goo<l  government  and  happy  civil  organization  enjoyed  by  tli<- 
lioopli'  of  the  U.  S.,  and  to  protect  them  at  the  same  time  from  the  att^icks  <>t' 
iuri'li,'!!  foes  and  from  internal  commotions,  has  invested  the  undcrsignrd 
with  separate  and  distinct  powers,  civil  and  military;  a  cordial  co<t|K'ration 
ill  till!  exercise  of  which,  it  is  hopeil  and  believed,  will  have  the  liappy  results 
(li'sircd.  To  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  naval  forces  the  president  has  ns- 
Miijiit'd  tiio  regulation  of  the  import  trade,  the  conditions  on  which  vcasfls  <if 
!ill  nations,  our  own  as  well  as  foreign,  may  be  admitted  into  the  ports  of 
the  tiTiitory,  and  thecstabiisliiiiciitof  allport  regulations.  To  the  coiniiiand- 
iiig  military  olficcr  the  president  has  assigned  tlie  direction  of  the  operations 
on  laud,  and  has  invested  him  with  administrative  functions  of  goveniiiieiit 
over  the  people  and  territory  occupied  by  the  forces  of  the  U.  S.  Done  nt 
Moiit'iey,  capital  of  Cal.,  this  1st  day  of  March,  a.  u.  1847.  W.  Brunfoid 
Slinlii-iok,  Commander-in-chief  of  the  naval  forces.  K.  W.  Kearny,  Hrig. - 
L'en.  IJ.  ,S.  Army,  and  Gov.  of  Cal. '  Tlie  original,  printed  in  Knglish  and  .Span- 
ifli,  of  which  I  have  several  conies;  also  in  Cal.  (iml  X.  Me.v.,  JIctH.  ami  hoc, 
l^'-ii,  p.  288;  S.  F.  CaJ.  Star,  March  0,  1847;  and  often  reprinted  elsewhere. 
It  is  to  bo  noted  that  in  Fremont's  Court-martial,  1'2,  is  cited  a  letter  of  Feb. 
-.'ill,  from  Shubrick  to  Fremont,  in  whicii  the  former  says:  'Gen.  K.,  I  am 
iiisti'uctcd,  is  the  comman<ling  mil.  otUcer  in  Cal.,  and  invested  by  tiie  prcsi- 
iliiit  with  the  administrative  functions  of  govt  over  the  people  and  territory.' 
1  tiiul  no  other  mention  of  this  document. 


438 


I'KLMONTS  COXTKOVERSY  WITH  KKAKXV. 


Ij  % 


inodoru  Juines  BicUllo  oi\  the  L\>h(nihufi.  Ho  tliil  Hot. 
liowuvc'i',  disturb  Shubrick  in  his  cihihuiuhI  of  thi 
northern  Pacilic  squadron;*  and  he  fully  approved 
the  position  assumed  by  Kearny,  wlio  on  tlie  4th,  but 
antedatin*^  it  to  the  1st,  issued  to  the  people  in  Eu*,'- 
lish  and  Spanish  a  proclamation  in  which  ho  offered 
protection  to  all  interests,  and  encouraged  the  natives 
to  hope  for  all  the  rights  and  privileges  pertaining  to 
citizens  of  a  United  States  tinritory.  There  was  no 
allusion  to  the  controversy  except  indirectly,  in  a  kind 
of  apology  for  irregularities  in  the  past.  While  the 
distinct  civil  govermnent  set  up  by  Stockton  was  ig- 
nored, there  was  practically  no  radical  change  in  pio 
posed  measures  or  policy.  California  was  to  be  held 
as  a  conquered  province,  and  ruled  by  the  military 
connnander,  through  the  old  otHcials  as  nearly  as  possi- 
ble in  accordance  with  the  old  laws  until  the  United 
States  should  piovide  a  territorial  government;  Iot- 
as before  the  permanence  of  possession  was  taken  for 
granted.     I  append  the  proclamation  in  a  note.' 

*  Aniviil  of  IJitliUc,  Marcli  "iil.  Kearni/'n  Rejtt.;  Monterey  Calif.,  March  ti. 
1847.  IJidiUe'a  ih'crt'i!  of  Maivli  4tli,  niisinu  the  hloukaile  on  tlio  west  I'oiisi, 
except  at  Mazutlan  nn<l  (iiiayiiias.  Id.,  MurcTi  lIUli.  March  tith,  B.  to  I^ikln 
on Bame subject.  Lnrk-iii'ii Dor.,  MS.,  v.  .'W.  March  15th,  Larkin  to  Stockton 
on  Bid(llu't)  arrival,  ^vitll  inuuh  tiattery  for  S:.  Thinks  U.  and  Sh.  will  wuik 
against  St.,  thougii  the  latter  haa  done  more  for  tlio  country  than  both  coin 
biued  are  likely  to  do.    OJf.  i'orrcup.,  MS.,  i.  l'20-l. 

*  March  I,  184",  '  rroclaniation  to  the  people  of  California.     The  prcsi 
dent  of  the  U.  S.  having  instructed  the  undei'signcd  to  take  charge  of  flic 
civil  government  of  (^al.,  ho  cntcrst  njwn  liis  duties  with  an  ardent  desire  to 
promote,  a.s  far  as  he  ia  alile,  the  intercsta  of  the  country  and  the  welfare  ot 
its  inhabitants.     The  undersigned  lias  instructions  from  the  president  to  re 
spect  and  protect  the  religious  institutions  of  Cal.,  and  to  see  that  the  reli- 
gious rights  of  the  jHiople  are  in  the  amplest  manner  preserved  to  thcni,  the  con 
Btitution  of  the  U.  S.  allowing  every  man  to  worship  his  creator  in  such  i 
manner  as  his  own  conscience  may  dictate  to  him.     The  undersigned  is  also 
instructed  to  protect  the  persons  and  property  of  the  quiet  an<l  peaceable  in 
liabitautsof  the  country  against  all  or  any  of  their  enemies,  whether  from  abmaii 
or  at  home;  ami  when  ho  now  a-ssurcs  the  Californians  that  it  will  be  his 
iluty  and  his  pleasure  to  comply  with  those  instructions,  bo  calls  upon  tlnin 
all  to  exert  themselves  in  preserving  order  and  tranquillity,  in  promoting  liar 
mony  and  concord,  and  in  maintiiining  the  authority  and  efficacy  of  the  laws 
It  is  the  wish  and  design  of  tiie  U.  S.  to  provide  for  Cal.,  with  the  least  po- 
Bible  delay,  a  free  government  similar  to  those  in  her  otlicr  territories;  anl 
the  people  will  soon  be  called  upon  to  exercise  their  rights  as  freemen,  in 
electing  their  own  representatives  to  make  such  laws  as  may  bo  deemed  best 
for  then-  interests  and  welfare.     But  until  this  can  be  done,  the  laws  now  in 
existence,  and  not  in  coutlict  with  the  constitution  of  the  U.  S.,  will  be  con 


■»  ii '     '-t' 


GEXEUAL  KKAKNV  S  RKl'ORT. 


vMf 


lo  did  lint. 
tiid   of   tin 
y  approved 
lie  4th,  but 
[)lo  in  Eiii;- 

he  ofFerotl 
the  natives 
srtaining  to 
lero  wuH  lit) 
y,  ill  a  kind 

While  tl..' 
ton  was  iy- 
A\ge  in  pin 
i  to  bo  held 
ho  uiiHtary 
ily  as  possi- 
the  United 
•iiment;  lor 
LIS  taken  lor 
note.' 


Calif.,  March  (i, 
I  tlio  west  I'oiifi 
til,  B.  to  Ijirkin 
■kin  to  Stockton 
Id  Sh.  will  wurk 
than  both  cdiu- 

lia.    The  incsi- 
[o  charge  of  tlic 
irilent  desire  to 
the  welfare  ol 
Ipresident  to  rf 
Hi  that  the  rcli- 
thcin,  the  coil 
hator  in  such  a 
lersigncd  is  also 
1(1  peaceable  in- 
lier  from  abroad 
it  will  be  hit 
ilia  upon  thciii 
)romoting  bar- 
ley of  the  laws. 
li\ho  least  pos 
(erritorics;  aii'i 
IS  freoinen,  in 
te  deemed  best 
\q  laws  now  in 
}.,  will  be  con 


About  this  time  the  tirst  detaehnuiit  of  Colonel 
Stevenson's  New  York  volunteers  arrived  at  San 
Francisco,  as  is  fully  recorded  in  another  chapter;  aiul 
after  issuinj^  a  few  minor  orders  respecting  these  trttops 
and  local  atlairs  in  the  north,  General  Kearny  wrote 
a  general  report  of  his  proceedings  since  leaving  Los 
Angeles,  which  was  dated  the  15th  of  March  and 
sent  oast  by  the  5am/i/jaA.  In  this  report  he  says: 
"The  Californians  are  now  quiet,  and  I  shall  endeavor 
\i)  keep  them  so  by  mild  and  gentle  treatment.  Ha<l 
they  received  such  treatment  from  the  time  our  f' ig 
was  hoisted  here  in  July  last" — that  is,  if  the  policy 
(tf  Sloat  and  Larkin  had  been  continued  instead  oi 
the  filibusterism  of  Fremont  and  Stockton — "I  believe 
there  would  have  been  but  little  or  no  resistance  on 
their  part.  They  have  been  most  cruelly  and  shame- 
fully abused  by  our  own  i>eople — by  the   volunteers 

tinned  until  changed  by  comitctent  authority;  and  tliose  persons  who  hold 
(iflico  will  continue  in  the  MUine  for  the  present,  provided  they  swear  to  sup- 
in  irt  that  constitution,  and  to  faithfully  perform  their  duty.  The  undersigned 
licrcby  absolves  all  the  inhabiUiMts  of  ( 'al.  from  any  further  allegiance  to  the  re 
public  of  Mexico,  and  wdl  consider  them  as  citizens  of  the  U,  S.  Those  wlio 
iviuain  quiet  and  peaceable  will  bo  resjiected  in  their  rights,  and  protected 
iu  tiicm.  Should  any  t-iko  up  arms  against  or  oppose  the  government  of  this 
territory,  or  instigate  others  to  do  so,  they  will  bo  consi<lercd  as  enemies, 
and  treated  accordingly.  When  Mexico  forced  n  war  upon  the  U.  S.,  time 
did  not  i)crniit  the  latter  to  invito  the  Californians  as  friends  to  join  her  stand- 
iinl,  but  compelled  her  to  take  possession  of  the  country  to  prevent  any 
Muropean  power  from  seizing  upon  it;  and  in  doing  so,  some  excesses  and  un- 
authorized acts  were  no  doubt  committed  by  persons  employed  in  the  service 
of  the  U.  S.,  by  which  n  few  of  the  inhabiUints  have  met  witii  a  loss  of  prop- 
erty. Such  losses  will  be  duly  investigated,  and  those  entitled  to  remuneration 
will  receive  it.  California  has  for  many  years  sufFered  greatly  from  domestic 
troubles;  civil  wars  liavc  Iwen  the  poisoned  fonnUiins  which  have  sent  forth 
trouble  and  pestilence  over  her  beautiful  hind.  Now  those  fountains  are 
'Iried  up;  the  star-spangled  banner  floats  over  Cal. ;  and  as  long  as  the  buii 
eoutipcies  to  shine  upon  lier,  so  long  will  it  float  tliere  over  the  natives  of  the 
!:'.ud,  as  well  as  others  who  have  found  a  home  in  her  bosom;  ami  under  it 
agriculture  must  improve  and  the  arts  and  sciences  flourish,  as  seed  in  a  ricli 
and  fertile  soil.  The  Americans  and  Californians  are  now  but  one  people; 
let  us  cherish  one  wish,  one  hope,  and  let  that  bo  for  the  peace  and  quiet  of 
iiur  country.  Let  us  as  a  band  of  brothers  luiite  and  enudateeach  other  in  our 
ixertions  to  l)enefit  and  improve  this  our  beautiful,  and  which  soon  must  !>»■ 
otir  happy  and  prosperous,  home.  Done  at  Monterey,  capital  of  Cal.,  this 
lirst  day  of  March,  a.  p.  1847,  and  in  tiie  "Ist  year  of  the  indefwrnU'iice  of 
the  U.  S.  S.  W.  Kearny,  Brig. -gen.  U.  S.  A.,  and  governor  of  California.' 
.\n  original  in  MS.,  with  K.'s  autograph,  in  Vallrjo,  Doc,  MS.,  x.xxiv.  "JiiO; 
print,  I^^nglish  and  Span.,  in  U'.nr  I'laij  Pap.,  .3(i;  also  in  .S'.  /'.  Cal.  Star, 
.March  20,  1847;  Cal.  and  X.  Mer.,  M,m.  and  Doc,  JSoO,  p.  '20.>;  and  often 
reprinted. 


ii 

1 1 


1^  I 


r 


440 


FRt. MONT'S  C0NT^.OVKRSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


)UI 


1     "" 


'      if     ' 


I 


1  !; 


II 


ilN 


[Auicncuii  c'mi«4iaut.s]  raised  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try aiul  on  the  Sacranionto.  lla»l  tlioy  not  iesisto<l, 
tlic'V  would  have  been  unworthy  tlie  name  of  men.  IT 
the  |)t!ople  remain  (luiet  antl  California  continues 
under  our  lla«,',  it  will  erelong  ho  a  hrij^ht  .star  in  our 
union."" 

Ktarny'.s  orders  of  March  1st,  carried  south  by 
Captain  Turner,  re<|uired  the  California  hattdion  t  > 
he  mustered  into  the  service  at  once  hy  Lieutenant- 
i'olonel  Fremont,  who  was  to  hrini^  to  Verba  Hueiia  by 
way  of  JSIonterey  and  there  dischai'jL^c  all  volunteers  de- 
dining  to  continue  in  the  service.  Fremont  was  also 
directed  t<»  deliver  in  pcjison  at  Monterey,  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible,  all  public;  <locuments  under  his 
control  pertaining  to  the  goveinment  of  California. 
Jjieutenant  Gillespie  of  the  marines  was  relieved  from 
his  duties  as  an  officer  of  the  battalion,  and  ordere<l  to 
I'eport  to  the  commander  of  his  corps  at  Washington, 
jjieutenant-colonel  Cooke  was  made  military  com- 
mandant of  the  southern  district,  with  instructions  to 
post  his  command — consisting  of  the  dragoon  «'om- 
l>any,  the  Moi'mon  battalion,  and  the  volunteers — at 
such  places  as  he  might  deem  most  eligible  for  the 
j)reservation  of  peace.  Los  Angeles  was  suggested 
as  headipiarters,  and  a  ionciliatory  policy  toward  the 
inhabitants.' 

*  Kenrii It'll  Jl('iiort,  .Mnrcli  1."),  1847. 

'  Murcli  I,  1HJ7,  'Hcnil(juurtcia  10th  mil.  ilcpartmcnt.'  'Ordirs  no.  "J." 
i.  MtiAtoriii)/ in  thu  volunteers,  ii.  Relieving  (iillcflpio.  iii.  Putting  C'ooki' 
ill  coiiinmiiil.  iv.  CooUc  to  name  uii  otDiuT  to  reccivo  public  property  at  S. 
Oiego.  V.  Miij.  Swonls  anil  Payiimsti-r  Cloud  to  report  at  Monteicy.  'iJy 
order  of  IJrig.-gcn.  S.  W.  Kearny,  II.  S.  Turner,  u:ipUiin,  a.  a.  a.  gcneriii.' 
Ill  Fn  iwiiif'H  (.'tiinl-marliul,  111,  X>,  '2'2l.  Same  ilato,  K.  to  l'\,  referring  tot  ho 
gonerjil  order,  directing  him  to  liring  archives,  and  adding:  'Ihavo  ilirci'- 
tions  from  tiie  gencral-in-ohief  not  to  retain  you  in  this  country  against  your 
wialic!}  a  moment  longer  than  the  necessities  of  tiiu  service  may  reijuiri';  anil 
you  will  be  at  lil)erty  to  leave  hero  after  you  have  complied  with  tliesu  in- 
.structiona  and  thoso  in  the  order  referred  to.'  F.  ia  addresacd  oh  't!om'g  biit. 
of  «,'al.  voluiitceis.'  /(/.,  ,l'2-.3,  lO'J,  4'Ji.  Same  date,  K.  to  Cooke,  genor.il 
instructions,  leaving  details  to  his  judgment.  'It  is  i.ighly  impoi'tnnt  that 
a  very  discreet  otliccr  should  bo  in  com.  of  the  troops  j'ou  mi»v  station  nt  tli<^ 
city  of  tlio  .Vngcls,  which  has  been  for  »o  long  a  timo  the  capital,  and  the  hcjid- 
(inarters  of  the  Mexicans  and  ( 'alifornians  when  in  arms  against  us.  Great 
discontent  and  aiiiimisity,  on  the  part  of  the  ]ieoplu  there,  towaru  the  Aim  r- 
icuus  have  existed,  and  in  consciiuciicu  of  complaints  inado  by  t)iein  of  the 


TL'UNEK,  «  OOKi;,  AND  OWKNs. 


441 


TuriuT  roaclnMl  Tios  An;L,'«'l«'s  on  Afan-Ii  1  1th,  tU'- 
li\(riii«^  his  oicUts  and  tiio  joint,  circular  to  Krcinont, 
who  next  day  promised  obcthiMioe,  while  tliu  captain 
I  ontinued  his  journey  to  San  Luis  Jloy,  where  he 
made  known  t!ie  orders  to  Cooko.  Fremont's  obedi- 
.  lice  consisted  in  suhn)ittin<j;  tiu!  order  lor  niusteriuLf 
to  the  volunte<;rs,  all  of  whom  declined  to  he  mustered, 
tliouj^h  the  otlicers  had  no  serious  (»l)jections,  as  the 
I  lianf^e  would  not  materially  afl'ect  their  pay;  an<l 
this  result  was  communicated  to  Cooko  on  the  lOth 
in  reply  to  that  otticer's  note  of  the  14th  inquirini^ 
liow  many  of  the  volunteers  had  I^m-ii  mustered.  In 
this  letter,  written  hy  liussell  as  'secretary  of  state.' 
Cooke  is  informed  that  "the  j^overnor  considers  it 
unsafe  at  this  time,  when  rumor  is  rife  with  a  threat- 
ened insurrection,  to  discharj^e  the  battalion,  and  will 
decline  doing  so;  and  whilst  they  remain  in  service, 
he  regards  his  force  as  quite  sufficient  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  artillery  and  ordnance  stores  at  San  Ga- 
hriel."  Meanwhile',  on  the  Ifith,  in  view  of  a  pros- 
peitive  absence  in  the  north — though  he  did  not  start 
lor  a  Wvck — Frdmont  issued  to  Captain  Owens,  act- 
ing commandant  of  the  battalion,  instructions  not  to 
I  ave  San  Gabriel,  not  to  obey  tlu;  orders  of  any 
other  officer,  an<!  not  to  turnover  to  any  one  the  pub- 
lic arms  and  munitions.  On  the  IStli  he  drew  bills 
of  exchang*;  against  the  govertunent  in  favor  of  one 
F.  Iliittnuinn  lor^l'J.JOO;  and  on  the  li  1st,  as  governor, 
he  authorized  Collector  Alexander  at  San  Pedro  to 
leceivc  government  (U-ders  in  payment  of  duties." 

Vdlunteers  engngcul  in  our  cause.  It  is  not  iK'ce.'<aiiry  to  iii()uiro  if  tiicso  com- 
lilaiuts  art)  well  founded  or  not.  Tlic  fact  that  tlio  ptHipIc  liavc  liopu  un- 
Ii'iciidly  and  (ii)[)(>sed  to  us  i.s  suilieicnt  to  intiko  it  our  duly  to  itconcilo  and 
niako  friends  ot  tlicin,  aucl  this  most  dcsirulile  olijcut  may  l>c  fllVctcd  liy  a 
mild,  courteous,  and  just  IrtatniPut  of  thcni  in  future.'    /</.,  l-K)-i. 

"■'JVstitnoiiy  and  documents  in  I'n  mmii'ii  i'liniinutrtinl.  l.'l-l(J,  1-IS-J),  ll'O 
ct8e(|.;  Cooke'!<  l'ouqnfitl,'2,'A\-i\.  Fremont  ciainicil  tliat  the  order  to  .Mcx- 
under  wna  merely  n  i'ui>ctition  in  writing  of  one  Riven  earlier  verbally,  and 
was  given  to  protect  A.  Tlio  traders  who  Unij^ht  up  the  claims  at  a  lai>;o 
ili>teount  ami  imid  them  as  duties  at  par  evidently  made  a  good  speculation. 
lil't  Court  Clitiim,  'J'2t),  p.  '20.    On  tlie  Huttn.nnii  bills,  see  U.  S.  Govt  Doc, 

■'I'itll  COng.    Ist   BCS8. 


II 


i 


m 


442 


FREMONT. S  tOXTKOVERSY  WITll  KEAIiNY. 


There  were  rumors  in  these  Jays  of  impendiuiL;' 
revolt  among  the  Californians,  tljough  there  is  no  evi- 
dence that  these  rumors  liad  the  sHglitest  foundation 
beyond  the  imagination,  or  rather  the  pretensions,  ot 
Fremont  and  Ins  partisans.  Says  the  former,  alter 
dwelling  on  the  tranquillity  of  his  past  rule:  "Sud- 
tlenly,  and  in  the  beginning  of  March,  all  this  was 
changed.  Men  armed  to  the  teeth  were  galloping 
about  the  country.  Groups  of  armed  men  were  con- 
stantly seen.  The  whole  population  was  in  comnio 
tion,  and  everything  verged  toward  violence  and 
bloodshed.  For  what  cause?  The  approach  of  th«; 
Mormons,  the  proclamations  incompatible  with  the 
capitulation  of  Cowenga,  the  prospect  that  I  was  t«» 
be  dejjosed  by  violence,  the  anticipated  non-payment 
of  government  liabilities,  and  the  general  insecurity 
which  such  events  inspired.  Such  was  the  cause;" 
and  the  ettect  was  that  Fremont  wr.nt  to  Montoroy 
to  lay  the  alarming  state  of  things  before  General 
Kearny.  Or  rather  these  alarms  were  invented  later 
as  an  excuse  i'or  disobeying  Kearny's  orders."  It  is 
true,  however,  that  the  Missouri  volunteers  had  suc- 
ceeded in  arousing  some  feeling  against  the  NLormons; 
and  that  tlicre  was  a  degr»'c  of  uneasiness  amoni; 
both  Americans  and  (^alifornians  about  the  recogu"'- 
tioii  of  Freiuont's  debts  by  the  U.  S.  government. 

Fremont. s  real  nioiivi^  fo!-  visit inj;  the  north  at  t'lis 
time  wus  j)robably  a  wish  to  learn  whether  the  1  ite 
orders  were  foundiMl  on  iiev\  instruetions  from  Wash- 
ington or  were  but  a  reop«;ning  of  the  old  eontroversy, 
an«l  also  to  ascertain  if  the  geneial  was  tlisposed  as 
gt)vernor  to  assunje  the  debts  t)f  the  past  administra- 

*  l-'riimcnf 'a  ilctVuce,  in  ('ourt-martii'l,  i'i'2.  lU'iisloy  ii>  lii»  tost.iiiiony, 
/(/.,  i!3'J-:<,  Hliglitly  coiifli'iiiit  the  i'iiiiku-h  of  iin|R-u<lin^  troubles,  liiitho  allnilcs 
I'liiotly  to  Iho  cnil  of  Murcli  ami  to  A|>ril,  wIk'ii  tliiiv  were  rc|M)rt4i  of  ua  ii]i 
]>roiioliinu  Mcxiouu  forco.  IikIchmI,  in  Dnlcr  to  fiirniah  any  fouixlatio'i  whiit 
(^vur  for  FrOmonft's  RtiitcnitMitti,  it  uouUl  \iv  ni'i-cstiary  to  tJ(roii|>  nil  ^jariniii;; 
Hyiiiptonis  of  tlio  (Mitiro  yt'ar,  apply  tlu^in  to  the  inuiith  of  Murcl'.,  and  tin  . 
fzreutly.to  imi^nify  tiio  Niini  tot4il.  Mm. ay,  ^V(«(t.,  .MS  ,  7i»-7,  inentioim  tin' 
nnnoi'8  of  revolt  ns  lu-unl  ut  Stii  IIju  Itaru  Similar  rt-port«  ut  S.  JoHii  in  tin' 
north  in  March,   i'ltk  /Voc,  MS.,  KJO-TO. 


B  n 


iNY. 


FKKMONT'S  lllDK  TO  MONTEHKY. 


44n 


t"  iinpendiiiL;' 

iro  is  no  ovi- 

b  foundation 

otcnsions,  ot 

former,  alter 

rule:  "Sud- 

all  this  was 

re  gallopin«r 

-'n  were  eon- 

s  in  coniino 

iolence   and 

oacli  of  the 

>lc  with  the 

at  I   was  to 

lon-paynient 

d  insecurity 

the  cause;" 

o  Monterav 

ore  General 

vented  latei' 

lers."     It  is 

ors  had  suc- 

e  Mormons; 

H'ss  umonj4' 

he  reoognl- 

rnmont. 

oitli  at  this 

wv  the  1  itc 

loin  Wasli- 

oiitniversy, 

lisposed  as 

laihninistra- 


liis  toBtiiiiony, 
»,  liitt  ho  alliiili's 
hM)rU  of  nil  up 
J)Un<latio'i  what 
li|i  all  rtlariiiiii;^ 
llarol'.,  a:i<l  tin  . 
t,  iiU'iitiniiM  tlii< 

S.  Jo8(5  ill   the 


tion.'"  He  started  from  J^os  Angeles  early  on  Mar<'h 
•J'Jd,  with  Jesus  Pico  and  Jacob  Dodson,  on  his 
famous  ride,'  reaching  Monterey  at  nightfall  of  the 
lourt!;  day,  or  the  25th."  The  same  evening,  with 
Larkin,  he  called  <»n  Kearny  as  a  matter  of  etiquette; 
iind  next  morning,  by  a  request  through  Larkin,  he 
obtained  an  interview  with  the  general.  According 
1o  the  hitter's  statement — and  there  is  no  other  defi- 
nite information  about  the  interview — Frdmont  made 
known  his  desire  for  a  conversation,  but  objected  to 
the  presence  of  Colonel  Mason,  and  when  Kearny 
insisted  that  the  colonel,  as  the  officer  who  v  nuld  suc- 
ceed to  the  connna»»d,  might  properly  listen  to  any 
tonversation  on  public  affairs,  Frdmont  made  an 
otfensive  reply,  to  the  effect  that  Mason  was  perhaps 
there  intentionally  to  take  advantage  of  som»j  un- 
guarded expre^ion  of  his.  Then  the  general,  deeming 
the  last  remaiTc  an  insult,  referred  to  his  orders  of 
March  1st,  and  asked  Fremont  to  state  distinctlv, 
(M'fore  the  conversation  could  proceed,  whether  he  in- 
tended to  obey  those  orders  or  not.  Tlie  lieutenant-col- 
onel hesitated,  wasoivenan  hour  or  a  day  f«»r  consider- 

'"Cooke,  ' 'oiuiiunt,  287,  Bays  that  Tnrmr  had  i-otunicil  to  l^im  AngeliH  iiikI 
>^t;iitc(l  for  Moiitoi-cy,  Im'Siil;  oonviiiooil  timl  F.  ilid  not  iiitrml  to  oln-y  Koar- 
n  \ 's  orders ;  m  lu-rouj)^)ii  V.,  aH  soon  as  lie  knew  'J'.'s  sudilm  dcpartuiv,  HUiitod 
to  ovcrtaku  him,  hut  failed,  i»'ac-hiii)4  .MuntciTy  scvt'ial  hours  alter  T.  V  ani- 
\.il.  Gen.  Sliernwn,  .Umi.,  i.  '2,t,  i;iv<'»  thoMiuie  vei'Mioti.  'I'hi.s  may  ho  Irui', 
iIioukIi  un8U|)|)orted  hy  other  evidnire. 

"On  his  rido  V.  and  <'ii'o  rude  C'.d.  nuistaiiK!^.  driviiii;  mIv  untuiddleil  to  he 
(iiuviht  with  the  luBMi  for  freiiiieiit  ehantfeM  hy  IKmIhoii,  i''ieinont'n  hervant  and 
a  skilful  vaqnero.  They  tilent  the  iir»t  .  i{ht  at  C  apt.  Uolilmis'  laiieho  near 
Sla  liiirhara,  and  tlio  Heeoiul  at  .'i.  i.uJH  Miispo,  mImtc  the  U  liorse.>(  were 
I  hanged  for  M  frerth  ones  from  l'ic>./'t)  eaSaliaila.  The  third  euin|>  wax  in  tho 
upjier  8alinu8  valley,  where  t!iey  wer»^  t  Incut  i'iie<l  and  U'j>t  from  nlee|>  hy 
;,'.i/./.ly  l)ear!i.  Starting  on  the  .  i>t urn  in  thealtrrnooii  of  tiui  "Jiith,  l''reiiioiit 
rod  ■  0110  horiH'— a  gift  from  i'leo— to  within  ;J0  Hides  ot  S.  I, urn,  as  a  test  of 
liis  I  ii(hirnneo.  At  San  l.uis  they  took  the  ori>.'in:il  hoiseh,  and  Imv  lii^  slept 
.i)jaiu  at  Stu  Ikirharn,  tlioy  arrivid  at  the  eity  early  in  the  alteiniM)ii  of  the 
'.Mttli.  They  had  heeii  ttliF  lit  >SJ  days,  hail  ridden  over  htKI  miles,  and  had 
heeii  uuiually  in  t.'-e  nartdle  jn-olmMy  ahout  ItNt  hours.  Aceounts  of  this  ritht 
were  pulNshed  ill  the  Wifhii'iUm  .\<iliii,:til  hiti-Uiiitiir,  r.  A'.  )'.  .'/« /(lA/,  allil 
y.  y.  T'.  U'k;  from  whii'li  they  w«  re  ii'prodtieeil  in  Jlliii'lmr's  Mini.,  I.Vit!; 
•V.  >'.  //(  Yl/(/,  May  •-'*.»,  ISliJ;  S'fa  /!.  /'/rw,  .liiiie  :»,  ISTti;  M'-ir-.)/ /■(//.  /Vr/a- 
'■oiiiiH,  \  ly  l.-t,  lt»'7!»;.N'.  /'.  H,ll<ih,,  May  'M,  IH7(};  .V.  /'.  ('«//,  .Ian,  IM,  |n79; 
'iii'l  man}  o'.'ier  uow8|inpei-s.  I'lco,  in  his  Aamtn'imienloi',  MS. ,  7lU7.  K'ves 
hi'iuf  ac  ount  of  the  ride.     He  says  IKmIhoii  gave  out  on  the  luitt  duy  of  tlui 


I  It  III  II. 


444 


FRtMOXT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KKARNY. 


;  W 


I '  n 


ation,  and  left  the  room.  He  had  meanwhile  tendere<I 
his  resignation  from  the  army,  which  offer  was  de- 
clined. He  came  back  about  an  hour  later  and  prom- 
ised obedience.  Kearny  expressed  great  satisfaction 
at  this  conclusion,  and  repeated  verbally  the  substance 
of  past  orders,  requiring  him  to  report  at  Monterey 
at  the  earliest  possible  date,  but  permitting  him  to 
come  by  land  after  embarking  the  volunteers  at  San 
l*edro.>^ 

I  think  it  probable  that  the  manner  and  words  of 
Fremont  at  this  interview  were  the  turning-point  ot 
the  controversy,  and  determined  the  general's  latei 
course  and  accusations;  but  it  is  also  likely  that  tin* 
tone  assumed  by  Kearny  was  most  annoying  to  tlic 
younger  officer's  pride.  Fremont  left  Monterey  the 
same  day,  and  two  days  later  Colonel  Mason  was  sent 
to  the  south  as  inspector  of  troops,  "c|pthed  with  full 
authority  to  give  such  orders  and  instructions  in  that 
country   upon  all  matters   whatever,  both  civil   and 

^'Fri'nwHl't  Court -martial,  17,  34,  104-7,  4*23,  427.  Fremont  gives  iio 
particulars  of  the  interview;  but  ridicules  the  idea  that  ho  shonld  have  come 
HI)  fur  inereiy  to  insult  tho  general  and  oiTcr  to  resign  his  commission;  and 
he  iiuplii-H  that  ho  asked  K.  altout  tho  claims,  and  was  told  that  they  would 
not  l)e  n-1-oi.'ni/ed,  also  that  he  disclaimed  any  intention  to  insult  thogenemi 
Houbtlcsa  hia  tiiial  promise  to  olx>y  was  founded  on  information  from  Larkiii 
UH  to  tho  nature  of  the  late  instructions  from  Washington.  Lient  Sherman, 
Memoir*,  i.  iJ."»,  nays:  'All  tlio  troops  and  tho  navy  (?)  regarded  Gen.  K.  as 
tlio  rightful  coniniunder,  though  Friimoub  still  remained  at  Los  Angeles,  styl- 
ing himself  as  governor,  iitHuing  orderH,  and  holding  his  luttulion  of  Cal.  vol- 
unteers in  apparent  defiance  of  <ien.  K.  Col,  Mason  and  Maj.  Turner  were 
sent  down  by  Ht-a  with  a  paymaster,  with  muster-rolls  and  orders  to  muster 
this  Iiattalion  into  the  service  of  the  U.  .S, ,  to  pay,  anil  then  to  muster  them 
out;  but  on  their  reaching  Ix)S  .\ngeles  F.  would  not  consent  to  it,  and  the 
controversy  Ix-canie  so  angry  that  u  challenge  was  believed  to  have  iNi.si4e<l 
between  NJ.  and  F. .  .  .Turner  roilc  up  by  land  in  4  or  5  days,  and  F.  becom 
ing  alarmed,  followed  him,  as  we  supiM)scd,  to  overtake  him,  but  he  did  not 
Hucoeid.  On  F.'s  arrival  at  Monterey  he  camped  in  a  tent  about  a  mile  out 
of  to«  n  ami  called  on  <  len  K . .  and  it  was  reported  that  the  latter  threatcneil 
him  very  t  everely,  and  ordered  him  back  to  Los  Angeles,  immediately  to  dis- 
banil  liifi  volunteers,  and  to  cease  the  exercise  of  authority  of  any  kind  in  tin- 
country,  t'ee'iiig  a  natural  curiosity  to  see  l'\  ...  I  rode  out  to  his  camp  and 
found  him  in  a  Conical  tent  with  one  (Jant.  Owens... I  spent  an  hourorso 
with  F.  in  his  tent,  took  gome  tea  with  hin),  and  left  without  being  much 
impreH.He<l  with  him.'  .Sherman  has  eviilently  confoumled  two  dillerent  visits 
of  F.  to  .Monteivy.  hi  /</. ,  p.  'J.'l,  ho  reprcHents  F.  as  claiming  his  position 
'iiy  virtue  of  a  letter  he  had  receiveil  from  Col.  Hentou' !  and  on  ii.  -7,  'all 
agreed  that  if  any  one  else  than  Fremont  liad  put  on  huoIi  airs,  K.  would 
have  shown  him  no  mcn-y,  for  In-  was  regarded  us  tho  strictest  kind  of  a  dis- 
ciplinarian.' 


COOKE  A\D  OWENS. 


445 


military,  as  you  may  think  ntmlucive  to  the  public  in- 
terest/'" and  bearing  an  order  requiring  Fremont  to 
obey  Mason,  to  authenticate  and  complete  any  un- 
.settled  accounts  against  the  government,  and  to  report 
at  Monterey  in  twelve  days  after  embarking  the  vol- 
unteers, bringing  with  him  the  members  of  his  original 
exploring  party.'* 

On  March  23d,  the  day  after  Fremont's  departure 
from  Los  Angeles,  Secretary  Russell  started  cast  with 
despatches  understood  to  include  a  petition  fiom  Cali- 
fornians  for  Fremont's  appointment  as  governor." 
On  the  same  day,  after  Kussell's  departure,  Cooke 
arrived  from  San  Luis  with  the  dragoon  company  and 
iour  companies  of  the  Mormon  battalion,  which  troops 
were  posted  in  and  near  the  town.  Gillespie  rode  out 
to  receive  Cooke  in  a  friendly  manner,  bui  exercised 
no  authority,  having  obeyed  Kearny's  order  relieving 
him  of  his  command.  Captain  Owens  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  battalion  at  San  Gabriel,  and  wiion  Cooke 
ciiVf^r]  on  him  the  24tli  he  profes.sed  to  have  no  knowl- 
ed'^e  vf  the  orders  issued  by  Kearny  and  Shubrick, 
nor  would  he  obey  the  commandant's  order  to  turn 
over  a  part  of  the  artillery  to  the  dragoons.  He  basctl 
his  refusal  on  Fremont's  written  order  already  cited, 
and  he  urged  Cooke  to  await  Fremont's  return. 
There  was  no  quarrel  or  unfriendly  feeling.  In  his 
report  of  the  25th  the  commandatit,  while  professing 
amazement  at  the  i)revailing  ignorance  of  military 
law,  and  denouncing  "  this  treason  or  mutiny  whlrh 
jeopardizes  the  safety  of  the  country,  and  defies  me  in 
my  legal  command  and  duties,"  yet  deemed  it  best  to 
"  sacrifice  all  i'ecling  or  pride  to  duty,  which  I  think 
j)lainly  forbids  any  attempt  to  crush  this  resistance  of 

'•'March  '29,  1847,  Kcnriiy  to  Muson.  CuL  and  X.  Mix.,  Mt-M.  and  jMic, 
JSM,  \>.  HO".  Muson  tloubtkss  liad  vcilial  iustruclious re8p«ictui>{  liU  proBptc- 
tivi-  ilcalingB  with  Frt''tiiont. 

'•March  28.  1847,  Kearny  to  Frdmont.  Court-martial,  17-18,  34,  4J4. 
March  IJlst,  HiiliUu  orders  Gillespie  to  report  for  duty.  /</.,  2'21. 

''Testimony  of  Cooke  and  Kussell,  in  Frrmont's  i'ourl-martial,  \i'i,  '-'(id, 
'Jti^t.  Russell  Bueuis  to  have  ^one  overland,  Ijiit  tiu're  is  iiu  infuraiatiou  about 
Ills  party  or  journey,     lie  reached  Waahiugtou  in  July. 


I! 

ii 


FREMONT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


niisguitlcd  men.  It  would  bo  a  signal  i)t'  rovi)lt.  'Vlw 
gt'iieral's  orders  are  not  obeyed  1""  Doubtless  hf 
acted  wisely  in  preventing  a  rupture  between  tlic 
Mormons  and  tlie  Mis.sourians. 

Frdmont  arrived  at  Los  Angeles  on  the  29th;  but 
nothing  is  known  of  what  occurred  during  the  follow- 
ing days.  With  Cooke  ho  hatl  no  intercourse  what- 
ever. Mason  arrived  on  the  7tli  of  April  or  earlier.'' 
He  had  some  interviews  with  Frdmont,  Cooke  boin<j: 
present  at  Mason's  request,  but  nothing  is  known  of 
details,  except  that  tiieir  relations  were  not  friendly, 
antl  that  Fremont  deemed  himself  insulted  by  Cooke's 
presence  as  a  witness."  On  the  12th  the  colonel 
called  for  a  list  of  Frdniont's  civil  appointments,  and 
for  all  records,  civil  and  military.  Ihe  list  and  a  few 
papers  were  furnished  next  day,  with  an  explanation 
that  the  main  record  had  been  sent  to  Washington.'-' 


i  r 


^■ 


'•Testimony  of  Cooke,  (iillcapio,  and  I^ker,  in  tWmoiit'ii  CoHrl-tnnrtial , 
l»,  Vl'1-1,  i;J4-7,  •-•01  :», -J:.!,  incliulluK:  MurcU  •JJtli,  Cupt.  .1.  K.  Wilsons 
tiiiti)  toCooko  declining;  to  turn  uvor  artillery;  Uwuns'  order  to  Wilson  to  rniiiu' 
tirt'ot;  and  Cooko'M  rP|K»rt  to  ('apt.  Turner;  (.'ooko  says  Wilson  was  at  first 
iuclined  to  obey.  liu  wasHliown,  l>ut  not  ttormittcd  to  copy,  Krt^mont'x order 
to  Owens.  Dr  Sanderiion  and  Lieut  Davidson  ncuoin|>aniod  Ctntku  to  S.  (ia- 
liriel.  C.  expres808  donltt  tli.'it  tlio  jiropoHition  for  l>eing  mustered  had  ever 
l>een  properly  presented  to  llie  voluut«'ers.  One  of  tlio  howit/vrrt  wliicli 
Owens  \va«  ordered  to  give  up  liail  been  raptured  from  Kenriiy  at  S.  I'axeual, 
and  given  up  to  Fr«imont  at  ('aliuenga.  There  were  fre(|uent  uttemptn  to  in- 
troduce this  awn  in  the  eourt-inartial,  apparently  for  no  other  j>ur|Mii<e  than 
to  ventilate  Kearny's  misfortune  at  S.  Vaneual.  An  extract  l^ioni  ('iM)ke'.'< 
original  diary  on  these  happenings  at  l^os  Angeles  is  given  in  his  <'oiiquist  nf 
('•iT,  '2AH,  etc.  (\>oko's  report  to  Turner  was  sent  l>y  express  to  Monteix-y, 
liut  could  not  have  arrived  in  time  to  all'ect  the  instructions  to  Mason. 

"  April  7,  liS47,  (iillespiu  to  J^arkin,  mentioning  the  arrival  of  M.  'at  this 
moment'  as  very  fortunate.  Speaks  highly  of  iNi.,  though  his  measures  arc 
harsh  acconling  to  orders.  Sarwjf,  JJoc  MS.,  ii.  7<i.  At  this  time  Fremont 
ho]H'd  to  start  'next  week.' 

"'(\K(kc,  in   i'rimonl'ii  Court  mart'uil,  W'l  et  80i|.     ('.  and  F.  were  intm 
iluoed  liy  M.,  hut  F.'s  manner  did  not  indicate  a  desin^  for  further  acquaint 
aiiic,  an<l  thoy  did  not  sjteuk  to  each  other  later  at   Angeles  or  on   the 
manh  east.     A  i-eitort  of  M.  to  Turner  dated  April   lUth  untl  narrating  his 
ollicial  o^-ts  down  to  date,  I  have  not  found. 

"•April  I'.',  1S47,  Mason  to  Frt^mont.  April  i:Uh,  F.  to  M.  i'al.  and  X. 
,Ui\i:,  MiitH.  and  ho<\,  IS60,  p.  308.  '.My  position  here  having  l)een  de 
Mitunocd  OS  usurpation  hy  Oen.  K.,  I  could  not  antici|Mto  from  him  any  call 
for  these  pa|)ers;  and  in  reipiiring,  myself,  front  the  general  govt,  meitns  ami 
authority  to  comply  with  my  engagement,  it  hcuame  neccssury  that  these 
and  other  objects  should  bo  thoroughly  niude  known.'  The  only  civil  np- 
pointmrnta  had  1>cen  Santiago  Argiiullo  and  I'edro  Carrillo  as  collectors  of 
the  porta  tif  S.  Diego  and  S.  I'eilro. 


MASON  CHALLENGED  BV  FRtMOXT. 


u: 


It.       'I'hr 
•tless    III 
'ecu   till' 

)th;  Imt 

Q  follow 

SO  w  hat- 
earlier." 
iQ  being 
;nown  ot 
friendly. 
Cooke's 
!  colonel 
nts,  and 
lid  a  few 
lanation 
ington.''^ 


urt-martial, 

i.   Wilson'a 

sou  to  Haini' 

was  at  lirHt 

oiit'sortliT 

toS.  <;tt 

I  iiatl  I'vcr 

fvrn   which 

I'ltMriuil, 

iiptx  to  iii- 

i'|>iis<!  than 

rii  4'iH)k)''M 

l'(»;(f/M»'.t<  of 

Montoi-uj-, 

on. 

I.  'lit  tlii.i 

lUMIirOH  UI'U 

Fri'moiit 

L'lo  iiitro- 
I  acquaint 
Ir  (III   thi> 

I'fiting  hii 

ami  X. 

lln'CII      (llV 

any  t'iiil 
leiuiit  unit 
liat  tliu8o 
Icivil  ap- 
leotorH  o( 


doubtless  carried  by  Russell.  Frdmont  wa«  annoyeil 
1)V  tlie  matter  and  manner  of  an  order  to  briui^  in  a 
band  of  horses  that  had  been  sent  to  graze  in  the 
country  in  preparation  for  later  use  by  the  explorers. 
On  the  14th  Mason  had  to  send  two  messengers  be- 
fore Frdmont  would  come  to  his  quarters  to  answer 
(juestions  about  the  honses;  and  when  he  did  eoine, 
lie  used  language  which  caused  the  colonel  to  reply. 
•'Xone  of  your  insolence,  or  I  will  put  you  in  irons." 
On  being  informed  that  Mason  would  hold  him.self 
])erst»nally  responsible  for  these  words,  the  ex-govern- 
or ri'turned  to  his  quarters,  and  at  once  sent  Major 
Heading  with  a  demand  for  an  apology,  f()lh)wed  on 
refusal  by  a  challenge.  This  was  accepted  the  saint 
rvtiiing  by  a  verbal  arrangement  with  Reading, 
(loui)le-barrelle<l  shot-guns  being  cho.sen  as  the  weap- 
ons; but  in  a  note  of  the  I5th  the  colonel  announee<l 
tlu"  necessity  of  postponing  the  «luel  until  the  parties 
should  met't  at  ^[onteroy,  for  which  place  Ma.sun 
started  a  few  days  later.** 

The  attair,  however,  became  known  to  (General 
Kearny,  whose  positive  orders  prevented  a  hostile 
melting.  There  is  no  rea.son  to  tloubt  that  both 
oilicirs  were  willing  enough  to  butcher  eaeh  other; 
l»ut  perhaps  neither  much  regrettrd  that  superior 
oriKrs  and  circumstances  prevented  a  duel.  In  .sev- 
eral respects  Fremont  shows  to  better  advantage  in 
this  affair  than  his  rival.*' 

*■'  1  timl  n<>  ix'coril  of  tho  oxnit  ilate;  hut  liis  fjcnoral  roport  to  Koamy  ia 
dated  at  .Montorcv,  .April  'Mt\\.  It  in  a  griicnil  Htatc'ineiit  <>(  tht*  oiMiililion  of 
iilluirA  in  tlio  xoiitli,  i-ontainin;;  nutliing  to  Iw  noted.  Cttt.  ami  A'.  Mrx.,  JUr'H. 
mid  I  to:,  ISoO,  p.  :WX 

•' Thi"  iK'st  account  (if  the  whoU^  niutti  r  i^  tliat  in  /li'iiloir'n  Mmwir,  'JO.S- 
i;i,  priiliahly  from  lifulou't  S/inrh,  iiii'hiclinu  the  lullnwiii^  co.'rc^iioiiileiice: 
April  I4tli,  Fii'tiiiint  to  MaHon,  ih'inand  for  an  apoln^^y;  M.  to  K  ,  dccliniiiK 
to  ajMihigizc;  F.  to  M.,  t  lialh'n^(  ;  May  'JTth,  Kcadini;  to  F.,  t<fatifyin>;  to  M.'a 
voi'hal  nC(*pptaneo  mid  choiix'  of  wc^iimmik;  April  l.">tlt,  M.  to  F. ,  |>.':4tp(>niii); 
til"  nicctiiig;  F.  to  ^^,  ('onscntiii);  ton  Mici'iin^  at  Mnnit'ii'V :  May  4(h,  Kcuriiy 
to  F.,  ordor  to  proceed  no  further  in  thtMiiattcr;  May  M>th.  M.  to  F.  ihiiiku 
that  K. 'a  orders  mnke  ii  |K)8tjx>ncnieiit  pn>|X'r:  May  4tli,  lliildic  to  M  ,  iir.^iiiK 
a  )MistiM>noiiici)t;  May  'Jl'Jd,  F.  to  M.,  ooiiaenta  to  |M>Ht|M>tieiiieiit,  Imt  witheN  tu 
I H>  apprised  of  tln^  earliest  inonicMt  when  the  meeting'  'an  take  place 'eon- 
M^tenily  with  your  convenience  and  sen«(-  of  propriety;'  May  "Jlth,  M.  to  F. , 
vt.ll  iiifurni  him  when  '|R-culiar  olhcial  ol>li(;:itiona'  nr«  'ao  far  removed  m  to 


448 


FREMONT  S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


I       '!' 


V'     i: 


■'     V.I  " 


•    < 


F(jr  tlirco  weeks  after  the  rupture  between  ^lason 
and  Freuumt  the  latter  showed  no  liaste  to  obey  or- 
ders and  depart,  though  it  appears  that  the  last  of  the 
volunteers  were  discharged  on  April  19th."''  The  ex- 
governor  was  doubtless  somewhat  occupied  with  finan- 
cial matters  pertaining  to  his  late  administration,  and 
on  April  2Gth  ho  tried  to  put  one  of  these  njatters  on 
a  bettor  footing  by  certifying  the  receipt  of  cattle 
from  Celis.'"  His  later  excuses  for  delaying  his  depart- 
ure were  tlie  danger  of  travelling  in  those  days,  and 
the  fact  that  the  orders  did  not  seem  to  him  urgent! 

enable  ine  to  meet  you.'  On  his  anival  at  Monterey,  F.  is  aaid  to  have  vis- 
ited M.'s  <|uarter9  without  acccptinjy  an  invitation  to  sit,  for  tlie  purpusc  of 
making  his  prcNinte  known.  Finally,  in  1850,  Senator  Fr<5niont, at  Washing- 
tou,  rt'ceiviid  a  letter  from  Mason,  informing  him  that  ho  could  have  satitfac 
tiun  by  coming  to  .St  Louid.  F.  paid  no  attention  to  this,  and  M.'s  (k'atii 
ocouircd  u  little  later.  An  iinsuccessfTil  attempt  was  mado  to  bring  up  tiiin 
matter  in  testimony  at  the  court-inurtial.  Booster,  Loh  Aiiifrlm  in  JS47,  M.S.. 
I!>-'JI,  yivesa  brief  uccouiit  of  the  uflair,  clainung  to  have  iK'cn  preiteiit  nt 
I'ryor'a  liouso  when  the  (piarrcl  took  place.  Ho  says,  and  others  imply,  that 
thv.-re  was  a  '  woman  in  the  case,'  an  appointment  with  wlioui  prevented  V. 
ciiuiing  nt  .M.'s  first  and  second  nummonseB.  Tho  atTuir  is  mentioned  by  Har- 
gravo,  Cai.  in  l,S.}ti,  .MS.,  i)-10,  who  was  with  Fn'^mont.  lloggs,  in  .\Vi/<ft 
/'"ji^ier.  May  IH,  1S7-,  Wsides  other  blunders,  says  the  challengo  was  scut 
to  Kearny,     MuUhausen,  Tuijrhurh,  '289-9'J,  says  the  duel  was  fought. 

Whilelwainot  accept  Jligelow's  theory  that  Mason  deliberately  by  re- 
pi'ateik  insults  drew  out  a  challengo  from  F.  with  a  view  of  killing  nim,  yet 
the  choico  of  an  unusual  weapon,  for  his  skill  in  the  use  of  Mhich  M.  wa.s 
faniuUM,  retleots  in  Uiy  opinion  no  credit  on  tho  colonel;  and  it  would  appt'in- 
that  thero  was  notliiug  to  prevent  .M.  Jigliting  at  Lou  .Aii^jelcs  if  ho  hail 
wisiii'd  to  li^^iit.  Without  adoptini;  the  opinion  of  ltent<m  and  others  that 
tiio  letters  of  Kearny,  Mason,,  and  lUddlc  were  collusive  and  dcsi^'ncd  to 
extricate  M.  from  tiio  affair,  it  may  bo  notetl  that  K.'s  duty  by  tho  rules  of 
war  wa.-i  to  arrest  both  parties,  an.t  his  act  of  postponing  tiic  duel  in  a  written 
order  was  a  ntranj.'e  proceeding;  though  his  failure  to  arrest  and  bring  to 
trial  was  in  one  sense  as  favorable  to  F.  as  to  M. ,  and  in  another  sense  nut 
so,  since  F.  was  to  bo  arrested  on  another  charge. 

•'^OlUiiul  stalientiit.  l^.  S.  (.'ovt  Doc,  Hist  cong.  1st  sess.,  H.  Ex.  Doc, 
'24,  p.  •_'»/(,  liy  which  it  apjuars  tliat  tho  men  were  discharged  April  I- 1!' 
There  are  no  detail.^,  but  moat  of  tho  men  soon  found  their  way  northward. 

"See  note  ;M  of  chap.  xvi.  In  a  letter  to  Snyder  of  Dec.  II,  1841),  F. 
explains  this  transaction.  He  K^yj  that  when  Kearny's  order  camo  (March 
1 1th)  .'\uilrcs  I'ico  had  gone  to  S.  Luis  Obispo  (?)  to  bring  the  cattle.  On  F.'s 
return  tri)m  .Monterey,  wheri'  K.  bad  refused  to  accept  tho  contract,  I'ico  had 
arrived  at  J'*.  Fi'rna'.do  with  4U0  or  .'MX)  of  tho  cattle,  and  it  was  rcsolvetl  to 
put  them  in  t'  '  keeping  of  .Stearns  ou  the  usual  terms,  to  await  tho  action  of 
the  govt.  .\i  cordingly  F.  gave  Cclis  «  receipt  for  all  the  cattle,  only  part  of 
whicii  hati  been  dcbvercil.  ('.  was  trusted  to  deli\-er  tho  rest,  and  F.  signed 
tho  receipt,  as  he  d.iinis  a  right  to  do,  to  bind  the  govt,  as  he  had  to  leave  the 
country  immediately,  liiijeiow's  Mini  ,  'MA-i\.  Stearns  rcici.ed  481  head 
(those  at  .S.  Ferna'  o  probably)  on  .Muy  1st  fromCclis.  I'erhaps  thero  had 
l)cen  some  kind  of  a  theoretical  transfer  to  llensley,  and  back  tot^'elis  for  sale 
keeping.  It  was  in  February  that  l'\  through  liarkin  had  purch.iscd  Uio  Muri- 
posas  estate  from  Alvarado  for  ^l.iHtt). 


NY. 


RUMORS  OF  MKXICAN  INVASION. 


rccii  Mason 
to  obey  oi- 
Q  last  of  the 
•^  Tho  cx- 
1  with  finan- 
tration,  and 
I  matters  on 
)t  of*  cattle 
^hisdepart- 
10  days,  and 
liim  urjjent! 

lakl  to  have  vis- 

r  the  purpose  of 

ont,  at  Washing- 

ihl  iiave  Batiifac 

,  aiul  M.'a  ik-atii 

tu  liring  nil  this 

^liH  in  1847,  MS., 

ln'cn  prcsLiit  at 

tht  rs  imply,  that 

oiii  provt'iitoil  F. 

oiitioncd  hy  llai- 

15<»gg8,  ill  .\V(/"t 

lullungo  was  Hunt 

ns  fought. 

il)t'iutely  I'y  n- 

i<iiling  liini,  yit 

f  Mliich  M.  wa.s 

it  wouhl  appear 

;;*'li'a  if  ho   huil 

tml  otiicrs  that 

iiil  (lesi^'iieil  to 

by  tho  rules  of 

liii'l  in  a  writtcu 

t  and  hriii^  to 

thor  sense  not 

.,  II.  Kx.  Doc., 
|;e.l  April  I- III. 

■  northward. 
I.e.  II,  184l>,  F. 
Ir  cauio  (Marcli 
lattle.  Oil  F.'s 
Itruot,  Pieu  had 
[as  re8olvo<l  to 
lit  tho  action  of 
li',  only  part  of 
I  and  P.  signed 
lid  to  leave  tlm 
|ed  481  liead 
lips  there  had 
i)  (!!^eliH  for  Bule 
.scd  Uio  Mari- 


Meanwhile,  in  addition  to  increasing  Indian  depreda- 
tions, there  carae  alarming  rumors  that  a  Mexican 
army  under  General  Bustamante  was  coming  to  le- 
conquer  California.  Captain  Moreno  and  other  refu- 
gees returning  from  Sonora  were  supposed  to  iiave 
brought  tho  reports;  and  it  was  also  said  that  Liman- 
tour  had  landed  artillery  on  the  frontier,  and  brought 
commissions  for  leading  Californians.  A  message 
was  sent  in  haste  to  the  general,  Captain  Stockton 
sent  a  vessel  down  tho  coast,  scouts  were  despatched 
to  watch  the  Colorado  route,  fortifications  were 
.strengthened  at  Los  Angeles,  and  a  close  watch  was 
kept  on  the  crowd  assembled  at  a  horse-race  at  Santa 
Ana;  but  it  was  a  false  alarm,  wholly  without  founda- 
tion so  far  as  can  be  known."* 

The  rest  of  the  New  York  volunteers  having 
•irrived,  and  a  company  of  volunteer  cavalrymen  un- 
der Lieutenant  Burton  having  been  mustered  in  on 
April  22d,  Kearny  left  Monterey  for  the  south  on 
tlie  Lexington.  Accompanied  by  Colonel  Steven.son 
and  two  companies  of  his  regiment,  he  landed  at  San 
Pedro  and  arrived  on  May  9th  at  Los  Angeles,  tt) 
"find  the  people  of  this  part  of  California  quiet,  not- 
withstanding some  rumors  to  the  contrary,  circulate<l, 
and  I  fear  originated,  by  some  of  our  own  officers  to 
further  their  own  wicked  purposes."  One  of  the  gen- 
eral's motives  in  visitinir  the  south  was  doubtless  to 
hasten  Fr(?mont's  motions.  Of  their  interviews  at 
this  time  wi  know  only  that  Fremont  asked  ])ermis- 
siuii  to  go  with  his  exploring  ))arty  to  join  his  regi- 
ment in   Mexico,   or  to  go  ihrectly   east  from   Los 


"The  rojMjrts  hegau  on  April  'JOlii.      A  g(H>d  ncrounl  of  t'^e  whole  affair 
is  giv.  II  in  Cooki-'n  Conquest,  '.'()l)-,'K);{.     Tiiu  writer  tiiinks  tho  n.:tivo  pre|>uia 
tioii.s  and  arrival  of  rciinforceunntfl  caused  Ihishtruante'    cxptdition  to  mis- 
carry.    In  his  rejiort  of  Ai)iil  -Mh,  ('al.  (iiul  .\.  Mex  ,  Mi'»ii.  ami  l)oi\,  tSM), 
ji.  2H0,  Kearny  says:  'I  do  ml  place  much  credit  in  tho  latter  jwrt  of  the 
iil)Ovo  (Uust'imuute's  approach),  hut  it  hu^  much  ox.  it<>d  thes''  exiitablc  ''.uli- 
I'M'iiians;  and  it  liocomos  necessary  to  rceufmce  the  >  uuinantl  at  I.08  Ani^clen. ' 
May  1st  he  sent  to  Wa.sii.  copies  of  all  pa|  ers  rei.iCiiig  to  hii>  eivil  adininis 
tratiou.   A/.,  287;  and  May  M  ho  announced  lim  intei.tiou  >>f  goiu^j;  south.  I<l., 
'M',1.     Slockt'iHK  Itrpovt  contains  a  niontiou  of  his  trip  dowu  the  coast. 
Ui»r.  Cu..,  Vol.  V.    ja 


450 


FRfiMoXTs  <  ONTriOVKRSY  WITH  KKAHNY 


Angeles,  botli  ruf|Uost8  l)eiii»»-  denied,-  and  tliat  Ik* 
was  finally  induced  to  obey  orders  and  start  by  land 
lor  Monterey  on  May  12th.  Lieutenant  Sherman, 
who  was  serving  as  Kearny's  aid,  had  started  a  day 
or  two  earlier  with  a  detachment  of  Mormons.  On 
ti»e  I3tli  the  general,  in  reporting  Fremont's  departure, 
^aid:  "His  conduct  in  California  has  been  such  that  1 
shall  be  compelled  on  arriving  in  Missouri  to  arrest  him 
and  send  him  under  charges  to  report  to  you;"*"  thouj,'Ii 
tills  intention  was  not  made  known  to  the  offending  offi- 
cer. Cooke's  resignation  was  accepted  both  as  com- 
mandant of  the  southern  district  and  of  the  Mormon 
battalion,  Colonel  Stevenson  assuming  the  formti' 
command.  Kearny  loft  town  on  the  14th,  embarked 
at  San  Pedrt),  and  arrived  at  Monterey  on  the  27tii. 
Fremont  and  his  explorers  making  their  appearam* 
two  days  later.  Gillespie  had  in  the  mean  time  re- 
ported to  Commodore  Biddle.  The  topographical 
paity  being  paiaded  bcifore  the  general's  quarters, 
tho.st.'  who  wished  to  remain  in  the  country  separated 
tlu'Mi.solves  from  the  main  party,  and  Fremont  was 
ordered  to  disciiarge  them.  He  was  lequired  to  re- 
main in  town  instead  of  camping  with  his  men  oul- 
wide,  was  not  permitted  to  send  for  Kern  and  Kini; 
who  were  absent,  or  to  visit  Yerba  JJuena  as  he  de- 
.sired,  and  was  ordered  to  turn  over  his  surveyinj^ 
instruments  to  Lieutenant  Hallock." 

I  have  expressed  my  o[)inion  that  Fremont's  tecli 
nical  disobedience  in  .fanuury  was  justified  by  hi> 
duty  to  Stockton.  His  continued  disobedience  in 
March,  l)efore  the  visit  to  Monterey,  may,  I  think,  t" 
a  certain  extent,  be  regarded  as  a  part  or  continua- 
tion of  the  same  acts,  covered  more  or  less  fully  In 

^^  Fremont's  Court-martial,  103-4,  boiiiu  Kcaruy's  tcatimoiiy.  Sliorinan. 
Mim.,  i.  '.!7,  was  Kciit  to  F.  vs  itii  a  notico  that  K.  dosirud  to  8oo  hiin,  and  V 
caiiin  Imok  with  S.  to  thu  gaiiorarM  (|uai'tcrs.     Thia  wua  pmbably  on  thu  10th. 

'"May  13th,  Koarny  to  Adj.  gen.  Jouob.  Vol.  ana  X.  Mex,,  Mess,  ami 
Ihic,  1S60,  p.  ;i03.  K.  also  wroto  to  Uonton  about  F.'s  comluct.  Court-mat- 
Hal,  41. 

"Teatiniony  uf  Kuatuy  and  Turner.  Fn'mont's  Court-martial,  IlS-14, 
1  ID  :>o. 


RETUUX  TO  TllK  STATES. 


45 1 


the  same  justification,  the  only  diffoivucc  l)einj^  tiiat 
Shubrick,  succeedin*^  Stockton,  now  joined  liisuuthoi- 
ity  to  that  of  the  general.  For  it  must  be  noted  that 
Fremont,  so  far  as  the  evidence  goes,  knew  nothing 
o\'  new  orders  from  Washington,  antl  supposed  Kearny 
to  be  attempting  merely  an  enforcement  of  the  old 
instructions,  relying  on  an  increase  of  troops  and  the 
lonunodore's  support.  But  this  palliation  of  his  of- 
t'l'nce  ceases  with  his  knowledge,  acquired,  at  least 
iinotticially,  (m  March  25th,  that  the  general  and 
commodore  had  new  authority  for  their  measures. 
Most  of  Fremont's  alleged  reasons  for  disobedience 
were  mere  excuses,  though  he  certainly  had  a  plausi- 
ble ground  of  complaint  against  Kearny  for  not  mak- 
ing known  his  new  instructions,  and  for  disregarding 
all  formalities  and  courtesies  of  transferrin«r  the  com- 
iiiand  after  having  in  a  sense  acknowledged  the  lieuten- 
ant-colonel as  actinjj  }jr<»vernor.  Yet  the  manner  and 
tone  of  Fremont  as  well  as  Kearny  were  doubtless 
much  more  annoying  than  is  shown  by  the  records; 
and  a  quarrel  once  in  progress,  if  the  parties  keep 
witiiin  the  bounds  of  their  legal  rights,  that  is  quite 
as  nmch  as  can  be  expected.  The  path  of  the  adven- 
turer is  not  altogc^ther  an  easy  and  pleasant  one;  and 
in  the  popular  sympathy  as  for  a  martyr  whicli  liis 
brilliant  father-in-law  succeeded  in  working  up  for 
liini,  Frenu)nt  got  much  more  than  his  desert.'*"* 

Leaving  the  military  and  «Mvil  command  toColonui 
^^ason,  Koarnv  left  Monterey  on  May  Hist  with  his 
I'scort.^    Fremont  and  histopoorai)hical  party  starti'd 

-''Tliat  tho  inBtructioiis  of  Nov.  5,  IS-IU,  were  not  iimtiu  kiiouii  to  V.  >u;vm». 
Iii>\v(^vcr,  to  liavo  Ijot-n  tho  taiilt  of  Stockton,  who  rceeivctl  them  in  Muroli 
fmin  IliiUUo.  V.  clairnH  tliat  tlioxc  iriHtruotionH  wero  'nmmhttoiy  to  the  niwal 
I'oniniandor  to  retiiiqiiiDh  tlio  control  of  tlio  civil  mluuiiiHtrution,  lunl  to 
turn  ovt-r"  tho  j)u|)oi-8connt'cti'<l  with  it.  Tlio  only  way  in  whicli  thoy  couM 
ill'  ohi'i/fd  wna  fur  that  connniuulor  to  inform  uw  of  tho  order  ho  hail  rccctvud, 
ami  tako  from  my  Imnda  tluMillici'  and  thoarchiveK,  that  ho  might,  aH  diroctt>d, 
"n'linquiHh"  and  "turn  them  over"  to  (icn.  Kourny.  For  aonio  puriKmo  yet 
iMu  xjilaiufd — unlcM  ifn  oliject  is  seen  in  thia  j)ro8ocntion— tluy  wcro  not 
nhryi'd.'  Court-miirlial,  4'-M.  Tho  .S'.  /'.  t'al.  Star  of  Juno  5,  1847.  lion  a 
g  Hi.l  t'ditorial  on  Fremont  and  Kearny,  with  praiHo  and  hlamo  for  both. 

■'*.May;Wth,  .'Ust,  K.  to  .\dj.-nen.  JoneH.  In  each  he  nnnounceii  Iiih  in- 
liiition  to  Rtart  '  to-morrow,"  I'Ul  the  start  wan  on  tho  .'tint.  ( 'nl.  nml  \.  .Vtx., 


408 


FKLMONTS  CONTROVKRsY  WITH  KKARNY. 


the  same  day  under  orders  to  accompajiy  the  goueral. 
the  two  partieH  eainpin*^  each  nijjht  not  far  apart 
The  route  was  by  San  Juan  and  the  San  Joaquin  and 
Sacramento  valleys,"'  and  they  arrived  on  tlic  13tli 
in  the  region  of  Sutter's  Fort,  where  preparations  for 
the  overland  trip  occupied  several  days.*"  Here  Fre 
mont  asked  in  writing  to  be  permitted,  at  his  own 
expense  and  with  a  few  companions,  to  proceed  in 
advance  to  the  states;  but  the  permission  was  re- 
fused; and  similar  requests  later  were  denied,  in  one 
case  the  proposition  being  to  take  a  short  route  for 
exploring  purposes.  It  is  claimed  by  Frdmont  that 
from  the  start,  though  not  under  arrest  or  having  any 
intimation  that  he  was  to  be  arrested,  he  was  forced 
to  submit  to  many  indignities  at  the  general's  hands.^- 
The  start  from  the  vicinity  of  New  Helvetia  was  on 
June  16th  and  from  Johnson's  rancho  on  the  18tli. 
Kearny's  party  consisted  of  himself,  Major  Swords, 
captains  Cooke  and  Turner,  Dr  Sanderson  of  tli< 
Mormon  battalion,  who  had  resigned,  Lieutenant  Rad- 
ford of  the  navy,  a  brother-in-law  of  Kearny,  Willard 
P.  Hall,  Edwin  Bryant,  William  Fallon  as  guide,  a 
Mormon  escort  of  thirteen  men,  perhaps  a  few  of 
Emory's  engineer  assistants  who  had   come  to  Cali- 


Mesn.  and  Doc,  1850,  p.  303-fl.     Maj.  Swords  started  June  1st  and  overtook 
the  party  at  S.  Juan. 

•"Major  Swords  in  ]\\a  report  of  Oct.  S,  1847,  to  Qiiartermaator-goneral 
Jesup,  U.  S.  O'ov.  Dor.,  ;tOth  cong,  'Jd  siss.,  II.  Ex.  Doc,  i.  p.  229  ct  soj.. 
cives  tlio  most  complete  account  of  the  uneventful  journey.  See  also  Tylir'< 
Hint.  Morm.  Hat.,  291)  .304. 

"In  the  N.  Jlelv,  Diary,  MS.,  03  et  seq.,  it  is  recorded  tliat  on  the  12th 
Loker  arrived  at  the  fort,  reporting  that  K.  had  cuinpcd  at  Daylor's  and  1". 
at  Murpiiy's.  On  the  1.3th,  14tl),  and  lotli  Sutter  received  visits  of  pleasure 
and  business  from  the  general  .ind  his  associates;  and  on  the  10th  Tisited  K.'.s 
camp  to  witness  the  departure. 

'-Testimony  of  Loker  and  statements  of  F.,  in  Frimont'n  Court-martini, 
27<'l-^0,  including  F.  to  K.,  Juno  14th,  and  K.  to  F.  in  reply,  of  same  datt . 
One  of  the  chief  indignities  complained  of — besides  the  rclusals  to  grant  his 
requests,  which  were  in  accord  with  instructions  to  K.  from  Washington, 
and  for  which  refusals  no  reasons  were  given — was  tlio  being  required  ti' 
cainj)  near  and  in  the  rear  of  tiio  Morniun  CHcort.  There  was  also  some  dilli- 
culty  about  a  l>aiKl  of  horues  which  had  been  left  on  the  Cosunines  since  Ikai 
Flag  times,  and  of  which  Swords  by  Kearny  s  orders  took  tlie  best.  It  ap 
pears  by  the  N.  llelv  Diary,  MS.,  that  some  of  the  horses  were  used  to  pay 
oir  the  Walla  Walla  volunteers. 


snX'KTONS  .TOIKNKV. 


4.-.:j 


a  general, 
far  apart, 
iquin  and 
tlie  I3tli 
atious  for 
[iero  Fre- 
;  his  own 
troceecl  in 
n  was  re- 
ed, in  one 

route  lor 
mont  that 
aving  any 
vas  foroed 
I's  hands.^-' 
,ia  was  on 

the  18th. 
»r  Swords, 
on  of  tlu' 
jnant  Kad- 
[y,  Willard 
s  ixuide,  a 

a  few  ot 
c  to  Cali- 

It  and  overtoi'k 

linos  ter-geneval 
Ip.  '2"29  ct  8ci|.. 
Ice  also  Tyl'i-'- 

It  on  the  rJth 
Jaylor's  and  !• 
lits  of  pleasure 
th  visited  K.'.-i 

uCourt-marti'il, 
lof  same  dati 
Is  to  grant  lii^ 
Washington, 
Ig  required  ti' 
llau  Honio  tlilli- 
Incs  since  Ikai 
best.  It  ap 
\-v  used  to  pay 


fornia  with  Kearny,  and  an  unknown  nund»or  ot" 
Hcrvants.'" 

Fienuuit's  party  consisted  of  WilHani  N.  Loker  and 
nineteen  of  the  original  exploring  party,  whose  names 
in  most  eases  are  not  definitely  known,^*  with  an  un- 
known number  of  .servants  and  other  attaehes.  The 
journey  was  a  rapid  and  uneventful  one  by  the  usual 
('migrant  route.  On  the  22d  Kearny  was  at  Moun- 
tain Lake,  fmding  and  burying  the  remains  of  many 
who  had  perisheil  there  the  i)receding  winter,  mem- 
bers of  the  Donner  party.  He  passed  Fort  Hall  in 
the  middle  of  July,  and  subsequently  met  the  stream 
of  inmiijjrants  bound  for  California  and  Orejjfon.  Ht; 
arrived  at  Fort  Leavenworth  the  22d  of  August;  and 
on  the  same  day  ordered  Fremont,  after  having  ar- 
ranged the  accounts  of  his  men,  to  consider  hiniself 
under  arrest  and  report  himself  to  the  adjutiint  gen- 
eral at  Washington. 

About  a  month  after  Kearny's  departure  Stockton 
left  San  Francisco,  and  proceeded  by  way  of  Sonoma  to 
tlu'  Sacramento  Valley  to  prepare  for  the  overland  jour- 
ney.^''    Jjieutenant  Gillespie  was  intrusted  with  prepa- 

"  Kearny's  report  of  May  l.'ltli,  Cul.  ami  N.  Mex.,  Mein.  and  Dor..  lSt'>n, 
p.  ,'<(>:{;  liyyni\V»  What  I  Saw,  45.3,  the  autlior  not  giving  any  diary  or  narra- 
tive of  the  leturn  journey;  Cutttt'  Conq.,  '21.1-15;  Silea"  Jieij.,  Ixxiii.  .'»,  whtris 
the  total  nnnd>er  is  given  as  50  or  o.!;  Cookc'n  ConqueM,  300.  Ho  sayn  tlu'io 
were  alH)ut  40  men,  exclusive  of  Fremont's  party.  No  names  uru  known 
except  those  given  in  the  text,  and  those  of  (juigley,  John  Binley,  and  N. 
\'.  .Iiiuea  of  tlio  Mormons. 

^''riio  number  is  given  as  It)  by  Loker  in  his  testimony  and  in  a  letter 
fn>ni  Kearny.  It  seems  as  if  there  should  have  been  more,  and  Martin — wIid 
ill  liis  Xarraliir,  MS.,  40ot  seq. ,  givcsa  good  account  of  the  trip — implies  that 
tliuie  were  about  40.  Martin  is  the  only  name  positively  given;  but  llrcek- 
enridgc,  Godey,  Mooro,  Owen.s,  anil  Wise  were  .it  Wa.sh.  reaily  to  testify  at 
the  eourt-nmrtial,  and  were  jtroliably  of  tl(o  returning  party;  and  tiiere  inav 
l)e  added  the  following,  who  started  again  with  Fremont  in  1.S4S:  (Jreut/i'eldi, 
I'reuss,  I'raulc,  Halcr{?),  Morin,  Hubbard  (?),  .Soott  (?),  Stcppenfeldt,  an.l 
huketel  (?);  also  prolwilily  some  of  the  Dclawares. 

King  and  Kern  were  not  of  the  party;  and  it  was  attempted  to  show  later 
that  they  were  left  behind  by  Kearny  intontionully  by  his  hasty  departure, 
tliey  being  at  Monterey  and  Verba  liuena  occupied  in  closing  up  atfairs.  But 
this  charge  was  ])robably  not  well  louiuled,  since  the  names  of  both  men  ap- 
[•car  in  the  N.  Ilelv.  JJiari/,  M.S.,  during  tiie  days  when  both  iwrtics  were 
near  .Sutter's  Fort. 

"  Departure  of  .Stockton  Juno  '28th,  with  x  salute  from  the  guns  of  th« 
inenof-war.  S.  :'.  Cal.  Star,  July  3,  1S47.  In  iV.  Ifelv.  Diary,  MS..  78  et 
acq.  Stockton's  presence  is  mentioned.  Ho  seems  to  have  crossed  at  Hardy's 
and  gone  to  Johnson's)  on  tho  15th. 


iw 


»   ■'■£ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


// 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


■  m 
1.4 

; 

2.2 

IIIM 

1.6 

Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WCST  M#<*^^  STRUT 

WEBiTFR,  I  l.Y.  14680 

(716)  072-4503 


i 


f/j 


r 


A 


454 


FREMONT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


rations,  but  was  not  permitted  by  Commodore  Biddlo, 
at  Kearny's  suggestion,  to  visit  the  northern  districts 
before  the  general's  departure.  Thus,  as  it  was  claimed, 
the  start  was  delayed.^^  The  party  is  said  to  have 
numbered  forty-nine,  "a  heterogeneous  collection  of 
all  nations  almost,  and  professions  and  pursuits,"  but 
Stockton,  Gillespie,  Hensley,  and  Louis  Lafleur  arc 
the  only  members  whose  names  are  definitely  known, ^^ 

The  start  from  Johnson's  rancho  was  on  the  19th 
or  20th  of  July,  and  the  arrival  at  St  Joseph,  Mis- 
souri, early  in  November.  Our  only  narrative  of  the 
journey  is  that  given  by  Stockton's  biographer,  which 
is  filled  almost  exclusively  with  praises  of  the  com- 
modore's bravery  in  resisting  the  attacks  of  the  Ind- 
ians, who  sent  an  arrow  through  both  his  thighs;  of 
his  diplomatic  skill,  shown  in  avoiding  other  Indian 
fights;  of  his  achievements  as  a  hunter  among  the 
buffalo;  and  of  his  remarkable  wisdom  in  conducting 
the  whole  enterprise.  There  was  nothing,  if  we  may 
credit  this  eulogist,  which  the  'conqueror  of  Califor- 
nia' could  not  do  more  brilliantly  than  other  raen.^^ 

It  was  the  general  understanding  that  Major  Kus- 
sell,  leaving  California  in  March,  had  carried  to  Wash- 
injfyton  a  petition  signed  by  many  southern  Califor- 
nians  for  the  appointment  of  Fremont  as  governor. 
In  May  another  similar  pe'        i  was  signed  by  many 

'"It  was  charged  that  K.  delayed  (.1.  mtentionally  so  as  to  deprive  Fru- 
mout  of  his  testimony.  K.  admitted  that  lie  had  favored  Mason's  idea  that 
G.'s  presence  on  the  Sacramento  might  make  trouble,  and  had  suggested 
Kiddle's  order;  but  denied  that  he  knew  of  G.  's  plan  to  go  east  at  this  time. 
I'lrmonVs  Court-martial,  308. 

'' J.  B.  Chiles  was  probably  one  of  the  number;  and  of  the  other  witnesses 
iit  Washington  in  Nov.,  Wm  Findlay,  J.  Ferguson,  Wm  and  James  Brown, 
K.  Jacob,  and  L.  C.  Vincenthaler  may  Iiavo  come  with  Stockton  or  with  Yrd- 
1  uout  a  little  earlier.  Three  Rocky  Mountain  trappers  were  engaged  as  guides 
and  interpreters.  One  of  thcni,  described  as  having  a  Crow  wife,  was  per- 
haps Greenwood.  Kern  and  King  of  Friimont's  party  started  with  Stockton, 
but  after  four  days  were  left  sick  in  the  mountains.  See  testimony  of  Gillc?- 
jne  .and  Hensley  in  bWmonVs  Court-martial,  '218-28,  233-4. 

'^Stockton's  Life,  159-GG.  'Tears  coursed  down  the  weather-worn  chei'k.s 
of  the  bold  and  hardy  mountaineers  when  they  took  the  last  friendly  grip 
of  the  commodore's  hand.  Tlicy  implored  him  if  he  ever  made  another 
overland  journey  to  send  for  them.  Lawless,  reckless,  desperate,  wicked, 
and  callous,  as  many  of  them  were,  Stockton  had  found  the  tender  spot  iu 
each  man's  heart.'    He  ic.ichcd  Washington  about  Dec.  1st. 


THE  GOVERNORSHIP. 


465 


in  the  south,  and  received  some  signatures  in  the 
north,  where,  when  the  aifair  became  known,  a  strong 
opposition  was  excited.  This  was  based  on  three 
leading  motives,  all  more  or  less  analogous  and  inter- 
twined. First  was  Fremont's  unpopularity  among 
the  natives  and  others,  fomented  by  the  ex-raembers 
of  the  battalion  clamorous  for  their  pay,  and  by  other 
holders  of  unpaid  claims;  second,  the  influence  of  Gov- 
ernor Mason  and  his  friends,  naturally  opposing  a 
change  of  rulers ;  and  third,  a  sectional  spirit  against  the 
natural  theory  that  Fremont  would  unduly  favor  the 
south,  where  his  friends  for  the  most  part  resided,  or 
where  his  past  irregularities  had  least  affected  the 
property  of  the  people.  Possibly  the  real  merits  of 
the  case  had  also  an  influence;  for  it  would  certainly 
have  been  the  worst  of  policy  to  reopen  old  contro- 
versies by  a  return  of  the  ex-governor,  whatever  may 
have  been  the  merits  of  his  cause.  His  friends  in 
the  north  tried  to  create  an  impression  that  his  return 
would  promote  the  payment  of  the  claims,  the  non- 
payment of  which  was  due  to  his  foes;  but  without 
success.  A  public  meeting  was  held  at  San  Fran- 
cisco to  remonstrate  against  him,  a  committee  being 
appointed  to  seek  evidence  against  his  fitness,  and  a 
counter-petition  being  circulated.  Larkin  also  wrote 
to  the  secretary  of  state  in  opposition  to  Fremont. 
But  the  administration  probably  never  thought  of 
making  the  appointment.*-* 

It  was  on  September  17th  that  Fremont  reported 
at  Washington,  calling  for  the  charges  against  him, 

'"Record  of  the  S.  F.  meeting  of  Juno  14th  inS.  F.  Cal.  Star,  June  19th; 
S.  F.  Californian,  June  19th.  The  promhient  men  named  were  Nathan 
Spear,  R.  M.  Sherman,  H.  Pctitt,  Frank  Ward,  T.  J.  Famliam,  Jasper 
O'Farrell,  Robt  Scmplo,  Dr  Wiersbicki,  Thompson,  Lecse,  Leidcsdorflf,  Mur- 
phy, and  Guerrero.  An  editorial  in  the  iStar  also  opposes  Fri-mont  in  a  mod- 
orate  spirit.  In  Taylor\i  Spec.  Presi,  G30,  is  a  blank  form  of  the  petition 
against  F.  for  signatures.  His  Bear  Flag  exploits,  partiality  for  the  south, 
and  unpaid  accounts  are  the  points  urged  against  him.  June  30tli,  Larkin  to 
sec.  state.  Larkin's  Off.  Corresp.,  "SIH.,  ii.  117-18.  He  says  Abrego,  after 
signing  the  petition  for  F.,  gave  a  courier  §20  to  overtake  the  memorial  and 
iiaso  his  name.  Alvarado  also  regretted  having  signed  the  pajier.  See  also 
mention  of  the  matter  in  Tuthill'n  Hist,  Cal.,  S^'J-S;  Soule's  Atmalu  of  S.  /'., 
105. 


II 


456 


I. 


I   f;' 


!  !f 


FRfiMONT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


and  demanding  an  early  trial.*"  The  order  convening 
a  court-martial  bore  date  of  September  27th,  the  court 
assembled  at  Washington  the  2d  of  November,  and 
the  trial  lasted  till  January  11,  1848.  Captain  John 
F.  Lee  was  judge-advocate  of  the  court,  and  Fremont 
was  defended  by  Senator  Benton  and  William  Carey 
Jones.  Respecting  the  court,  the  charges,  and  the 
published  record  of  proceedings,  I  append  some  par- 
ticulars in  a  note.^^  The  testimony,  oral  and  docu- 
mentary, has  already  been  presented  in  spirit,  and 
largely  in  literal  quotations  as  a  record  of  the  con- 
troversy   in    California;   and  it   is   not   my   purpose 

♦"Sept.  17th,  F.  to  adj. -general,  in  Bigelow's  Mem.,  217-20.  This  woik 
also  contains  Frdmont's  final  defence,  and  the  most  complete  account  of  all 
connected  with  the  trial  extant,  except  the  original  record. 

♦'  Messwje.  of  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  communicating  the  Proceedings  of 
the  Court-martial  in  the  trial  of  Lieut-colonel  lYimont,  April  7,  IS48  (cited  by 
mo  as  Fr6monCs  Court-martial),  in  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  30th  cong.  1st  sess.,  Sen. 
Ex.  Doc,  33.  (Wash.  1848.)  8vo,  447  p.  The  court  was  composed  of  the 
following  officers:  Brev.  Brig. -gen.  G.  M.  Brooke,  Col  S.  Churchill,  ColJ.  B. 
Crane,  Brev.  Col  M.  M.  Payne,  Brev.  Lieut-col  S.  H.  Long,  Lieut-col  R.  E. 
Derussey,  Lieut-col  J.  P.  Taylor,  Brev.  Lieut-col  H.  K.  Craig,  Maj.  R.  L. 
Baker,  Maj.  J.  D.  Graham,  Maj.  R.  Delafield,  Brev.  Maj.  G.  A.  McCall  (re- 
placed by  Col  T.  F.  Hunt),  and  Maj.  E.  W.  Morgan.  The  witnesses  exam- 
ined were,  for  the  prosecution,  Kearny,  Cooke,  Turner,  Bryant,  and  Emory; 
for  the  defence,  Stockton,  Gillespie,  Hall,  Gray,  Talbot,  Hensley,  Minor, 
Russell,  Beale,  Loker,  and  Swords. 

The  charges  were  as  follows:  i.  Mutiny.  1st  specification,  that  Frdmont, 
having  reported  to  Kearny,  his  superior  officer,  on  Jan.  13,  1847,  and  having 
received  K.'s  order  of  the  16th  to  make  no  changes  in  the  battalion,  with  a 
lopy  of  K.'s  instructions  from  Washington,  did  by  his  letter  of  the  i7th  re- 
fuse to  obey;  2d  spec,  that  he  disobeyed  the  same  order  further  and  assumcil 
to  act  as  commander,  by  directing  Capt.  Wilson  on  the  25th  to  raise  a  co.  of 
artillery;  3d  spec,  same,  by  authorizing  McLane  on  Feb.  5th  to  recruit  men; 
4th  spec,  that  he  reasserted  his  resistance,  etc.,  by  his  letter  of  Feb.  7th  to 
Shubrick;  5th  spec,  that  he  avowed  and  justified  his  mutiny,  etc.,  by  his  let- 
ter of  Feb.  11th  to  Hall;  6th  spec,  that  he  assumed  to  act  as  gov.,  in  contempt 
of  lawful  authority,  by  his  deed  of  an  island  to  Temple  on  March  '2d;  7th  spec. , 
that  on  March  15th,  having  received  the  joint  circular  of  K.  and  Shubrick  and 
general  orders  no.  2  of  March  1st,  and  liaving  promised  obedience,  he  further 
disobeyed  by  his  orders  to  Capt.  Owens  not  to  give  up  arms,  etc.,  causing  O. 
to  disobey  Cooke;  8th  spec,  tnat  on  March  10th  he  made  known  to  Cooke  in 
writing  his  refusal  to  obey  orders  and  discharge  the  volunteers,  still  assuming 
to  act  as  gov. ;  9th  spec,  that  on  March  2l8t  he  continued  his  assumption, 
disobedience,  contempt,  etc.,  by  his  order  to  Alexander  to  accept  govt  pay- 
ment for  duties;  10th  spec,  same,  by  divers  orders  from  Jan.  24th  to  Feb. 
13th  on  court-martial  and  resignation  of  officers;  11th  spec,  that  F.,  after  re- 
ceiving K.'s  verbal  orders  of  March  26th,  and  written  orders  of  the  28th,  dis- 
obeyed those  orders  by  remaining  at  Los  Angeles  until  after  May  9th,  ii. 
Disobedience  of  the  lawful  command  of  his  superior  officer;  spec.  1-7  corre- 
.sponding  to  spec.  1,  2,  3,  7,  8,  10,  11,  of  the  first  1st  charge,  iii.  Conduct  to 
tlie  prejudice  of  good  order  and  military-  discipline;  spec.  1-5  corresponding 
nearly  to  spec.  4,  5,  6,  7,  10,  of  the  Ist  charge. 


FREMONT'S  COURT-MARTIAL. 


457 


o 


to  attempt  any  minute  analysis  here.  Tiie  matter 
filling  the  bulky  record  of  over  four  hundred  pages 
may  for  convenience  of  comprehension  be  divided  int 
four  parts,  of  which  the  first,  consisting  of  the  routine 
verbiage  and  repetitions  deemed  essential  in  such 
documents,  needs  no  further  notice. 

The  second  portion  is  composed  of  matter  intended 
mainly  for  the  people  of  the  United  States  rather  than 
the  military  court.  It  was  the  evident,  and  indeed 
avowed,  aim  of  Fremont  and  his  friends  to  make  the 
trial  cover  the  entire  field  of  Californian  annals  in 
1846-7,  so  far  as  those  annals  were  favorable  to  them- 
selves. They  wished  to  magnify  the  opposition  of  the 
natives  and  other  obstacles  to  success  in  order  to  ex- 
hibit Stockton  and  Frdmont  as  conquerors  and  heroes. 
They  were  disposed  to  make  much  of  the  errors  and 
belittle  the  efforts  of  other  officers.  They  would 
dwell  on  San  Pascual,  and  say  little  of  Chino,  Gilles- 
pie at  Los  Angeles,  Mervine  at  San  Pedro,  Burroughs 
at  Natividad.  In  all  this  they  had  a  decided  advan- 
tage. They  were  permitted  to  go  in  this  direction  far 
beyond  the  real  questions  at  issue,  though  not  so  far 
as  they  wished,  or  as  the  historian  might  desin-. 
Moreover,  for  the  jury  they  had  in  view,  their  ques- 
tions not  permitted  to  be  answered,  unsupported  im- 
plications, and  arguments  on  what  was  to  be  proved 
by  testimony  not  admitted,  were  quite  as  effective  as 
the  legitimate  evidence  introduced.  And  it  cannot  be 
denied  that  they  won  a  victory;  that  the  verdict  of 
popular  sympathy  was  in  Fremont's  favor.  In  this 
phase  of  the  trial  the  prosecution  could  do  nothing  but 
limit  the  extent  of  irrelevant  testimony.  Could  they 
have  known,  however,  and  provx^d  the  facts  revealed 
in  this  volume  respecting  the  true  character  of  Fre- 
mont's and  Stockton's  part  in  the  conquest  from  the 
l)eginning,  they  would  have  had  an  easy  road  to  victory 
over  the  pretending  conquerors. 

The   third  class   of  material  consisted   of  a  long 
series  of  counter-charges,  expressed  or  implied,  against 


4J8 


FREMONT  .S  CONTKOVEFtSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


Kearny,  including  also  attempts  to  refute  certain 
similar  accusations  against  Fremont  introduced  by 
Kearny  and  his  friends  in  their  testimony,  but  not 
included  in  the  formal  charges.  These  petty  com- 
plaints on  the  part  of  the  defence  were  intended  main- 
ly for  the  public,  though  some  of  them  properly  sup- 
ported, as  they  were  not  in  most  instances,  might 
have  had  an  influence  on  the  court.*'*  Many  of  these 
matters  have  been  noticed  in  the  preceding  pages. 
In  the  aggregate  they  seem  to  show  on  tlie  part  of 
General  Kearny  an  animus  against  his  opponents 
prompting  him  to  conduct  in  certain  minor  transac- 
tions not  creditable  to  his  high  position;  yet  not  too 
much  importance  should  be  attached  to  this  phase  of 
the  aflfair,  since  only  one  side  of  the  case  was  presented. 
A  wide  latitude  was  given  to  Fremont's  brilliant  de- 
fenders, while  Kearny,  not  being  on  trial,  was  deemed 
to  require  no  defence  and  no  counter-attack  on  his  foe. 
The  popular  verdict  in  this  as  in  the  former  branch 
of  the  case  was  in  Fremont's  favor;  for  resulting  ad- 
miration of  the  path-finder  and  conqueror  was  hardly 


'  i 


*''  Kearny's  statement  that  F.  tried  to  '  bargain '  with  him  for  the  governor- 
sliip  is  the  one  against  which,  as  most  aflfecting  liis  honor,  F.  protested  most 
earnestly.  During  the  trial  K.  is  accused  of  remembering  only  what  was 
favorable  to  himself  until  hard  pressed  in  cross-examination  or  confronted 
with  written  proofs  of  the  things  he  had  forgotten;  also  of  false  or  contradic- 
tory testimony  on  a  few  details;  and  of  unduly  multiplying,  complicating, 
and  exaggerating  his  charges.  The  attempt  was  made  to  show  that  he  tried 
to  keep  away  important  witnesses  for  the  accused;  and  had  not  only  sent 
secret  accusations  to  the  government,  but  had  indirectly  worked  up  public 
sentiment  against  his  foe  through  the  newspapers.  Besides  various  indigni- 
ties on  the  march  cast  and  in  the  manner  of  the  arrest,  his  keeping  his  con- 
templated charges  a  secret  from  Fremont  was  regarded  as  irregular,  as  was 
his  refusal  to  permit  F.'s  departure  for  Mex.  or  the  U.  S.  without  giving 
any  reasons.  Various  insults  were  mentioned  or  hinted  at,  as  the  insisting 
cai  Mason's  or  Cooke's  presence  at  interviews,  sending  Mason  south  with  au- 
tliority,  parading  the  explorers  oflfensivcly  at  Monterey,  forcing  F.  to  sleep 
in  town,  sending  the  Mormons  to  'crush'  him,  etc.  And,  of  earlier  date,  at- 
tention was  called  to  his  denial  of  Stockton's  position  as  commander  on  the 
march  to  Los  Angeles;  his  claim  that  the  expedition  was  undertaken  at  his 
own  urging;  his  crafty  efforts  to  draw  out  from  F.  at  San  Fernando  a  'report;' 
.ind  his  failure  to  mention  this  pretended  report  during  the  first  controversy, 
or  to  attempt  any  suppression  of  F.  's  mutiny — even  encouraging  his  hope  for 
the  governorship  after  the  mutiny  was  committed.  Much  stress  was  also 
put  upon  his  neglect  to  make  known  liis  instructions  of  Nov.  5th,  or  to  call 
lor  a  formal  transfer  of  the  command. 


'ter^MiJA 


FREMONT  DISMISSED  FROM  THE  ARMY. 


4o9 


;e  certain 
duced  by 
',  but  not 
•etty  com- 
ded  main- 
perly  sup- 
es,  might 
y  of  these 
ng  pages. 
le  part  of 
opponents 
r  transac- 
3t  not  too 
5  phase  of 
presented, 
•illiant  de- 
as  deemed 
on  his  foe. 
er  branch 
iulting  ad- 
as  hardly 


the  govemor- 

otested  most 

)nly  what  was 

3r  confronted 

or  coiitradic- 

coniplicating, 

tliat  he  tried 

not  only  sent 

ed  up  public 

rious  indigui- 

ping  his  con- 

gular,  as  was 

ithout  giving 

the  insisting 

3Uth  with  au- 

F.  to  sleep 

lier  date,  at- 

ander  on  the 

taken  at  his 

do  a  'report;' 

controversy, 

his  hope  for 

ess  was  also 

h,  or  to  call 


less  marked  than  disapproval  of  a  general  who  had 
unworthily  persecuted  an  officer  of  lower  rank. 

Fourth  and  last,  we  find  matter  pertaining  legiti- 
mately to  the  charges  of  mutiny,  disobedience,  and 
conduct  to  the  prejudice  of  good  order  and  military 
discipline.  The  evidence  was  clear  and  conclusive. 
Whatever  name  might  be  given  to  the  offence,  Fre- 
mont had  disobeyed  in  January  and  March  three  dis- 
tinct orders,  or  sets  of  orders,  given  by  his  superior 
officer.  His  defence  from  a  strictly  legal  point  of 
view  had  no  force  whatever.  The  prosecution  might 
liave  rested  their  case  on  the  documentary  evidence 
alone;  they  made  no  argument,  while  permitting 
Benton  almost  without  limit  to  manufacture  public 
opinion  in  behalf  of  his  protegd.  The  reading  of  the 
argument  for  defence  occupied  three  sessions  of  the 
court;  and  after  three  days  of  deliberation  a  verdict 
of  guilty  on  all  the  twenty-three  specifications  of  the 
three  charges  was  brought  in  on  January  31st,  the 
sentence  being  dismissal  from  the  service.*'  Seven 
members  of  the  court  signed  a  recommendation  of 
clemency,  on  account  of  previous  professional  services 
and  of  the  peculiar  circumstances  in  which  the  ac- 
cused was  placed  between  two  officers  of  superior 
rank  each  claiming  the  command.  President  Polk 
on  February  16th  accepted  the  verdict,  except  on  the 
charge  of  nmtiny,  and  approved  the  sentence,  but  re- 
mitted the  penalty,  ordering  Fremont  to  resume  his 
sword  and  report  for  duty.  But  the  lieutenant-colo- 
nel declined  to  accept  the  ])resident's  clemency,  and 
sent  in  his  resignation,  whicli  was  accepted  on  March 
1 4th."     The  court-martial  had  been  an  excellent  ad- 

*' Remarks  by  the  court:  'With  all  the  latitude  of  evidence  and  the 
broader  latitude  of  defence,  tlie  court  has  found  nothing  conflicting  in  the 
orders  and  instructions  of  the  govt;  nothing  impeacliing  the  testimony  on 
the  part  of  the  prosecution ;  nothing  in  fine  to  qualify,  in  a  legal  sense,  the 
resistance  to  authority  of  which  the  accused  is  convicted.  The  attempt  to 
assail  the  leading  witness  for  the  prosecution  (Kearny)  has  involved  points 
not  in  issue,  and  to  which  the  prosecution  has  brought  no  evidence.  In  the 
judgment  of  the  court  his  honor  and  character  are  unimpeached.' 

*^Biijelow's  Mem.,  317-18. 


4G0 


FREMONT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


vertisement  for  the  young  adventurer,  and  he  had  no 
further  use  for  his  commission.  He  would  return  to 
California  to  seek  political  honors  and  wealth  from 
his  Mariposas  estates.  He  started  before  the  end  of 
the  year  with  a  private  exploring  party,  which  was 
broken  up  with  a  loss  of  ten  men  frozen  to  death  be- 
fore reaching  New  Mexico.  But  in  1849  Frdmont 
arrived  in  California,  where  we  shall  hear  of  him 


agam. 


Commodore  Stockton's  course  in  the  Californian 
controversy  was  never  made  the  subject  of  official  in- 
vestigation; but  not  having  been  allowed  to  testify 
as  fully  as  he  desired  at  the  trial,  on  February  18th 
he  addressed  to  the  secretary  of  the  navy  a  complete 
narrative  defence  of  his  conduct,  a  document  which 
I  have  often  had  occasion  to  cite.  Inheriting  a  large 
fortune,  the  commodore  resigned  his  commission  in 
1849.  In  1851-2  he  represented  his  state,  New  Jer- 
sey, in  the  senate  of  the  United  States;  and  was  sub- 
sequently an  aspirant  for  the  presidency.  It  was  in 
support  of  this  ambition  that  a  eulogistic  biography 
was  published  in  1856,  a  work  largely  devoted  to 
Californian  matters  and  fully  utilized  in  these  chap- 
ters.*'' It  would  add  materially  to  the  dramatic  in- 
terest of  this  comedy  of  errors  could  I  say  that  the 
'conquerors'  were  opposing  candidates  in  the  presi- 
dential contest  of  1856;  but  only  one  could  secure  the 
nomination.  Stockton  died  at  his  New  Jersey  homo 
in  1866. 

General  Kearny  did  not  aspire  to  the  presidency 
or  even  to  the  senatorship;  but  he  was  nominated 
in  July  1848  for  the  brevet  of  major-general  for 
"gallant  conduct  at  San  Pascual,  and  for  meritorious 
conduct  in  California  and  New  Mexico."    This  roused 


**TLe  full  title  of  this  anonj'moua  work  is:  A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Com. 
Robt  F.  Stockton;  loith  an  appendix,  comprising  his  coiTCspondence  with  the 
naval  department  respecting  his  conquest  of  California;  and  extracts  ft  :'vi  tht 
defence  of  Col.  J.  G.  Fremont  in  relation  to  the  same  subject;  together  uit/i  hli 
speeches  iti  the  senate  of  the  United  Slates,  and  his  political  letters,  i.'f.  Y. 
1856,  8vo,  210,  131  p.,  portrait. 


BENTON'S  SPEECH. 


461 


afresh  the  wrath  of  Thomas  H.  Benton,  who  made  in 
the  senate  a  speech  of  thirteen  days,  the  'substance' 
of  which  filled  over  sixty  quarto  pages  of  fine  type! 
In  this  most  extraordinary  discourse  the  senator  took 
up,  besides  the  details  of  the  San  Pascual  campaign, 
every  point  brought  out  or  hinted  at  in  the  late  trial, 
repeating  all  that  had  been  claimed  in  defence  of  Fre- 
mont and  Stockton,  and  supplementing  each  step  with 
a  torrent  of  ingenious  misrepresentation  and  bitter 
invective.     In  respect  to  San   Pascual   his  general 
position  that  Kearny  merited  nothing  but  censure  is 
fully  supported  by  the  facts;  yet  even  here  the  speak- 
er's partisan  spirit  and  unfairness  are  manifest.     As 
to  other  phases  of  the  subject,  Benton  aimed  to  prove 
not  only  that  the  general  had  been  wrong  in  all  the 
controversy,  but  that,  with  his  rascally  confederates 
Emory,  Cooke,  Mason,  and  Biddle,  he  had  engaged 
in  a  deliberate  and  villanous  plot,  first  to  rob  Stock- 
ton of  the  governorship,  and  then  to  crush  the  saintly 
Frdmont  for  having  dared  to  refuse  cooperation.     He 
avowed  his  purpose  to  hold  up  Kearny,  and  in  hardly 
less  degree  his  associates,  as  criminals  meriting  noth- 
ing but  contempt.     Space  does  not  permit  me  to  cite 
Benton's  opinions  and  arguments,  or  to  refute  them, 
except  as  I  have  done  so  in  presenting  the  general 
record.     I  have  presented  the  controversy  in  a  spirit 
of  fairness,  finding  something  to  praise  and  blame  in 
the  conduct  of  the  different  parties,  but  little  of  saintly 
innocence  or  diabolic  villany  on  either  side.     It  is 
hard    to  account  for  Benton's  vindictive  bitterness 
after  what  had  been  virtually  a  victory  for  his  son-in- 
law.     I  think  that  any  reader  of  the  speech  familiar 
with  the  events  and  men  involved,  even  if  favoring 
the  senator's  general  views,  would  at  this  day  regard 
the  tirade  as  a  ludicrous  overshooting  of  the  mark. 
In  temporary  conclusion  the  senator  said:  "I   must 
break  off.     The  senate  has  no  time  to  hear  me  fur- 
ther.   The  first  division  of  the  subject  is  not  through ; 
two  other  divisions  remain  to  be  taken  up  (1);  but  I 


I 


46-J 


FREMONT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEAUXY. 


Ei^iti' 


must  break  off,  A  time  will  come  in  open  session  to 
finish  what  is  only  begun. .  .  .  After  the  conspiracy  ot' 
Catiline,  Cicero  had  a  theme  for  his  life;  since  this 
conspiracy  against  Fremont,  and  these  rewards  and 
honors  lavished  upon  all  that  plotted  against  his  life 
and  character,  I  have  also  a  theme  for  my  life."*'"' 
But  it  does  not  appear  that  Benton  ever  found  an 
opportunity  to  resume  this  part  of  his  life-work;  in- 
deed, General  Kearny  died  before  the  end  of  the  year. 

This  seems  to  be  the  proper  place  for  a  connected 
view  of  the  'California  claims,'  often  alluded  to  in  this 
volume,  though  in  most  phases  the  subject  is  too  com- 
plicated for  detailed  notice  within  the  space  at  my 
command.  The  claims  were  debts  incurred  for  gov- 
ernment  expenses  during  the  rule  of  Frdmont  anil 
Stockton  in  1846-8.  So  far  as  there  were  naval 
funds  available,  these  current  expenses  to  the  extent 
of  about  $30,000  were  paid;  but  for  the  rest  property 
had  to  be  taken  from  natives  and  foreigners  in  Cali- 
fornia, with  or  without  their  consent.  At  first  the 
Bear  Flag  men  seized  the  property  of  California ns 
north  of  the  bay  to  supply  their  own  needs  and  to 
weaken  a  so-called  foe;  and  when  the  cause  was  nom- 
inally merged  in  that  of  the  United  States,  certain 
remnants  of  the  property  were  transferred  with  the 
battalion.  Thus  was  founded  the  smallest  and  least 
definite  portion  of  the  claims.  Next,  after  the  rais- 
ing of  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  chiefly  for  the  needs 
of  the  battalion  in  the  autumn  of  1846,  both  native 
and  foreign  residents  were  plundered  indiscriminately 
in  the  north  and  central  districts;  though  receipts  for 
supplies  taken,  mainly  horses  and  cattle,  were  gener- 
ally given  to  the  victims,  many  of  whom  willingly 
parted  with  their  property  and  all  looked  to  the  United 
States  for  payment.  Then  there  were  the  debts  in- 
curred in  the  spring  of  1847  during  Fremont's  rule, 

**  Benton's  Speech  in  the  U,  S,  Senate,  July  IS48,  on  the  promotion  of  Gen- 
eral Kearny,  in  Cong.  Globe,  1847-8,  appen.  977-1040. 


THE  CALIFORNIA  CLAIMS. 


463 


and  mainly  in  the  south,  all  duly  certified,  and  a  largo 
j)ortion  consisting  of  money  loaned  on  Fremont's 
drafts  on  the  government  cashed  by  the  merchants. 
These  advances  were  obtainable  only  at  very  high 
rates  of  interest;  and  the  matter  was  complicated  by 
the  fact  that  part  of  the  liabilities  were  incurred  when 
government  funds  would  have  been  available  but  for 
the  political  controversy ;  and  finally,  pay  due  the  vol- 
unteers formed  also  a  considerable  element  of  the  in- 
debtedness. 

That  the  government  was  morally  bound  to  pay 
these  claims  of  all  four  classes  has  never  been  se- 
riously questioned,  though  trouble  was  sure  to  arise 
in  settling  particular  demands.  Nor  can  Fremont 
and  Stockton  be  blamed  for  their  general  policy  in 
creating  the  debts,  though  wrongs  were  done  and  errors 
committed  in  individual  cases.  Payment  was  expected 
as  soon  as  peace  should  be  restored;  and  but  for  the 
quarrel  between  rulers,  many  of  the  claims  would  have 
been  promptly  settled  with  naval  funds  by  Stockton. 
He  made  an  effort  in  that  direction,  the  success  of 
which  was  prevented  by  Shubrick  md  Biddle;  and 
ho  is  said  to  have  paid  before  his  departure  certain 
claims  for  which  he  felt  a  peculiar  personal  responsi- 
bility.*^ In  the  last  days  of  Fremont's  rule  the  fear 
tliat  the  debts  of  his  administration  would  be  repudi- 
ated, or  that  at  the  least  long  delays  must  be  expected, 
caused  much  excitement,  and  not  a  little  unfavorable 
feeling  towards  the  ex-governor;  but  this  was  for  the 
most  part  unde  orved.  He  showed  commendable 
zeal  in  doing  the  little  in  his  power  to  protect  the 
creditors  and  himself  Kearny  and  Biddle  cannot  be 
blamed,  I  think,  for  refusing,  in  view  of  technical  irreg- 
ularities of  the  past,  to  pay  the  claims.  The  finan- 
cial muddle  was  the  result  of  circumstances,  for  which 
Stockton  more  than  any  other  man  was  responsible. 

Yet  the  existence  of  these  unpaid  claims  remained 

"  Stockton's  Life,  159.  It  is  said  that  his  drafts  were  all  duly  honored; 
but  I  find  no  official  record  of  amounts  or  details. 


464 


FKtiMONT'S  CONTROVERSY  WITH  KEARNY. 


It 


m 


as  the  most  sorioua  obstacle  to  tranquillity  in  Califor- 
nia. Soon  after  the  departure  of  Kearny  anil  the 
rest,  Governor  Mason  called  the  attention  of  the  gov- 
crinnent  to  the  bad  feeling  excited  by  the  claimants, 
expressing  his  opinion  that  "a  speedy  payment  will 
do  more  toward  reconciling  the  Californians  to  the 
change  of  flags,  and  be  worth  more  to  the  United 
States,  than  ten  times  the  money  it  will  tako  to  pay 
the  debt;"*^  and  urging  that  a  discreet  and  disinter- 
ested citizen  be  sent  to  investigate  and  settle  the 
claims.  Larkin  also  wrote  to  explain  the  matter  and 
urge  prompt  payment.*"  The  secretary  of  war  recom- 
mended immediate  action,  Fremont  having  presented 
a  memorial  on  the  subject,  and  in  February  1848  the 
matter  was  referred  by  the  senate  to  the  military  com- 
mittee, whose  report  was  dated  the  23d,  containing 
testimony  on  the  value  of  the  services  rendered  by 
Stockton  and  Fremont,  with  something  respecting  the 
necessity,  nature,  and  amount  of  the  indebtedness  in- 
curred."" On  the  3d  of  March  Mr  Cass  introduced  a 
bill  appropriating  $700,000,  and  providing  for  a  board 
of  commissioners  to  consist  of  Fremont  and  two  other 
officers  of  the  battalion,  whose  adjudication  was  to  be 
final.  Many  speeches  were  made,  but  the  only  dif- 
ference of  opinion  was  respecting  the  constitutionality 

"Juno  18,  1847,  Mason  to  adj. -gen.  Col.  and  N.  Mex.,  Mens,  and  Doc., 
1S50,  p.  312.  Another  obje  •;  to  be  gained  was  to  enable  disbursing  officers  to 
sell  their  drafts  at  par,  insi  id  of  at  20  per  cent  discount.  Yet  on  the  2l3t, 
Id.,  328-30,  Mason  sends  a  .varning  about  the  claim  of  Cot  for  money  lent  to 
Friimont;  and  also  the  govt  claims  received  for  customs  dues  by  his  order. 
Meanwhile,  ho  advised  individual  claimants  to  collect  evidence  to  substantiate 
their  claims,  which  would  doubtless  bo  settled  at  an  early  date.  Id.,  327,  301. 
It  was  on  Oct.  9th  that  ho  scut  a  warning  and  the  documents  respecting  the 
C^lis  claim.  Id.,  303-73.  Mar.  13th,  M.  Sobcrancs  to  Mason,  complaining  of 
the  burning  and  plundering  of  Los  Ojitos  by  Frtimont,  and  enclosing  certifi- 
cates. Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  202-3. 

"June  30th,  Aug.  23d,  Larkiu  to  sec.  state.  Larkin's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS., 
ii.  118-20.  March  15th,  L.  to  Stockton,  urging  him  to  do  something.  Says 
Capt.  Hall  has  accepted  and  approved  many  of  the  claims,  so  as  to  strengthen 
confidence  of  the  holders  in  Stockton's  govt.  Id.,  i.  120-1.  See  also  ai"ticle  in 
S.  F.  Calif.,  June  12,  1847. 

*"  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  30th  cong.  1st  scss..  Sen.  Rept,  7 J,  being  the  important 
document  I  have  so  often  cited  as  Fremont's  Cat,  Claims.  ¥.  's  estimate  of  the 
amount  needed  was  about  $500,000,  but  he  suggested  an  appropriation  of 
$000,000.  More  attention  was  given,  however,  to  tlie  salvation  of  C'al.  from 
falling  into  British  possession  than  to  the  subject  proper  of  the  investigation. 


THK  CALIFOIIXIA  CLAIMS. 


Iti't 


aiul  jioi'soiinol  of  tlic  board,  the  oMigatioii  to  pay  tlir 
(l»l)t  l»t'in<jf  ailmittcd.  Tlu>  bill  passed  the  senate  on 
April  -Hth;  but  the  house  brouj^lit  up  Mason's  n^'ent 
(•Iiary;es  a^^ainst  Fremont,  amended  the  bill,  and  so  de- 
layed it  that  it  was  K'Ct  as  unfinished  business  on 
;i(ijouriuneiit  in  August.  Xothinj^'  more  was  heaid  ot" 
the  subject  tor  four  years." 

In  1852  the  matter  came  uj)  again  in  congress,  the 
legislatui'e  of  California  having  also  taken  some  ae- 
tion  in  favor  of  a  settlement."^  Without  serious  oppo- 
sition or  extended  debate,  by  act  of  August  .'Ust  the 
secretary  of  war  was  diricted  to  appoint  a  board  of 
three  commissioners  to  investigate,  at  Washinuton, 
all  claims  connected  with  the  ser\i(>  of  the  Califor- 
nia battalion,  an  appropriation  of  ■?  108,000  being 
made  for  the  [)urpose.'*'  The  Ixjard,  appointed  on 
September  Gth,  consisted  of  T-?  jvet-eoloml  Charlies 
F.  Smith,  Lieutenant-colonel  Charles  Thomas,  and 
Majoi-  Kichard  B.  IjCc.  Tliey  made  ihieo  reports,  in 
accordance  with  which  many  of  tin-  claims  were  paid, 
in  1 853-4;  but  these  require  no  special  notice,  be- 
cau.se  included  in  a  later  tinal  report.''* 

Meanwhile  one  of  the  claims  presented  itself  in  j)e- 
culiar  shape.  On  March  18,  1847,  Fremont  had  by 
allowing  a  [premium  of  $4,500  obtained  $15,000  from 
F.  Hiittmann  for  drafts  on  the  government.  These 
drafts,  not  being  accepted  by  Secretary  Buchanan, 

<*'  Cowj.  Globe,  1847-8,  p.  261,  '281,  4-2.3,  558-71,  004-8,  G'27-31,  67C-8,  08.), 
090-708,  104!),  lO*)!);  also  Jfoustoii\i  Si'ii.  lie/ifs,  IJOth  cong.  1st  sess.,  passim. 
The  matter  hcing  referred  to  a  iiouso  committee,  a  8ul)stitiite  bill  wa.s  reporteil 
on  Aug.  IStli,  reihicing  tlio  appropriation  to  .^i.'jOO.OOO,  and  appointing  disin- 
terested mendiera  for  tlio  board.  U.  S.  Uorl  />or.,  .'iOtli  cong.  1st  sess.,  11. 
IJept.,  817.    Fremont  explains  in  til  is  report  the  irregularities  of  the  Cclis  claim. 

•''^Cal.  Sen.  Jmir.,  IS.j'J,  p.  554-!),  being  a  report  of  a  committee  in;ide 
(in  Feb.  5tli.  Maj.  Snyder  was  cliairnuin,  and  devoted  the  re])ort  mainly  to 
:ui  inaccurate  explanation  of  the  causes  that  led  to  the  acts  of  Fremont  in 
June  1S4G. 

^•'  See.  0  of  army  appropriation  ))ill,  i'.  .S\  Stat,  at  Lanjc,  x.  lOS.  The  sec- 
tion is  repeated  in  many  of  the  reports  to  be  mentioned  in  the  following  notes. 

•'* Fi i'moiit\t  Cal.  Claimx,  J'e/torls  of  Hoard  of  tonimis!<iniicr!<,  1853-5. 
The  report  of  Dec.  -9,  1853,  is  not  given,  but  alluded  to  in  the  next;  Report 
of  March  13,  1854,  in  U.  S.  Govt.  Doc,  33d  cong.  1st  sess..  Sen.  Ex.  Doc, 
49;  Report  of  Dec.  5,  18.j4,  in  /</.,  Sen.  Ex.  Doc,  S,  H.  Ex.  Doc.,  13,  ."J.^d  cong. 
2d  sess. ;  Report  of  April  18, 1855,  in  /t/. ,  34th  cong.  1st  sess..  Sen.  Ex.  Doc., 
63. 

Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    30 


4(5() 


FREMONT',><  CONTUOVEHSY  WITH  KEARNV. 


wore  protested;  suit  was  brought  in  London,  whore 
Frdmont  was  arrested  and  put  in  jail,  though  soon 
released  on  bail;  and  judgment  was  obtained  for  the 
original  ^19,500,  with  interest  and  costs,  all  amount- 
ing to  .$48,814.  A  bill  was  accordingly  introduced 
in  congress  for  Fremont's  relief,  resulting  in  a  lon<' 
discussion,  in  which  the  story  of  the  conquest  and  the 
claims  was  once  more  gone  over.  Finally,  by  act  of 
March  3,  1854,  it  was  decided  to  pay  the  $48,814, 
but  to  charge  the  original  $15,000  to  Fremont  until 
he  should  prove  that  the  money  had  been  spent  for 
the  public  service.  This  he  had  not  proved  in  Au- 
gust of  the  same  year,  when  the  amount  was  deducted 
from  the  larger  sum  due  him  on  accounts  of  later  date 
than  1848;  nor  had  the  proof  been  furnished  as  late 
as  1850.  I  know  nothing  of  the  final  settlement,  or 
of  the  use  originally  made  of  the  money  obtained  from 
Huttman.  There  was  another  similar  draft  of  §1,000 
in  favor  of  William  Wolfskill,  about  which  nothing 
appears  in  later  times;  nor  is  anything  known  respect- 
ing the  final  (Hsposition  of  the  Celis  claim  for  money 
and  cattle.  I  suppose  that  Fremont  settled  these 
matters  privately  with  the  claimants,  and  probably 
very  umch  to  his  own  profit  so  far  as  the  cattle  were 
concerned.'^'' 

In  the  same  congress  there  was  much  discussicin 
respecting  an  item  of  the  appropriation  bill,  devoting 
$31,000  to  the  claims,  and  $10,000  to  the  expense  of 
sending  a  commissioner  to  California  for  additional 
information,  but  nothing  seems  to  have  been  acconi- 
})lished  in  this  direction.*^     The  reports  of  the  coni- 

''*  Discussion  in  congress  on  tho  bill  for  Frt5mont's  relief,  in  Cong.  Gtobr, 
18o'2-3,  p.  231,  254-5,  593-003,  049,  1010,  1012,  1019,  1033,  1030-7,  appen. 
370.  Act  of  March  3il,  in  U.  S.  Stat,  at  Large,  x.  759.  Also  a  very  full 
iicoountof  the  Hiittniannatl'air.incliuling  a  curious  itemized  bill  of  the  Ixindoii 
attorneys,  filling  30  p.  of  print,  in  Fir  mo  n  I' n  Accounts,  1S42-50,  in  (f.  S.  Gon 
Doc,  34th  cong.  1st  scss.,  Sen.  Ex  Doc,  10!),  p.  40,  8S-140.  It  appears  that 
additional  costs  to  tho  amount  of  $2,150  wore  passed  to  F.'s  credit.  Tho 
failure  of  V.  down  to  1850  to  prove  that  the  money  had  been  devoted  to  pub- 
lic uses  suggests  that  it  had  not  been  so  used,  witli  curious  complications 
respecting  tlie  interest  and  costs  paid  by  the  govt;  but  the  details  of  these 
accounts  are  not  entirely  clear  to  nie. 

''^CoHg.  Globe,  1852-3,  p.  795-0,  1034,  1056.     Aug.  5,  1854;  it  was  ordered 


SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  CLAIMS. 


407 


)n,  where 

ugh  soon 

d  for  the 

amount - 

itroduced 

n  a  lon<,f 

it  and  the 

by  act  of 

$48,814, 

lont  until 

spent  for 

I  in  Au- 

deducted 

later  date 

d  as  late 

3ment,  or 

ined  from 

of  §1,000 

I  nothinif 

i\  respect- 

jr  money 

cd   these 

probably 

tie  were 

iscussion 
devotiiiL",' 
pense  of 
Jditional 
acconi- 
lie   coui- 

pong.  Globe, 
-7,  appuii. 
la  very  full 
|thc  lx)nili^:i 
ir.  S.  Gor/ 
bpcars  that 
feilit.     Tho 
ted  to  pub- 
mplicatioiH 
lis  of  these 

vaa  ordered 


mission  in  1854  showed  progress  in  settHng  the  claims; 
on  April  3,  1855,  the  secretary  of  war  issued  an  order 
dissolving  the  board;  and  its  final  report  was  made  on 
April  19th.  By  this  report  it  appears  that  3G3  claims 
had  been  presented,  amounting  to  $989,185.  Of  this 
the  amount  allowed  and  recommended  for  payment — 
jjrovision  being  made  by  congress  for  all  but  $8,r29 
before  the  date  of  the  report — was§157,3G5;  disal- 
lowed, chiefly  reductions  in  the  amount  of  claims 
allowed,  $157,317;  suspended  for  lack  of  sufficient  evi- 
dence, $307,927;  ruled  out  as  not  within  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  board,  including  $3,G95  payable  without 
its  action,  and  some  claims  for  destruction  of  property 
by  American  or  Mexican  troops  recommended  for 
consideration,  $1 86,509 ;  withdrawn,  and  in  some  cases 
resubmitted  at  lower  rates,  $147,800;  registered  too 
late  for  investigation  before  April  19th,  $28,570.  Of 
the  whole  number  only  four  claims  were  entirely  dis- 
allowed, while  180  were  allowed  without  reduction. 
The  largest  allowance  was  $48,700  to  General  Va- 
llejo,  and  the  smallest  $2.50  to  Nathan  Barbour  for 
a  pair  of  shoes.  A  notable  reduction  was  that  in  the 
ease  of  Captain  Phelps,  who  claimed  $10,000  for  the 
use  of  his  boat  by  Fremont  in  crossing  the  bay  to 
spike  the  guns  at  San  Francisco  in  184G,  but  was 
obliged  to  be  content  with  $50 1°'  The  commissioners 
seem  to  have  accepted  the  certificates  and  testimony 
of  FrtSmont  and  his  officers  as  sufficient  to  establish 
the  claims;  but  they  reaaced  the  amounts  by  fixing 
a  schedule  of  prices  for  horses,  cattle,  grain,  arms, 
saddles,  and  other  supplies  much  lower  than  the  rates 
charged  by  the  claimants. 

The  pay  of  the  volunteers  seems  not  to  have  been 

that  the  battalion  muster-rolls  be  put  on  tile  and  made  to  correspond  to  Read- 
ing's pay-rolls.    U.  S.  Stat.,  x.  .'»82. 

^'M.  G.  Vallcjo  received  .?4S,700  out  of  a  claim  for  $117,.S7.'i;  S.  Vallcjo, 
.^11,700  of  $3;j,10(>;  Sutter,  .^!),83'2,  his  entire  claim;  ArKiiello,  3G,8()0  of 
S.'1,0S3;  T.  H.  Gi  con,  §0,425  of  §11.205;  C.  A.  Carrillo,  §4,0.35  of  §14.010; 
hccisc,  §.3,934  of  §0. 189;  A.  J.  Cot,  §.3,4.35,  his  full  claim ;  Julio  Carrillo,  §2,070 
«'f  §17,500;  John  Temple,  §2,144  of  §1.'>,7GC.  I'art  of  tho  reductions  were, 
however,  among  tlw  suspended  claims.  The  records  of  the  commission  were 
uut  published;  but  sample  cases  are  given  in  Frinwnt'a  Accounla. 


'I, 


If 


ll 


468 


FRIiMONT'S  COXTKOVEUSY  WITH  KEARXY. 


included  in  the  claims  thus  disposed  of;  and  I  am  not 
able  to  say  when  or  how  these  men  got  their  arrears 
of  wages,  if  at  all.  Nor  can  I  find  any  record  ot 
further  investigation  or  final  settlement  of  the  sus- 
pended or  unconsidered  claims  left  by  the  board  to 
the  amount  of  about  $335,500.  In  August  1856  the 
senate  called  for  and  obtained  a  statement  of  Fre- 
mont's accounts  running  back  to  1842,  and  including 
many  transactions  of  later  date  than  1848;  but  this 
report  throws  no  light  on  our  present  subject,  exccj)t 
as  already  noted.^  The  court  of  claims  succeeded  to 
the  functions  of  the  board,  but  so  far  as  I  can  learn 
never  considered  any  of  the  suspended  claims.  Two 
other  claims  were,  however,  taken  up,  that  of  Bias 
P.  Alviso  for  the  horses  taken  at  the  beginning  of 
the  Bear  Flag  revolt,  and  that  of  Vallejo  for  the  use 
of  his  buildings  at  Sonoma  for  seven  years.  The 
court  decided  against  Alviso's  claim  for  $2,050,  and 
mainly  on  the  ground  that  the  government  was  not 
responsible  for  property  taken  before  the  U.  S.  flng 
was  raised,  thus  reversing  the  position  impliedly  taken 
before;  and  in  favor  of  Vallejo's  claim  of  $20,000,  re- 
duced to  $12,000.'^''  In  April  18G0  a  senate  com- 
mittee reported  against  taking  further  action  on  a 
number  of  claims,  with  few-  exceptions  new,  on  the 
grounds  that  one — that  of  Alviso  ^lad  been  rejected 
by  the  court,  and  that  no  reasons  were  given  why  the 
claims  had  not  been  submitted  at  the  proper  time  to 
the  board  of  commissioners.*"^  It  is  probable  that 
most  of  the  suspended  claims  were  spurious,  having 
been  sent  before  the  board  as  experiments,  and  otliers 
rested  on  so  sliijfht  a  basis  that  not  oven  the  battalion 
officers  had  the  assurance  to  certify  them.  That 
many  were  never  repaid  for  j)roperty  actually  taki^n 
bv  Frdmont's  men  is  certain;  and  there  is  no  reason 
to  doubt  that  others  were  ])aid  for  articles  never  lost. 

''^  Fremo))t\i  AccouiU.'i,  1S4'2-')V},  8vo,   144  p.      Report  of  sec.  treas.  Aug. 
lij,  1850,  in  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  3()tli  cong.    1st  sess..  Sen.  Ex.  Doc,  109. 
'"'Id.,  Rept  Court  Claims,  204,  'JiO;  /(/.,  II.  Rept.  7. 
««/</.,  Sen.  Rept,  198. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


THE  MORMON   BATTALION. 

184G-1848. 

Westward  Migration  of  the  Mormons  hy  .Sea  ani»  Land — The  Plan 
TO  OcccpY  Califokni\ — Elder  Little  Api-liks  to  the  Goveunment 
FOR  Aid— Timely  Wau—  Polk's  Pisomises— Keaisny  .s  iNSTurcnoNS — 
Colonel  Allen's  Call— Theory  of  the  Saints— A  Test  of  Loyalt\ 
AND  A  Sacrifice— RECRriTiNG  the  Battalion— List  of  Officers — '1'y- 
ler's  History  and  Bkiler's  Diary— Makcii  to  Santa  Fe — Death 
OF  Colonel  Allen— Smith  in  Command— Doctor  Sanderson — Cal- 
omel and  Arsenic— Cooke  ix  Command— His  Joi  rnal — March 
ACROSS  the  Continent— Fioht  with  Wild  Catile— Arrival  at  Sav 
Diego — In  Garrison  at  San  Lcis  Rky  and  Los  Ancikles— Mcstew^:d 
Oax — Re-enlistment  of  One  Company— Home\vard  March  to  Salt 
Lake  in  Several  Detachments  and  by  Different  Roites— A  Fes- 
tival OF  1855 — A  Ram  in  the  Tuicket. 

It  was  in  the  spring  of  1840  that  the  Mormons 
began  their  westward  migration  from  Naiivoo,  lUinois, 
and  at  the  same  time  a  ship-load  of  them  went  from 
New  York  to  Cahfornia.  By  niidsunmier  tlie  ad- 
vance of  the  overkmd  hne  had  been  extended  to 
Council  Bluffs  on  the  Missouri  River,  and  the  Brook- 
lijn  Jiad  landed  over  two  hundred  of  the  saints  at 
San  Francisco.  The  annals  of  this  people,  including 
all  the  circumstances  leading  to  their  exodus,  pertain 
to  the  Ilistot'ij  of  Utah,  as  presented  in  another  work 
of  this  series.  In  a  later  cha[)ter  of  this  volume 
Brannan's  immigrant  company  will  be  noticed  with 
others  of  the  year.  Here  only  a  few  brief  remarks 
are  called  for.  The  Mormons  had  not  definitely  de- 
teruiined  where  in  the  far  west  thev  wouM  choose 
their  new  home.     Wherever  bevond  the  Rockv  Moun- 


470 


THE  MORMON  BATTALION. 


"ti; 


li     >i 


I     11 


w 


tains  natural  advantages  of  soil  and  climate  might 
appear  best  supplemented  by  isolation  and  prospective 
non-interference,  there  should  be  established  the  new 
Zion.  Apparently  it  was  deemed  likely  that  experi- 
mental settlements  in  several  different  regions  mio;ht 
bo  maintained  for  some  years  before  the  final  choice 
could  be  made.  Yet  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  Cal- 
ifornia was  the  spot  on  which  Brigham  Young  and 
his  followers  had  fixed  their  chief  attention  as  proba- 
bly best  adapted  to  their  purpose.  But  there  is 
nothing  whatever  to  support  the  theory,  more  or  less 
current  among  their  enemies,  that  they  intended  to 
occupy  the  land  in  opposition  to  the  United  States, 
joining  hands  with  Mexico  or  England  if  their  own 
strength  should  not  suffice.  Existing  and  prospective 
international  complications  might  for  years  be  ex- 
j)ected  to  aid  them  in  establishing  themselves  on  the 
Pacific;  later  their  policy  would  be  dictated  by  their 
interests  as  limited  by  the  possibilities;  but  the  Mor- 
mons were  always  loyal  to  the  republic,  to  the  extent 
at  least  of  preferring  it  to  any  other  government  than 
their  own  theocratic  system.  The  settlers'  revolt  at 
Sonoma,  the  early  occupation  of  the  coast  province 
by  the  United  States,  the  rapid  influx  of  gentile  im- 
migrants, favorable  prospects  in  the  Salt  Lake  region, 
and  the  peculiar  conditions  resulting  from  the  discov- 
ery of  ffold  were  the  leadini?  factors  that  fixed  the 
^lormon  realm  in  Utah  rather  than  in  California. 

The  Latter-day  Saints  believed  they  had  just  cause 
of  complaint  that  the  national  government  had  refused 
to  protect  them  against  the  oppressions  which  forced 
them  to  quit  their  homes  in  Missouri  and  Illinois, 
and  they  did  not  hesitate  to  apply  at  Washington  for 
aid  in  their  enforced  exodus.  There  were  roads  to  be 
opened,  forts  to  be  built  along  the  transcontinental 
liighway  to  Oregon,  military  and  naval  stores  to  be 
transported  to  the  interior  and  to  the  western  coast: 
in  fact,  there  was  work  to  be  done  for  the  government 
which  the  exiles  could  do  as  cheaply  as  anybody,  and 


PLAN  TO  OCCUPY  CALIFORNIA. 


471 


the  compensation  would  be  of  the  greatest  assistance 
to  the  migrating  families.  Application  was  also  made 
tVtr  more  direct  aid.  Elder  Samuel  Brannan's  device 
hicems  to  have  been  to  share  the  profits  with  certain 
influential  men  at  the  national  capital  in  return  for 
aid,  or  at  least  for  non-interference;  though  his  con- 
tract was  not  approved  by  the  church  council.  But 
more  on  this  matter  elsewhere.  Elder  Jesse  C.  Little 
represented  Mormon  interests  in  the  east,  and  in  the 
letter  of  appointment  and  instructions  to  him,  dated 
January  26,  1846,  was  the  following  suggestion:  "If 
our  government  should  offer  facilities  for  emigrating 
to  the  western  coast,  embrace  those  facilities  if  pos- 
sible. As  a  wise  and  faithful  man,  take  every  honor- 
able advantage  of  the  times  you  can."  Armed  with 
letters  of  introduction  to  prominent  men,  Little  went 
to  Washington,  where  with  the  aid  of  Amos  Ken- 
dall, Thomas  L.  Kane,  and  others,  he  soon  secured 
the  attention  of  President  Polk,  with  whose  plans 
respecting  California  the  reader  is  familiar. 

No  secret  was  made  of  the  intention  to  settle  in 
California.  It  was  mentioned  in  some  of  the  introduc- 
tory letters  to  which  I  have  alluded;  and  in  a  peti- 
tion addressed  by  Little  to  the  president  he  wrote : 
"From  twelve  to  fifteen  thousand  Mormons  have  al- 
ready left  Nauvoo  for  California,  and  many  others 
are  making  ready  to  go;  some  have  gone  around  Cape 
Horn,  and  I  trust  before  this  time  have  landed  at  the 
bay  of  San  Francisco.  We  have  about  forty  tlioii- 
sand  in  the  British  Isles,  all  determined  to  gather  to 
this  land,  and  thousands  will  sail  this  fall.  There  arc 
also  many  thousands  scattered  through  the  states, 
i)esidos  the  great  number  in  and  around  Xauvoo,  who 
will  go  to  California  as  soon  as  possible,  but  many  '  >i' 
them  are  destitute  of  money  to  pay  their  passage 
either  bv  sea  or  land.  We  are  true-hearted  Anier- 
loans,  true  to  our  native  country,  true  to  its  laws,  true 
to  its  glorious  institutions.  .  .We  would  disdain  to  re- 
ceive assistance  from    a   foreign  power. 


'Ml 

ill' 


although  it 


472 


THK  MORMON  RATTALIOX. 


ii    M 


ii; 


should  be  proffered,  unless  our  government  shall  turn 
us  off  in  this  great  crisis  and  compel  us  to  be  foreign- 
ers. If  you  will  assist  us  in  this  crisis  I  hereby  pledge 
my  honor  as  the  representative  of  this  people,  that 
the  whole  body  will  stand  ready  at  your  call,  and  act 
as  one  man  in  the  land  to  which  we  are  going;  and 
should  our  territory  be  invaded,  we  will  hold  ourselves 
ready  to  enter  the  field  of  battle,  and  then,  like  our 
patriotic  fathers,  make  the  battle-field  our  grave,  or 
gain  our  liberty."^ 

While  negotiations  were  in  progress,  news  came  that 
hostilities  with  Mexico  had  begun;  and  most  oppor- 
tunely in  certain  respects  for  the  Mormon  designs, 
though  defeating  their  purposes  in  other  directions. 
Little's  memorial  quoted  above  was  drawn  out  by 
Kendall's  announcement  that  the  administration  had 
resolved  to  occupy  California,  and  was  disposed  to 
accomplish  that  object  through  the  Mormons,  by  aid- 
ing them  to  hasten  their  journey  across  the  continent. 
The  project  promptly  arranged  by  Polk  and  his  ad- 
visers, if  we  may  credit  Little's  version,  was  for  a  thou- 
sand picked  men  to  press  on  overland,  and  '  make  a  dash ' 
into  California,  while  another  thousand  were  to  be  sent 
out  by  sea  on  a  U.  S.  transport.  Possibly  the  elder 
in  his  enthusiasm  was  disposed  to  exaggerate  the 
president's  promises;  while  on  the  other  hand  we  may 
readily  imagine  that  Polk,  on  further  consideration, 
either  with  or  without  the  promptings  of  enemies  t<» 
the  church,  or  of  promoters  of  other  military  and  colo- 
nization schemes,  concluded  that  he  had  promised  too 
nmch,  that  it  was  not  altoijether  desirable  or  neces- 
sary  to  allow  the  Mormons  too  much  power  in  Cali- 
f«)rnia;  that  it  would  be  as  well  to  use  rather  than  bf 
used  by  them;  and  that  there  would  be  no  difficulty 

'  Life  of  linijham  Yoianj;  or  Utah  and  her  Founders.  Bij  Edivard  II'. 
Tidlidije,  X.  Y.  187(),  8vo,  iv.  4r)8,  81  p.  Little's  iusti-uctions  ami  petition 
arc  quoted  from  this  work,  ■which  contains  a  more  complete  account  of  the 
transactions  at  Washington  than  I  have  found  elsewhere;  though  the  lca<lin<^ 
facts  are  given  in  other  works.  It  was  in  a  conversjition  with  Kendall  about 
the  Mormons  that  Stevenson  claims  to  have  f^rst  suggested  the  idea  of  send- 
ing a  volunteer  regiment  to  Cal. 


KEARNY'S  ORDERS  TO  ALLEX. 


478 


in  obtaining  other  volunteer  colonist  soldiers.  Chureh- 
iiion  believe  that  Thomas  H.  Benton  did  more  than 
than  any  other  to  turn  the  president  against  them, 
which  is  not  at  all  unlikely. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  original  proposition, 
und  it  is  well  to  remember  that  details  of  preceding 
negotiations  rest  almost  exclusively  on  Mormon 
authority,  the  Hnal  decision  was  to  raise  a  battalion 
of  five  liundred  men,  to  be  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
service  for  twelve  months,  and  to  march  by  Santa  Fe 
to  California,  where  they  were  to  be  discharged  at  the 
expiration  of  their  term,  retaining  their  arms  and 
accoutrements.  Little  and  Kane  went  to  Fort  Leav- 
enworth with  despatches  for  Colonel  Kearny,  who  on 
June  19th  issued  to  Captain  James  Allen  of  the  1st 
dragoons  the  order  appended  in  a  note.^  Allen  started 
at  once  for  the  north,  and  on  June  2Gth,  at  Mount 


'^  June  19,  1846,  Kearny  to  Allen.  '  It  is  understood  that  there  is  a  large 
lx)dy  of  Mormons  wlio  are  desirous  of  emigrating  to  (Jalifornia,  for  the;  pur- 
pose of  settling  in  that  country,  and  I  have  therefore  to  direct  tliat  you  will 
pi'oeecd  to  their  cam])s  anil  endeavor  to  raise  from  amongst  them  4  or  ."> 
companies  of  volunteers,  to  join  me  in  my  expedition  to  that  country,  each 
company  to  consist  of  any  number  between  73  and  109;  the  oflicers  of  each 
company  will  be  a  captain,  1st  lieut,  and  "id  lieut,  who  will  be  elected  by  the 
privates  and  subject  to  your  approval,  and  the  captains  then  to  appoint  the 
lion-commissioned  officers,  also  subject  to  your  approval.  The  comimnics, 
upon  Ijeing  thus  organizecl,  will  be  mustered  by  you  into  tlie  service  of  tlie 
I'.  S.,  and  from  that  day  will  commence  to  receive  the  pay,  rations,  and  otiier 
allowances  given  to  tlie  other  infantry  volunteers,  each  according  to  his  rank. 
You  will,  upon  mustering  into  service  the  4th  company,  be  considered  as  ha\  - 
ing  the  rank,  pay,  and  enio!un>ent3  of  a  lieut-coloncl  of  infantry,  and  aii; 
autliorizcd  to  appoint  an  adjutant,  sergeant-major,  and  ijuarterma.stcr-ser- 
gcant  for  the  l)attalion.  The  companies,  after  being  organized,  will  be 
marclied  to  this  post,  Mhere  tliey  will  be  armed  and  prepared  for  tlie  (ield, 
after  which  they  will,  under  your  comiiiaucl,  follow  on  my  trail  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Santa  ¥6,  where  you  v  ill  receive  furtlier  orders  from  me. .  .You  will 
liave  the  Mormons  distinctly  o  undcr.stand  that  1  wish  to  iiavo  them  as  vol- 
unteers for  1'2  month.'*;  that  the  '  will  l)c  marched  to  ("alifcriiia,  receiving  ])ay 
and  allowances  during  the  above  time,  and  at  its  expii'atioii  tiicy  will  l)o  tlis- 
cliarged  and  allowed  to  retain,  as  their  ]uivatc  property,  the  guns  and  accou- 
trciiients  furnished  to  thcni  at  tiiis  post.  l']acli  company  will  be  allowed  4 
w<imon  as  laundresses,  who  will  travel  with  the  company,  nux'iviiig  rations  and 
utlicr  allowances  given  to  the  laundresses  of  our  army.  With  the  fcucgoing 
conditions,  which  are  hereby  pleclged  to  the  .Mormons,  and  which  will  !«!  faith- 
fully kept  by  me  and  other  ollicers  in  behalf  of  the  govt  of  the  L'.  .S.,  1  tan- 
not  doubt  but  that  you  will  in  a  few  days  be  able  to  raise  ."»0()  young  and 
ellicient  men  for  this  expedition.'  The  subject  is  included  in  Sec.  Marcy's 
instructions  of  Jiino  3d  to  Kearny,  who  was  to  enlist  a  number  of  Mormons 
not  to  exceed  one  third  of  iiis  entire  force.  Cat.  and  N.  Mcx.,  Mi  im.  and  Dor., 
JSJO,  p.  '23i). 


'M 


1 

^^IB '' 

;^^H 

HH 

1              ' 

'{ j^li' 

474 


t;:i:  .mokmox  hattaliox. 


Pisgah,  Iowa,  ono  of  the  principal  camps  of  the  Mor- 
mons, issued  a  circular  announciii<^  his  mission.  In  this 
document  he  repeated  the  substance  of  Kearny's  in- 
structions, and  added:  "This  gives  an  opportunity  of 
sending  a  portion  of  their  young  and  intelligent  men 
to  the  ultimate  destination  of  th(;ir  whole  people,  and 
entirely  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  and  this 
advanced  party  can  thus  pave  the  way  and  look  out 
the  land  for  their  brethren  to  come  after  them.  Those 
of  the  Mormons  who  are  desirous  of  serving  their 
country,  on  the  conditions  here  enumerated,  are  re- 
quested to  meet  me  without  delay  at  their  principal 
camp  at  Council  Bluffs,  whither  I  am  now  going  to 
consult  with  their  principal  men,  and  to  receive  and 
organize  the  force  contemplated  to  be  raised.  I  will 
reccivs  all  healthy,  able-bodied  men  of  from  eighteen 
to  forty-five  years  of  age.  I  hope  to  complete  the  or- 
ganization within  nine  days  from  this  time.""'  By  the 
high  council  of  Mount  Pisgah,  Captain  Allen  was  sent 
westward  with  a  letter  to  President  Young  at  Coun- 
cil Bluffs,  the  main  and  frontier  encampment.  Here 
a  council  was  held  the  1st  of  July,  at  which  it  was  de- 
termined by  Young  and  his  advisers  that  the  battalion 
as  called  for  must  be  raised;  and  corresponding  orders 
were  issued  at  once. 

Thus  is  explained  the  origin  of  the  Mormon  Battal- 
ion, involving,  it  would  seem,  nothing  mysterious  or 
underhanded  in  any  of  its  phases.  The  Mormons  had 
asked  for  aid  in  moving  part  of  their  people  to  Cali- 
fornia; the  government  needed  a  volunteer  force 
which  in  no  other  way  could  be  raised  so  promptly; 
the  favor  was  mutual.  The  Mormons,  however,  not 
receiving  aid  to  the  extent  or  of  the  kind  they  had 
hoped  for,  regarded  the  action  taken  as  a  mere  requi- 
sition for  troops,  and  in  numbers  out  of  all  proportion 
to  the  population  that  was  to  furnish  them.*     In  its 

'June  26,  1840,  Allen's  circular  to  the  Mormons,  in  Tyler^s  Hist.,  114; 
Tullidge's  Life  Youmj,  42. 

* '  It  may  well  be  imagined  that  many  of  the  saints  hesitated.  It  was  not 
from  lack  of  courage  either.     The  danger  would  never  have  caused  them  to 


A  TEST  OF  LOYALTY. 


475 


best  aspect,  the  call  for  troops  was  a  test  of  Morinoii 
loyalty;  some  have  claimed  to  regard  it  as  a  device 
to  weaken  the  saints  and  hasten  their  destruction; 
and  it  has  even  been  given  out  as  the  secret  history  of 
the  transaction,  "as  President  Young  was  afterward 
informed  on  the  best  of  authority,"  writes  George 
Q.  Cannon,  "that  Thomas  H.  Benton  got  a  pledge 
from  President  Polk  that  if  the  Mormons  did  not 
i.'iise  the  battalion  he  might  have  the  privilege  ot 
raising  volunteers  in  the  upper  counties  of  Missouri 
to  fall  upon  them  and  use  them  up."'     Some  think 

shrink;  but  they  had  been  deceived  so  many  times  by  those  who  held  autho- 
rity in  the  nation  that  they  looked  upon  this  new  requisition  with  distrust. . . 
Assistance  in  emigrating  with  their  families  westward  would  have  been  hailed 
with  joy.  Work  of  any  kind  and  at  any  price  on  the  route  of  their  proposed 
journey,  by  which  they  could  earn  a  subsistence,  would  have  been  considered 
a  godsend.  But  joining  the  army  and  leaving  their  families  in  such  a  con- 
dition was  repugnant  to  their  feelings.  Such  a  thing  had  never  been  thought 
of,  much  less  asked  for,  by  the  saints.  The  assertion  which  lias  been  made 
by  their  enemies,  that  they  desired  and  solicited  the  priWlege  of  joining  the 
army  to  go  against  Mexico,  leaving  their  wives  and  children  homeless  and 
destitute  wanderers  on  the  banks  of  the  Missouri,  is  a  base  libel  on  the  char- 
acter of  tlie  saints.  They  were  loyal  citizens,  but  they  never  expected  such 
a  sacrifice  would  be  rejiuired  of  them  to  prove  their  loyalty  to  the  govern- 
ment. Though  Captain  Allen  represented  the  call  as  an  act  of  benevolence 
on  the  part  of  the  govt,  and  assured  the  saints  that  here  were  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  volunteers  in  the  states  ready  to  enlist,  it  is  doubtful  whether 
lie  would  have  got  one  of  the  saints  to  join  him  if  it  had  been  left  to  his  own  in- 
fluence.' Tyler's  Hist.,  115-1(5.  'One  view  is  that  the  govt,  prompted  by 
such  men  as  Benton,  sought  to  destroy,  or  at  least  to  cripple,  the  Monnons, 
by  taking  from  them  500  of  their  best  men  in  an  Indian  country  and  in  tlicir 
exodus;  while  the  other  view  is  that  the  govt  designed  their  good  and  honor. 
The  truth  is,  that  a  few  lionorable  gentlemen  did  so  design;  but  it  is  equally 
true  that  the  great  majority  heartily  wished  for  their  utter  extinction;  while 
Sen.  Douglas  and  many  other  politicians,  .seeing  in  thi.s  vast  migration  of  Moi-- 
nions  the  ready  and  most  efficient  means  to  wrest  California  from  Mexico, 
favored  the  calling  of  the  battalion  for  national  conquest  without  caring  what 
afterward  became  of  these  heroic  men  who  left  their  families  in  tlie  wilder- 
ness, or  whether  those  families  perished  by  the  way  or  not  .  .Tlic  rea<ler  has 
noted  Mr  Brannan's  letter,  received  by  the  leaders  l>efore  startin;,';  they 
looked  upon  this  "call"  for  500  or  1,000  of  the  flower  of  their  camps  as  the 
fulfilment  of  the  threat.  The  excuse  to  annihilate  them  they  l>elievcd  was 
sought;  even  the  govt  dared  not  disperse  and  disarm  them  without  an  ex- 
cuse. At  the  best,  an  extraordinary  test  of  their  loyalty  was  asked  of  tlicni, 
under  circumstances  that  would  have  required  the  tlirice  hardening  of  a 
Pharaoh's  heart  to  have  exacted.'    Tttllklijc's  Li/c  Brlj.  Youn'j,  ii-'i. 

'"  All  the  speakers  at  a  reunion  of  the  battalion  in  1855  n-garded  the  rais- 
ing of  the  troops  in  the  light  of  a  sacrifice  which  had  saved  their  people.  Fa- 
ther Pettegrew  addressed  the  women  as  'wives  and  daughters  of  those  men 
who  were  oflFered  a  saciifico  for  the  clnirch  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day 
Saints,'  men  ordered  'to  go  and  fight  for  the  rights  of  the  rteople  before 
whom  they  were  fleeing.'  Said  President  Kimball:  'I  know  that  resulted  in 
the  salvation  of  this  people,  and  had  yon  not  done  this,  we  slioidd  not  have 


47rt 


THK  MORMON  BATTALION. 


'*<1 


that  the  leaders  looked  upon  the  raisiiii^  of  the  bat- 
talion as  an  advantage  to  their  cause. 

Whatever  their  views,  the  Mormon  ehiet's  set  them- 
selves to  work  most  zealously  as  recruitiniif  officers. 
Vt)un_i5,  Kimball,  and  Richards  rode  buck  to  Mount 
Pisgah,  sending  letters  to  encampments  farther  east. 
Doubtless  there  was  a  little  hesitation  among  the  peo- 
ple, since  the  enlistment  of  married  men  involved 
many  hardships  for  their  families;*^  but  jiromises  nl' 
protection  for  women  and  children,  w  ith  predictions  of 
exemption  from  disaster  to  the  men,  joined  to  eloquent 
and  authoritative  teachings  on  duty  to  the  nation  and 
the  church,  rapidly  overcame  all  opposition.  Tlu' 
battalion,  about  five  hundred  strong,  was  recruited  in 
about  two  w^eks;  and  four  companies  and  part  of  thr 
fifth  were  nuistered  in  at  Council  Bluffs  the  lOth  of 
July,  the  fifth  company  being  filled  a  little  later.  I 
append  a  list  of  officers.  The  name  of  each  membef 
of  the  battalion  who  reached  California  will  be  found 
in  the  Pioneer  Kemster  at  the  end  of  these  volumes." 


M 


u 


been  here.  IVesitlciit  J.  M.  Oraiit  had  visited  Washington  and  testified  to 
Benton's  bloody  project;  and  if  we  couhl  not  have  raised  the  complement 
of  men,  what  would  have  Ijcen  tlie  fate  of  this  people?  Israel  must  havu 
been  put  in  the  tomb,  unless  by  the  interference  of  high  lieaven  a  ram  had 
been  fjund  in  the  thicket. .  .Yes,  bretin-en,  had  it  not  been  fortius  battalion, 
ji  horrible  mas.sacre  would  h.ive  taken  place  upon  the  banks  of  the  Missouri.' 
['resident  Young  took  the  same  view  of  lJenton".s  project.  'Without  doubt, 
tliis  was  decreed  in  Washington,  and  I  wa.s  moved  upon  to  forestall  it.  As 
«|uick  us  this  idea  entered  my  mind  it  came  to  me,  I  will  beat  them  at  their 
own  game.     Did  we  not  do  it  ?' 

''Thomas  L.  Kane,  in  The  Monnonx:  A  ilixc.our-n'  dilivn-vil  litfore  thi'  11  is- 
fiiiiral  Socieli/  of  I'diuKi/lraiiia,  ^[<^n•h  ,?C,  ISJO,  says:  'Tiie  call  could  hardly 
liave  been  more  inconveniently  timed.  Tiic  young,  and  those  who  coulil  liest 
liave  l)cen  spared,  were  then  away  from  the  main  body,  eitlier  with  pioneer 
companies  in  the  van,  or,  tlieir  faith  unannounced,  seeking  work  and  food  about 
the  south-western  settlements  to  support  tliem  till  the  return  of  the  8ea.soii 
for  commencing  emigration.  Tiie  force  was  therefore  to  be  recruited  from 
among  the  fatlicrs  of  families,  and  others  whose  presence  it  was  most  desir- 
able to  retain.  Tliere  were  some,  too,  who  couhl  not  view  the  invitation  witii- 
out  jealousy.  .  .  Hut  tiie  feeling  of  country  triumpiied.  The  union  had  never 
wronged  them.  '"You  shall  have  your  battalion  at  once  if  it  has  to  l)e  a 
class  of  elders,"  said  one,  himself  a  ruling  elder.  A  central  mass  meeting 
for  council,  some  harangues  at  the  more  remotely  scattered  camps,  an  Ameri- 
can Hag  brougiit  out  from  the  storehouse  of  tilings  rescued  and  hoisted  to  ii 
tree  mast  -and  in  three  days  the  force  was  reported  mustered,  organized, 
.and  ready  to  march.' 

'An  official  report,  (J.  S.  Oorf  Doc,  .'ilst  cong.  1st  sess.,  11.  Kk.  Doc,  24 
p.  -2;/,  gives  the  number  mustered  in  as   l."i  olHcers  and  481   men.  joined 


TYLERS  IIISTOHY. 


477 


the  bat- 

et  thoiii- 

officers. 
)  Mount 
her  east. 

tlie  peu- 
involvud 
)inises  of 
ctions  of 
eloquent 
ition  and 
n.  Thr 
ruited  in 
rt  of  thi' 

lOtli  of 
later.     I 

member 
be  found 
olumes." 

testified  to 
loinplemeiit 

must  liiiM' 
a,  nun  hud 
s  l>!ittaliun. 

Missouri.' 
lout  doubt, 
ill!  it.     As 

(111  at  their 

W  thi'  lli.^ 
lid  luii-dly 
Icould  hest 
th  jiioiieer 
food  about 
llio  season 
lited  fi'oiii 
|iost  desii- 
tiou  with 
luul  never 
lis  to  be  a 
meeting 
Jlu  Aiiieri- 
Isted  to  a 
li'gauizeil, 

Doc,  IM 
hi,  joined 


It  sliould  here  be  stated  that,  the  t  xjn'rii'iiecs  «if 
the  Mormon  battalion  have  been  written  l)V  Sertrcant 
Tyler  in  a  manner  that  leaves  little  or  notliint;  to  Ix- 
desired."  1  havo  followed  his  work  as  my  eliiif 
authority.  The  troops  started  on  their  journey  the 
•JOth  of  July.  "There  was  no  sentimental  affectation 
at  their  leave-taking.  The  afternoon  before  their 
march  was  devoted  to  a  farewell  ball;  and   a  more 

later  7,  resigned  and  discharged  3,  deatlis  7,  desertion  I,  and  nuistered  out 
in  Cal.  17  ottioers  and  40S  men.  There  is  apparently  soino  error  liere,  to  say 
nothing  of  tiio  fact  tiiat  about  l.')0  men  did  not  reach  California.  Tyler  gives 
the  names  of  .^0(5  men,  including  officers  and  tlie  men  left  Ijchind.  Kane  says 
there  were  f)'20  men.     Other  authorities  epeak  of  tiio  number  as  uV)out  .VtO. 

List  of  otticers  in  the  Mormon  battalion:  Commander,  J.,ieiit-col.  *.laiiiea 
.Mien;  later  Lieut  A.  J.  Smith;  and  finally  Lieut-col.  I'hilip  St  Coorgo  Cooke, 
all  of  tiie  1st  U.  S.  dragoons.  Adjutant,  Lieut  (ico.  1".  ])yki's,  and  hiter 
Lieut  1*.  C.  Merrill;  (jhartermaster,  Lieut  *Sain.  L.  (Jully,  and  later  Lieut 
(ico.  Stoncman;  sergeant-major,  .lames  IF.  (ilines,  and  later  .lames  Fergu- 
son; (|uarterma3ter-sergeant,  Sebert  C.  8helton,  Kedick  N.  Allred;  sur- 
geon, I'r  Geo.  H.  Sanderson;  assistant-surgeon,  Dr  Wni  L.  Mcliityrc;  spirit- 
ual directors,  David  I'ettegrew  and  Levi  \V.  Hancock. 

Co.  A,  Capt.  JetFerson  Hunt;  lieut,  Ceo.  W.  Oman,  Lorenzo  Clark,  *\Vin 
W.  ^Villis;  sergeants,  .lames  Ferguson,  Phinehas  K.  Wright,  Reddiek  X. 
Ahlred,  Alex.  Mct'ord,  Wm  S.  Muir. 

Co.  JJ,  Capt.  Jesso  D.  Hunter;  lieut,  *F,lam  Luddingtoii,  Ruel  Barrus, 
I'hilenion  C.  Merrill;  sergeants,  Wni  Coray,  Win  Hyde,  Albert  .Smith. 

Co.  C,  ('apt.  James  Brown;  lieut,  (ieo.  W.  Rosecrans,  Sam.  Thomp.soii, 
Robert  Clift;  eergcants,  CJrson  B.  Adams,  Elijah  Elmer,  Joel  J.  Terrill,  David 
^Vilktn,  Edward  Martin,  Daniel  Tyler. 

Co.  "  ,  Capt.  *Nelson  Higgins;  lieut,  Geo.  P.  Dykes,  Sylvester  Hulett, 
Cyrus  (J.  Canfield;  sergeants,  Nathaniel  V.  Jones,  Thomas  Williams,  Luther 
T.  Tuttle,  Alpheus  P.  Haws. 

Co.  E,  Capt.  Daniel  C.  Davis;  lieut,  James  Pace,  Andrew  Lytle,  *Sam. 
L.  tiully;  sergeants,  Sam.  L.  Brown,  Richard  Brazier,  EbiMiezer  Hanks, 
Daniel  Browett. 

Tiiose  whose  names  are  marked  ■with  a  *  did  not  reach  Cal.  There  were 
seven  or  eight  young  men  who  went  as  servants  to  the  officers,  whose  rela- 
tives they  Averc  in  most  cases.  For  biographical  notices  of  each  otliccr  and 
private,  sec  my  I'ioneer  Register  and  Index. 

*  A  Coucii^e  History  of  the.  Mormon  lialtnlion  in  the.  Mexican  War,  ISJfG- 
lS.'i7.  Jiif  Si  njfuiit  J>aui(l  T'/lcr,  no  place  (Salt  Lake  City),  lM81,  Svo,  370  p. 
'Xeither  labor,  pains,  nor  expense  has  been  spared  in  tin;  ctlbrt  to  make  this 
a  just  and  authentic  history.  The  author  has  not  aimed  at  sensational  etleet, 
nor  made  any  attempt  at  literary  embellishment,  but  rather  endeavored  to 
ofl'er  a  plain  statement  of  facts  and  give  duo  credit  to  all  concerned,' says 
Tyler  in  his  preface,  and  the  result  shows  that  no  better  man  could  have  un- 
dertaken the  task.  Naturally  his  narrative  is  markeil  by  tliat  display  of 
faith  which  is  a  characteristic  of  all  religious  writers;  but  thi.<,  while  ndding  a 
charm,  detracts  in  no  respect  from  the  value  of  the  record.  His  authorities  arc 
cliietly  diaries  written  by  his  comratles  at  the  time,  and  letters  written  by  tlieni 
in  later  years.  The  '  introductory  '  includes  a  sketch  of  The  Muiti/nfom  of 
Jiisr/ih  Smith,  by  President  John  Taylor,  and  Col  Kane's  discourse  of  iSoO  on 
'/'/('•  Mormons,  as  already  cited;  also  a  poem  on  the  Mormon  battalion  by  Mrs 
Eliza  R.  Snow.  There  is  appended  an  account  of  the  battalion  festnal  at 
Salt  Lake  City  in  1855. 


4:s 


THK  MORMON  IJATTALION. 


liiorry  tlaiiciu*^  rout  I  have  nover  simmj,  thougli  tlii' 
(•()!ij|)aiiy  wont  without  retVo.shmuiits,  and  their  ball 
was  of  tlio  ijiost  primitive,"  writes  Colonel  Kane. 
One  of  the  soltlieis'  last  acts  before  departure  was  to 
subscribe  a  large  part  of  their  pay  for  their  families 
and  the  Mormon  poor.  The  elders  made  parting 
addresses  of  encouragement,  and  Brigham  Youn;^ 
formally  predicted,  as  he  had  done  before,  tMat  "not 
one  of  those  who  might  enlist  would  fall  by  tlu- 
hands  of  the  nation's  foe;  that  their  only  fighting 
would  be  with  wild  beasts."  That  their  subsequent 
safety  resulted  from  this  prediction  the  Mormons  had 
no  doubt;  and  that  they  were  under  divine  protec 
tion  soon  became  evident  to  them  when  a  tornado 
threw  down  the  trees  of  a  forest  in  which  they  were 
encamped  without  harming  a  man.  The  captains  and 
some  of  the  men  were  accompanied  by  their  families, 
and  there  were  in  all  about  eighty  women  and  chil 
dren  who  started  on  the  journey.  Much  of  their 
way  was  through  a  country  inhabited  by  their  old 
foes,  the  Missouri  'mobocrats/  but  there  were  no 
hostilities  and  few  hardships.  The  arrival  at  Fort 
Leavenworth  was  on  August  1st,  and  hero  the  bat- 
talion remained  two  weeks,  drawing  their  arms  and 
accoutrements,  with  forty  dollars  in  money  for  eatii 
man,  most  of  which  was  sent  back  to  the  church  bv 
elders  Hyde,  Taylor,  and  Little,  who  here  took  final 
leave  of  their  soldier  disciples.  Here  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Allen  fell  sick  and  died  before  the  end  of 
August.  He  was  very  popular  with  his  men,  none 
of  whom  have  anything  but  words  of  praise  for  him. 
On  the  I2th  and  IJthof  August  the  troops  started 
on  their  long  march  to  Santa  Fe;  and  now  their 
tro  bles  began.  It  is  not  necessary  to  chronicle  here 
tht  -ardships  and  petty  adventures  incident  to  such 
a  jc   rney,  though  as  given  in  the  Mormon   diaries''* 

*  R  lies  the  diaries  quoted  by  Tyler,  I  have  Henry  W.  Bigler's  Diary  oj 
a  Mori  m  in  California,  MS.,  which  contains  a  most  valuable  and  interest- 
ing rcc  'd,  not  only  of  the  march  to  Sta  Fii  and  thence  across  the  continent, 
but  of  ..iie  later  discovery  of  gold  in  California. 


THE  MARCH  TO  SANTK  ft. 


479 


the  iiuirativo  is  not  without  a  charm.  Suftoriu«5s  re- 
sulted mainly  from  heat  and  l>ad  water,  and  there  was 
iniich  sickness,  with  several  deaths;  but  there  were 
also  miraculous  cures  attributed  to  t'aitli.  prayer,  and 
hajitism.  One  phase  of  the  battalion's  troubles,  how- 
ever, merits  somewhat  more  extcndetl  notice — that  re- 
sulting from  complaints  against  the  officers.  On  the 
death  of  Allen,  Lieutenant  A.  J.  Smith  of  the  reg- 
ular army  was  sent  from  Fort  Leavenworth  co  take 
connnand  temporarily.  The  Mormon  privates  and 
part  of  their  officers  claimed  that  the  command  be- 
longed to  the  senior  captain.  Hunt,  and  that  Colonel 
Allen  had  promised  such  an  arrangement  in  the  event 
of  his  own  removal  frpm  the  [)osition.  The  fact  that 
such  a  promise  had  been  made  was  comtirmcd  by 
Brigham  Young.  On  the  other  hand,  it  was  claimed 
that  Allen  had  no  right  to  make  the  promise;  never- 
theless a  council  of  the  Mormon  officers  with  only 
three  dissenting  votes  decided  in  favor  of  Smith. 
From  that  time  the  lieutenant  was  naturally  an  object 
of  dislike  to  the  soldiers,  who  looked  on  him  as  un- 
friendly to  the  Mormons,  cruel  in  his  treatment  of  the 
sick,  and  perhaps  disposed  to  destroy  the  battalion  by 
overwork  and  privations.  Only  divine  protection  en- 
abled the  saints  to  survive,  and  only  the  patriotic 
devotion  that  had  prompted  the  original  .sacrifice  of 
their  enlistment  kept  them  from  mutiny.  Such  was 
their  view  of  the  matter;'"  yet  their  wrongs  must  be 

10  'Ami  on  tho  bravo  battalion  wont 
With  Colonel  Allen,  who  was  sent 
Ah  offlcer  of  covernnicut. 
Tlin  notiio  Oolniiol  Allon  knew 
Ili.H  "  Mormon  boys"  were  bravo  and  true, 
Anil  ho  wa.H  proud  of  lii.i  coiiiniaiul 
As  lio  K'U  forth  liis  "MoriiioM  lianil." 
HosickiMioil,  (lieil,  and  tlicy  weio  b'ft 
Of  u  luvi'il  liMider  ho  jii  bereft ! 
Ami  hilt  HilcessiirH  proved  to  lio 
Tlio  enibud.iiieut  id'  cruelly. 
Lieutenant  JSinitli,  Itiu  tyrant,  led 
Tho  cohort  on  in  Allen's  steail 
To  Santa  Fe,  whero  Colnnel  Cooko 
Tho  charge  of  tho  battalion  took.' 

Mrs  Snow's  [loetical  version. 

'It  would  have  been  difficult  to  select  the  same  number  of  American  citizens 
from  any  other  community  who  would  have  submitted  to  tho  tyranny  and  abuse 
that  the  battalion  did  from  Smith  and  Sanderson.  Nor  would  we  have  done 
so  on  any  consideration  otiier  than  as  servants  to  our  God  and  patriots  to  our 


480 


THE  MORMON  liATTALIOX. 


i    ' 


regarded  as  in  some  ineasuro  imaginary.  Raw  n- 
cruitc  obato  under  the  discipline  imposed  by  an  officer 
of  the  regular  army,  and  often  attribute  to  him  tliti 
liard^^Iiips  of  their  march.  It  was  hard  for  the  Mor- 
mons to  realize  their  position  as  volunteers  in  the  U. 
S.  service,  and  they  were  prone  to  include  in  tlieir 
list  of  grievances  all  that  did  not  plea.se  them. 

It  was  not,  however,  against  their  leader  that  the 
bitterest  feelings  were  excited,  but  against  Sanderson, 
the  surgeon  of  the  battalion.  The  Mormons  have 
their  own  views  on  medical  science,  and  do  not  enter- 
tain the  highest  respect  for  the  methods  of  the  schools. 
They  rely  for  the  cure  of  ordinary  ailments  on  herbs; 
while  for  more  serious  illness  prayer,  anointing  with 
oil,  laying-on  of  hands,  and  baptism  are  prescribed. 
And  now,  a  'mineral  quack'  had  against  their  will 
been  made  superior  to  I)r  Mclntyre,  'a  good  bo- 
tanic physician,'  and  insisted  on  dosing  them  with 
his  'calomel  and  arsenic'  The  Mormons  claimed 
that  their  reliijion  discountenanced  the  takini;  of  miu- 
eral  medicines.  Adjutant  Dykes,  however,  aflSrmcd 
that  they  had  no  such  religious  scruples,  and  that  the 
church  authorities  themselves  took  such  medicines,  and 
Captain  Hunt  would  say  no  more  than  that  it  "was 
rather  aufainst  our  relii^ious  faith."  Therefore  Smith 
supported  the  surgeon  and  insisted  that  his  instruc- 
tions must  be  followed,  though  subsequently  a  lettei- 


country.'  Ti/ler'a  IlUt.,  147.  AH  were  <lelighteil  when  the  acting  coloni'l 
was  arrested  l)y  a  sentinel  for  not  giving  tlie  ri^ht  password.  'The  appoint- 
ment of  Smith,  even  before  his  character  was  known,  caused  a  greater  gh>om 
tlirouglioiit  the  command  tiian  the  death  of  Colonel  Allen  Iiad.'  /'/. ,  144. 
Young's  letter  aliirming  Allen's  promise  to  leave  tlic  command  t'l  Hunt.  /</., 
155-0.  'Whether  Col  Smith  iiad  had  no  experience  in  travelling  with  team.-;, 
or  whether  he  <k'sired  to  use  up  the  teams  and  leave  the  battalion  on  the 
plains  helpless,  <loo8  not  appear.'  /(/.,  l.")9.  It  appears  that  the  colonel  ainl 
surgeon  are  determined  to  kill  us,  first  by  forced  marches  to  make  us  siik, 
then  by  compelling  us  to  take  calomel  or  to  walk  and  do  duty.'  Rogers'  jnur- 
nal  in  /</. ,  ItiO.  '  While  privates  were  punished  by  hiui  for  the  merest  trilles, 
otiicers  could  go  where  and  do  what  they  pleased.'  /'/.,  177.  'And  now  com- 
menced a  Beries  of  tlio  most  trying  cruelties.  Our  conunaudrr  was  not  of 
himself  cruel  and  wicked,  but  he  was  weak,  and  became  to  a  great  extent 
the  creature  of  Dr  Sanderson,  a  rottendiearted  ([uack  that  was  imjwscd  upon 
\is  as  our  surgeon.'  Ferguson  in  /(/.,  SGo.  IJiglcr  and  all  the  rest  conlirm  tlit 
lieutenant's  cruelty,  weakness,  and  want  of  sliill. 


DOCTOR  SANDERSON. 


481 


Raw  ro 
y  an  officer 

0  him  tilt! 
V  the  ^loi - 

1  in  tlio  U. 
le  in  tlicir 
em. 

er  that  the 

Sanderson, 

nons   have 

not  enter- 

hc  schools. 

s  on  herbs; 

nting  with 

prescribed. 

their  will 

,  good  bo- 

them  with 

IS   claimed 

nif  of  mill- 

r,  affirmed 

d  that  the 

icines,  and 

at  it  "was 

re  Smith 

s  instruo- 

y  a  letter 

icting  colonel 

I" The  ajipoiiit- 

Igrcater  gloom 

lii«I.'    /'/.,  N4. 

oHiiiit.    /'/., 

with  toaiu.s, 

Italion  on  the 

le  colonel  nud 

lake  us  sill';, 

lltogers"  join 

Inercst  tnlles, 

Ind  now  com- 

I'  was  not  I't 

Lrreat  extent 

lii|X)se(l  npoii 

It  confirm  the 


from  President  Young  was  received, saying:  "If  you 
are  sick,  live  by  faith,  and  let  surgeons'  medicine  alone 
if  you  want  to  live."  For  a  time  the  doctor  dealt  out 
his  drugs,  which  the  patients  put  anywhere  but  down 
their  throats;  but  presently  Sanderson  learned  how 
his  prescriptions  were  being  treated,  and  thereafter 
in  some  cases  obliged  the  sick  to  take  the  potions  from 
an  old  iron  spoon  in  his  presence.  The  wrath  of  the 
soldiers  and  the  troubles  of  the  doctor  may  be  im- 
agined; the  controversy  was  kept  up  till  the  end ;  and 
the  Mormons  were  satisfied  that  all  deaths  in  the  bat- 
talion were  due  to  the  surgeon's  quackery.'^  Indeed, 
the  chief  cause  of  complaint  against  Smith  was  his 

"  'The  surgeon  was  from  Mo.,  did  not  belong  to  our  people,  and  had  been 
heard  to  say  he  did  not  care  a  danin  whether  he  killed  or  cured;  and  for  this 
our  sick  refused  to  go  at  sick-call  and  take  his  medicine,  and  Smith  was  told, 
straight  up  and  down,  there  and  then,  before  we  would  take  Dr  Sanderson's 
medicines  we  would  leave  our  bones  to  bleach  on  the  prairie.'  BUjlers  Diurij 
of  a  Mormon,  MS.,  9.  Sept.  2d,  'Smith  began  to  show  h\^  sympat'.jy  for  the 
sick  by  ordering  them  out  of  the  wagons,  anil  swore  if  they  did  not  walk  he 
would  tic  them  to  the  wagons  and  drag  them.'  Id,  But  Tyler  relates  tiiat 
Scrgt  Williams  defended  the  sick  and  threatened  to  knock  the  colonel  down. 
Tyler's  Hist.,  in.  Young's  letter  of  August  19th  on  medicine.  Id.,  14G.  'It 
was  customary  every  morning  for  the  sick  to  be  marchcl  to  the  tune  of  "Jim 
along  Joe"  to  the  doctor's  quarters,  and  take  their  portion  from  that  same 
old  iron  spoon,'  and  the  doctor  'threatened  with  an  oath  to  cut  the  throat  of 
any  man  who  would  administer  any  medicine  without  his  orders.'  Id.  The 
author  having  a  fever  begged  to  be  left  on  the  road  and  reported  dead  rather 
than  take  the  drugs.  /(/.,  148.  Ho  had  to  take  them,  but  to  neutralize  their 
eifcct  he  drank  a  largo  quantity  of  water  against  the  doctor's  orders.  Id. , 
1  "'0.  Alva  Phelpa  was  suffering  severely.  '  The  doctor  prepared  his  dose  and 
ordered  him  to  take  it,  which  ho  declined  doing,  whereupon  the  doctor  with 
horrid  oaths  forced  it  down  him  with  the  old  rusty  spoon.  A  few  hours  later 
lie  died,  and  the  general  feeling  was  that  the  doctor  had  killed  him.  Many 
boldly  expressed  the  opinion  that  it  was  a  case  of  premeditated  murder. 
When  we  considtir  the  many  murderous  threats  previously  made,  the  conclu- 
sion is  by  no  means  far-fetched.*  That  evening  a  dancing  star  was  noted  in 
the  east.  Id.,  158,  All  were  glad  when  the  doctor  left  with  the  advance 
party  of  the  well,  leaving  the  sick  behind.    Id.,  1G3. 

'A  elector  wliich  tho  government 
lla^  furnished  jiroves  a  punishment. 
At  his  ruilocall  of  ''Jim  along  Jo«" 
The  Bick  mill  Imit  to  hiiu  nui^'t  go. 

Both  night  an<l  morn  thi:i  call  is  heard, 
Our  iudignntion  then  in  Ftirred. 
.\nd  wo  eincercly  wi.sh  in  hell 
Ilia  arsenic  and  calomel.' 

Hancock's  song  on  the  Deierl  Honte.  Id.,  183. 

To  Boyle  tho  doctor  'gave  the  u.sual  dose— calomel — which  he  did  not  swal- 
low, but  consigned  it  to  tho  flames.  The  writer  and  another  elder  or 
two  were  called  upon  to  anoint  him  with  oil  and  lay  hands  upon  him,  and 
before  night  ho  was  well.'  Id.,  209.  Calomel  gave  out  and  arsenic  was  sub- 
stituted long  before  Cal.  was  reached.  Id.,  215.  David  Smith  killed  by  tho 
doctor's  medicines.    /(/.,  274. 

HiBT.  Cal,,  Vol.  V.    31 


(wi, 


i 


1  !'i: 


"i  i 


)!Ji 


482 


THE  MORMON  BATTALION. 


support  of  Sanderson;  and  another,  Adjutant  Djkes, 
though  a  Mormon  and  a  preacher,  was  regarded  as 
an  apostate  because  he  had  favored  Smitli  and  only 
mildly  opposed  the  doctor.  Says  Elder  Hyde:  "It 
was  plainly  manifest  that  Lieutenant  Dykes  sought 
to  gain  favor  of  and  please  the  wicked  rather  than 
favor  his  brethren."  And  Tyler,  that  "Dykes  be- 
came so  notorious  for  his  officious  aad  captious  man- 
ner, that  the  battalion  accorded  to  him  the  title  of 
'accuser  of  the  brethren.' "  And  another  saint :  "There 
are  a  few  like  G.  P.  Dykes  that  go  into  error,  and  who 
will  not  do  right.  Brother  Dykes  has  gone  into  er- 
rors and  is  damned;  he  has  the  curse  of  his  brethren 
upon  him  for  his  follies  and  misdoings," 

The  route  proposed  had  included  Bent's  Fort,  where 
supplies  were  expected  and  where  perhaps  the  win- 
ter might  be  jxassed;  but  to  gain  time  the  commander 
decided  on  a  shorter  way,  much  to  the  displeasure  of 
his  men.  On  the  Arkansas  River,  about  the  middle 
of  September,  many  of  the  families  were  detached  and 
sent  to  pass  the  winter  at  Pueblo  under  Captain  Hig- 
gins  with  a  guard  of  ten  men.  This  division  of  the 
battalion  was  also  opposed,  as  was  a  later  one  of  Oc- 
tober 3d,  when  the  stronger  half  of  each  company 
was  sent  on  in  advance,  leaving  the  feeble  to  follow 
more  slowl3^  The  two  divisions  arrived  at  Santa  Fc 
the  9th  and  r2th  of  October,  and  were  saluted  with 
a  hundred  guns  by  order  of  General  Doniphan,  an  old 
friend  of  the  Mormons,  who  were  delighted  to  know 
that  no  such  honor  had  been  paid  to  Colonel  Sterling 
Piice,  their  enem\',  on  his  arrival  a  few  days  before. 
J''rom  Santa  Fe  88  moii  deemed  unfit  for  prospective 
hardships  were  sent  back  to  Pueblo  for  the  winter 
under  Caj)tain  Brown  and  Lieutenant  Luddington, 
and  with  them  went  also  the  laundresses  of  the  bat- 
talion. Again,  on  November  10th,  after  the  start 
from  Santa  Fe,  55  sick  under  Lieutenant  Willis  were 
detached  for  Pueblo.  Of  the  150,  more  or  less,  thus 
left  eu  route,  it  is  only  necessary  to  state  that  they 


FROM  SANTE  FE  TO  CALIFORNIA. 


4S3 


never  came  to  California,  but  most  of  them  found 
their  way  to  Salt  Lake  the  next  year. 

General  Kearny  had  already  left  Santa  Fe  for  Cal- 
ifornia with  his  dragoons,  as  the  reader  will  remem- 
her;^"  but  he  had  left  Lieutenant-colonel  Philip  St 
(reorge  Cooke,  of  the  1st  dragoons,  with  orders  to 
take  command  of  the  battalion  and  open  a  wagon 
I'oute  to  the  Pacific  by  the  Gila  route.  Cooke  as- 
sumed the  command  the  13th  of  October.  Lieuten- 
ant Smith  became  acting  commissary  of  subsistence; 
jjieutenant  George  Stoneman,  of  the  1st  dragoons, 
ueting  quartermaster  instead  of  Gully,  who  soon  left 
the  service;  Lieutenant  Merrill,  adjutant  instead  of 
Dykes,  who  resumed  his  place  in  the  company;  and 
.lames  Ferguson  was  appointed  sergeant-major.  Ma- 
jor J.  H.  Cloud,  ])aymaster  U.  S.  A.,  accompanied 
Cooke.  Stephen  C.  Foster,  called  "doctor"  in  the 
iiari'atives,  was  employed  as  interpreter.  The  guides 
were  Weaver,  Charbonneau,  and  Leroux,  and  a  Mr 
Hall  seems  to  have  served  in  a  similar  capacity.  Dr 
Sanderson  continued  his  services  as  surgeon. 

For  the  march  from  New  Mexico  to  California  we 
liave,  in  addition  to  Tyler's  work  and  Bigler's  diary, 
tliL'  official  journals  and  reports  of  the  commander 
Of  this  officer  the  Mormons  speak  in  favorable  terms, 
<lescribing  him  as  a  stern  man  of  forbidding  manner, 
a  strict  disciplinarian,  but  impartial  in  his  orders,  and 

'■Sou  chap.  xiii.  of  this  vohiine. 

^■'Journal  of  th".  march  of  (he  Mormon  baltation  of  infantry  volunteers,  iin- 
ilr  the  command  of  L'leutennnt-cotoncl  P.  St  (ieorijc  Cooke  (also  captain  of 
(Irinioons),  from  Santa  Fe,  Xcw  .^fejcico,  to  San  l>if<jiu  California,  ke/it  li;/ him- 
.«(//'  Ill/  direction  of  the  commandin;/  ijcnir'il  of  the  arnii/  of  the  ve.<t,  in  U.  S. 
(iovt  Doe.,  special  scss.  (liOth  coiii,'.),  Sen.  Poo.  no.  ■_',  Wasiiington,  181!),  8vo, 
N">  p.     This  journal  extends  to  Jan.  'M,  1S47. 

J'eport  of  Lieut-col  P.  St  Georijc  Cooke,  of  Ai't  march  from  Santa  Fi',  Xenj 
.Vixiro,  to  San  Dierfo,  Upper  California  (\>^(i-l).  in  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  30th 
cong.  Istsess.,  H.  Ex.  l)oi".  41,  p.  ."i41M}.'<,  witii  a  niaj)  of  the  route.  This  i.s 
a  rc'iKirt  to  Gen.  Kearnj',  dated  at  San  Luis  Rey  Feb.  "),  1847. 

77«'  Conqui'M  of  New  Mer'u'o  and  California;  an  historical  and  ]>irsonal 
narrative,  liij  P.  St  Geo.  Cooke,  hriijadier,  brcvit  viajor-[ieneral,  (',  S.  A, 
Author  of  Scenes  and  Adventures  in  the  Arm;/;  or,  liomance  of  Military  Life, 
<tc.  N.  Y.  1878.  r2n)o.  This  contains  a  coudensed  narrative  of  the  march, 
with  nuich  additional  matter,  tiiough  hardly  enough  to  justify  tlie  autiioi'  in 
pivseuting  tho  book  as  ho  does  in  a  preface  as  the  Mirst  historical  narrative 
<if  the  conquest,'  and  'a  connected  and  permanent  record.' 


Vi 


484 


THE  MORMON  BATTALION. 


a  man  of  groat  energy  itncl  perseverance.  They  were 
delighted  that  a  captain  was  the  first  to  be  put  under 
arrest  for  failure  to  comply  with  the  regulations ;  and 
they  were  pleased  with  some  flattering  things  he  said 
of  them  in  later  years.  In  his  journal  the  colonel 
says:  "The  battalion  were  never  drilled,  and  thougli 
obedient,  have  little  discipline;  they  exhibit  great 
heedlessness  and  ignorance,  and  some  obstinac}'." 
And  in  his  later  work:  "Everything  conspired  to  dis- 
courage the  extraordinary  undertaking  of  marching 
this  battalion  1,100  miles,  for  the  much  greater  part 
through  an  unknown  wilderness  without  road  or  trail, 
and  with  a  wagon  train.  It  was  enlisted  too  much 
by  families;  some  were  too  old,  some  feeble,  and  sonic 
too  young;  it  was  embarrassed  by  many  women;  it 
was  undisciplined;  it  was  much  worn  by  travelling  on 
ibot  and  marchinsf  from  Nauvoo;"  their  clothinsfwas 
very  scant;  there  was  no  money  to  pay  them  or  cloth- 
ing to  issue;  their  mules  were  utterly  broken  down; 
the  quartermaster  department  was  without  funds,  and 
its  credit  bad ;  and  mules  were  scarce.  Those  pro- 
cured were  very  inferior,  and  were  deteriorating  every 
hour  for  lack  of  forage  or  grazing.  So  every  prepa- 
ration must  be  pushed — hurried." 

They  started  October  19th  down  the  valley,  ob- 
tained such  supplies  and  fresh  animals  on  the  way  as 
the  inhabitants  could  be  induced  to  part  with  for  ex- 
orbitant prices,  sent  back  58  of  the  feeblest,  as  already 
noted,  and  the  13tli  of  November  left  the  Rio  Grande 
for  the  south-west,  340  strong,  accompanied  by  only 
five  women,  who  were  wives  of  officers  and  trans- 
ported at  their  husbands'  expense.  The  guides  tle- 
clared  it  impossible  to  follow  the  Gila  route  proper,  or 
that  taken  by  Kearny,  who  had  left  his  wagons  behind; 
and  a  circuit  to  the  south  through  Sonora  was  deter- 
mined on.  The  country  proved  to  be  almost  un- 
known to  the  guides,  who  presently  recommended  a 

"And  by  Lieut  Smith's  tjranny  and  blunders,  and  most  of  all  by  Dr 
Sanderson's  calomel  and  arsenic,  as  the  Mormon  writers  assert. 


HARDSHIPS  OF  THE  MARCH. 


48S 


ery  prepii- 


route  by  Janos  and  Fronteras;  but  on  learning  that 
Janos  lay  toward  the  south-east,  Cooke  determined 
to  turn  to  the  right,  and  did  so  the  21st  of  Novem- 
ber, moved  thereto,  the  Mormons  believed,  by  divine 
interposition;  for  at  the  suggestion  of  Father  Pette- 
grew  and  Brother  Hancock,  their  spiritual  advisers, 
they  sent  up  fervent  prayers  the  night  before  "that 
the  Lord  might  change  the  colonel's  mind,"  and  ac- 
cordingly that  officer  ordered  a  turn  to  the  west,  say- 
inar  "he  would  be  damned  if  he  would  go  round  the 
world  to  reach  California."  The  way  followed  was 
from  a  point  on  the  Rio  Grande  in  latitude  32°  40', 
south-westward  to  San  Bernardino  on  the  later  bound- 
ary of  the  two  republics  at  the  corner  of  four  states, 
westward  to  the  Rio  San  Pedro,  down  that  stream 
northward,  and  thence  west  to  Tucson,  and  to  Kearny's 
trail  on  the  Gila. 

For  infantry  with  wagons  for  which  they  must  find 
or  make  a  road,  with  worn-out  animals  and  short 
rations,  the  journe}'^  was  much  more  difficulty  than 
that  of  Kearny's  company,  or  any  that  had  previously 
crossed  the  continent  in  these  latitudes. 

"  How  hard,  to  starve  and  Mcar  us  out 
Upon  this  saudy  desert  route," 

was  the  chorus  of  a  song  by  which  the  saints  relieved 
their  minds  along  the  way.  Nothing  short  of  long- 
extracts  from  the  diaries,  for  which  I  have  no  space, 
Mould  adequately  picture  their  toils,  which  I  do  not 
attempt  to  catalogue.  Their  sufferings  were,  how- 
ever, less  severe  than  between  Fort  Leavenworth  and 
Santa  Fd,  because  the  families  and  the  feeble  had 
been  left  behind.  On  December  11th  on  the  San 
Pedro  there  was  an  exciting  battle  witli  a  band  of 
wild  bulls,  described  by  Levi  Hancock  in  a  song,  in 
wliioh  affrav  several  men  were  wounded,  includinsf 
Lieutenant  Stoneman,  who  as  I  write  is  governor  of 
California.  They  were  at  Tucson  in  the  middle  of 
December,  but  the  town  had  been  abandoned  by  the 
garrison  and  most  of  the  people,  though  Cooke  had 


486 


THE  MORMON  BATTALION. 


some  correspondence  with  the  coniandanto.  Tlu? 
Mexicans  began  to  plan  on  paper  an  organization  for 
defence/^  but  the  Americans  did  not  stay  to  be  anni- 
hilated. The  day  after  Christmas  they  were  on  the 
Gila,  having  three  days  before  received  a  letter  from 
Kearny;  on  January  8th  the  junction  of  the  Gila 
and  Colorado  was  reached;  on  the  15th  news  came 
back  of  the  disaster  at  San  Pascual;  and  on  the  21st 
the  battalion  encamped  at  Warner's  rancho,  where 
the  Mormons  were  not  inhospitably  received.'"  News 
respecting  the  state  of  affairs  in  California,  thougli 
of  vital  interest  to  the  new-comers,  need  not  be  re- 
called to  the  memory  of  my  readers,  who  are  familiar 
with  the  situation.  Cooke  proposed  at  first  to  go  to 
Los  Angeles,  where  he  thought  his  aid  might  bo 
needed;  but  presently  came  an  order  to  march  to 
San  Diego,  whore  the  battalion  finally  arrived  the 
29th  of  Januarv,  and  where  the  commander  issued 
next  day  a  congratulatory  order,  ..ith  well  merited 
compliments  to  the  Mormons  for  the  manner  in  which 
they  had  performed  their  difficult  task.^^ 

'^ Some  correspoiulence  on  tlio  subject  iu  El  Soiioreiise,  Jan.  1,8,  1847;  us 
there  luul  l)cen  in  fil.,  Oct.  '2.3,  184(5,  a  warning  of  Kearny's  approacli. 

"•  Notwithstanding  tliat, '  unliko  the  hospitable  Pim.is,  he  hid  his  bread  and 
drove  his  cattle  into  the  mountains,'  as  Ferguson  remarks.  Cooke,  Tyler,  and 
the  rest  speak  not  unfavorably  of  Warner. 

'^  'Headquarters  Mormon  IJjittalion,  ^Mission  of  San  Diego,  Jan.  30,  1847. 
(Orders  no  1.)  The  lieut-eoloucl  conunan'''ng  congratulates  the  b.ittalion  on 
their  safe  arrival  on  the  shore  of  the  Pacitic  Ocean,  and  the  conclusion  of  their 
mai'cli  of  over  2,000  miles.  History  may  bo  searchoil  in  vain  for  an  etjual 
march  of  infantry.  Half  of  it  lias  been  through  a  wilderness  where  nothing 
but  savages  ami  wild  lieasts  ai'e  found,  or  deserts  where,  for  want  of  water, 
there  is  no  living  creature.  Tliere,  with  almost  hopeless  labor,  we  have  dug 
deep  wells,  which  the  future  traveller  will  enjoy.  Without  a  guide  wIkj  had 
traversed  tliem,  wo  have  ventured  into  trackless  tabledands  where  water  was 
not  found  for  several  marches.  With  crowbar  and  pick  and  axe  in  hand,  wo 
have  worked  our  way  over  mountains,  which  seemed  to  defy  aught  save  tlie 
Avild  goat,  and  hewed  .a  passage  through  a  chasm  of  living  rock  more  narrow 
than  our  wagons.  To  bring  these  lirst  wagons  to  the  Pacific  we  have  preserved 
the  strength  of  our  mules  by  jierding  them  over  large  tracts,  which  you  liavo 
laboriously  guarded  without  loss.  Tiie  garrison  of  four  presidios  of  Soiumu 
concentrated  within  the  walls  of  Tucson  gave  us  no  pause.  Wo  drove  tliem 
out  with  their  artillery,  but  our  intercourse  with  the  citizens  was  unmarked 
by  a  single  act  of  injustice.  Thus,  marching  lialf  naked  and  half  fed,  and 
living  upon  wild  animals,  we  have  discovered  and  made  a  road  of  great 
value  to  our  country.  Arrived  at  the  first  settlement  of  California,  after  a 
single  day's  rest,  you  cheerfully  turned  otf  from  tiie  route  to  this  point  of 
prondsed  repose,  to  enter  upon  a  campaign,  and  meet,  as  we  supposed,  the 


GARRISON  LIFE. 


487 


The  war  in  California  was  at  an  end  when  the  bat- 
talion arrived,  and  in  the  garrison  life  of  some  six 
months  there  is  but  little  that  demands  notice.  The 
^lormons  have  always  been  disposed  to  overestimate 
the  value  of  their  services  during  this  period,  attaching 
undue  importance  to  the  current  rumors  of  impending 
revolt  on  the  part  of  the  Californians  and  of  the  ap- 
proach of  Mexican  troops  to  reconquer  the  province. 
They  also  claim  the  credit  of  having  enabled  Kearny 
to  sustain  his  authority  against  the  revolutionary  pro- 
tensions  of  Fremont.  The  merit  of  this  claim  will  bo 
apparent  to  the  reader  of  preceding  chapters.  But 
(luring  the  interregnum  of  military  occupation  a  garri- 
.son  force  was  essential,  and  in  this  respect,  as  in  their 
march  across  the  continent,  the  Mormons  did  faithful 
service,  giving  no  cause  for  unfavorable  criticism. 
Devoting  themselves  zealously  to  military  drill  under 
the  instructions  of  Cooke  and  Stoneman,  they  became 
so  proficient  in  the  manual  of  arms  as  to  elicit  high 
compliments  from  Colonel  Mason  and  other  regular- 
army  officers.  At  first  the  men  suffered  from  want 
of  proper  clothing,  and  for  want  of  other  food  than 
fresh  beef;  but  gradually  their  needs  were  supplied. 
They  made  some  complaints  of  petty  wrongs,  else  had 
they  not  been  volunteers.  Many  were  sorrowful  that 
inexorable  discipline  would  not  allow  them  to  retain 
their  flowing  beards  to  be  shown  at  Salt  Lake.  Dr 
Sanderson  still  j^rescribed,  but  only  one  man  wa« 
thought  by  them  to  have  been  killed  by  his  drugs. 
A  sentinel  was  found  asleep  at  his  post,  but  the  sen- 
tence of  a  court-martial  was  very  mild,  and  was  re- 
mitted by  the  colonel — "a  specific  and  direct  answer 

approach  of  an  enemy;  and  this,  too,  without  even  salt  to  season  j'our  solo 
subsistence  of  fresh  meat.  Lieutenants  A.  J.  .Smith  and  (Jeorj^c  StoncuKin, 
of  the  1st  dragoons,  have  shared  and  given  vahuible  aid  in  all  these  labors. 
Thus,  volunteers,  you  have  exhibited  s>onic  high  and  essential  qualities  of 
veterans.  But  much  remains  undone.  Soon  you  will  turn  your  attention  to 
the  drill,  to  system  and  order,  to  forms  also,  which  are  all  essential  to  tiic 
soldier.' 

Tyler,  p.  255,  says:  '  The  foregoing  order,  one  of  those  simple  acts  of  jus- 
tice so  rarely  done  to  Mormons,  which  was  not  read  until  I'eb,  4th,  six  daya 
at'tcr  it  was  written,  was  cheered  heartily  by  the  battalion.' 


488 


THE  LiORMON  BATTALION. 


to  prayer."  The  dragoons  were  stanch  friends  of  the 
Mormons,  but  the  men  of  Fremont's  battalion  were 
regarded  as  foes.  Doubtless  many  of  the  latter,  im- 
migrants from  the  western  states,  were  hostile,  and 
circulated  among  the  Californians  damaging  reports 
on  Mormon  character;  but  it  is  probable  that  this 
enmity,  especially  that  of  Fremont  himself,  and  the 
rumored  threats  to  attack  the  camp  and  "wipe  the 
saints  out  of  existence,"  were  seen  through  the  glasses 
of  prejudice.  It  is  true  that  the  Californians  had 
formed  in  advance  a  very  unfavorable  opinion  of  the 
Mormons,  but  equally  true  that  the  latter  by  their 
conduct  succeeded  in  almost  entirely  removing  this 
feeling.  In  morals  and  general  deportment  they  were 
far  superior  to  other  troops  in  the  province,  being 
largely  under  the  control  of  their  religious  teachers. 
Church  meetings  were  held  often,  and  sermons  were 
preached  by  Captain  Hunt,  the  spiritual  guardians 
Pettegrew  and  Hancock,  or  by  ciders  Hyde,  Tyler, 
and  others.  With  a  view  to  the  future  necessities  of 
themselves  and  families,  they  were  allowed  to  hire 
themselves  out  as  farmers  and  artisans,  and  did  so  to 
a  considerable  extent,  especially  at  San  Diego,  where 
they  burned  bricks,  dug  wells,  and  made  log  pumps, 
to  the  great  advantage  of  themselves  and  of  the  citi- 


zens 


13 


The  battalion  left  San  Diego  on  February  1st,  and 
on  tlie  3d  took  possession  of  San  Luis  Rey,  where 
part  of  the  force  was  stationed  for  two  months.  On 
the  15th  Compan}'  B  under  Captain  Hunter  was  sent 
to  garrison  San  Diego.  At  the  end  of  the  month 
Lieutenant  Thompson  was  despatched  to  the  Colorado 


"On  the  popular  feeling  against  the  saints,  see  7^/V?no?t«'a  Court-martial, 
2?A  242-3,  259-6.3.  In  Foster's  A mie 'es  in  '47,  MS. ,  0-7,  35-41 ,  is  found  sonio 
Hlight  information  on  the  liattalion,  including  a  long  yarn  about  aonio  trouble 
between  J.  A.  Carrillo  and  the  Mormon  officers.  See  also,  for  mention  of  the 
arrival,  etc.,  Ripleii's  War  with  Me.v.,  i.  489;  Griffin's  Pap.,  MS.,  23;  Cults' 
Gonq.,  09,  209;  Julio  Cemr,  Cosas  de  I  nil.,  MS.,  10-11;  Los  Awjeles  Expri'ii><, 
Nov.  17,  1S71;  S.  F.  Gal.  Star,  Feb.  6,  1847;  Bryant's  What  I  Saw,  416-17; 
Warren's  Mem.,  CA-5;  Jlwjhcs'  JJoniphnn's  Kv.ped.,'2-H-S;  Millennial  Star,  x. 
23-4;  xi.  47-3;  Tidliilgn's  Women  of  Mormondom,  passim. 


AT  SAN  DIEGO  AND  LOS  ANGELES, 


ds  of  the 

ion  were 

itter,  im- 

itile,  and 

;•  reports 

hat  this 

and  the 

wipe  the 

e  glasses 

ians  had 

•n  of  the 

by  their 

dng  this 

ley  were 

36,  being 

teachers. 

Dns  were 

uardians 

e,  Tyler, 

sities  of 

to  hire 

id  so  to 

,  where 

pumps, 

the  citi- 

Lst,  and 
where 

is.     On 

fas  sent 
month 

)lorad() 


it-martin!, 
lund  801111! 
Iio  trouble 
Bon  of  the 
23;  CuKs' 
J  Express, 
I.  416-17; 
!  Star,  X. 


to  bring  wagons  left  there.  From  the  2d  of  March 
♦Stoneman  with  his  dragoons  took  the  place  of  Com- 
pany B  at  San  Diego  for  two  weeks,  after  which  the 
^lormons  resumed  the  post.  News  of  the  assump- 
tion of  the  command  by  Shubrick  and  Kearny  came 
on  the  14th,  with  Cooke's  appointment  to  the  military 
command  in  the  south ;  and  four  days  later  the  main 
Ijody  of  the  battalion  marched  to  Los  Angeles,  Lieu- 
tenant Oman  being  left  at  San  Luis  with  thirty -two 
men  until  April  6th,  when  the  post  was  abandoned, 
and  all  of  the  four  companies  were  reunited  at  the 
))ueblo.  At  the  same  time  the  men  petitioned  for 
discharge,  but  the  petition  was  suppressed  by  the 
officers.  On  the  11th  Company  C  was  sent  to  hold 
a  position  already  occupied  by  the  dragoons  in  Cajon 
pass,  and  eleven  days  later  Lieutenant  Pace  was  sent 
with  another  detachment  to  relieve  the  first  company ; 
but  this  force  was  recalled  in  haste  on  the  24th,  and 
the  Mormons  were  set  at  work  building  a  fort  on  the 
hill  at  Los  Angeles  in  consequence  of  reports  that  a 
Mexican  force  was  approaching.  The  .saints  declined 
on  May  4th  an  offer  of  discharge  on  condition  of  en 
listing  for  five  years  as  dragoons.  On  the  8th  canu 
the  first  letters  from  absent  families  at  Council  Bluflfs 
and  Nauvoo;  and  the  same  day  Lieutenant  Thomp- 
son was  sent  with  twenty  men  of  Company  C  against 
some  hostile  Indians  in  the  mountains,  six  of  whom 
were  killed,  and  two  of  the  Mormons  wounded  with 
arrows.  Next  day  General  Kearny  arrived  with  the 
New  York  volunteers  and  Colonel  Stevenson,  who 
succeeded  Cooke  in  command  of  the  southern  district. 
After  some  efforts  to  promote  a  reenlistment  of  the 
Mormon  volunteers,  Kearny  departed  on  the  13tli 
with  Cooke,  whose  resignation  had  been  accepted, 
and  who  took  with  him  twelve  of  the  men  as  a  body- 
guard, three  from  each  company.  A  small  detach- 
ment was  sent  to  San  Pedro  on  the  10th  of  June; 
and  next  day  John  Allen,  an  apostate  Mormon,  was 
court-martialled  and  soon  drummed  out  of  camp,  as 


h 


400 


TlIK  MORMOX  HATTALIOX. 


he  had  previously  been  expelled  from  the  chureh. 
During  the  rest  of  June  and  the  first  half  of  July 
there  is  nothing  requiring  special  notice,  though  there 
were  continued  efforts  to  secure  a  |)ronii8e  of  reenlist- 
nient.  Company  13  arrived  from  San  Diego  on  July 
loth;  next  day  all  were  mustered  out  by  Lieutenant 
Smith  in  the  unceremonial  way  that  might  have  been 
expected  from  the  battalion's  bete  noir  of  earlier  times; 
a  few  days  sufficed  for  paying  off"  the  men;  and  on 
the  20th  one  company  of  Mormon  volunteers  under 
Captain  Daniel  C.  Davis  was  mustered  into  the  ser- 
vice for  an  additional  term  of  six  months.^* 

There  was  an  earnest  effort  by  the  authorities  to 
secure  a  reiinlistment  of  the  battalion  for  another 
term  of  garrison  duty.  Favorable  conditions  were 
offered,  and  the  command  was  to  be  given  to  Captain 
Hunt.  Kearny  mad^  a  speech  on  the  subject  before 
his  departure,  and  Stevenson  was  active  in  the  mat- 
ter under  Governor  Mason's  instructions,  visitlnij  the 
San  Diego  company  in  June,  and  making  a  speech  at 
Los  Angeles  on  his  return.  He  presented  as  a  strong 
attraction  the  privilege  of  choosing  their  own  officers, 
with  the  fact  that  the  Mormon  commander  would  bo 
the  third  in  rank  among  officers  in  California,  and 
might  become  first.  The  company  officers  favored 
the  proposition,  and  urged  the  men  to  reenlist  as  the 
best  means  of  aiding  the  cause  and  their  absent  fami- 
lies. The  men  as  a  rule  had  no  serious  objections; 
but  the  religious  advisers,  the  parties  really  in  control, 
decided  adversely.  Father  Pettegrew  thought  that 
duty  to  the  families  demanded  a  return,  which  would 
be  sanctioned  by  the  church  leaders.     Elder  Hyde 

•'  Tykr\^  Hist.,  passim;  Bigler'a  Diary,  MS.,  contains  many  details  of  the 
experience  of  Co.  BfttS.  Diego  from  March  17th  to  July  Otli.  SergtHydc  and 
18  men  were  postc<l  in  the  fort  on  the  hill.  Religious  services  were  held 
regularly,  Hyde  being  the  preacher;  and  there  was  also  a  '  young  men's  club ' 
for  debate,  etc.  (Japt.  Hunter's  wife  died  April  27th.  On  May  4th  six  months' 
pay  was  received,  and  chiefly  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  an  outfit  for  return 
to  Salt  Lake.  Sam.  Miles  acted  as  assistant  to  the  alcalde;  and  on  Juno 
'24tli  Lieut  Clift  was  appointed  alcalde  of  the  post.  The  Mormons  entirely 
conquered  the  original  prejudice  of  the  Dieguiuos  against  them,  and  effected 
a  kind  of  industrial  revolution  in  the  town. 


RKiCNLlSTMENT. 


491 


c  church. 
If  of  July 
ugh  theio 
f  reiinHst- 

0  on  July 
iieutenant 
liave  been 
lier  times; 
ti ;  and  on 
ers  under 
)  the  ser- 

orities  to 
'  another 
ions  were 
J  Captain 
ct  before 
the  mat- 
siting  the 
speech  at 
5  a  stront; 

1  officers, 
[vould  bo 

Ilia,  and 
favored 
t  as  the 
nt  fanii- 
ections; 
control, 
lit  that 
1  would 
Hyde 

tails  of  the 
1  Hyde  and 
Iwerc  held 
^en'a  club ' 
Ix  inoiithii' 
I  for  return 
on  Juuo 
entirely 
effected 


believed  that  their  sacrifice  of  the  past  was  enough, 
Ijcing  satisfactory'  to  God  and  probably  to  the  govern- 
ment. Elder  Tyler  could  sec,  in  the  light  of  past  de- 
•  eptions,  no  ground  for  confidence  that  promises  re- 
specting the  command  would  be  kept.  "Were  nt)t 
our  noses  put  upon  the  grindstone?  and  were  they  not 
still  there?"  It  is  said  that  Stevenson's  closinu:  re- 
marks  gave  offence.  They  were:  "Your  patriotism 
and  obedience  to  your  officers  have  done  much  tow- 
ards removing  the  prejudice  of  the  government  anil 
the  community  at  large,  and  I  am  satisfied  that  another 
year's  service  would  place  you  on  a  level  with  other 
communities."  This  Tyler  compares  to  the  action  of 
a  cow  that  gave  a  good  bucketful  of  milk  and  then 
kicked  it  over.  "It  was  looked  upon  as  an  insult 
added  to  the  injuries  wc  had  received  without  cause. 
We  could  challenge  comparison  with  the  world  for 
l)atriotism  and  every  other  virtue,  and  did  not  care  to 
give  further  sacrifice  to  please  pampering  demagogues." 
Doubtless  Pcttegrew's  opinion  was  regarded  as  an 
order  not  to  be  disobeyed;  the  government  officers,  as 
is  frequently  the  case  under  such  circumstances,  looked 
about  for  some  ulterior  motive.  Stevenson's  theory, 
as  reported  to  Mason,  was  that  it  was  designed  to 
make  room  for  other  Mormon  soldiers.  "They  de- 
sire to  get  the  military  control  of  the  country,  and 
from  time  to  time  will  supply  from  100  to  1,000  men 
for  the  service,  until  their  whole  community  shall 
have  had  some  experience  as  soldiers,  and  become  fur- 
nished with  arms;  which  by  the  time  the  civil  govern- 
ment shall  be  organized  will  give  them  control  as  well 
of  the  ballot-box.  .  .This  I  know  to  bo  their  calcula- 
tion, for  Hunt  and  his  officers  have  so  expressed  them- 
selves to  me."  And  in  the  same  report  it  is  stated 
that  Captain  Hunt  was  about  to  start  for  Monterey 
to  proffer  his  services  to  raise  a  new  battalion  of  Mor- 
mons from  those  on  their  way  to  the  country.  But 
Father  Pettegrew  finally  permitted  the  formation  of 
one  company  to  remain  as  a  garrison  at  San  Diego, 


492 


THF<:  MORMON  HATTAMON. 


d:i 


sjl 


and  sovcnty-clght  volunteers  were  obtained  from  the 
different  companies.  They  were  promised  disband- 
mont  in  March  of  the  next  year,  and  transportation 
to  Bear  River  or  San  Francisco  on  discharge.  Cap- 
tain Hunter  also  remained,  to  be  made  Indian  agent 
at  San  Luis  lley.'"' 

I  have  already  stated  that  about  150  of  the  bat- 
talion never  came  to  California,  but  found  their  way 
from  New  Mexico  to  Salt  Lake,  where  they  were 
discharged  frouj  the  service.  The  first  of  the  saints 
to  return  eastward  were  twelve  men  who  were  de- 
tached to  accompany  Kearny  and  Cooke  on  the  over- 
land route.  Their  names  are  not  known,  except  John 
Binley  and  N.  V.  Jones,  who  kept  a  diary.  Three 
of  them  went  with  the  general  by  sea,  leaving  the 
pueblo  on  May  13th,  while  the  rest  accompanied 
Lieut  Sherman  by  land  to  Monterey,'"  arriving  the 
25th  and  starting  again  the  31st.  Something  is  said 
elsewhere  of  Kearny's  march,  but  nothing  occurred 
of  importance  in  this  connection.  Two  parties  of 
Mormons  westward  bound  were  met  on  the  plains  in 
July  and  August.  They  reached  Fort  Leavenworth 
in  September,  where  the  saintb  were  discharged  with 
$8. GO  each  for  overtime,  and  soon  found  their  way  to 
Council  Bluffs  to  rejoin  their  families.^'* 

'"June  5,  1847,  Gov.  Mason  to  Stevenson,  enclosing  a  letter  to  Hunt  on 
oflforts  to  bo  made  for  reeulistment.  Col.  and  N.  Mex.,  Mess,  and  Doc,  ISoO, 
p.  3'2C-7.  June  7th,  Id.  to  Lieut  Smith,  on  muster  in  and  out.  Id.  July 
23d,  Stevenson  to  Mason,  the  letter  quoted  in  my  text.  Id,,  347-8.  July 
27th,  Id.  to  Id.,  announcing  reenlistment  and  conditions.  Jd.,  345-C.  In 
his  report  to  the  adjutant-general  of  Sept.  18tli,  Mason  says:  'Of  the  ser- 
vices of  this  battalion,  of  their  patience,  subordination,  and  general  good 
conduct,  you  have  nlready  lioai'd;  and  I  take  great  pleasure  in  adding  that 
as  a,  body  of  men  Ui^y  have  religiously  respected  the  rights  and  feelings 
of  these  conquered  niOjiC;  :ind  not  a  syllable  of  complaint  has  reached  my 
ears  of  a  singlo  insu'c  o.fercd  or  outrage  done  by  a  ^Io^mon  volunteer.  So 
high  an  opinion  dii',  I  '  utertain  of  the  battalion  and  of  their  special  fitness  foi- 
the  duties  now  y.ci'ior  ncd  )jy  the  garrisons  in  this  country,  that  I  made  stren- 
uous efforts  to  cugugc  their  services  for  another  year.'  Id.,  330.  In  the  S. 
F.  Alfa,  Jan.  3,  J  854,  is  mentioned  a  rejected  claim  on  the  treasury  for 
$85,000  for  mileage  for  the  battalion,  being  the  difference  between  commuta- 
tion by  the  overland  and  isthmus  routes. 

'■"  Sherman,  Mem.,  i.  28,  says  there  were  about  40 men,  and  that  they  were 
under  his  command  on  the  march  to  Monterey.  Tyler  says  there  were  12 
under  Stoneman,  and  is  confirmed  by  Kearny  as  to  the  number. 

'^''  Tyler's  Hist.,  299-304,  following  Jones'  diary. 


1G( 
urol 

i"g| 
ibnl 

intc 

JanI 

dicll 

chic 

ctt 


THE  RETURN  MARCH. 


40S 


The  members  of  the  battaHoii  mustered  out  on  July 
lGth,au(l  wlio  did  not  rconlist,  were  ready  tor  depart- 
ure in  a  lew  days,  numbering  about  240  men.  Pay- 
ing no  attention  to  the  late  military  organization,  they 
Ibrmed  themselves  after  the  manner  of  the  Israelites 
into  companies  of  hundreds,  under  Andrew  Lytle  and 
James  Pace;  William  Hyde,  Daniel  Tyler,  and  Ked- 
dick  N.  Allred  being  captains  of  fifties,  and  other 
chiefs  being  named  as  captains  of  tens.  Elisha  Aver- 
ctt  was  put  in  command  of  ten  pioneers,  one  of  whom 
was  Henry  W.  Bigler,  whose  diary  is  the  principal 
authority  for  the  journey.^  The  pioneers  started  on 
July  21st,  Allred  and  his  fifty  on  the  23d,  the  rest  a 
little  later,  and  on  the  27th  all  were  reunited  at  the 
San  Francisco  rancho  near  the  Santa  Clara  River. 
Here  they  purchased  a  supply  of  cattle  for  meat, 
Ktartinc:  again  on  the  28th,  and  reachinij  what  was 
perhaps  Kern  River  the  1st  of  August.  It  is  not 
easy  or  necessary  to  trace  their  exact  route.  There 
were  no  serious  hardships,  though  at  first  they  were 
troubled  by  men  who  claimed  some  of  the  horses  they 
had  bought  as  stolen  property ;  and  later  there  was 
some  difficulty  in  obtaining  Indian  guides.  An  un- 
successful effort  was  made  to  find  Walker's  pass,  and 
then  they  directed  their  course  for  Sutter's  Fort, 
where  they  arrived  August  2Gth,  encamping  on  the 
American  River,  two  miles  from  the  fort.  Here  thoy 
met  Captain  Hunt,  who  had  come  by  the  way  of 
Monterey  and  San  Francisco.^*  A  few  wished  to  re- 
main over  winter,  to  take  advantage  of  Californian 
wages,  and  they  were  permitted  to  do  so,  Hancock 

'-'  Bigler's  Diary  of  a  Mormon,  MS.,  43  ct  seq.  Closely  followed  by  Ty- 
ler, 305  ct  seq.  Eider  Tyler  a  little  earlier  had  a  dream,  ot'  vision,  in  wiiich 
'the  eyes  of  my  understanding  were  then  opened,  and  I  was  filled  witii  the 
glory  of  God  throughout  my  whole  system.  I  saw  that  wo  travelled  north - 
waril  and  eastward  instead  of  south  and  east  as  anticipated;'  and  in  which 
he  foresaw  many  things  and  places  connected  with  their  jouracy  and  future 
destiny. 

^'  Hunt  ia  not  named  by  the  Mormon  writers,  but  his  arrival  on  the  2.jtli 
is  noted  in  N,  Ilelv,  Diary,  and  also  that  of  other  Mormons  a  day  or  two 
later  and  earlier.  Some  men  of  the  battalion  had  been  sent  in  advance  of  the 
main  body  to  make  arrangements  with  Sutter  for  supplies.  Bigler  gives 
many  details,  for  which  I  have  no  space. 


H' 


1 


>fn 


I 


■ 


I 


494 


THE  MORMON  BATTALION. 


and  Pettegrew  deciding  that  it  would  be  no  sin,  and 
all  offering  their  prayers  for  success. 

Part  of  the  men  left  New  Helvetia  on  the  27th, 
the  rest  following  a  day  or  two  later  to  follow  Kearny's 
trail  over  the  Sierra.  On  September  5th  the  Mor- 
mons were  at  the  scene  of  the  Donner  disaster,  where 
many  fragments  of  human  bodies  were  lying  unburied. 
Next  day  they  met  Samuel  Brannan  returning  from  a 
visit  to  the  eastern  saints.  He  announced  the  arrival 
of  the  advance  party  of  immigrants  in  Salt  Lake 
Valley,  but  gave  a  gloomy  picture  of  prospects  there, 
and  advised  all,  except  those  whose  families  had  reached 
Salt  Lake,  to  turn  back  and  work  till  spring,  when 
very  likely  the  church  would  be  tired  of  the  dreary 
desert  and  come  to  California.  Presently,  after 
Brannan's  departure,  Captain  James  Brown,  origi- 
nally of  the  battalion,''^  was  met  with  letters  for  many, 
and  an  epistle  from  the  twelve  apostles,  advising  those 
of  small  means  to  remain  in  California  through  the 
winter.  About  half  of  the  men  followed  this  counsel, 
returning  at  once  to  New  Helvetia,  where  they  were 

'^^  Bigler  says  he  had  a  detachment  of  the  battalion,  'U'hieh  had  been  left  at 
Pueblo,  and  which  was  bound  to  Monterey  to  get  their  discharge  papers. 
Neither  the  numliers  nor  names  arc  given,  unfortunately,  because  they  should 
be  included  in  my  Pioneer  Register.  Probiibly  there  was  but  a  small  escort. 
In  his  report  of  Oct.  7th,  Gov.  Mason,  Cal.  niid  A'.  Mex.,  J/mj».  and  .Doc, 
ISoO,  p.  33o,  writes:  '  When  on  my  way  up  to  San  Francisco,  I  was  overtaken 
by  Captiin  Bro«n  of  the  Mormon  battalion,  who  had  arrived  from  Fort  Hall, 
where  he  had  left  his  detachment  of  the  battalion  to  come  to  California  to  re- 
port to  me  in  person.  Ho  brought  a  muster-roll  of  his  detachment,  with  a 
power  of  attorney  from  all  its  members  to  draw  their  pay;  and  aa  the  battalion 
itself  had  been  discharged  on  the  16th  of  July,  Paymaster  Rich  paid  to  Cap- 
tain Brown  the  money  due  the  detachment  up  to  that  datt,  according  to  the 
rank  they  lx)re  upon  the  muster-rolls  ujk>u  which  the  battalion  bad  been  mus- 
tered out  of  service.  Captain  Brown  started  immediately  for  Fort  Hall,  at 
which  place  and  in  the  valley  of  Bear  River  he  said  the  whole  Mormon  emigra- 
tion intended  to  pass  the  wintei*.  Ho  reported  that  be  had  met  Captain  Hunt, 
late  of  the  Mormon  battalion,  who  was  on  his  way  to  meet  the  emigrants  and 
l)ring  into  the  country  this  v.inter,  if  possible,  a  battalion  according  to  the 
terms  ofFercd  in  my  letter  to  him  of  the  Itith  of  August,  a  copy  of  which  you 
will  rind  among  the  military  correspondence  of  the  department.  In  my  letter 
I  offered  Captain  Hunt  the  command  of  the  battalion,  witii  the  rank  of  liyu- 
tenant-colonel,  with  an  adjutant;  but  I  find,  by  the  orders  lately  received, 
that  a  battaliou  of  four  companies  is  only  entitled  to  a  major  and  acting  adju- 
tant. I  will  notify  Captain  Hunt  of  this  change  at  aa  early  a  moment  as  I  can 
communicate  with  him.  I  am  ])leased  to  find  by  the  despatchea  that  in  this 
matter  I  have  anticipated  t!ie  wish  of  the  department.' 


BACK  TO  CALIFORNIA. 


493 


hired  by  Sutter  to  work  on  his  mill-race.  Bifjler  was 
of  this  party,  and  Tyler  of  those  who  continued  their 
journey.  The  latter  arrived  at  the  Salt  Lake  settle- 
ment on  October  16th.^  Many  remained  here,  but 
thirty-two  kept  on  after  a  stay  of  only  two  days,  and 
after  a  journey  of  two  months  without  adventure  call- 
ing for  special  notice  joined  their  people  at  winter 
quarters  on  the  Missouri  River  the  18th  of  December, 
1847. 

The  company  of  reenlisted  Mormon  volunteers"' 
started  the  25th  of  July  from  Los  Angeles  for  San 
Diego,  where  they  arrived  August  2d.  Lieutenant 
Barrus  with  a  detachment  of  twenty-seven  men  was 
sent  a  few  days  later  to  occupy  San  Luis  Rey.  Two 
of  the  company  died  during  this  second  term  of  ser- 
vice. As  before,  the  work  of  the  Mormons  was 
rather  that  of  mechanics  than  of  soldiers,  since  there 
were  no  disorders  requiring  military  interference. 
Sa^'s  the  writer  of  one  diary:  "I  think  I  whitewashed 
all  San  Diego.  We  did  their  blacksmithing,  put  up 
a  baker}',  made  and  repaired  carts,  and  in  line,  did  all 
we  could  to  benefit  ourselves  as  well  as  the  citizens. 
We  never  had  any  trouble  with  Californians  or  Ind- 
ians, nor  thev  with  us.  The  citizens  becanu;  so 
attached  to  us,  that  before  our  term  of  service  expired 
they  got  up  a  petition  to  the  governor  to  use  his  in- 
fluence to  keep  us  in  the  service.  The  petition  was 
signed  by  every  citizen  in  the  town.""  The  term 
expired  in  January,  but  the  men  were  not  nmstcred 
out  and  paid  <  ff  until  the  middle  of  March  1848. 
More  than  half  remained  for  a  time,  some  perma- 
nently,  in  California,  scattering    northward    to    the 


*"  Tyler  notes  that  they  brought  from  Cal.  various  kinds  of  seeds,  whicli 
were  found  very  useful  in  the  valley,  especially  tlie  club-head  wheat  and  .-i 
lirolifio  variety  of  pea. 

'•''The  ollicera  of  tliis  conii:any  were:  Captain  Daniel  C.  Davis;  lieuten- 
ants, Cyrus  C.  Canfield,  Kuel  liarrus,  and  Hubert  Clift;  sorpeants,  Edmund 
L.  Ihown,  Samuel  Myers,  lienj.  F.  Maytield,  and  Henry  I'uckard.  There 
M ero  four  corporals,  two  nuisicians,  and  08  piivates,  whose  name?  appear  in 
my  Pioneer  Register. 

"  Henry  G.  Boyle's  diaiv,  in  Ti/hr'g  lH^f.,  .^'W. 


49G 


THE  MORMON  BATTALION. 


mines,  towns,  and  farms;  but  a  party  of  twenty-five, 
under  Boyle  as  captain,  went  to  Williams'  rancho  to 
make  ready  for  an  overland  journey.  They  started 
on  April  12th  with  one  wagon  and  135  mules,  fol- 
lowed the  so'ithern  route  Dy  Mojave  and  the  Santa 
Fd  trail,  and  reached  Salt  Lake  the  5th  of  June. 

The  experience  of  the  detachment  that  returned 
to  work  through  the  winter  at  Sutter's  Fort  is  clearly 
recorded  in  Bigler's  diary,  but  belongs  to  the  annals 
of  the  gold  discovery,  as  recorded  elsewhere.**  In 
May  1848  preparations  for  a  migration  were  begun, 
and  Daniel  Browett  with  a  small  party  made  a  pre- 
liminary exploration  for  a  new  wagon  route  over  the 
Sierra.  By  the  end  of  June  arrangements  had  been 
completed,  about  forty-five  men*'  were  gathered  f't 
Pleasant  Valley,  near  Placerville,  and  Brouett  v/iili 
Allen  and  Cox  had  started  in  advance  to  make  n(  \v 
explorations.  The  main  company  started  on  July  2(1. 
Jonathan  Holmes  was  leader,  or  president,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Thompson  captain.  On  the  19th  they  found 
the  bodies  of  Brouett,  Allen,  and  Cox,  who  had  been 
murdered  by  the  Indians  at  a  place  that  still  bears 
the  name  of  Tragedy  Spring.  The  route  was  south 
of  the  lake  and  into  Carson  Valley,  where  they  en- 
camped the  5th  of  August.  Thus  with  much  toil 
but  without  seriods  disaster  the  Mormons  opened  a 
new  wajjon  road  over  the  mountains.  Soon  thev 
struck  the  old  Humboldt  trail,  on  which  they  met 
several  parties  of  emigrants,  announcing  to  the  latter 
the  news  that  gold  had  been  discovered.  The  arrival 
at  Salt  Lake  was  on  September  25th.  It  should  be 
added  that  a  largo  part  of  the  saints  left  behind  ])y 
the  different  detachments  of  the  battalion  found  their 
way,  with  many  of  Brannan's  men,  to  the  Salt  Lake 

•'•  Sco  vol.  vi.  of  this  work.  Tyler  in  one  place  gives  the  number  of  this 
(letacbnieut  as  40,  but  clscwlicro  saya  tliut  more  tlmn  lialf  of  the  party  turned 
bock.  Tiie  two  statements  seem  contradictory,  though  the  exact  number  of 
the  eastward-bound  company  is  not  known. 

'"So  says  Bigler.  Tyler  says  37.  Tliero  was  one  woman,  the  wife  of 
Sergt  Coray.  There  wero  17  wagons,  150  iiorsea  mid  mules,  and  about  tie 
same  number  of  cattle. 


CONCLUSION. 


497 


settlement  in  1848-9,  though  a  few  spent  the  rest  of 
their  hves  in  Cahfornia. 

Respecting  Captain  Hunt's  project  of  raising  a  new 
battalion  of  Mormons,  we  are  told  that  Colonel  Ste- 
venson, by  Governor  Mason's  instruction,  wrote  a  let- 
ter to  President  Young  on  the  subject,  alluding  to  the 
old  prejudices  against  the  saints,  which  in  California 
had  been  so  completely  dispelled  by  intercourse  with 
the  volunteers  until  there  had  come  to  exist  a  strong 
feeling  of  respect  for  them,  and  a  general  desire  that 
ihey  should  remain  in  the  service  and  become  perma- 
nent residents.  But  Young  persisted  in  his  view  that 
the  original  enlistment  had  been  a  necessary  sacrifice, 
which  there  was  no  call  to  repeat.  According  to  Can- 
non, "he  said  he  did  not  want  the  battalion  to  reenlist 
for  another  six  months.  He  regretted  that  he  did  not 
have  clothing  for  them;  but  he  would  rather  wear- 
skins,  he  said,  than  go  back  to  the  United  States  for 
clothes."  ^^  The  probability  would  seem  to  be  that 
Young  would  gladly  have  furnished  another  battalion 
had  it  still  been  the  intention  to  establish  liis  people 
in  California;  but  the  determination  to  find  their 
promised  land  in  Utah  rendered  it  undesirable  to  part 
with  the  bono  and  sinew  of  the  saints. 

TyJor  appends  to  his  admirable  history  of  the  bat- 
talion the  record  of  a  festival  held  by  survivors  and 
their  friends  at  Salt  Lake  City  in  February  1855,  in- 
cluding speeches  and  reminiscences  by  comrades  and 
<lii7.rcli  dignitaries,  including  President  Young.  There 
!s  a  strong  vein  of  religious  faith  running  through  all 
ihixt  was  said,  making  the  record  all  the  more  fascinat- 
U'^.  The  old  idea  of  the  enlistment  as  a  sacrifice  that 
s.ived  the  whole  Mormon  people  from  massacre  was 
hiought  out  in  an  intensified  form;  indeed,  the  motto 
of  the  festival  was,  "The  Mormon  battalion — a  rum 
in  the  thicket."  The  many  hardships  of  the  march, 
the  promised  and  fulfilled  immunity  from  bloodshed, 
the  frequent  miraculous  cures  of  the  sick,  the  wagon- 

'•'' Gio.  Q.  Cannon'«  lli^torii  of  the  CA((*-« 7j,  «|uote(l  in  Tyler »  11  Ul.,  34li-.'t. 
Uirii.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    3J 


498 


THE  MORMON  BATTALION. 


roads  opened  and  other  achievements,  the  prayers  and 
piety  ot  the  men,  the  vain  vureats  of  Fremont  and 
his  wicked  followers,  the  findinff  of  gold,  and  the  re- 
turn to  join  the  brethren  in  their  new  home — all  were 
pictured  anew  to  eager  listeners.  Praise  from  presi- 
dent and  others  high  in  power  was  lavishly  bestowed, 
with  something  of  blame  and  no  end  of  good  counsel. 
Song  and  dancing  supplemented  the  speech-making. 
It  is  pleasing  to  fill  one  chapter  of  a  volume  with 
saintly  doings,  even  if  they  do  not  seem  to  differ  very 
radically,  but  for  certain  peculiarities  in  the  telling, 
from  the  deeds  of  those  not  of  the  faith  as  recounted 
in  other  chapters. 


m 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS  AND  ARTILLERY  COMPANY. 

1846-1848. 

CoNCJREss  Calls  for  Volunteebs — Letter  to  Stevenson — Polict  of  the 
Government  Revealed — Recrditinq  in  New  York— In  Camp  at 
•lovERroR's  Island— Clark's  History  and  Murray's  Narrative — 
First  o.i  .^"venth — List  of  Officers — Character  of  the  Men — Camp 
Life  and  Drill — Popular  Ridicule — Discontent  and  Desertion — 
Habeas  Corpus — Instructions — Stevenson's  Troubles — Resisting 
Arrest — A  Baffled  Sheriff — Newspaper  Comment — Voyage  of  the 
'  Perkins,'  'Loo  Choc,' and  '  Drew* — Later  Ve.s8ELs  and  Recruits — 
The  Colonel's  Valor — At  Rio — Arrival  at  San  Francisco — Dlstri- 
bution  of  the  Companies — Garrison  Life — Disbandment— Company 
F,  3d  U.  S.  Artillery — In  Garrison  at  Monterey — Deserting  for 
the  Mines — Sherman's  Memoirs — Burton's  Company — ^The  Dragoons. 


An  act  of  congress  dated  May  13,  1846,  authorized 
the  president  of  tlie  United  States  to  call  for  and 
accept  the  services  of  volunteers  for  the  Mexican  war, 
and  on  June  26th  the  following  communication  was 
addressed  by  William  L.  Marcy,  secretair  of  war, 
to  Colonel  Jonathan  D.  Stevenson  of  New  York 
City:  "The  president  having  determined  to  send  a 
regiment  of  volunteers  around  Cape  Horn  to  the 
Pacific,  to  be  employed  in  prosecuting  hostilities  in 
some  province  of  Mexico,  probably  in  Upper  Califor- 
nia, has  authorized  me  to  say  that  if  you  will  organize 
one  on  the  conditions  hereinafter  specified,  and  tender 
its  services,  it  will  be  accepted.  It  is  proper  it  should 
be  done  with  the  approbation  of  the  governor  of  New 
York.  The  president  expects,  and  indeed  requires, 
that  great  care  should  be  taken  to  have  it  composed 
of  suitable  persons — I  mean  persons  of  good  habits — 

(4») 


soo 


NKW  YOUK  VOLUNTEERS. 


as  far  as  practicable  of  various  pursuits,  and  such  a.s 
would  be  likely  to  desire  to  remain,  at  the  end  of  the; 
war,  either  in  Oregon  or  any  territory  in  that  region 
of  the  globe  which  may  be  then  a  part  of  the  United 
States.  The  act  of  the  13th  May  last  authorizes 
the  acceptance  of  volunteers  for  twelve  months,  or 
during  the  war  with  Mexico.  The  condition  of  the 
acceptance  in  this  case  must  be  a  tender  of  services 
during  the  war,  and  it  must  be  explicitly  understood 
that  they  may  be  discharged  without  a  claim  for  re- 
turning home  wherever  they  may  be  serving  at  the 
termination  of  the  war,  provided  it  is  in  the  tlien  ter- 
ritory of  the  United  States,  or  may  be  taken  to  the 
nearest  or  most  convenient  territory  belonging  to  the 
United  States,  and  then  discharged.  The  men  must 
be  apprised  expressly  that  their  term  of  service  is 
for  the  war — that  they  are  to  be  discharged  as  above 
specified,  and  that  they  are  to  be  employed  on  a  dis- 
tant service.  It  ife,  however,  very  desirable  that  it 
should  not  be  publicly  known  or  proclaimed  that  the} 
are  to  go  to  any  particular  province  in  Mexico.  On 
this  point  great  caution  is  enjoined.  The  communi- 
cations to  the  officers  and  men  must  go  so  far  as  to 
remove  all  just  ground  of  complaint  that  they  have 
been  deceived  in  the  nature  and  place  of  the  service. 
It  is  expected  that  the  regiment  will  be  in  readiness 
to  embark  as  early  as  the  1st  of  August  next,  if 
practicable.  Steps  will  be  immediately  taken  to  pro- 
vide for  transportation."^ 

Stevenson  was  a  colonel  of  militia,  a  ward  politi- 
cian, and  ex-member  of  the  legislature.  Just  what 
wires  were  pulled  by  him  and  his  friends  to  securu 
this  new  position  it  is  neither  possible  nor  important 
to  know;  but  he  had  done  some  service  for  the  ad- 
ministration that  seemed  to  call  for  reward,  and  he 
was  reputed  to  be  a  man  of  some  energy  and  execu- 
tive ability.^     The  policy  of  the  administration  re- 

*  Report  of  sec.  war,  July  17,  184(i.   Niles'  Rrg.,  Ixx.  344. 

'Thoa  (/.  Lancey,  in  his  New  York  Voltmleers,  an  article  foifiuled  prcsuin 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  STEVENSON. 


801 


s|)ecting  Calitbrnia  is  so  well  known  to  readers  of 
tills  and  the  preceding  volumes  of  my  work  as  to  re- 
(|uire  no  further  remark;  but  it  must  be  noted  that 
tlio  letter  to  Stevenson  which  I  have  quoted,  made 
j)ublic  in  July  at  the  request  of  congress,  was  one  of 
the  earliest  documents  in  which  the  administration 
clearly  revealed  its  purpose  to  make  the  Mexican  war 
one  of  permanent  conquest,  since  the  destination  of 
the  volunteers  as  settlers  for  California  was  but 
shghtly  veiled  with  a  view  to  possible  diplomatic  con- 
tingencies. It  was  deemed  but  remotely  possible  that 
the  men  would  arrive  in  time  to  aid  in  the  conquest, 
but  they  might  probably  be  utilized  in  garrison  duty 
(luring  the  military  occupation,  and  they  would  cer- 
tiiinly  serve  as  a  nucleus  for  the  Americanizing  of  the 
new  province,  either  by  remaining  at  the  close  of  the 
war  as  settlers  or — in  case  of  unlooked-for  happen- 
ings— by  being  disbanded  in  Oregon,  to  return  as 
innnigrants,  and  await  or  hasten  the  operations  of 
manifest  destiny.  This  newly  revealed  phase  of  the 
jtroject  naturally  made  the  Stevenson  letter  a  text 
for  much  comment  in  congress  and  elsewhere,  but 
without  important  results.' 

ably  on  an  unpublished  narrative  by  Col  Stevenson,  and  printed  aa  part  of 
Vlurlc's  First  lier/imcTit,  52-68,  gives  some  particulars,  to  the  e£Fect  that  Ste- 
vcimon  in  the  legislature  had  made  a  speech  in  support  of  the  administration's 
policy  in  declaring  war.  Soon  visiting  Washington  and  hearing  of  the  pro- 
posed Mormon  battalion,  he  mentioned  his  desire  to  go  to  Cal.  Postmaster- 
general  Kendall,  his  friend,  re])orted  the  remark  to  President  Polk,  who  at 
once  conceiveil  the  idea  of  sending  a  regiment  of  volunteers,  an  idea  which, 
with  the  choice  of  a  commander,  was  approved  by  John  A.  Dix,  Daniel  S.  Dick- 
inson, W.  L.  Marcy,  and  other  prominent  men  consulted.  At  a  subsequent 
interview  the  president  questioned  the  colonel  closely  as  to  his  previous  pur- 
suits and  experience.  The  appointment  was  approved  by  the  cabinet  and  by 
•ien.  Scott.  Stevenson  returned  home,  received  his  instructions  of  .lune 
'Jfitli,  applied  to  the  governor  for  permission  to  raise  a  regiment  on  J  une  ;iOth, 
and  on  July  4th  made  the  project  public  at  a  meeting  of  militia  officers,  the 
matter  beuig  published  in  the  next  morning's  papers,  and  the  work  of  re- 
cruiting being  begun  on  the  7th.  Frisbie,  Ri'min.,  MS.,  says  that  Stevenson 
owed  his  place  to  the  friendship  of  .Marcy. 

'See  speech  of  Aslimun  of  Mass.,  July  2",  1840,  in  II.  of  R.  Voikj.  Globe, 
184,')-0,  appen.  809.  Mr  A.  caused  to  l)o  read  the  'Stevenson  letter,  and  ex- 
tracts from  the  administration  organ  in  Washington.  '  From  these  papers 
it  will  be  seen,  1st,  that  the  administration  now  openly  proclaims  that  con- 
gress has  declared  war  upon  Mexico — that  our  government  has  made  war 
openly  in  the  face  of  the  world!  It  is  no  longer  half  reluctantly  asserted 
that  the  war  exists  by  the  act  of  Mexico;  but  boldly  and  unhesitatingly, 


502 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


Recruiting  offices  were  at  once  opened  at  different 
points  in  New  York  City,  and  also  at  Albany,  Bath, 
and  Norwich,  three  companies  being  raised  outside  of 
the  city,  and  seven  mainly  within  its  limits.  The 
lecruiting  officers  were  for  the  most  part  those  wlio 
became  commissioned  officers  of  the  respective  coui- 
l)anie8.  No  secret  was  made  of  the  regiment's  desti- 
nation and  prospective  service,  though  in  consequence 
of  the  precautionary  instructions  already  cited,  there 
was  perhaps  no  formal  publication  of  the  colonizint;' 
scheme.  No  volunteer  dreamed  of  conflict  with  any 
foe;  all  regarded  themselves  as  immigrant  adventurers 
bound  for  a  distant  land  of  many  charms,  under  the 
protection  of  government.  There  was  but  slight  pre- 
tence of  patriotism,  and  no  fear  of  danger;  neither  did 
there  present  themselves  at  first  any  obstacles  more 
serious  than  the  declamations  of  politicians  who  disap- 
proved the  Mexican  war.  By  the  end  of  July  tin.' 
ranks  of  all  the  companies  were  filled,  and  they  were 
sent  to  Governor's  Island,  where  on  the  1st  of  AugUfst 
the  regiment — except  apparently  one  or  two  com- 
panies from  the  interior — was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  by  Colonel  Bankhead,  com- 
mandant of  the  post.*  The  regiment  was  mustered 
as  the  7th  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  because  arrangements 

that  we  have  made  the  war! '  And  after  an  analysis  of  the  Stevenson  letter, 
he  continues:  '  It  is  no  longer  pretended  that  our  purpose  is  to  repel  invasion 
— to  strike  and  defeat  tlie  military  organizations  which  Mexico  may  set  on 
foot  to  contend  for  the  boundaries  of  Texas.  The  mask  is  oflf;  the  veil  is 
lifted;  and  we  see  in  the  clearest  characters  invasion,  conquest,  and  coloni- 
zation emblazoned  on  our  banners.  We  are  no  longer  engaged  in  a  defen- 
sive war;  but  we  behold  an  expedition  about  to  sail  from  New  York  to  a  dis- 
tant region  of  the  globe,  which  it  cannot  possibly  reach  in  less  time  than 
from  four  to  six  months,  commanded  by  a  mere  political  fortune-hunter  of 
not  the  highest  character,  and  destined  to  accomplish  the  conciuest  and  dis- 
memberment of  a  sister  republic,  whose  weakness  seems  to  make  her  a  ready 
prey  to  men  whose  pursuits  are  tliose  of  plunder.' 

*  According  to  the  official  reports,  there  were  707  men  at  this  time,  and 
Lancey  makes  the  number  800  a  little  later.  It  had  been  the  idea  to  raise 
1 ,000  men.  Clark's  recapitulation  of  the  muster-rolls  shows  a  total  of  844, 
not  perhaps  including  recruits  who  enlisted  after  the  regiment  sailed  for  Cal. 
The  official  report,  House  Ex.  Doc,,  24,  31st  cong.  1st  sess.,  p.  22»,  nakes  the 
total  number,  including  188  recruits,  955  officers  and  men.  If  the  whole  regi- 
ment was  mustered  Aug.  1st,  there  must  be  errors  in  C'ark's  dates  of  arrival 
of  companies  from  the  interior;  but  Murray  also  says  the  country  companies 
arrived  later. 


MUSTKK  ROLL  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 


008 


different 
ly,  Bath, 
)utside  of 
its.  Th," 
lose  who 
iive  coui- 
it's  desti- 
sequenco 
ed,  there 
olonizing- 
svith  any 
'^enturers 
nder  the 
ight  pre- 
ither  did 
les  more 
tio  disap- 
July  the 
ley  were 
\  August 
kvo  coin- 

nto   the 

d,  coni- 
[lustered 

ements 

nson  letter, 
pel  invasion 
may  set  on 

the  veil  is 
knd  coloni- 
In  a  defen- 
rk  to  a  dis- 
|time  than 

-hunter  of 
and  dis- 

er  a  ready 

I  time,  aod 
to  raise 

>1  of  844, 

tl  for  Cal. 
(lakes  the 

Ihole  regi- 
pf  arrival 
Din  panics 


liad  been  previously  made  for  the  organization  of  six 
other  regiments  from  New  York;  but  as  the  latter 
were  never  raised,  or  rather  were  consolidated  into 
(»iie,  mustered  into  the  service  later,  Stevenson's 
icgiment  became  the  1st  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  and  the 
name  was  formally  changed  by  orders  from  the  war 
ilepartment.  But  the  other  regiment  had  also  been 
mustered  in  as  the  first,  its  colonel  declined  to  comply 
with  the  order  requiring  a  change,  and  Burnett's 
reofiment  is  still  known  as  the  first  in  New  York.'  1 
append  a  list  of  regimental  and  company  officers  as 
taken  from  the  muster-rolls  by  Francis  L).  Clark,  and 
published  in  his  latest  monograph  on  the  subject.^ 


» Clark'a  First  Regt,  7C,  91. 

•  The  First  Regiment  of  New  York  Volunteers  commanded  by  Col.  Jonathan 
/>.  Stevnson,  in  the  Mexican  War.  Xamis  of  the  mernbtis  of  (he  regiment 
il.irhiij  its  term  of  service  in  upper  and  lower  (ali/omia,  1S47-S,  with  a  record 
1/  all  known  survivors  on  the  loth  day  0/  April,  1S8J,  and  thoi-e  known  to  have 
il' ceased,  voith  other  matters  0/ inten-st  pertaining  to  thi  organization  and  ser- 
'■i<n  of  the  regiment.  Compiled  by  their  comrade.  Fronds  D.  Clark.  New 
^'|J^k,  1882,  8vo,  94  p.,  with  an  appendix  of  16  p.,  bringing  tiie  record  down 
t  1  Aug.  1,  1883.  Portraits  of  author  and  of  CoL  Stevenson.  Tlie  author,  a 
member  of  Co.  D,  and  later  resident  of  N.  Y.  City,  began  in  1870  to  collect 
information  respecting  hia  surviving  and  dead  comrades;  and  besides  taking 
:i  prominent  part  in  all  anniversary  reunions,  serving  as  secretary,  replying 
til  toasts,  8 "d  writing  newspaper  items  on  his  chosen  subject,  published  a 
l!<)ll  of  Survivors,  New  York,  1871,  single  sheet,  and  again  a  lioll  of  Survi- 
'mcs,  N.  Y.  1874,  8vo,  20  p.  He  was  .secretary  of  the  associated  pioneers  of 
the  territorial  days  of  Cal.,  and  mainly  the  author  of  the  {lamphlet  report  of 
tliat  organization.  Cal.  Assoc.  Pion.,  N.  Y.  1875,  Svo,  58  p.;  also  eoutribut- 
iiig  a  narrative  of  his  regiment's  experience  to  the  Cat.  Territorial  Pioneers, 
first  Annual.  He  deserves  much  credit  for  bis  intelligent  efforts,  and  his 
liook  calls  for  no  unfavorable  criticism  so  far  as  the  author  is  concerned.  As 
a  iiionoijraph,  however,  the  book  might  well  have  been  made  much  larger  by 
the  addition  of  interesting  (lersonal  and  local  reminiscences;  and  it  does  not 
■peak  well  for  the  survivors  of  the  regiment,  many  of  whom  are  rich,  that 
liiey  did  not  give  more  encouraging  support  to  the  enterprise.  Perhaps  they 
iL'served  their  best  efforts  for  the  time  when  the  colonel's  long-promised  nar- 
lative  shall  appear. 

GlBcial  list  of  IstN.  Y.  Volunteers:  Colonel  .Jonathan  D.  .Stevenson,  Lieiit- 
'ol.  Henry  S.  Burton,  Major  James  A.  Hardie,  .Surgeon  Alex.  Perry;  Ass't 
>urgeon8,  Robert  Murray  and  Wm  C.  Parker;  commijssary,  Capt.  \Vm  G. 
.Marcy;  adjutant,  Lieut  J.  C.  Bonnycastle;  ass't  t.uartermast«'r,  Capt.  Joseph 
ii.  Folsom;  sergeant-major,  Alex.  C.  McDonald;  quartermaster-sergeants,  suc- 
lessively,  Stephen  Harris,  Geo.  (x.  Belt,  and  James  C.  L'jw;  drum-major, 
<  ieo,  Batchelor;  chief  musicians,  Joseph  V'evis  and  Frederic  iJrambis;  sutler, 
Sam,  W.  Haight;  clerk,  James  C.  L.  Wadsworth. 

Co.  A.  Capt.  Seymour  G.  Steele;  lieutenants,  Geo.  F.  Penrose,  Charles 
l>.  Young,  and  Geo.  F.  Lemon;  sergeants,  S.  O.  Uoaghton,  Walter  Chipman, 
and  Fkiward  Irwin. 

Co.  B.     Capt.  James  M.  Turner  (did  not  go  toCaL);  lieutenants.  Thomas 


504 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


Iili 


'11  .::b- 


For  names  of  all  members  of  the  regiment, officeis 
and  privates,  with  biographical  notices  of  many,  I  re- 
fer the  reader  to  the  Pioneer  Register  at  the  end  of 
this  and  the  preceding  volumes.  Five  or  six  of  the 
officers  were  of  the  regular  army  and  graduates  ol 
West  Point.  The  regiment  was  almost  exclusively 
made  up  of  young  unmarried  men,  many  of  whom 
were  minors.  The  leading  motive  for  enlistment  was 
the  immigrant's  hope  to  better  his  condition  in  a  new 
country;  many  were  attracted  solely  by  a  love  of  ad- 
venture, and  but  for  the  ice  would  as  readilv  have 
gone  to  the  north  pole;  while  others  had  records,  as- 
sociations, and  debts,  from  which  they  were  willing  to 
run  away.  Captain  Steele's  company,  if  we  may 
credit  the  Herald  of  the  time,  was  composed  of  tem- 
perance men.  Mechanics  were  most  numerous,  includ- 
ing thirteen  printers;  and  there  were  also  clerks  and 
farmers.  ^Many  were  men  of  good  education,  family, 
and  prospects.    Says  Walter  Murray:  "There  were 

£.  Ketchum,  Henry  C.  Matsell,  and  E.  Gould  Buifum;  sergeants,  Charles 
Richardson,  James  G.  Deuniston,  and  *John  Wilt. 

Co.  C.  Capt.  John  E.  Brackett;  lieutenants,  Theron  R.  Per  Lee,  Thomaa 
J.  Roach,  Chas  C.  Anderson,  Wm  R.  Tremmela  (not  in  Cal.),  and  "Geo.  D. 
Brewerton;  sergeants,  Edmund  P.  Crosby,  Wm  Johnson,  and  "Geo.  Robinson. 

Co.  D — many  of  its  members  from  Philadelphia.  Capt.  Henry  M.  Nag- 
lee;  lieutenants,  Geo.  A.  Pendleton,  Hiram  W.  Theall,  and  Joseph  C.  More- 
liead;  sergeants,  Henry  J.  Wilson,  Aaron  Lyons,  and  Wm  Roach. 

Co.  E.  Capt.  Nelson  Taylor;  lieutenants,  Edward  Williams,  Wm  E. 
(  utrell,  and  Thomas  L.  Vermeule;  sergeants,  John  M.  O'Neill,  Henry  S.  Mor- 
ton, and  Abraham  van  Riper. 

Co.  F.  Capt.  Francis  J.  Lippitt;  lieutenants,  Henry  S.  Cames,  Wm.  H. 
Weirick,  John  M.  Huddart,  and  *  Jeremiah  Sherwood;  sergeants,  Jamon 
Mulvey,  James  Queen,  John  C.  Pulis,  and  'Thomas  Hipwood;  chaplain,  T. 
M.  Leavenworth. 

Co.  G.  Capt.  Matthew  R.  Stevenson  (son  of  the  colonel);  lieutenants, 
John  McH.  Hollingsworth,  Jeremiah  Sherwood,  "Wm  W.  Weirick,  ami 
*VVm  H.  Smith;  sergeants,  John  Connell,  Geo.  Jackson,  Geo.  Robinson, 
Walter  Taylor,  and  Wm  B.  Travers. 

Co.  H — raised  at  Albany,  N.  Y.  Capt.  John  B.  Frisbie;  lieutenant-;, 
Edward  Gilbert  and  John  S.  Day;  sergeants,  Eleazar  Frisbie,  Wm  Grow, 
Henry  A.  Schoolcraft,  and  James  Winne. 

Co.  I — raised  at  Bath,  N.  Y.  Capt.  Wm  E.  Shannon;  lieutenants,  Pal- 
mer B.  Hewlett,  Henry  Magee,  Wm  H.  Smith,  and  •John  McH.  Hollings- 
worth; sergeants,  Joshua  S.  Vincent,  Joseph  Evans,  and  Joseph  B.  Logan. 

Co.  K — raised  at  Norwich,  N.  Y.  Capt.  Kimball  H.  Dimmick;  lieuten- 
ants, .John  S.  Norris,  Geo.  C.  Hublmrd,  Roderick  M.  Morrison,  *Theron  R. 
Por  Lee,  and  *Geo.  l).  Brewerton;  sergeant,  Jackson  Sellers. 

The  names  marked  with  a  *  are  those  of  officers  transferred  to  other  corn- 
panics,  on  the  rolls  of  wliioh  they  also  appear. 


CHARACTER  07  THK  MEN. 


505 


Charles 

Thomas 

•Geo.  D. 

R-obinson. 

M.  Nag- 

C.  Morc- 


Wm.  ]{. 

1,  Jamos 

iplain,  'J". 


men  of  pretty  much  every  class  except  the  most  opu- 
lent; a  largo  proportion  of  steady  mechanics  of  all  trades, 
w  ith  a  smart  sprinkling  of  the  b'hoys  of  New  York 
City,  and  not  a  few  intemperates  and  ne'er-do-wells."' 
This  rough  element  was  strong  enough  to  give  tlu' 
itigiment  a  bad  name  in  some  respects,  as  we  shall  sec 
Some  of  the  volunteers  achieved  later  notoriety  as 
criminals,  ending  their  career  in  prison  or  on  the  gal- 
lows; while  others  could  never  so  far  forget  their 
early  training  as  to  devote  themselves  to  any  other 
industry  than  the  vicious  one  of  machine  politics  in 
its  different  branches.  Yet  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  the  standard  of  character  and  ability  was  mucli 
liigher  than  in  most  volunteer  regiments  of  this  or 
any  other  period.  An  extraordinary  number,  both 
of  oflBcers  and  men,  reached  in  their  western  homo 
and  elsewhere  enviable  positions  in  military  and  po- 
litical life:  as  lawyers,  judges,  and  merchants;  as  men 
of  wealth  and  local  influence.  And  a  majority  of  the 
rest  may  point  with  pride  to  their  humbler  record  as 
respectable  law-abiding  citizens.  Without  indorsing 
current  declarations  to  the  effect  that  "patriotism  was 
the  ruling  motive  of  these  brave  men,"  we  may  sup- 
j)()se  that  under  circumstances  demanding  such  quali- 
ties they  would  have  been  as  brave  and  patriotic  as 
other  men. 

With  military  drill  and  discipline  at  the  island 
camp,  where  the  regiment  remained  nearly  two  months, 

^  Xarrative  of  a  California  Volunteer,  by  lion.  Walter  MiuTay,  MS.,  212 
1>.  The  author  was  a  private  of  Co.  A,  detailed  as  cook  during  the  encamp- 
ment at  Governor's  Island,  and  in  later  years  a  prominent  citizen  of  Califor- 
nia. His  narrative  is  by  far  the  most  complete  extant  on  the  enlistment,  en- 
campment in  N.  Y. ,  voyage  of  the  Loo  Choo,  and  experience  of  his  own  and 
the  other  companies  that  served  at  Sta  Bdrbara  and  in  Lower  California.  Un- 
fortunately— though  this  does  not  much  impair  its  value  so  far  as  regimental 
annals  are  concerned — the  MS.  terminates  abruptly  '  ".-  e  the  return  of  the 
writer  to  Alta  California.  John  B.  Frisbie's  Ei'mi  ;  r.i,  MS.,  written  in 
Mexico,  1884,  contains  some  details  about  the  history  oi  the  regiment. 

Another  original  MS.  in  my  possession  is  Capt.  Albert  G.  IJruokctt's 
Sketch  of  1st  Regiment  New  York  Volunlcera.  It  is  a  carefully  prej)aied  ac- 
count en  r6sum6  of  the  organization  and  achievements  of  the  regiment,  none 
the  less  creditable  to  the  author  from  the  fact  that  it  is  less  complete  than 
Clark's  work  published  several  years  after  this  MS.  was  furnishcJ  for  my  use. 
The  author  is,  I  think,  a  son  of  Capt.  Brackett  of  Co.  C. 


606 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


reality  began  to  take  the  place  of  ro'  "uce  iu  tlie 
minds  of  many  volunteers.  Many  r  away,  ami 
more  escaped  the  service,  more  or  less  reluctantly,  l»y 
the  aid  of  their  j)arents,  armed  with  writs  of  habeas 
corpus,  designated  at  the  time  as  writs  of  'non-CalifDr- 
nium'  by  newspaper  writers  and  others  who  were 
wont  to  refer  flippantly  to  the  'baby  regiment, '  There 
were  the  usual  ludicrous  happenings  in  connection 
with  the  work  of  transforming  raw  recruits  into  sol- 
diers; as  when  a  sentinel,  after  repeated  instructions 
that  no  one  must  be  allowed  to  pass  without  the 
countersign,  hailed  the  next  comer  with  the  conven- 
tional "  Who  goes  there?"  "A  friend,"  was  the  reply. 
"Then  say 'Newport,' or  I'll  shoot;"  or  when  an- 
<^ther  guard  started  to  chase  a  man  who  had  eluded 
his  vigilance,  all  the  volunteers  in  sight  following  the 
two  at  full  speed  in  their  eagerness  to  bet  on  the  re- 
sult of  the  race.  Murray  also  notes  the  disastrous 
effects  of  the  coffee  and  other  rations  concocted  I)y 
himself  and  other  cooks  of  like  inexperience.  Be- 
cause of  political  opposition  to  the  prr  'jt  of  sending 
out  this  body  of  warrior-colonists,  ar  "  lack  of  the 
excitement  and  solemnity  sometimes  t^.ismg  on  sucli 
occasions  from  prospective  danger  and  bloodshed, 
Stevenson's  regiment  had  to  endure  somewhat  more 
than  its  due  share  of  ridicule;  but  this  did  no  harm, 
and  the  places  of  those  that  left  the  ranks  were  filled 
without  much  diflBculty.^ 

Among  those  remaining  as  well  as  those  who  re- 
tired there  were  causes  of  dissatisfaction  more  or  less 
serious.  Recruiting  officers  had  talked  of  land  grants 
iu  California,  and  the  men,  when  their  first  enthu- 
siasm had  cooled,  realized  that  the  government,  to 
say  nothing  of  lands,  had  not  even  bound  itself  to 
carry  them  to  California   at  all.     Then  they  were 

'  Besides  the  namitivea  already  cited,  the  best  authorities  on  the  experience 
at  Governor's  Islam!  are  articles  in  various  newspapers  of  the  time,  many  of 
which  I  dnd  repvoduced  or  quoted  iu  Niks'  Reg'mter,  vol.  Ixx.-i. ,  passim.  The 
N.  Y.  Herald  of  Aug.  10  and  Sept.  6,  1846,  gave  to  its  readers  pictures  of  the 
encampment. 


TROUBLES  IN  CAMP. 


607 


f  the 

such 

shed, 

more 


10  re- 
less 

rants 
thu- 

it,  to 
f  to 

were 


legally  entitled,  under  the  laws  of  New  York,  t»> 
ihoose  their  own  company  officers;  but  in  few  cases, 
if  any,  were  they  really  permitted  to  do  so.  Again, 
the  prices  charged  for  articles  of  clothing  were  deemed 
excessive,  so  much  so  that  several  companies  r-^fused 
to  receive  these  articles  on  their  pay  account,  beinj;" 
contined  in  consequence  for  insubordination.  Some- 
what serious  disturbances  were  reported  in  the  news- 
j)aperH,  and  on  one  occasion  at  least  the  regular  troops 
weic  called  out  to  quell  disorders." 

Late  in  August  three  stanch  ships  were  chartered 
lor  $05,000 — a  reasonable  rate,  as  even  the  news- 
papers admitted,  though  they  did  not  fail  to  note  a 
willingness  on  the  part  of  certain  friends  of  the  ad- 
ministration to  furnish  inferior  vessels  at  double  the 
price — to  carry  the  regiment  round  the  Horn  to  the 
Pacific  ooa.st;  and  on  board  was  placed  a  large  and 
well  chosen  assortment  of  arms,  munitions,  and  im- 
[)leuients  for  war  oi'  peace.  Instructions  from  the 
war  department  to  Colonel  Stevenson  were  dated 
September  llth.  The  regiment  was  to  be  a  part  of 
the  force  under  General  Kearny;  but  as  the  latter 
might  not  arrive  so  soon  as  the  volunteers,  the  colonel 
luiijfht  for  a  time  find  himself  in  chief  command  of  the 

"'On  the  18th  the  regiment  was  marched  to  the  guard-house  to  receive 
tlieir  bounty  money  previous  to  embarking.  The  men  of  Co.  C — the  first  com- 
pany marched  up — refusing  to  pay  the  prices  charged  for  their  clothing,  viz.: 
¥•'>  for  jackets,  $3  for  pants,  and  §1.50  for  caps.  They  were  willing  to  pay  a 
lair  price,  but  were  confined  for  insubordination.  Co.  A  then  came  up,  and 
refiLsed.  They  were  marched  back  to  their  quarters  and  confined  to  their 
tents.  Col  Bankhead,  finding  the  refusal  general,  told  them  they  would  be 
compelled  to  embark  without  their  pay  -which  they  preferred  to  taking 
the  clothing  at  the  prices  charj,'ed.'  Ailcs'  Iic(j.,  Ixxi.  o7.  'The  uniform  of 
the  regiment,  which  will  soon  bo  completed,  designed  by  Major  Hanlic,  is 
very  neat  and  serviceable;  jiaiitaloons  of  dark  mixed  gray  with  scarlet  strip 
or  cord  up  the  seam  of  the  leg,  blue  coats  with  scarlet  trimmings,  a  new  style 
of  French  cap,  very  becoming;  tiie  first  dress  parade  will  take  place  next 
.Sunday.'  N.  Y.  Jlerald,  Aug.  3,  1846.  See  also  extracts  from  the  Union, 
U.  S.  Gazette,  and  Tribune,  in  Niles'  Beg.,  Ixxi.  386,  40--'.  'It  is  likely  that 
some  of  the  young  men  who  expected  to  enjoy  the  "  largest  liberty  "  under 
tiie  rule  of  such  a  colonel,  and  the  most  lawless  license  in  tiie  El  Dorado 
tlicy  seek,  will  find  themselves  under  restraints  which  they  neither  antici- 
pated nor  desired.'  N.  Y.  Com.  Advocate,  ia  Id. ,  '20.  'We  hear  that  a  sort 
of  court- martial  was  held  r-n  Governor's  Island  yesterday,  and  the  ringleader 
in  the  recent  kick-up  there  ainong  Col  Stevenson  s  volunteers  was  convicted 
of  mutiny  and  ordered  to  be  shot ! '  Trihiim;  in  Id.,  Ixx.  402. 


iM 


tm 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


laiid  forces.  "It  is  not  expected  that  you  will  bo 
able  to  advance  far  into  the  countrj';  nor  is  it  advis- 
able for  you  to  undertake  any  hazardous  enterprises. 
Until  you  shall  fall  under  the  command  of  General 
Kearny,  your  force  will  be  mostly  if  not  wholly  em 
ployed  in  seizing  and  holding  important  possessions  on 
the  soa-coast;"  but  "where  a  place  is  taken  by  tlu' 
joint  action  of  the  naval  and  land  force,  the  naval 
officer  in  command,  if  superior  in  rank  to  yoursell". 
will  be  entitled  to  make  arrangements  for  the  civil 
government  of  it  while  it  is  held  by  the  cooperation 
of  both  branches;"  so  that  Stevenson's  chance  to  !>»• 
for  a  brief  time  military  governor  of  California  was 
very  slight.  Instructions  to  Kearny  and  the  naval 
commanders  were  enclosed  to  him,  as  were  his  to  the 
others;  but  as  the  military  occupation  was  completed 
and  Kearny  was  on  the  ground  long  before  the  volun- 
teers arrived,  the  policy  as  well  as  the  facts  of  mili- 
tary occupation  being  moreover  well  known  to  the 
reader,  there  is  no  need  of  entering  more  fully  into 
the  details  of  this  docunient.*" 

But  while  ships  were  ready  and  instructions  signet  I 
there  were  yet  vexatious  delays  of  departure  resulting; 
from  complications  between  the  colonel  and  his  enemies. 
It  is  not  easy  or  very  important  to  determine  the 
merits  or  even  the  exact  nature  of  the  complications 
referred  to,  which  are  but  vaguely  recorded  in  papeis 
of  the  time.  The  colonel's  own  version,  as  presented 
l)y  Lanoey,  is  in  substance a^s  follows:  Thomas  J.  Suth- 
erland, a  military  adventurer,  being  refused  a  position 
on  the  staff,  used  insolent  and  threatening  language, 
and  was  ordered  out  of  the  tent  and  off  the  camp- 
ground. In  his  anger  he  devoted  himself  to  plots  ot" 
vengeance,  and  some  fifteen  days  before  the  time  stt 
for  sailini>:  Stevenson  received  a  warnini;  throujjh  tlh- 
war  department  of  prospective  attempts  to  prevent 
his  departure,  and  to  make  a  certain  captain.  Shannon 
oi-  Naglee,  I  suppose,  colonel  in  his  place.     Present! v. 

'"Sept.  11.  1S48,  Sep.  Muiry  to  Stovenson.   Cnff^'  «'ntiq>if»f.  24'!l-."»0. 


STKVKXSOX'S  TROUULES. 


509 


throMj,'!)  a  t'rieiid  in  the  sheriff's  office,  there  eame  more 
inCormation,  to  the  effect  that  seventy  or  eighty  men 
V.  ho  had  joined  the  regiment,  but  had  been  unable  at 
the  last  to  pass  the  medical  examination,  had  been  in- 
duced to  bring  suit  for  talso  impiisonmcnt,  claiming 
damages  to  the  amount  of  §80,000.  Wiits  of  attach- 
nunt  were  made  out  and  were  to  be  served  on  the  day 
cf  sailing;  but  thanks  to  the  warning,  Stevenson  was 
able  to  baffle  the  effc^rts  of  his  foes  and  to  escape  the 
slieriff"s  posse.*^  There  is  no  good  reason  to  question 
the  general  accuracy  of  this  testimony,  though  there  is 
room  for  suspicion  that  it  does  not  include  quite  the 
whole  truth,  that  the  suits  for  falst>  imprisonment  were 
not  the  only  one>!  pending,  and  that  all  opposition  to 
the  gallant  colonel  did  not  proceed  from  the  plots  of 
the  disappointed  Sutlierland.  The  evidence  extant  is 
t'or  the  most  part  vague,  and  it  may  involve  nothing 
more  discreditable  to  Stevenson's  reputation  than  the 
tiU't  that  the  class  of  metropolitan  politi  -ians  which 
he  represented  was  not — in  184G — regarded  as  merit- 
ing unqualified  praise.  I  append  some  extracts  which 
will  illustrate  the   spirit   of  the   time,  showing  what 


"Laucey,  in  Clark' n  Firnt  lie<i.,  «"»*">,  itc.  Embarking  the  troops  in  gnat 
hahtc,  Ck>l  8.  gave  ordti-stbat  nooiio  aliouKlbe  permitted  to  board  or  leave  tin- 
vfssfl  without  his  "-rltten  pcrmisBiou;  aiul  men  were  stationed  at  difloreiit 
points  with  3'2-pound  shot  lo  sink  any  Ikwii  ihut  niigiit  persiHtin  making  fiiKt. 
Several  attempts  were  mad o  liyollicers  of  the  law  to  reach  tlie  colonel  byoeud' 
in<,'  false  niosaagea  c  r  falao  naniest,  and  by  other  devices;  and  once  the  heavy  shot 
was  dropped  alarmingly  near  it  )>oat  belonging  to  the  foe.  At  midnight  thecolo 
nt'l  with  an  escort  armed  to  the  tcetii  found  his  way  witlimn  tiled  oara  to  holil 
a  parting  interview  with  his  three  motherless  daughters  in  Brooklyn.  F<» 
t  WIT  days  after  the  forces  embarked  a  strict  gtjard  was  kept  up.  'I'ho  guns 
Hero  manned,  loaded  with  grape  and  canister,  and  keiit  ready  for  inHtani 
service.  S.  explained  to  a  few  trusty  friends  '  that  he  intended  to  resist  ai 
rest  at  all  hazards,  even  if  the  sherUrs  l>t>at  liad  to  Ik:  blown  out  of  thu  water'  '. 
The  pilot  of  an  approaching  steanu  v  wna  given  tivo  seconds  to  bark  otf,  or 
lie  a  dead  man,  an  i  he  chose  to  sjive  his  life.  And  tiually,  as  tiie  tla^'-ship 
wa.i  towed  out  to  sea,  another  srcanier  bearing  the  slui  ill's  possr  left  tlio 
wliarf  in  pursuit,  but  was  di»taiice>l  in  the  race.  Aliout  live  indes  out  tlir 
colonel  made  a  |>arting  vioit  to  the  other  two  ships;  and  on  the  Unsiui  Jiirir. 
'did  not  notice  the  extendevt  hand  '  of  the  captain  who  lui<!  ^iotted  again.'-i 
him  and  who  was  to  have  been  make  colonel.  '  When,  however,  thi.s  gentle 
man  placed  his  hand  in  his,  C*)!  S.  looked  him  steadily  in  the  eye.  The  of- 
ticor  ut  that  glance  tiushed  guiltily,  a\ul  knew  then  that  the  colomd  wa.s 
aware  of  his  perfidy  toward  him.  Slowl;.'  the  checkmated  villain  withdrew 
his  hand  and  slunk  aw  ay  ' '. 


510 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


was  thought  and  said  of  the  volunteers  and  their  c(mii- 
niander," 

Tlie  departure  {'roin  New  York  was  on  the  26th 


»»i 


'''In  hia  8]')eecli  of  July  27th  in  cougress,  Ashinun  says  of  the  Stevensun 
letter:  '  It  is  oddresaed—iiot  to  an  officer  of  the  army  whose  habits  and  cducu 
tion  tit  him  for  mere  miliu<,ry  service  of  the  ordinary  kind — nut  to  a  man  who  hus 
been  distingnishcd  ljy  any  public  service  in  tne  tield — but  a  mere  political 
advcuturci',  who  is  only  known  to  the  world  as  a  partisan  from  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Five  I'oiuts,  and  tlie  region  where  tlie  Empire  Club  holds  sway, 
liud  wlii're  the  doctrine  that  "to  the  victors  belong  the  spoils"  is  acknowl- 
edged anil  practised.'  Confl.  Olobe,  1845-6,  app.  809.  There  was  some  jeal- 
ousy on  the  jmrt  of  other  volunteer  organizations  for  favors  shown  to  this  rogi 
nient,  eKpucially  as  a  son  of  Sec.  Marcy  was  to  go  as  i>aynia8ter.  Mechanhi' 
Journal,  in  i\ /V*-*'  lieg.,  Ixx.  344.  'For  oui-selves,  we  hiive  never  believtcl 
that  tills  expedition  would  s.iil  under  the  conmand  of  J.  )>.  Stevenson;  un<l 
warniiit  for  such  an  opinion  may  be  found  in  the  well  known  Qlentworth 
affair.  \  man  who  has  ever  found  it  necessary  to  bo  ai<  aUax  should  novfr 
bu  iiiti  ustcJ  with  a  military  counnand,  or  made  the  associate  anu  companion 
of  gcnlleiiien.  How  Gov.  Maivy  can  justify  it  to  his  conscience  and  to  the 
country  for  having  recommem  led  Stevenson  for  this  highly  important  com 
mand  we  cannot  conjecture.'  S.  Y.  Courier  and  L'w/uirer,  ia  Id. ,  410.  Tlie 
same  paper  prints  some  of  Hutiiurland's  charges,  in  substance  as  follows:  Ut, 
forcing  the  men  to  purchase  unsuitable  clothing  at  excessive  prices,  his  son- 
in-law  being  the  pretended  contractor.  2d,  falsely  reporting  company  rolU 
iis  complete,  in  order  to  obtain  t.'i)m..iissions  for  incumpetent  favorites.  'M, 
using  his  intlueucu  to  exclude  men  of  capacity  and  experience  (that  is,  .Suth 
t'i'land  himself !),  and  accepting  only  men  who  would  l^econie  his  '  suppliant 
underlings. '  4tli,  declaring  his  intention  to  run  away  from  his  goverimicnt 
convoy,  and  not  to  obey  the  president's  orders  in  Cal. !  And  5th,  duplicity 
practised  on  president,  governor,  and  others,  '  unbecoming  an  officer  and  a 
soldier.'  In  the  S.  /'.  t'cUi/oruian,  Oct.  0,  1847,  is  an  extract  from  the  X.  ) 
Express  on  statements  in  the  legislature  on  the  clothing  swindles.  '  The  ditli- 
cultiea  are  not  yet  ended.  The  colonel  has  chartered  four  vessels,  but  a.s 
things  look  now,  ore  will  l)e  amply  sufficient,  unless  he  sails  very  soon.  The 
circuit  court  is  crowded  this  morning  with  the  parties  and  witnesses  to  a  case 
of  habeas  corpun,  which  is  to  test  the  legality  and  validity  of  Col  Stevenson's 
commission.  Oen.  Sutherland  continues  to  be  the  active  instrument  of  oppo 
tition,  and  will  perhaps  succeed  in  breaking  up  the  enterprise.  If  he  does  not, 
it  will  fall  to  pieces  of  itself,  most  likely.  In  either  case,  n  partisan  of  the 
govt  has  been  liberally  rewarded,  and  it  is  "all  right."'  Xorth  American,  in 
A'l/cf'  It'eg.,  Ixxi.  39.  'Col  Jonathan  D.  Stevenson — a  motion  was  yesterday 
made  for  tlie  appoiutii>nnt  of  a  receiver  of  the  property  and  ctfectsof  this  gentle- 
man, upon  a  creditor's  bill  filed  against  him,  in  which  N.  Dane  Kllingwood 
was  complainant.  The  motion  was  granted.  Will  not  this  stop  his  supplies 
from  the  government '!  He  ia  also  under  bail,  which  was  put  in  upon  his  ar- 
rest under  a  writ  of  >i<:  exeat  to  stay  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court.'  X. 
y.  Tribune,  in  [d.,  Tu.  'The  Cal,  expedition  ia  off  at  loot,  shorn  somewhat 
(if  its  numeric  fonr,  as  it  has  long  been  ulinost  wholly  of  its  moral.  Its  de- 
parture has  bei'U  .sii;nulizcd  by  a  jiroloni^ation  of  that  unhrippy  compound, 
made  up  almost  ('i|ually  of  mit<lortunc  .imi  ini.iconduct,  which  lias  attended  it 
from  the  beginning:  and  it  roipiires  no  very  abiding  or  superstitious  faith  in 
omens  to  believe  tliut  the  issue  will  bo  useless  and  inglorious  in  strict  con- 
formity with  the  inception  and  progress.'  '  Wo  put  on  record  at  this  time 
our  unhesitating  confiacnce  that  as  a  specimen  of  utter  hopeless  failure  this 
Cal.  exjiedition  will  stand  without  a  superior,  perhaps  without  ..u  equal,  in  the 
annals  of  any  nation'  1  Com.  Adviiii.^^r,  Sept.  28,  1846.  ia  id.,  68.  More  of 
the  Kllingwood  suit  in  Nov.  Gujiif  and  Timi'",  in  A'.,  I4(» 


111 


VOYAGE  TO  CALIFORNIA. 


511 


eir  coiii- 


Soptember.  Each  of  the  three  transports  carried  three 
C(>inj)k'te  companies  and  part  of  another,  Coni|>any  E 
being  the  one  that  was  divided.  Tlie  Thomas  II. 
Perkins,  G97  tons,  under  Captain  James  P.  Arthei, 
well  known  in  California,  bearing  the  commander's 
l»tiiant,  carried  companies  B,  F,  and  G,  with  Colonel 
Stevenson,  Surgeon  Perry.and  Quartermaster  Folsom. 
The  FjOO  Choo,  631)  tons,  James  B.  Hatch  master,  and 
also  familiar  with  the  western  coast,  carried  companies 
A,  C,  and  K,  undtir  the  command  of  Major  Hardie, 
having  also  (»n  board  Assistant-surgeon  Parker  and 
(Miaplain  Leavenworth.  The  .Susan  Dretr,  701  tons, 
I'utnian  master,  carried  companies  D,  I,  and  H,  under 
tlic  command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Burton,  with  Com- 
iiiisary  Marey  and  Assistant-surgeon  Murray.  All 
t  he  fleet  was  under  the  convoy  of  the  U.  S.  sloop-of-war 
J'lehle.  So  sudden  was  the  departure,  for  reasons 
that  have  been  given,  that  over  forty  men  and  otti- 
cers,  including  Captain  Taylor  and  lieutenants  Vei- 
meuleand  Penrose,  were  left  behind.  These  men  were 
despatched  on  November  I3th  on  the  Brutus,  Adams 
master,  under  Captain  Taylor.  Subsequently  tw«i 
liimdred  recruits  were  raised  by  the  eftbrts  of  (,'aptaiii 
Turner,  who  had  returned  from  Ri»t  Janeiro.  Half  of 
this  force  sailed  on  the  IsnlnWi,  lb  iggs  master,  from 
Philadelphia,  under  Lieutenant  'llmmas  ,1.  Koach ; 
and  the  other  half  on  the  Sivedfn,  Ivnott  master,  from 
New  York,  under  Lieutenant  Thomas  E.  K»  tchum — 
all  in  August  1847. 

The  voyage  of  all  the  transports  was  a  most  un- 
eventful one.  On  the  Perkins  it  is  related  that  Cap- 
Ui'wi  Avtiiur  had  laid  in  a  store  of  poultry  as  a  con- 
sideration of  being  pmnitted  to  join  the  otlie^'is' mes>, 
but  subsequently  changed  his  mind  with  a  view  to 
sell  his  ehiekens.  The  oftietrs  refused  to  purchase. 
l»ut  the  men  were  not  averse  to  stealing,  and  the  cap- 
Iain's  speculation  was  not  a  profitable  one.  Not 
many  of  the  volunteers  were  able  to  resist  st-a-siok- 
uess,  which  kept  the  colonel  foi-  several  days   in  his 


612 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


state-room,  and  left  him  "but  the  ghost  of  his  former 
self,"  and  so  weak  that  for  a  long  time  he  had  to  be 
supported  by  two  soldiers;  but  the  weakness  was  of 
the  body  and  not  of  the  spirit,  if  we  are  to  judge  by 
Stevenson's  own  account  of  his  methods  in  enforcing 
discipline  and  quelling  incipient  mutiny.^'  During 
the  last  week  of  November  all  the  ships  were  together 
at  Rio  Janeiro,  where  certain  complications  between 
the  United  States  minister  and  the  Brazilian  govern- 
ment afforded  the  warlike  colonel  and  his  men  an  op- 
portunity to  show  their  patriotic  enthusiasm.  They 
oven  had  the  honor  of  adding  something  to  the  diplo- 
matic difficulties.  To  the  (juartermaster-sergeant'.s 
wife  had  been  born  on  the  Perkins  a  daughter,  and  at 
her  christening  as  Alta  California  Harris,  Minister 
Wise  indulged  in  some  comparisons  between  the  event 
and  the  recent  christening  of  a  "royal  bantling  of  the 
Brazilian  nation."  For  this  patriotic  pleasantry  the 
government  was  thought  to  be  contemplating  an  order 
that  every  American  vessel  nmst  quit  the  port.  No 
such  order,  however,  was  issued,  and  consequently 
the  New  York  volunteers  did  not  appear  with  fixed 
bayonets  in  the  streets  of  Rio.  All  sailed  again  at 
the  end  of  November,  and  proceeded  on  their  unevent- 
ful way  round  Cape   Horn.     Murray  describes  the 

''  A  sergeant  in  transmitting  orders  to  bis  detachment  said:  'I  have  givci 
you  the  order,  and  I  don't  care  a  damn  whether  you  obey  it  or  not.'  For  tiiis 
the  colont'l  reduced  bim  to  the  ranks,  and  set  him  to  cleaning  the  ship.  For 
refusing  to  perform  this  duty  ho  was  triced  up  by  the  thumbs  and  wriata. 
This  caused  discontent,  'until  at  length,  seeking;  to  frighten  Col  S.  into  re- 
laxing his  severity,  Capt.  Folsom,  who  had  before  presumed  on  bis  superior's 
friendship,  entered  his  cubin,  and  in  rather  an  insolent  manner  said  to  hiin: 
"Col  S.,  do  you  know  that  there  will  bo  a  mutiny  on  this  vessel  this  afti  r- 
uoon?"  "No,  sir,"  replied  Col  S.,  "but  I  do  know  that  thero  will  not  be  a 
mutiny.  And  further,  Capt.  F.,  you  know  that  I  sleep  over  900  tons  of  gun- 
powder, but  you  do  not  know,  sir,  that  I  have  a  train  laid  from  that  powder 
to  my  bertii.  "What?"  stammered  the  captain.  "Col  S.,  you  sun ly  do 
not  mean  to  say — "  "Yes,  sir,  1  do;  and  you  can  rest  assured  that  before  I 
will  sutler  the  command  of  this  vessel  to  pass  from  me  there  will  not  be  u 
plank  left  for  a  soul  on  board  to  cling  to;  aud  now,  sir,  let  the  mutiny  pro- 
ceed" 1  Pale  us  a  spectre,  and  with  eyes  fairly  emergiug  from  their  sockets, 
the  thoroughly  alarmed  otBcer  hastily  excused  himseU  aud  hurried  forward, 
where  ho  no  doubt  imparted  the  fearful  threat.'  Wiiat  sliglit  traces  of  mu- 
tiny still  remained  disappeared  after  tiio  colonel  had  promptly  knocked  down 
a  soldier  wlio  spoke  disrespeetfuUy  of  his  authority.    Lancetj,  G.3— ♦. 


ARRIVAL  AT  SAN  FRANCISCO. 


513 


is  former 

lad  to  be 

38  was  of 

judge  by 

enforcinsx 

During 

:  together 

between 

1  govern- 

en  an  op- 

11.     They 

the  diplo- 

jergeant's 

er,  and  at 

Minister 

the  event 

ng  of  the 

antry  the 

J  an  order 

ort.     No 

jequently 

ith  fixed 

again  at 

unevent- 

ibes  the 


'.  have  givc! 
For  this 
I  ahip.     For 
I  and  wrists. 
S.  into  re- 
lia  superior's 
paid  to  liiin: 
this  fiftiT- 
lill  not  be  a 
Ions  of  gun- 
|hat  powder 
siiroly  do 
bat  be  tore  I 
not  be  u 
intiny  pro- 
bir  sockets, 
|l1  forward, 
I  of  mu- 
cked down 


voyage  of  the  Loo  Choo,  but  his  narrative  contains 
nothing  calling  for  notice,  unless  it  be  the  drowning 
of  a  sailor  near  the  cape,  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Treni- 
uicls  in  a  fit  of  apoplexy,  caused  by  the  excitement  of 
the  accident,  and  a  narrow  escape  from  grounding  in 
entering  Valparaiso,  where  this  craft  and  the  Drew 
arrived  in  January  1847,  the  other  transport  not  en- 
tering any  port  between  Rio  and  San  Francisco. 

The  Perkins  was  first  to  reach  San  Francisco,  where 
she  landed  the  first  detachment  of  volunteers  the  Gth 
of  March,  1847.  Next  to  arrive  was  the  Drew,  on 
the  19th;  while  the  Loo  Choo,  which  had  been  first  at 
Rio  and  at  Valparaiso,  was  delayed  by  a  calm  in  the 
tropics,  and  did  not  anchor  at  Yerba  Buena  till  March 
2Gth.  The  Brutus,  bringing  the  men  who  had  been 
left  behind,  without  having  touched  at  any  port  after 
leaving  New  York,  arrived  on  April  18th;  and  the 
next  day  the  convoy  Preble  came  into  port,  having 
touched  at  Callao."  As  offensive  militaiy  operations 
were  at  an  end,  and  General  Kearny  was  at  Monterey, 
it  only  remained  to  put  the  regiment  at  his  disposal 
for  garrison  duty.  Companies  H  and  K  were  sta- 
tioned at  the  San  Francisco  presidio,  under  Major 
Hardie  as  commandant  of  the  post,  with  Captain  Fol- 
soni  and  Dr  Parker;  and  here  these  companies  re- 
mained to  the  end  of  their  service,  except  that  Com- 
pany H  exchanged  posts  with  the  Sonoma  company  for 
a  short  time  in  August  1848.  Companies  A,  B,  and 
F  were  assigned  to  Santa  Barbara,  under  the  ccmmand 
of  Lieutenant-colonel  Burton,  with  Surgeon  Perry ;  and 

'*Th3  dates  of  arrival  are  given  in  the  .S'.  F.  CiiK  Star,  March  1.'?,  '_'7, 
April  24,  1847.  In  Larkin's  hoc,  MS.,  iv.  33,  I  have  a  letter  of  (.'apt. 
Artiu'r  of  the  Perkins,  dated  M:ircl»  (ith,  the  date  of  arrival.  Stevenson  de- 
sired Arther  to  carry  liia  troops  to  Monterey,  but  tlio  captain  refused,  <le- 
nianding  $.j,000  for  the  trip,  or  hiter  §.'{,000.  He  published  a  defence  of  his 
action  in  the  Srar,  where  some  unfavoral>le  criticism  hatl  appeared.  Mnrraj , 
Xarr.,  iVt-O,  says  the  first  comers  toM  those  who  arrived  hiter  a  disn>.d 
story  of  the  country,  tlie  cliniato,  and  the  prospective  dog'sdife  before  the 
volunteers.  Alfred  A.  (.Jrcen's  LiJ'<'  nml  Advciitiire-i  of  a  '4^''r,  MS.,  may 
be  noticed  here  as  containing  a  brief  narrative  of  the  voyage,  which  is  alluded 
to  in  few  Mords  by  several  members  of  the  regiment  who  have  given  me  their 
reminiscences.  The  ImhilUi  and  Sicfdcii,  with  two  buudrea  recruits,  ar 
rived  at  Monterey  in  February  of  the  next  year. 
UUT.  ciu...  Vol.  V.    ;i3 


li  i 


514 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


they  sailed  on  March  31st  in  the  Moacow,  landing  the 
8th  of  April.  Company  F  remained  at  Santa  Bui- 
bara  during  the  whole  term  of*  its  service;  but  A  and 
B  sailed  for  La  Paz  the  4th  of  July,  leaving  Captain 
Ijippitt  in  command  of  the  post.  Companies  1),  K, 
G,  and  I  left  San  Francisco  in  the  Ijcxinyton  A\n-'\\ 
3d  for  Monterey.  Company  D  engaged  in  some  ex- 
peditions in  pursuit  of  Indian  horso-tliieves,  and  the 
5th  of  March,  1848,  sailed  for  La  Paz  in  the  Isahelht, 
with  the  recruits  that  had  come  on  that  vessel.  Com- 
panies E  and  G  left  Monterey  in  tlie  fjexington  May 
oth,  and  served  as  a  garrison  at  Los  Angeles  from  tlu' 
Dth  to  the  time  of  their  discharge,  Colonel  Stevenson 
being  commandant  of  the  post  and  of  the  southern 
district.  Company  I  remained  at  the  capital  till 
December  28th,  then  going  to  garrison  San  Diego  in 
place  of  the  Mormons,  the  post  being  from  that  time 
under  the  connnand  of  Captain  Shannon.  Finally 
Company  C  left  San  Francisco  in  April,  and  was  sta- 
tioned at  Sonoma  under  Captain  Brackett.  A  di- 
tachment  of  tvventv-five  men  were  sent  to  garrison 
Sutter's  Fort  from  June  to  September,  under  Lieuten- 
ant Anderson.  In  May  1848  the  company  was  or- 
dered to  Lower  California,  but  was  sent  back  to 
Sonoma  from  Monterey;  and  on  August  5th  it  went 
to  San  Francisco,  being  replaced  on  the  northern 
frontier  by  Frisbic's  men  of  Company  H." 

After  the  arrival  of  the  volunteers  and  their  distri- 
bution to  the  different  garrisons,  there  is  but  little  to 
be  added  to  regimental  annals  but  the  record  of  dis- 
bandment.  The  men  performed  their  military  duties 
well  enough,  though  at  several  points  there  were  com- 
plaints of  disorderly  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  rougher 
element;    but  their  real  achievements,  as   wisely  in- 

■''  Tlie  (liatribiitiuii  is  given  in  Clarlc'ii  Firxt  lieii'iment;  iu  BracketCs  Sketch, 
MS.;  ill  tiic  S.  F.  ('aJi/orninit  of  April  10,  1S47;  and  scattered  itenia  ure  fouiiil 
in  many  ditferent  accounts,  wliicli  there  is  no  neeil  to  specify,  since  ClarkV 
work  is  entirely  satisfactory.  The  services  of  Nagleo's  coniiMUiy,  as  niounteil 
men,  against  the  Indians,  are  mentioned  in  Mason's  re^iorts  of  June  18th  ami 
Oct,  7th.  t'al.  and  X.  Mej.:,  Mes.^.  and  Doc,  ISJO,  p.  312,  355. 


MUSTERED  OUT. 


015 


tended  by  the  government  from  the  first,  were  not  as 
soldiers,  but  as  settlers  and  citizens  of  a  new  country, 
under  circumstances  in  some  respects  more  wonder- 
fully favorable  than  had  been  dreamed  by  the  youth- 
ful adventurers  in  New  York.  Petty  happenings  of 
^Mrrison  life — though  fully  related  by  Murray  for 
Santa  Bdrbara,  and  less  completely  elsewhere  by 
other  writers — do  not  belong  to  the  history  of  the 
rcs^iment,  but  to  local  annals  of  the  garrison  towns, 
not  very  exciting  even  wlien  eked  out  with  occur- 
rences not  military  in  their  nature.  An  accidental 
explosion  at  Los  Angeles  on  the  9th  of  December, 
1847,  by  which  several  men  were  killed  and  others  in- 
jured, was  perhaps  the  most  notable  event  in  this  con- 
noetion.  The  companies  that  were  sent  south  saw 
some  actual  service  in  the  peninsula,  losing  two  men 
in  battle,  but  their  experience  belongs  to  another  part 
of  my  work." 

The  volunteers  had  enlisted  *for  the  war,'  and 
accordingly,  on  receipt  of  news  that  the  war  had  been 
ended  by  the  treaty  of  May  30th,  orders  were  issued 
l)y  Governor  Mason  for  the  mustering-out  of  the 
regiment.  This  was  on  August  7,  1848.  On  the 
1 5th  Lieutenant  Hardie  of  the  3d  artillery — major  of 
the  regiment,  who  now  resumed  his  position  in  the 
it'gular  army,  but  retaining  command  of  the  post — • 
mustered  out  companies  C  and  K  at  San  BVancisco, 
and  Company  H  on  the  25th  as  soon  as  it  arrived  from 
Sonoma.  Captain  A.  J.  Smith  of  the  1st  dragoons 
mustered  out  Company  V  at  Santa  Bdrbara  the  8th  of 
September,  the  .staff  companies  E  and  (I  at  Los 
Angeles  on  the  18th,  and  Company  I  at  San  Diego  on 
the  25th.  Tiie  remaining  companies,  A,  H,  and  ]), 
on  their  arrival  from  Lower  California,  were  nmstered 
<»ut  by  Captain  Burton  of  the  3d  artillery,  late  lieuten- 
ant-colonel of  the  volunteers,  at  Monterey  on  October 
2:5(1  and  24th.     The  field-officers  were  nmstered  out 

"See  //w^  North  Mfx.  Statfit,  ii.,  this  series.  Tliese  companies  returned 
ill  the  Ohio,  arriving  at  Monterey  Oct.  14,  1848. 


616 


NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEERS. 


1  i 


by  Captain  Burton  at  Monterey  the  26th  of  October. 
In  his  report  of  December  27th  to  the  war  depart- 
ment, giving  details  of  the  disbandment,  Governor 
Mason  wrote  in  complimentary  terms  of  Stevenscni, 
Burton,  and  Hardie,  and  of  the  faithful  and  effici<iit 
service  each  had  rendered  in  his  district,  extendini,' 
the  praise  also  to  subaltern  officers  and  soldiers.  1 
append  in  a  note  some  items  of  interest  on  the  dis- 
bandment, gleaned  from  the  official  documents." 

^''  Cal.  mid  X.  Mex.,  Mexn.  and  Doc,  ISoO,  containing  all  the  correspoiid- 
euce,  Sept.  18,  1847,  bad  conduct  uf  Lippitt's  inun  ut  Sta  Barbara,  M.ison's 
report,  p.  'Xio.  Nov.  lltli,  'Lieut  Burton  reports  much  insubordination,  nnct 
that  the  company  oflicers  have  little  or  no  control  over  their  men.  A  similar 
state  of  tilings  exists  among  some  of  tlic  companies  in  Li^pperCal.'  p.  A'2:l. 
.liine  17,  1848,  Unickett's  company  at  Sonoma  reduced  from  GO  to  23  nifn 
by  desertions  for  the  gold-liclds.  p.  G'Jl-.'l,  Aug.  7tli,  Lieut  W.  T.  Sheriauii 
(a.  a.  a.  general)  to  Maj.  JIardio.  Order  to  discharge  the  volunteers  at  S.  F. 
Maj.  Rich,  the  U.  S.  payiiuister,  is  expected  on  the  Oltja  to  pay  oflF  tlie 
men,  but  they  must  be  discliurged  and  wait  for  pay  if  he  does  not  arrive.  \>. 
Q'Xi.  Aug.  7th,  Id.  to  comaudante  at  8.  Jos<5,  to  proceed  with  detachment  tu 
S.  F.  for  iliHcliarge.  This  is  tlio  only  record  I  find  of  such  a  detachment.  \>. 
G.S.'}.  Aug.  llth,  Sherman  to  L'apt.  A.  J.  Smith,  wlio  is  to  go  south  on  tlio 
Anita  to  discharge  the  southern  companies.  Unserviceable  projierty  was  tu 
be  sold  at  auction.  'As  many  citizens  may  feel  insecure  in  consequence  of  tliu 
withdrawal  of  all  military  force,  you  are  authorized  to  leave  with  the  alcald-- 
or  other  trusty  citizen  a  few  arms  and  some  ammunition,  taking  his  receipt 
for  the  same.  The  arms  will  be  delivered  out  of  those  which  were  token  from 
the  citizens  of  C'al.  during  the  past  war,  and  may  bo  distributed  toperson-i 
who  c.in  be  trusted,  wlio  !<tand  in  need  of  such  protection.'  p.  C.'}7-8.  Au.', 
IGth,  Sherman  to  Quartermaster  Folsom  at  S.  F.  Volunteers  to  be  paid  ac 
cording  to  laws  of  congress  and  instructions  of  the  war  dept.  Gov.  M.  'is 
not  aware  of  any  law  that  entitles  oflicers  of  this  regiment  to  mileage,  or  any 
other  allowance,  to  the  ]»lacc  of  enrolment.'  p.  G38.  Aug.  21st,  Id.  to  I'ay- 
niustcr  Rich  at  S.  F.  He  is  to  go  soutli  on  tiic  Anita,  after  turning  over  i>> 
ALij.  Hardie  money  to  i)ay  the  .S.  F.  volunteers  lately  mustered  out.  p.  6.31). 
Aug.  20th,  Stevenson  to  Mason.  An  appeal  thattiio  volunteers  in  the  south 
be  permitted  to  retain  their  arms,  and  to  have  l.'i  days' rations.  Otherwi.-se 
they  will  be  left  in  a  l>ad  condition,  with  scanty  means  to  reach  the  mines. 
The  Monnons  were  allowed  to  retain  their  arms,  an<l  were  furnished  transpor- 
tation to  Salt  Lake,  for  less  service  than  that  of  the  N.  Y.  volunteers;  and 
Gen.  Keuniy  had  assured  S.  that  like  favors  should  be  shown  to  Stevenson '.s 
men.  p.  G4-t-.">.  Aug.  2Gtli,  iShcrinan  in  reply  for  Mason  declines  to  permit 
the  retention  of  arms.  The  Mormons  kept  theirs  by  a  siiecial  agreement  at 
the  time  of  enlistment;  (icn.  Kearny  left  no  instructions  on  the  subject,  <<'■' 
record  of  his  promise;  and  moreover,  it  would  be  unwise  to  leave  U.  S.  gum 
of  late  patterns  in  tht<  hands  of  priv;ito  individuals,  because  in  such  case  it 
would  be  impossible  todi.stingui.sh  these  arms  from  those  improperly  ac(|uircd. 
But  as  to  rations,  if  Maj.  Rich  tlecides  against  allowing  any  travelling  ex- 
penses, provisions  will  be  given  for  the  journey  to  Monterey  or  S.  F. ;  and 
women,  sick  men,  etc.,  will  \>c  transported  on  the  Anita,  p.  042.  Aug.  21st, 
Sherman  to  Capt.  Lippitt.  The  auction  sale  of  provisions  will  give  the  Sta 
Barbara  men  a  chance  to  get  supplies  for  their  journey  to  the  mines.  S.  to 
Hardie,  permitting  the  issue  of  a  certilicatc  of  honorable  discharge.  Id.  to 
Id.,  about  paying  ofT  the  men.  Rich  not  having  arrived,  p.  040.     Aug.  25th, 


STATISTICS  OF  THE  REGIMENT, 


817 


Official  stai/istics  of  the  regiment  as  published  in 
the  government  documents  are  as  follows:  Mustered 
in  at  New  York  in  August  1846,  38  officers  and  729 
men;  joined  later,  188  men;  officers  resigned,  six; 
men  discharged,  136;  died,  33;  killed  in  action,  two; 
killed  by  accident,  seven;  wounded  by  accident,  two; 
deserted,  323;  mustered  out  in  California  1848,  39 
officers  and  658  men.  Accordinjr  to  Clark's  researches, 
nothing  is  known  respecting  the  death  or  whereabouts 
it'  living  of  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  men. 
Of  the  rest  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  were  liv- 
ing in  California  as  late  as  1883,  and  about  the  same 
number  had  died  in  California  before  that  date.  On 
tlioir  discharge  nearly  all  found  their  way  as  soon  as 
possible  to  the  gold  mines,  whence  3'ear  by  year  such 
as  did  not  die  there  scattered  with  and  without  gold 
over  the  Pacific  territories.  Their  fate  was  far  from 
being  the  disastrous  one  predicted  by  hostile  news- 
papers at  the  start.  The  volunteers  performed  well 
enough  the  duties  assigned  them  as  soldiers  and  set- 
tiers;  and  the  result  fairly  justified  the  views  of  the 
administration  that  promoted  the  organization.  The 
colonel,  the  oldest  man  in  the  regiment  at  starting, 
was  still  a  resident  and  federal  office-holder  of  San 
Francisco  in  1885;  while  not  a  few  other  members  of 


A  Hita  at  Mont.,  awaiting  Rich.  Aug.  28th,  Rich  haH  .wrived.  and  l»ad  paid  off 
S.  F.  volunteers,  p.  00;J-4,  (543-4.  Oct.  9th,  sec.  of  w  ar  to  Col  Mason.  Vol- 
unteers  insisting  on  returning  to  the  U.  S.  might  be  retained  hx  the  service 
until  an  opportunity  for  return  occurred.  If  discha'  ^ed  in  Cal.,  they  will  be 
entitled  to  3  months'  extra  pay.  p.  2o8.  I  Jind  nootiie/reord  about  this  ex- 
tra pay.  Dec.  27tii,  Mason's  report  to  sec.  of  war.  About  the  time  of  the 
disbanding  of  the  tliree  companies  from  L.  Cal.  at  this  place  (Monterey), 
sumo  of  the  individuals  of  these  companies  committed  gross  acts  of  pillage 
«]>i)n  public  and  private  property,  took  forcible  posaesfion  of  a  public  build- 
ing bolonging  to  the  town  authorities,  which  they  oc  -upieil  for  some  days, 
.'ind  wantonly  injured  to  a  considerable  extent.'  p.  649-53.  Marcli  3<1,  Ma- 
sciii  writes  that  many  of  the  volunteers  had  brought  with  tliem  to  Cal.  arms 
an<i  ammunition,  which  they  sold  to  Califomians.  All  that  cor.ld  be  found 
wore  seized,  to  be  returned  after  the  war  wa-sover.  p.  4nS.  In  tlie  S.  J.  Pio- 
iirrr  oi  Nov,  21,  1877,  is  an  account  of  the  circumstances  att«^iiding  the  mus- 
toring-out  of  the  last  companies  at  Monten-y,  and  the  men's  departure  for 
the  mines.  The  facts  and  dates  of  the  dislxindment  are  also  given  in  Clark's 
First  Iteffiment.  It  appears  that  Lieut  .Sherwowl,  being  absent  on  detached 
service  at  the  musteriiig-out  of  hii  company,  waa  not  formally  discharged 
until  1873. 


018 


COMPANY  F,  THIRD  ARTILLERY. 


the  regiment  held  positions  of  honor  in  California  and 
elsewhere." 


The  first  United  States  troops  sent  to  California 
after  the  declaration  of  war  against  Mexico  were 
companies  C  and  K,  first  dragoons,  marching  from 
Santa  Fd  under  General  Kearny,  and  arriving  in  De- 
cember 1846.  Next  came  the  Mormon  volunteer  bat- 
talion, which,  crossing  the  continent,  forded  the  Colo- 
rado and  entered  California  on  January  10,  1847. 
The  third  detachment  was  an  artillery  company  of 
the  regular  army,  which  came  by  sea  later  in  January. 
Fourth  was  the  regiment  of  New  York  volunteers, 
arriving  by  sea  in  March  of  the  same  year;  and  finally, 
at  the  end  of  1848,  there  came  overland  from  Chihua- 
hua four  additional  companies  of  dragoons  under  Ma- 
jor Graham.  Three  of  the  five  bodies  of  troops  liavo 
been  noticed  in  this  and  earlier  chapters;  the  other 
two,  the  artillery  company  and  dragoon  battalion,  re- 
quire attention  here. 

Company  F  third  artillery  was  composed  mainly  of 
now  recruits  enlisted  for  a  term  of  five  vears  in  Ponn- 
sylvania  and  Maryland  during  the  spring  of  1840. 
About  half  the  company  were  foreigners,  chiefly  Irish 
and  German.  It  was  organized  and  drilled  at  Fort 
Mc Henry,  and  thence  transferred  to  Governor's  Isl- 
and, its  captain,  Henry  S.  Burton,  accepting  a  com- 
mand in  the  New  York  volunteers,  and  his  place  being 
taken  by  Captain  Christopher  Q.  Tompkins.  Tlie 
first  lieutenants  were  Edward  O.  C.  Ord  and  William 
T.  Sherman;  the  second  lieutenants,  Lucien  Looser 
and  Colville  J.  Minor.  Dr  James  L.  Ord,  not  of  the 
army,  served  by  contract  as  assistant  surgeon;  and 
Lieutenant  Henry  W.  Halleck  of  the  engineers  ac- 

"Slatiatica  in  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  Slst  cong.  1st  seas.,  11.  Ex.  Doc.  24,  |i. 
2'2».  In  addition  to  authorities  on  Stevenson's  regiment  already  mentioiifd, 
I  might  cite  a  long  list  of  newspaper  articles,  chietly  in  the  form  of  anniver- 
sarv  reunions,  speeches,  and  lists  of  survivors;  but  these  furnish  nothin.ij  in 
addition  to  what  has  been  presented,  except  biographical  material  utilized 
elsewhere. 


ARRIVAL  AT  MONTEREY. 


U9 


oonipanicd  the  detachment.  The  rank  and  file  riuni- 
horcd  113  nion.*"  General  Scott's  instructions  to 
Tomi)kins  were  dated  June  20,  184G;**and  on  the 
14th  of  July  the  company  embarked  on  the  U.  S. 
ship  Lexinfjton,  commanded  by  Theodorus  Bailc}-,  the 
vessel  carrying  also  a  large  supply  of  guns  and  mili- 
tary stores.  The  voyage  was  an  uneventful  one,  with- 
out a  single  death  or  other  casualty;  and  is  well  de- 
scribed, like  the  company's  later  experience,  by  General 
Slierman  in  his  memoirs."  Touching  at  Kio  Janeiro, 
doubling  Cape  Horn  in  October,  and  calling  at  Val- 
j)araiso  in  November,  the  Lexington  anchored  at 
Monterey  on  January  28,  1847,  after  being  driven  up 
to  the  latitude  of  San  Francisco."^ 

The  artillerymen  of  Company  F  on  landing  at  Mon- 
terey relieved  the  naval  garriso!i  under  Maddox  an<l 
Baldwin,  took  possession  of  the  block-house  on  the 
1)111  and  of  the  custom-house,  soon  building  an  ad- 
ditional fort,  and  some  of  tl'.e  officers  being  quartered 
ac  private  houses  in  the  town.  Captain  Ti)mpkins 
resigned  his  place  and  went  east  on  a  sailing  vessel  in 

'*Sce  nil  the  iiamt's  in  my  Pioneer  Register  at  the  ohiI  of  these  volumes. 
A  copy  of  the  iiuister-roll  has  been  furnishcil  iiio  from  Washington  liy 
A<lj.-g»'ii.  L.  ('.  iJuncun.  The  roll  eontains  l.'U  naincs;  hut  ius  otiier  authori- 
ties f^ive  the  number  at  starting  as  I  I'J  or  I  \'.\  men  ami  5  othuers,  it  is  proba- 
I'li'  tliat  the  others  were  later  recruits.  The  names  arc  given  also  by  Kiwiser 
mill  l.aucey.  The  iion-comniissioiu'il  otlicers  were  as  follows:  sergeants, 
Charles  Liiyton,  John  K.  \()l)le,  .Tames  II.  Carson,  JIarvey  Mnxini,  Lewis 
(.'nrinan,  ami  Patrick  Hand;  corporals,  Kicharil  if.  Uell,  I'utrick  Reiil,  lieury 
A.  Iloli'man,  and  Owen  l^'uvy. 

'''In  (Ju/l.f' Con'f.  (,'n!.,  '2.") I -2.  Similar  in  purport  to  instructions  to  other 
otlieera  already  given.  J[e  was  to  cooperate  with  the  naval  ofliccrs,  to  take 
eliarge  of  ordnance  and  army  stores,  to  erect  and  defend  forts,  etc.  The 
iirtilleryinen  w^re  to  be  merely  pa.ssen;^ers  on  the  U.  S.  ship,  e  .cept  in  case 
of  action,  when  tiiey  were  to  render  aid. 

'^^  M<>molr.*(tf  ('l''i>'  r'll  WiHidiii  T.  S/icrmrtn.  Ihj hlnixflf.  New  York,  1S7">, 
8vo,  2  vols.  Chap.  i.  p.  1  -(U>,  is  devoted  to  'early  recollections  of  California,' 
I.S47-8.  The  narrative  is  interesting  and  valuable,  tliough  in  minor  details 
the  author  is  not  alwiiys  an  accurate  w  ifness. 

'^'Kooser  makes  tiie  date  of  arrival  .Ian.  2.111,  and  Sherman  .Tan  2Gth;  but 
Lanccy,  Cni'iMf  oj' Ihe.  Dale,  21 1  et  seq.,  seems  to  be  the  best  authority,  being 
an  entry  from  his  oiiginal  diary.  Lancey  gives  a.  good  account  of  the  com- 
pany's history,  iiududing  the  aulistance  of  tho  accounts  by  Sherman  and 
Kooser.  DrOrd,  Hemin.,  M.S.,  makes  tho  date  of  arrival  .Ian.  27th.  in  the 
Monterey  Calij'ornian,  .Tan.  28,  1.S47,  it  is  stated  that  the  LcxiiKitmi  '  has  just 
arrived.'  See  also  .S'.  F.  Calif.,  Feb.  G,  1847;  S.  F.  Vnl.  Star,  Feb.  it,  1847. 
In  Sues'  Retj.,  l.xxi.  140,  is  a  letter  from  a  member  of  the  company  at  Rio, 
Sept.  11th. 


020 


COMPANY  F,  THIRD  ARTILLERY. 


May.  Lieutenant  Sherman  acted  at  first  as  quarter- 
master and  commissary,  and  later  as  assistant  adjutant- 
fjfoneral  under  Colonel  Mason,  serving  only  for  a  very 
brief  period  as  company  officer.  Lieutenant  Minor 
died  in  Aui^ust  of  a  malignant  disease  brought  from 
Manila  on  the  Columbus,  which  also  killed  nine  of  the 
soldiers.  Thus  Ord  and  Loeser  were  chiefly  in  charge 
of  the  company,  until  the  latter  in  the  summer  of 
1848  was  sent  east  with  despatches,  and  a  little  later, 
on  the  disbandment  of  Stevenson's  regiment.  Captain 
Burton  resumed  his  original  place  in  command  of  the 
company.  Garrison  life  at  Monterey,  though  a  feature 
in  local  annals  of  the  town  and  in  the  personal  remi- 
niscences of  the  company's  members,  had  no  salient 
points  which  can  be  brought  out  in  the  space  at  njy 
command.  Private  Benjamin  Kooser,  who  spent  the 
rest  of  his  life  in  California,  being  well  known  as  edi- 
tor of  several  newspapers,  wrote  several  interesting- 
articles  on  the  annals  of  the  company.'^  Sergeant 
Carson  was  another  who  gained  some  reputation  as  a 
writer  in  later  vears.**  Sherman,  Ord,  and  Hilleok 
acquired  a  gi-eai  national  reputation  as  mi'itar*'  eoni- 
manders  after  having  taken  soiuewhat  prominent 
parts  in  Californian  affairs;  and  information  about  tlie 
more  humble  career  of  other  officers  and  soldiers  <it" 
Company  F  may  be  found  in  other  parts  of  this  work. 
The  discovery  of  gold  furnished  an  attraction  more  ir- 
resistible to  the  regulars  than  to  the  volunteers,  because 
they  could  not  like  the  latter  look  forward  to  an  early 
discharge.  Accordinglv  they  took  advantage  of  evciv 
favorable  opportunity  to  desert  for  the  mines.  By  the 
end  of  August  there  had  been  thirty-three  desertions, 


^  Kootier's  Pioneer  Soldiers  of  CaU/ornia,  i>\ih\ished  in  the  (S.  F.  Alta,  lS(i4, 
being  tlien  partly  reproduced  from  tlio  Sati  Andrean  Independent  of  an  carlii'i- 
date,  and  all  reproduced  in  tae  (V.  Josd  Pioneer,  Jan.  19,  1878.  See  also  Tu-nitii 
Years  Ago  in  Cal. ,  in  S.  F.  Bulletin,  Jan.  3 1 ,  1807,  from  the  Sta  Cruz  Scndio  1. 
These  articles  contain  names  and  reminiscences  of  the  writer's  comrades,  4o 
of  wliom  were  known  to  liave  died  before  1864,  and  16  were  known  to  be 
living. 

■■'*  Carson's  Eurh/  lircollections  of  the  Mines,  Stockton,  1852,  being  the  lirst 
book  printed  at  Stockton. 


DESERTIONS-BURTON'S  COMPANY. 


S21 


and  only  about  fifty  men  wore  on  duty.*'  The  movement 
continued,  though  wo  have  no  further  statistics,  and 
in  Sept'jmber  Governor  Mason  began  to  grant  fur- 
loughs for  a  few  months  to  trustworthy  soldiers  who 
desired  a  few  months  of  mining  life.  A  few  remained 
liiithful  to  the  end  of  their  term  in  1851,  and  sonje 
<ven  reenlisf,(^d.  After  an  absence  in  tlie  Tularesand 
at  San  Diego,  the  company,  renewed  for  the  most 
j)art,  served  again  at  Monterey  from  1852  to  1857, 
l)eing  then  sent  to  Fort  Yuma,  where  in  18G4  one 
<tf  the  original  members,  William  Rafter,  still  an- 
.swered  to  the  roll-call."" 

A  small  company  of  volunteer  cavalry  was  mus- 
tered into  service  at  ^[onterey  in  April  1847,  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  B.  Burton,  and  rendered 
s')nio  service  against  the  Indians  with  Naglce's  men 
<iuring  the  rest  of  the  year,  being  mustered  out  in 
]Jecember.'-''  The  Iluutrcss  brought  a  detachment  of 
recruits  from  New  York  in  September  1848,  of  whom 
nothing  is  known,  except  that,  according  to  Mason's 
report  of  November  24th,  "just  so  fast  as  they  re- 
covered sufficiently  from  the  scurvy  to  leave  the  hos- 
jtital,  they  went  off"  for  the  mines;  and  in  December 
only  twelve  of  the  nun)ber  remained  on  duty.**'  The 
dragoons  of  Company  C,  under  Captain  Smith  and 
Lieutenant  Stoneman,  including  the  members  of  the 
<»riginal  Company  K,  numbered  eighty-three  men  in 
August  1848,  having  lost  none  by  desertion  as  long 
as  they  were  kept  on  garrison  duty  in  the  south;  but 
<»n  beins:  transferred  to  San  Franciso  and  other  north- 
cin  points  about  this  time,  desertions  began,  as  had 
been  predicted.'*' 


^Cal.  and  iV.  Mcx.,  Mes^.  ninl  Dor.,  It^oO,  p.  G03,  643. 

'"  Kooser'a  Pion.  Sold,     lie  gives  a  blank  form  of  the  first  furlough  granted 
•)V  Mason. 
"  '"  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  31  at  cong.  1st  sess.,  }I.  Ex.  Doc,  24,  p.  22  h;  Col.  and 
X.  Mex.,  Mfss.  and  Doc,  1860,  p.  :{j3-S. 

"/rf.,  648-9;  S.  Jond  Pioneer,  Nov.  21,  1877. 

^Val.  ami  iV.  Mex.,  A/ens.  <iml  Do,:,  ISJO,  p.  603.  633,  638,  642-3,  648. 
Nineteen  men  under  Stoneuiau  sent  to  8.  F.  in  Aug.  Twelve  deaertious  be- 
foie  Nov.  24tli. 


622 


THE  DRAGOONS. 


After  the  war  was  ended  in  Mexico  a  battalion  of 
dragoons  marched  from  Coahuila  in  August  1848,  hy 
way  of  Chihuahua  and  Tucson,  to  California.  It  con- 
sisted of  companies  A  and  E  first  dragoons,  undtr 
Lieutenant  Cave  J.  Coutts  and  Captain  Daniel  }]. 
Rucker,  and  companies  D  and  E  second  dragoons, 
under  lieutenants  Reuben  P.  Cam[>ijell  and  Elias  K. 
Kane,  acting  as  captains.  It  was  under  the  command 
of  Brevet  Major  Lawrence  P.  Graham  of  the  second 
dragoons,  and  numbered  275  men,  besides  205  team- 
sters and  other  workmen  enlisted  for  a  year  from  July 
1st,  or  nearly  500  men  in  all.  They  left  Chihuahua 
at  the  beginning  of  September,  were  at  Tucson  late  in 
October,  crossed  the  Colorado  into  California  late  in 
November,  and  arrived  at  Warner's  rancho  on  Decem- 
ber 29tli.  The  journey  is  well  described  by  Coutts  in 
his  diary,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  my  possession.  It 
was  attended  by  nmch  toil  and  hardship,  most  of  which, 
according  to  the  writer,  was  due  to  the  incompetence 
and  drunkenness  of  the  commander.  Between  iiiiM 
and  the  comp-my  officers,  and  among  the  lat^^er,  then^ 
was  much  dissension  on  the  march  and  later.  1  liav»! 
no  space  for  the  quarrels  or  for  details  of  the  march ; 
and  the  Californian  experience  of  this  liattalion  (Iocs 
not  come  within  the  lintits  of  this  volume.  So  late 
did  the  dragoons  arrive  that  they  iiad  no  opportunity 
even  to  desert  for  the  mines  before  the  end  of  the 
vear:  and  I  hav-e  not  thouj^ht  it  best  to  include  theii' 
names  in  my  Pioneer  Register.  Major  Graiiam  was 
commandant  in  the  south,  and  seveial  of  the  officers 
were  somewhat  prominent  in  I84t>;  but,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Colonel  Coutts,'"'  who  became  a  leac'ing  citi- 

"To«««'  Diarif  of  a  Mnn'h  to  Culi/oniid  in  ;.s.;.s\  MS.  ("opii'd  in  ]s'\ 
from  tlio  original  furnislicd  by  tlici  author.  It  inoliules  si^mc  r\|H'rience8  of 
I84!>,  nniotig  others  the  servi  e  of  Coutts'  coni|«ny  n»  escort  to  the  Ixmndary 
eoiiniiisBion.  Sherman,  Memoirx,  i.  til,  mentions  the  arrival  of  (iraham'rt 
Itattalion,  as  docs  Gov.  Mason  in  his  report  of  I)co.  27th.  ( 'al.  ami  X.  Mr.i., 
iUo.1.  and  Doc,  1S50,  p.  04!>;  aUo  items  relating  to  tho  dragoons  in  IM!».  in 
/(/.,  (iiM)-015,  passim.  In  the  rc|M>rt  cited  Mason  atys:  *  I  was  in  Iioj-m's  that 
the  ucwg  of  the  discovery  of  ;ho  gold  mines  in  this  country,  together  with  its 
effects  on  the  jops  stationed  hero,  would  have  reached  the  department  iMifore 
ftuy  more  were  ordered  out,  fur  every  day  atlds  to  my  conviction  taat  uu  sul> 


(SRAHAMS  BATTALION. 


5  teain- 

>ru  July 

ihuaiiiia 

1  lato  ill 

.  late  ill 

Decoin- 

outts  ill 

ion.     It 

f  which, 

pctenco 

on  hiiM 

V,  thoro 

1  havt; 

inarcli ; 

)n  (Iocs 

8o  h-ito 

|rtiinity 

of  thV' 
o  tlioir 
III  was 
)tHccrs 
he  ox- 


zen  of  southern  California,  little  is  heard  of  officers  or 
men  in  the  country's  later  annals. 

dier  shouU'  be  Rent  to  Califoniia  for  some  yiarH  to  come,  unlcsa  congress  pro- 
vide them  pay  bearing  some  pro|)ortioi)  to  the  amount  tlicy  can  make  in  the 
country,  and.  at  the  same  time,  devise  some  laws  by  whiuh  deserters,  and  those 
vhu  c-ntico  tlicm  away,  employ  them,  and  purchase  from  them  their  arms, 
nceontrements,  clothing,  anil  other  public  pro|H!rty,  which  they  steal  ami 
carry  off,  can  )>e  more  summarily  and  severely  punished;  the  present  laws 
l)eing  entirely  inade<{uate,  as  long  ex|>er)ence  has  proved.  Troops  are  needed 
here,  and  greatly  needed;  but  uf  what  use  is  it  to  send  them,  with  the  |x>sitiva 
certainty  of  their  running  oil'  to  the  gold  mines  as  socm  ns  they  arrive,  taking 
\«  ith  them  whatever  public  pn)p<'rty  they  can  lay  their  hands  on  J  To  arrest 
them  is  intTKwsible,  as  they  receive  every  encouragement  to  desert  and  every 
facility  to  dude  pursuit.  I  cannot  but  appreheml  that  Major  (Sraham's  men 
will  desert  nearly  as  fast  as  the  horses  recover  strength  to  travel,  for  the 
wages  in  che  country  continiK-  as  extravagant  as  when  I  last  wrote,  and  the 
gold  minci  hold  out  fully  as  tempting  a  proMjMict  as  ever.' 


iu  Is; I 

riencea  nf 

boundiiry 

uraiiaiii's 

liV.  M,.,., 

I^a!>,  in 

:)|M'S  that 

with  its 

Int  l)cf(ire 

It  no  sol- 


CHAPTER  XX. 

PIONEERS-DONNER  PARTY-THE  MORMONS. 

1840-1848. 

Statistjcs  op  Population — IMos  keiw  ok   1846— Classification' — Disco\> 
Ti  NTKD    Immiguants — Thk   Okf.go.n    CD.MPANy— Clymax    and    Has- 

TIMiS    Boi'NI)    KtlH  TIIK    StATKS— OVKKI.ANU    WksTWAIIH — BUYANT  AMI 

TiiouxTON— Many  Pakties— Tkdiois,  Unkvkntkil  Jdiunevs— Has- 
tings' Cht-ofk — The  Donnku  Paisty— Lisr  cf  Names— A  New  Crx-ofp 
— Fatal  Dei^y — Dissensions— .STAUv\TitiN  ik  the  Siekra— Hkev.n's 
Diary— Rkcoud  mf  Deaths— AriimitiTiKs— The  I'oklous  IIope-Tiie 

FtsUR     liELIEF     PaUTIES-CkNEHAL      Jt  1.MAHKS  — ThK      MdlSMON      I.MMI- 

liRANTS— Plans  of  the  .Saints— List  hf  Names— Ukannav  anh  his 
CoNTRAcr — Voyage  of  the  'Urooki.vn  ' — Arrival  at  HoNoLnLU  and 
Yerra  BrENA— An  Inkcstrioi  s  pEtii'i.E— Dissensions— New  Hoi-e 
ON  the  San  Joaquin — Change  of  I'lans  amj  a  Disai'Iminted  Col- 
ony—  I'lONEERS  AND   IMMIGRATION    OF   1847-S. 

The  foreign  lualo  population  jint  of  Si)aniKh  l)loo(l 
has  boon  given  as  150  in  1830,^00  in  1835,380  in 
1840,  and  080  in  1845.  Tliis  population — no  longer 
foreign  under  tlie  treaty  of  Guadalupe!  ]Iidalgo — may 
l)e  j)ut  at  4,200  in  1848,  countiiig  only  persons  whose 
names  are  known.  New-eoniers  ot'  the  last  three  years 
i\  imbercd  3,1)00.  Of  these;  2,020  came  as  soldiers  in 
the  volunt«;or  or  legular  army;  120  in  the  na\y,  not 
including  the  muster-rolls  of  men-of-war,  which  would 
amo'.nt  to  several  thousands;  3()0  wt-re  overland  im- 
migrants; 320  came  hy  sea,  about  half  of  them  immi- 
grants proper;  atid  o{'  1,080  it  is  not  known  how  they 
came.  Meanwhile  «iepartures  and  deaths  as  recorded 
numbered  about  280,  though  there  are  at  least  twice  as 
many  of  whose  later  presince  there  is  no  definite  record. 
I  suppose  that  the   t(»tal   population,  including  half- 

(524* 


STATISTICS. 


925 


breed  children,  was  less  than  7,000.  I  do  not  present 
separate  lists  of  the  ])ioneers  for  184G-8,  as  I  have 
done  for  earlier  years,  because  thoy  would  be  very 
long,  and  at  the  same  time  an  unnecessary  repetition 
of  my  Pioneer  Regis*  »•  and  Index,  which  is  completed 
in  this  volume,  and  t.iitains  in  alphabetical  arrange- 
ment all  the  names  for  these  and  other  years. 
As  pioneer  records  arc  somewhat  less  complete  for 
this  than  for  earlier  periods,  and  as  I  am  obliged  to 
j)ut  this  chapter  in  type  before  the  completion  of  the 
register,  the  figures  given  hero  must  be  taken  as  ap- 
proximations only,  though  not  misleading. 

My  register  of  pioneers  for  the  year  1846  contains  in 
round  numbers,  not  including  mere  visitors  or  the  naval 
muster-rolls,  as  already  explained,  about  1,000  names. 
They  may  be  roughly  classified  as  follows:  overland 
immigrants,  not  including  females,  250;  officers,  dra- 
goons, and  servant^  in  General  Kearny's  escort  from 
New  Mexico,  120  or  a  total  of  370  who  came  by 
land,  oO  of  which  imiiber  entered  California  only  to 
(lie  in  the  snows  of  the  Sierra  or  at  the  fight  of  San 
]?ascual.  Then  there  were  about  230  men  who  came 
l)y  sea,  100  or  more  of  these  belonging  to  the  navy, 
and  a  like  number  being  the  ^lorinon  colony  from 
Xcw  York.  Finallv,  we  have  about  400  men  whose 
j)resenco  is  known  but  not  the  manner  of  their  com- 
ing. These  include  IGO  members  of  the  California 
battalicni,  many  of  whose  names  should  doubtless  be 
added  to  the  list  of  immigrants;  40  of  Fauntleroy's 
dragoon  volunteers,  many  of  whom  were  sailors;  130 
men  shown  by  the  records  to  have  been  at  some  place 
in  California;  and  70  later  residents  whose  arrival  is 
somewhat  defmitely  ascribed  to  this  year. 

Early  in  the  spring  many  I'oreigners,  chiefly  immi- 
grants of  184.'),  U'ft  California,  some  of  them  dissat- 
isfied with  the  country  or  its  political  condition,  others 
not  having  com»;  with  an  intention  of  remaining. 
(Jne  party  of  thirty  or  more  went  to  Oregon,  some 
names  being  known,  but  nothing  respecting  the  mgun- 


! 


a  V  :' 


m 


PIONEERS— DONXKR  PARTY— THE  MORMONS. 


ization  or  journey.'  There  were  also  several  small 
parties  that  came  southward  from  Oregon,  leaving 
but  slight  trace  in  the  records  beyond  the  names  of  a 
few  members.''  The  other  departing  conjpany  was 
that  of  Clyman,  Hastings,  and  Hudspeth,  consisting 
of  nineteen  men,  three  women,  and  three  children, 
starting  over  the  mountains  eastward  late  in  April  at 
about  the  same  time  as  the  others  lor  Oregon.  Hast- 
ings and  Hudspetli  were  bent  on  exploration  in  be- 
half of  new  immigrations,  as  we  shall  presently  see." 
The  coming  of  Kearny  and  his  dragoons  from  New 
Mexico  has  been  sufficiently  described  elsewhere  in 
this  volume;  and  I  tind  no  trace  this  year  of  other 
immigrants  by  this  route,  or  by  any  other  land  route 
than  that  of  the  Humboldt  and  Truckee. 

I  have  the  names  of  about  200  male  immigrants 
who  came  over  the  Sierra  by  the  Truckee  route,  be- 
sides perhaps  another  hundred  of  those  who  proba- 
bly came  that  way.  I  do  not  suppose  the  total  im- 
migrati«)ii  numbered  much  more  than  500  men,  women, 
and  children;  though  the  estimate  has  generally  been 
liigher.  The  general  subject  of  overland  immigra- 
tion for  the  year  may  be  briefly  disposed  of,  the  ex- 

'T5>e  party  included  Jumes  Barrett,  .Tiirvis  Bonney,  Truman  Bonney, 
Julian  Brjr.dshaw,  Klijali  Bristow,  Jdlin  Cliainlierluin,  \Vni  Dod.sun,  Jones. 
K.  C  Kcyea,  Abner  Fra/er,  Wni  Frazer,  Mt.'l><>nal<l,  Jl.  O'Brien,  .lanu'n 
Owens,  John  Owens,  R.  K.  I'ayne,  ^V.  R.  Roulette,  Allen  Sanders,  ("JliarK-.t 
SavMgc,  Felix  Scott,  and  K.  F.  Skinner;  and  aUo  probably  many  of  tiio  fol- 
lowing: Martin  Brown,  M.  Coleman,  W.  ('.  Cooper,  C  Dornte,  Duncan, 
Hayes.  Oeo.  Hiiiler,  Huet,  A.  Kinney.  Lenoir.  Tlios  Owens,  and  Sipp;  though 
Home  of  these  may  have  gone  east  instead  of  nortli. 

'J'.mo  2ti,  \>>U>,  a  party  of  seven,  inoluiling  Wamlwugh  and  Wood.  X. 
Jfilr.  IHury,  MS.,  .">4.  Clias  K.  Pickett  was  prolwbly  one  of  these  men. 
It  appears  tliat  the  jwirty  waa  attacked  by  the  ){oguo  River  Indians.  A  large 
party,  including  matiy  Canadians,  h^ft  Or.  together,  but  whs  soon  divided 
into  nnny  smaller  ones.  The  smallest  was  that  of  Hich.  V.  Kirby  and  pur- 
Imps  Alfred  jialdwin,  which  followed  that  of  Wambough.  Sla  Cruz  Co, 
Hist.,  '2"). 

■'Chfman'M  Dinrtf,  MS.,  ."i-fl,  148,  unfortunately  ending  with  the  departure 
from  Cal.  See  ultut  Dor.  //iiif.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  \'2'2;  Suttcr-Siiilol  ('ofrcHi'., 
MS.,  :U;  A'.  J/ilr.  IHnry,  MS.,  44.  Bogg^i,  .I'/oia  the  Plnim  in '40,  met 
Clyman "s  party  at  I^iiramie,  but  gives  no  iwrticidars.  Wni  Sublette,  Owen 
iSunmer  and  family,  Henry  Owens,  Clemens  and  family,  Wilson  and  family, 
and  Reddi'jk;  also  periiapa  <!.  M.  Smith,  K<i  Owens,  Isaac  A.  Flint,  A.  H. 
Crosby,  M.  It.  Chililers,  and  Benj.  CariHjnter. 


OVERLAND  JOURNEY. 

|»eriences  of  one  company  only  requiring  extended 
notice.  Several  times  in  earlier  years  the  same  jour- 
ney had  been  made  under  similar  circumstances,  by 
the  same  route,  with  like  motives,  hardships,  and 
adventures,  as  recorded  in  earlier  volumes  of  this 
history.  Names  of  immigrants  with  brief  biographic 
notices  are  given  elsewhere  in  my  Pioneer  Register. 
Personal  reminiscences  of  the  long,  dreary,  and  toil- 
some journey,  admitting  no  profitable  condensation, 
though  fascinating  in  their  details,  are  much  too  bulky 
for  reproduction  here.  Xo  two  parties  had  exactly 
the  same  experiences,  but  the  variations  lose  their 
\\\'o  and  interest  when  presented  en  resume.  Bryant 
and  Thornton  of  the  California  and  Orej^on  trains 
respectively  have  presented  [)articulars  in  published 
diaries  that  leave  but  little  to  be  desired.* 

From  May  to  July  some  two  thousand  emigrants, 
with  about  r)00  teams  of  oxen,  nmles,  and  horses, 
plodded  their  way  over  the  plains  between  Indepen- 
ilence,  Laramie,  and  Bridger.  Fn>m  each  t>f  many 
towns  or  regions  of  the  western  states  a  small  |>iirty 
under  its  own  captain  had  found  its  way  to  the  ren- 
«lezvous  on  the  Missouri.  Here  or  out  on  the  plains 
these  parties  met  and  travelled  together  in  various 
combinations,  forming  at  different  limes  one,  two,  or 
thiee  great  companies  under  regularly  chosen  chiefs, 
with  minor  detachments  extending  far  to  the  rear  or 
front.  The  principal  families  of  each  little  party  gen- 
erally but  not  always  remained  tf)gether  to  the  end; 
but  thert!   were  frequent   transfers  (»f  miscellaneous 


*  ]Vhat  I  Saw  in  ddifornia:  lifiiui  thr  journal  of  a  (our,  hy  Ih*  immiijrnnt 
rniite  awl  Sovth  /'ant  of  the  linrkii  Mninifiiinn,  wroi'M  thf  fontinr-nt  of  Stirlh 
Aiiifiriat,  tht'  i,n'(it  denert  hnsiii,  <iiii(  llu-dinih  ('itliftntin,  in  the  iieiir^  IS.'fil, 
IS'fT. .  ./iif  L'dicin  lirifniil,  luff  ii/i'fililf  if  St  /Vroi'i"!".  \.  V.,  \MS,  li'nio, 
4.">.'»  p.,  l!il  (mI.  Tlioro  wero  six  AiiuTioaii  tMlitimi!*,  an  KiiL.'li.'^li,  aixl  two 
Frt.'iicli  ill  184H-9.  This  wurk  Ims  Ih'i-ii  often  citinl  in  the  i)n.'<.-«Mliii>;  |>a>{i-M, 
ami  18  an  excellent  aiitiiority,  nut  only  on  the  ovt-rluml  joiiniey,  \nit  on  events 
ill  Cal.     The  uutlior  went  Ixick  with  Gen.  Kearny  in  the  .HUinmer  of  1817. 

Oregon  and  California  in  yv.^.s',  Jiy  ./.  <^ninn  Thornton.  N.  V.,  1841), 
l'_'ino,  '2  vols.  Sec  Jlixl.  Ornjon,  thin  series,  for  tletuils  rc«S)efting  the  author 
ami  his  work.  He  Rives,  liV  Uryuut,  u  tliury  of  the  overuuiil  juuniey  from 
«lay  to  day. 


''  'Ell 


Ir 

ril'i ' 
ill 


PIONEERS~TX)NXEU  PARTY -THE  MORMONS. 

members,  and  the  party  j^roupings  were  always  chang- 
ing. Some  of  the  parties,  as  distinguished  by  the 
names  of  their  leadeis,  were  those  of  Russell,  VVcst, 
Reed  and  Donner,  lioggs,  Gordon,  Cooper,  ]3icken- 
son,  Young,  Craig  and  Stanly,  Aram,  Brown,  Ritchif, 
Bryant  and  Jacob,  Li[>pinct)tt,  (irayson.  Graves,  Har- 
lan, Breen  and  ^lurphy,  and  IJunleavy.  I  make  no 
atteni|)t  to  trace  the  complicated  company  changes, 
to  condense  the  diaries,  or  to  name  the  members  (»t' 
the  difterent  parties;  but  append  some  general  notes 
on  the  subject.®     Except  in  a  few  instances,  there  is 

*In  A'(7rv('y.V.7.,  Ixx.  128,  208,  211;  IxxL  146,  151,  are  items  on  tho  iiii 
igrauta.  Those  houiul  for  L'al.  are  estimated  at  500  persons;  .'{50  were  iin;lt.T 
Kussell's  command  at  one  time.  In  tho  Fort  Bridger  region  great  discontent 
was  rei>orteil  in  July.  In  /(/.,  .*}2,  is  mentioned  u  project  to  colonize  S.  IHvj^o 
with  500  or  l,0(K)  emigrants  to  start  from  Ft  Smith  in  April.  For  many  ilu- 
tails  respecting  the  immigration  of  this  year,  see  /HkI.  Oreijon,  i.  552  et  8ei|., 
this  series.  Many  Inographic  skctclies  in  newspapers  and  county  histories 
afford  items  of  information  ahoiit  the  companies. 

Bryant  and  .lucoh  from  Kentucky  were  accompanied  in  the  last  stages  of 
tho  journey  by  Wni  H.  Russell,  Hiram  .Miller,  John  C.  Buclianan,  W'm  II. 
Nuttall,  James  McL'lury,  Brookey,  and  Brown.  With  nnilesand  no  wag(iii.i 
tliey  left  Bridger  July  20th,  took  the  route  by  the  soutii  of  Salt  Udu-, 
readied  tlic  Humboldt  Aug.  7th,  its  sink  the  I'JtIi,  Truckee  Lake  2.'>th,  and 
Johnson's  rancho  UOth,  being  the  first  party  to  arrive.  Full  details  in  Urn- 
wit\t  What  I  Saw. 

Col  Russell  seems  to  have  started  with  Thomas  West,  who  like  Rus-sill 
was  at  one  time  captain  of  the  united  emigrants.  West's  party  from  .Mi.s- 
Houri  included  his  four  sons,  and  his  8(m-in-law  Thomas  Campliell  and  faiii- 
ily.  B.  S.  Lippincott  and  party  with  (i  wagons  seem  also  to  tiavc  been  witli 
West  during  much  of  tiie  journey.  They  had  a  liglit  with  Indians  on  the 
Hund)oldt,  onoSallee  being  killed,  and  several  wounded,  including  L.  himsell. 
West  and  Lippincott  were  porhapa  the  third  |mrty  to  cross  the  Sieri-a,  tlio 
second  being  (.'raig  and  Stanly,  who  left  Fort  Hall  July  2.'ld,  and  were  over- 
taken by  Bryant  near  the  sink  of  the  Humboldt  Aug.  ISth,  being  12  or  l.~> 
days  in  advance  of  the  other  emigrants. 

Ex-gov.  L.  W.  Boggs  from  Missouri  aTul  party  came  by  Fort  Hall  and  the 
Humboldt,  being  in  company  with  Thornton  and  tho  Oregon  train  nnich  of 
the  way.  Win  AL  Boggs  was  at  one  time  captain  of  tho  company.  He  ha.-t 
published  a  narrative,  entitU'd  Aitokh  the  Plainn  in  '40,  in  IJul'olO'ja  Tribuin', 
Oct.  14-l>cc.  21,  1M7I;  but  the  names  of  only  three  families  are  known,  thusic 
of  A.  .1.  (irayson,  James  .Savage,  and  Win  Bryant.  It  appears  that  (Jray- 
80II  at  tirst  had  been  at  the  head  of  a  small  party,  the  members  of  which  ha.l 
fpiarrelled  with  anil  left  him.  Apparently  in  company  with  Bogga  over  tiie 
iiKiuntaiiis  was  the  party  of  Klam  Brown,  also  from  Mii'souri,  consisting  of  I  > 
families  and  Ki  wagons.  Adain.s,  .Mien,  Stilweli,  and  Crowley  are  the  nanus 
known,  besides  some  who  went  to  Oregon,  They  aro  said  to  have  reacheil 
.loiinson's  on  Oct.  10th.  Contra  ('oxtgLCo.  y/i.<,  519-22;  Sta  Cruz  Co.  JJtHl., 
27;  >'.  J.  I'ion.,3an.  20,  lS7iS.  Thornton,  i.  181,  represents  tho  Brown  ami 
Allen  party  as  having  tried  the  .Applegutc  cut-oil"  to  Or.  Stephen  Cooner's 
party,  including  the  Carriger  and  Wardlow  familic*,  were  also  opparcntly  in 
company  with  Boggs  ami  Brown.  They  aro  siiid  to  have  reached  tho  niouii- 
tains  Sept.  2l8t  anil  the  lake  on  the  24th.    Hoiwma  Co.  Hist.,  074.     And  with 


SEEKIXC;  A  SHORTER  WAY. 


529 


s  cliang- 
by  the 
1,  West, 
DickcMi- 
Kitchit", 
OS,  Har- 
nake  no 
L'lianges, 
inbers  of 
:'al  notes 
tliero  is 


on  tho  flu- 
were  iiii'.k'i- 
,t  discontent 
lizc  S.  UU'j;!) 
'or  many  «1l'- 
55'2  et  8ci|., 
ity  liistorit-a 

ist  stngus  of 
iiii,  Wni  II. 
d  no  wagons 
I  Suit  Liiko, 
i.'itli,  ami 
aiU  in  Urn- 

like  Hussill 
fi'oni  .Mis- 
and  funi- 
hecn  witli 
ins  on  ilie 
liinisclt. 
Siena,  the 
were  over- 
rj  or  1.") 

uU  and  tlio 
iu  niiich  of 
lie  has 
(t  TribitiK', 
own,  tlioM! 
hat  (Jrav- 
whicii  h.'hl 
_  I  over  tlio 
sting  of  II 
the  nanuM 

reacheil 
ICo.  JJisl., 
M'own  and 

C/Oopei's 
larcntly  in 
llio  moun- 
L\ud  with 


but  meagre  information  respecting  dates  or  other  dc- 
tiiils  of  progress  west  of  tlic  Salt  Lake  region;  and 
unfortunately  the  New  Helvetia  diary  does  not  cover 
the  period  of  overland  arrivals  this  year. 

A  portion  of  both  the  California  and  Oregon  im- 
migration were  induced  to  attempt  a  shorter  way,  or 
cut-off,  to  their  respective  destinations.  Applegate 
met  the  Oregonians  at  Fort  Hall  and  persuaded  part 
of  them  to  follow  him  down  the  Humboldt  with  the 
Californians  for  several  hundred  miles  and  thence  to 
the  Willamette.  The  result,  as  elsewhere  recorded  in 
my  Ilistori/  of  Oregon,  was  not  disastrous;  but  a  con- 
troversy respecting  the  merits  of  the  two  routes  has 
l)een  kept  alive,  chiefly  through  the  bitterness  of 
Thornton,  down  to  the  present  day.  The  Califor- 
nians were  met  in  the  region  of  Fort  Bridger  by 
Hastings  and  Hudspeth,  and  several  parties  were  in- 
duced to  save  several  hundred  miles  and  to  avoid 
many  hardships  by  taking  the  cut-off  south  of  the 
hike,  partly  explored  by  Frtknont  in  earlier  years. 
Hastings,  in  his  partisan  zeal,  supported  by  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  fort  for  their  own  interests,  exaggerated 
tlie  advantages  and  underrated  the  difficulties  of  the 
new  route;  but  though  not  a  very  wise  counsellor  in 
such  matters,  he  doubtless   acted   according   to   his 

them— or  possibly  a  little  in  advance,  as  Oct.  Ist  is  given  as  the  date  of  ar- 
rival at  Johnson  s — was  Joseph  Aram's  jmrty  of  12  wagons  and  over  50  per- 
son's, including  the  Imus,  Isbcl,  White,  Berry,  and  Uecox  families.  S.  J. 
Pion.,  Julys,  1882;  Cal.  Christ.  Advoc,  July  2,  1863. 

Tlio  partiesof  Gordon,  Dickenson,  and  Young  seem  to  have  been  connected; 
though  Dickenson  and  Gordon  seem  to  have  taken  the  Fort  Hall  route;  whilo 
Young  took  the  cutoff.  Bryant,  27,  ."jO,  'JD;  Thornton,  i.  38,  134,  104;  S.  F. 
Hull.,  Aug.  11,  187G;  .S'.  J.  Pion.,  March  20,  1880;  Lancey,  151.  Gordon's 
iiarty  is  said  to  have  included  John  Williams.  Sam.  C.  Young,  in  S.  J.  Pion. , 
Nov.  0,  1878,  describes  tlie  trip,  and  names,  besides  himself  and  family,  his 
Bou-iu-law  Arthur  Caldwell  and  family,  John  MeCutchen,  Huchalos,  Jos. 
Gordon,  Jacob  Gordon,  Duncan  Dickenson,  W.  Hoover  and  fam.,  Jacob  Rus.s, 
Simpson,  and  McMonigle.  Some  of  tlicsu  names  are  probably  erroneous,  as 
is  certainly  the  date  of  Oct.  IGth  for  crossing  the  summit.  It  was  perhaps 
on  the  5th  or  earlier.  Geo.  Harlan's  party  was  another  that  took  the  cut-otF 
and  probably  crossed  the  mountains  uuout  tho  same  timoas  Young  under  the 
guidance  of  Hai<tings.  These  were  the  last  parties  to  cross,  except  those  of 
the  Donner  company.  No  dates  or  other  particulars  are  known  about  tho 
Duulcavy  party,  or  that  of  M.  D.  Ritchie,  which  included  John  Stark,  and 
perhaps  also  (..'yrus.  Tucker,  and  Jesse. 
UisT.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    H 


f)30 


I'lOXKRI'.S-  DONXKIl  I'AHTV— THE  MORMON'S. 


judgment  honestly,  and  he  made  no  serious  error. 
Bryant  decided  to  follow  the  new  route,  but  left  let- 
ters advising  others  with  families  and  wagons  not  to 
attempt  it — letters  which  are  said  not  to  have  been 
♦lelivered.  His  party  with  pack-mules,  being  guided 
by  Hudspeth  for  a  part  of  the  way,  was  the  first  of 
the  season  to  reach  California.  Two  other  parties, 
those  of  Harlan  and  Young,  were  guided  by  Hastings 
in  person,  had  much  difficulty  in  finding  a  way  foi- 
their  wagons,  lost  much  of  their  live-stock  in  the 
Salt  Lake  desert,  but  at  last  reached  the  old  trail, 
and  were  the  last  to  cross  the  Sierra.  I  have  now  to 
write  of  those  who  were  left  behind. 


On  the  20th  of  July,  at  Little  Sandy  stream,  sev- 
eral of  the  parties  formed  a  new  combination,  choso 
George  Donner  for  their  captain,  and  thus  formed  the 
"Donner  party"  of  87  persons,  36  being  men,  21 
women,  and  30  children — five  of  the  latter  infants,  41» 
of  the  whole  number  belonging  to  four  families,  those 
of  Donner,  Graves,  Breen,  and  Murphy.  The  names 
arc  given  in  a  note."     There  was  nothing  remarkable 

*  Those  whose  imiiiCH  are  iiiurkeil  with  a  '•'died  in  the  Sierra;  tliose 
marked  't'died  Ix-fore  reaching  Cal.  Of  the  survivors  those  inarki'd  •'" 
were  still  living  in  1880;  those  marked  *''''  died  before  that  date;  it  i.s  nut 
known  what  l)ecamc  of  tlic  rest.  McUloshan  is  the  chief  authority  for  tliis 
note.  See  all  the  names  in  my  Pioneer  Register  and  Index,  in  this  and  thu 
preceding  volumes. 

•George  Donner,  wife  •Tanisen,  daughters  'ElithaC,  'LeannaC,  'Fran. .  s 
10.  (child),  '(Jeorgia  A.  (ch. ),  'Eliza  P.  (.j  yrs).  'Jacob  Uonner  (brother  ■>/ 
iJeo. ),  wife  •Elizabeth,  daughter  '^Mary  M.,  sons  '•'Geo.  Jr,  •Isaac  (ch.),  •Lowjii 
(oh.),  *Samuel  (c)i.);  sons  of  Mrs  1).  by  a  former  husband,  Solomon  IIo"k 
(ch.),  *  William  Hook  (ch.).  '■'.lames  F.  Reed,  wife ''Mary  W.,  sons 'Jamts 
F.  (oyrs),  'Thomas  K.  (3  yrs).  daughters 'Virginia  E.  (I'i  yrs),  'Martha  F. 
(8  yrs).  •Baylis  Williams  and  half-sister  Eliza  Williams.  'John  Denton, 
•Miltou  Elliott,  'James  Smith,  Walter  Herron,  'Noah  James.  Tliese  •_'9 
were  from  Springfield,  III.,  and  constituted  what  had  been  originally  tiic 
Reed-Donner  narty;  Reed  Wing  the  most  prominent  member. 

"Franklin  \V.  Graves,  wife  *Elizabeth,  sons  'WmC,  'Jonathan  B.  (7  yrr"*. 
'Franklin  W.  Jr  (.'>  yrs),  daughters  'Mary  A.,  'Eleanor,  'Lovina,  'Namy 
(!)  yrs),  ''Elizabeth  Jr  (infant);  son-in-law  'Jay  Fosdick,  wife  ''Sarah  (iravi  .-i, 
fJohn  Snyder.  These  1.3  came  from  Marshall  co..  111.,  and  had  originally 
formed  a  separate  party.  What  others  the  party  had  included,  if  any,  doo.-* 
not  appear. 

'Patrick  Breen,  wife  'Mary,  sons  'John,  'Edward  J.,  'Patrick  Jr(ch.), 
'Simon  P.,  '.Tames  F.  (ch.),  'Peter  (cli. ),  daughter  'Isabella  M.  (infant).  'Pat 
rick  Dolau.    These  10  were  Irish,  and  came  from  Keokuk,  Iowa.    They  joined 


JOURNEY  OF  THK  DOXXERS. 


r>3i 


us  error, 
left  let- 
18  not  to 
ave  been 
g  guide*  I 
B  first  of 
r  parties, 
Hastings 
I  way  tor 
k  in  tht- 
old  trail, 
i^e  now  to 


earn,  sev- 
on,  choso 
»rmed  tli«' 

men,  21 
iifants,  40 
ies,  those 

le  nanus 
niarkablc 

Siiira;  tli<>-"' 

I  iimrkcil  ■ ' 

te;  it  is  nut 

rity  lor  tliis 

his  and  the 

iC  'Fran..  . 
(brother  "I 
[ch.),  *Lewi-i 
lomon  IIo"k 
Iftona  'Jauu> 
1 'Martha  1' 
\hn  Duntiiii, 
These  •.'•♦ 
hginally  tlie 

\\  B.  (7  yr.-'. 
|ua,  'Naii.y 

originally 
|f  any,  iloo:« 

ck  Jr  (ch.), 
Int).  M'at 
fliey  joined 


in  the  composition  of  the  company,  which  included 
rich  and  poor;  American,  Irish,  and  German;  Prot- 
estant, Catholic,  and  Mormon.  Mo.«t  members  were 
well  enough  provided  with  the  necessary  i  jtfit. 
(fcoi'ge  Doimer  was  a  man  of  some  wealth,  and  was 
tiirrving  a  stock  of  merchandise  to  California  for  sale. 
On  July  22d  they  parted  from  the  Oregon  train, 
reached  Fort  Bridger  on  the  25th,  and  finally  resolved 
to  take  the  cut-oft". 

They  started  on  the  28th,  only  a  few  days  behiml 
Hastings,  from  whom  they  sf>on  received  a  letter  ad- 
vising a  new  change  of  route  to  avoid  obstacles  en- 
countered by  the  other  company  in  the  Weber  Canon. 
Jioed  and  two  companions  were  .sent  to  overtake  the 
advance  company,  obtain  additional  information,  and 
explore  the  route — an  operation  which  consumed  a 
week  or  more;  and  then  the  whole  j>arty  started  by 
the  new  cut-oft".  It  ]>roved  a  most  difticult  way,  so 
much  so  that  all  of  August  passed  before  they  reached 
open  country  on  the  lake  shore.  Fn»m  the  southern 
I'xtremitv  of  the  lake,  where  Halloran  died  of  con- 
sumption  on  September  3d,  they  directed  their  course 
to  the  north-west,  crossing  the  desert  from  the  9th  to 

tlie  train  at  Inde^tcndcncc,  but  it  docs  not  appear  whether  any  others  were  of 
the  siiine  party. 

Mrs  *Lavinia  Murphy,  a  widow,  sons  'John  L.,  •Lemuel  B.  (1.3  yrs),  'Wm 
'I.  (11  yrs),  '■'Simon  P.  (ch.),  daughter  ^Mary  M.;  aonsin-law,  +\Vm  M.  I'ike 
and  wife  ^Harriet  F.  ( Murphy)  and  chiM.  'Xaomi  L.  I'lke  (2  yrs),  and  •Cath- 
erine I'iko  (infant),  'Wm  M.  Foster  and  wife  '.Sarali  A.  C.  (Murphy)  and  son 
*Ueorgo  (infant).  These  13  arc  said  by  Mdjlaxlian  to  ha\-e  come  frotn  Ten- 
nessee; but  according  to  Tyler,  I/ht.  Morm.  Hal.,  .312,  who  got  his  informa- 
tion from  Mary  Murphy  (Mrs  Johnson),  Mra  Murphy  had  livc.l  at  Nauvoo 
and  later  at  Warsaw,  accepting  an  engagement  to  cook  ami  wash  for  the 
emigrants  with  a  view  to  reach  with  her  children  the  ultimate  destination  of 
the  saints. 

'Wm  H.  Eddy,  wife  'Eleanor,  son  'James  P.  (ch.),  daughter  'Mary  (in- 
fant), from  Belleville,  111.  'Wm  MeCntchcn,  wife  'Aman<la  M.,  daughter 
"Harriet  (infant),  from  Jackson  co.,  Mo.  'Louis  Kestljerg,  wife  ^I'liilipinc, 
sun  "Louis,  Jr  (ch.),  daughter  *Ada  (infant),  a  Uennan  family  that  had  come 
to  America  two  years  before.  Other  Germans  were  tWoUinger  and  Mrs  W., 
'Joseph  Khinelmrt,  'August  Spitzer,  and  'CTiarlea  Burger.  fHardcoop  was 
a  Belgian.  '.Samuel  Shoemaker  came  from  Ohio;  'diaries  T.  Stanton  from 
Chicago;  fLuke  Halloran  from  Missouri.  'Antonioand  'Juan  Biiutista  were 
of  Spanish  race  from  N.  Mexico.  The  party  affiliations  of  these  22  Ijcfore 
reaciiing  Ft  Bridger  are  not  known.  There  were  also  two  CaL  Indians,  'Luis 
and  'Salvador,  who  joined  the  comjiany  later. 


0S2 


I'lOXEKRS-nONXKR  TARTY -THE  MOHMONS. 


the  I5th  with  j^'reat  sufforin*,'  and  loss  of  cattle.  Ono 
family  loist  all  their  oxen;  much  property  had  to  In; 
abandoned ;  new  hardships  and  loss*  s  followed  he- 
fore  they  reached  the  head  waters  of  streams  flowing- 
into  the  Humboldt.  The  remaining  supply  of  food 
was  believed  to  be  insufficient  for  the  journey,  ^h- 
Cutchen  and  Stanton  volunteered  to  bring  relief  from 
California,  and  started,  each  with  a  liorse,  before  tlu; 
20th.  It  was  about  the  end  of  September  when  tin; 
company  struck  the  old  emigrant  trail  on  the  main 
Humboldt,  long  after  the  last  parties  had  passed. 
Belated  and  destitute,  they  bcgaii  to  realize  their 
danger. 

The  second  stage  of  this  disastrous  journey  coviis 
in  time  the  month  of  October,  including  the  marcli 
down  the  river  and  into  the  mountains.  At  Gravelly 
Ford,  on  October  5th,  in  an  unfortunate  quarrel  ovi  i- 
their  teams,  Snyder  was  killed  by  Reed,  and  the  lat- 
ter was  banished  from  the  party.  Accompanied  by 
Hcrron,  he  passed  on  in  advance,  hoping  to  bring  back 
relief  for  his  family.  Hungry  and  foot-sore,  the  rest 
plodded  their  way  onward.  At  the  sink  of  the  Hum- 
boldt on  the  12th  twenty-one  head  of  cattle  were 
stolen  by  Indians.  Several  families  had  no  oxen  or 
horses  left.  The  old  Belgian  Hardcoop,  unable  to 
walk,  was  left  to  die,  as  was  also  the  German  Wolfm- 
ger,  the  latter  vmder  circumstances  suggesting  foul 
play  on  the  part  of  his  countrymen.  On  the  lOtl;,  in 
the  region  of  the  modern  Wadsworth,  Stanton  was 
met,  returning  from  Sutter's  Fort  with  succor.  Ilr 
had  seven  mules,  five  of  them  loaded  with  flour  and 
beef,  and  was  accompanied  by  two  Californian  Ind 
ians,  Luis  and  Salvador.'  An  unfortunate  delay  ot 
several  days  for  rest  in  the  region  of  Reno  was  mai'ked 

^  Not  much  is  known  of  the  journey  to  Cal.  and  back.  Stanton  iind  Mi 
Cutchen  had  left  the  company  about  Supt.  '20th,  had  overtaken  tlio  hiudinost 
party  of  emigrants — that  of  Young — and  had  crossed  the  Sierra  witij  them. 
Sutter  was  prompt  to  furnish  food,  animals,  and  the  Indians;  McC.  was  tr)ii 
ill  to  return;  but  S.  hastened  back  over  the  mountains.  His  generous  zeal  - 
destined  to  prove  fatal  to  himself— was  the  more  noticeable  tliat  he  had  nn 
relatives  in  the  company. 


SNOWBOUND  IN  THK  SIERRA. 


588 


also  by  the  tloath  of  Pike,  ufcicleiitiilly  shot  by  Foster. 
Oil  the  '23cl,  ahirined  by  indieatioD.s  of  an  iiiii)eiidiii<r 
."^torin,  they  resumed  their  journey,  but  when  they 
reached  the  region  of  Truekee  and  the  lake,  at  the  end 
of  Oetober,  the  snow  was  falling,  and  was  already  sev- 
»  ral  feet  deep  on  the  summits. 

The  worst  of  later  calamities  might  perhaps  have 
been  avoided  at  thiy  time,  either  by  an  earnest  and 
well  directed  effort  to  cross  the  range,  or  by  careful 
j)reparations  for  a  winter  in  cam|);  but  there  was  no 
acknowledged  and  capable  leader,  no  agreement  in 
opinion,  no  unity  of  plan  or  action,  only  a  wild  desire 
f<tr  «!scape  on  the  part  of  some,  a  yielding  to  despair  by 
others.  For  three  weeks  or  more  the  frightened  emi- 
grants in  small  detached  parties  wasted  their  strength, 
in  frequent,  frantic,  and  vain  efforts  to  break  through 
the  snowy  barrier ;  and  when  they  had  so  far  regained 
their  senses  as  to  realize  the  necessity  of  concerted  ac- 
tion, there  came  a  week  of  storm,  ten  feet  or  more  of 
snow,  which  required  all  energies  to  be  directed  for  a 
time  to  the  preservation  of  lif".  Most  of  the  cattle, 
their  main  reliance  for  food,  had  strayed  and  perished, 
being  buried  in  the  snow,  where  oidy  a  few  were  evei* 
found.  Remaining  animals  were  slaughter d  and  care- 
fully  preserved.  A  cabin  built  by  the  Stevens  party 
in  1844  was  still  standing  near  the  lake  shore;  and 
otlu'rs  were  hastily  constructed.  There  were  a  few- 
unsuccessful  efforts  to  take  Hsh  from  the  lake.  Eddy 
killed  a  bear  and  some  ducks.  Some  six  miles  east- 
ward, on  Alder  Creek,  the  ])onner  families  with  live 
or  six  others  were  encamped  in, tents  and  brushwood 
huts,  worse  off  in  some;  respects  than  those  at  the 
lake,  George  Donner  being  disabled  by  an  accident, 
and  Jacob  Donner,  a  feeble  man  unlitted  for  such 
hardships,  the  first  to  die.  Shoemaker,  Rhinehart, 
and  Smith  died  here  before  the  21st  of  December, 
and  Williams  at  the  lake  on  the  15th.  On  the  IGth 
a  volunteer   party  of  fifteen,  known  as  the  'forlorn 


584 


nOXKKRS     nOWKU  PAIITY    TIIK  MOHMONS. 


hope,'  started    on    imnrovisod    snow-shoes   over   the 
mountains.      I  will  follow  them  later.'* 

There  were  sixty-ono  persons  left  in  the  mountain 
camps,  most  of  them  ill  and  weak,  with  nothini,'  to 
eat  but  hides.  Snow-stornis  .still  eontinued.  The 
stump  of  a  tree  cut  when  the  snow  was  deepest  was 
found  by  later  measurement  to  be  twenty-two  feet 
high.  Patrick  Brecn's  diary,  as  written  from  day  to 
day  through  this  terrible  winter,  is  in  my  collection, 
tlie  most  precious  and  fascinating  record  and  relic  of 
these  events.  I  n)ake  no  attempt  to  portray  in  words 
the  horrors  of  the  situation.  It  was  more  than  two 
months  before  any  message  came  from  the  outsitic 
world.  Burger  died  ])eccmber  ;]Oth,  young  Kcsebcrg 
January  24th,  John  L.  IMurph}-  on  the  Hist,  Eddys 
child  and  McCutchen's  February  2d  and  od,  Spitzcr 
and  Mrs  Eddy  on  the  7t]i,  Elliott  on  the  9th,  and 
Pike's  child  on  the  20th.  At  last,  when  it  had  been 
I'csolved  by  most  to  eat  the  bodies  of  the  dead,  as  a 
few  had  [)robably  done  already,  the  iirst  relief  )>aity 
of  seven  men  arrived  on  February  lOtli  with  a  sliglit 
supply  of  food,  and  the  charitably  false  report  that  all 
of  the  forlorn  hope  were  safe.  Three  days  later  they 
started  on  their  return  with  twentv-one  »>f  the  survi 
vors,''  leaving  thirty-one  too  weak  for  the  journey  or 
unwilling  to  abantlon  others  needing  their  care.  A 
week  later,  on  the  1st  of  March,  the  second  relief  ot 
ten  men — including  Reed  and  ]\[cCutchen — arrived, 
to  leave  one  of  their  number  anil  tt)  start  back  on  the 
'M\  with  seventeen  of  the  sufferers,*'^  leaving  fourteen. 

• 

•Tlic  inrinl)or8  of  this  rarty  were  ICtMy,  *Stnntoii,  •Gi-avcp,  *Dolan,  *Fo8 
click  ftiul  wife,  Kontor  ami  wife,  *IiOninrl  Miiniliy,  Mrs  Tike,  Mnry  Grjivfs, 
Mrs  McCutcheii,  *Aiitonio,  "Luis,  and  *Snlvauor.  Tlioso  niurkrd  with  a  * 
died  on  the  way. 

*  These  were  Elitha,  Leanna,  and  George  Donner  Jr;  Mrs  Reed  with  hii 
children  Virginia  and  James;  Mrs  Kescbcrg  and  •child;  Wm  G.  and  Mary 
MiM'piiy;  Wni  C ,  Eleanor,  i\nd  Ix)vina  Graves;  Edward  and  Simon  Un-in; 
•Win  Hook,  Noali  James,  Mrs  WoUinger,  Naomi  Pike,  Eliza  Williams,  ainl 
•.Fohn  Denton. 

'"Those  were  tlio  seven  Bieens,  Martha  and  Thomas  Reed,  •Isaao  ;inil 
Mary  Donner,  *Mr.s  Graves  with  iier  four  children  Nancy,  Jonathan,  •Frank 
lin  Jr,  and  Elizabeth  Jr,  and  Solomon  Uook. 


AUTHORITIKS. 


srw 


tl 


10 


with  111!- 
ml  Maiy 
Bn'iii; 
iins,  iiiiil 

lac  iiiiil 
•Frank 


Five  of  these — Mrs  Eli/abetli  J)(unKr,  Lewis  tuul 
Sumiiel  Donner  at  Alder  Creek,  the  chihheii  of  Fos- 
ter and  Eddy  at  the  Lake — died  in  tlie  short  |)eriod 
that  elapsed  before  the  coniiiitjf  of  the  third  rehef  at 
a  date  not  exactly  known.  This  party  (»f  four,  includ- 
ing Eddy  and  Foster,  carried  away  five  of  the  sur- 
vivors." Keseberg  and  IMrs  Mur|>hy  at  the  lake 
camp  were  unable  to  travel;  George  JJonner  at  Al- 
der Creek  was  dying,  and  his  wife,  though  in  gootl 
health,  nobly  refused  to  leave  him.  These  four  were 
left  for  another  month  to  sufter  torments  that  [jrovcd 
fatal  to  all  but  one. 

Before  proceeding  with  the  annals  of  the  different 
relief  parties,  I  introduce  some  remarks  on  authorities 
for  the  whole  subject.  Patrick  Breeii's  original  diary 
must  be  re<;arded  as  the  best  record  of  events  at  tlu3 
lake  cabins,  and  in  substance  it  has  been  several  times 
published."  The  early  [)a[)ers  of  California  j>ublislud 
infonnation  about  the  inmiii^rants'  disasters  and  efforts 
made  to  relieve  them.'^     Bryant  and  Thornton,  eom- 

"  FraiiocH,  Georgia,  niid  Elim  Donner,  Simon  Miirpliy,  amlJnan  Bitutintu. 
Kihly,  in  Thornton,  ii. 'i-S,  miys  that '('liirkociirrieil  his  iHMity,  an<I  left  a  child 
of  one  of  the  I)onnei-8  to  perish.'  It  is  jxissibly  true  that  J.ewin  Oonner  was 
left,  as  there  is  no  reeonl  of  the  date  of  his  death. 

"  Diarif  of  I'alrivk  liirtii,  one  of  tin'  Donnrr  /'art;/,  JS'fll  7.  /'irseninl  l,i/ 
hrGeorije.  MvKinxtnjlo  Ihr  lioncrol't  Library .  MS.,  lOnio,  !.">  leaves.  It  was 
)ii'inted  in  tho6'.  /'.  I'ali/oniia  Slur,  May '22,  1847;  SuhIivHIc  (Ttiin.)  Whi'i, 
Sept.  1847:  linjant's  What  I  Suw,'lM\  Thornton's  Or.  ami  l'nt.,'2i\\;  Mr- 
lilimhan'n  Hint.,  \V,\,  and  elsewhere,  Thornton'a  e.xtraets  are  more  garhlcd 
than  tile  others;  but  none  are  literally  ueenrate,  there  W-inj^  eliangcs  and 
omission!)  in  nearly  every  entry.  The  variations  are  not,  however,  historically 
of  any  special  iniportanee.  The  diary  extends  from  Nov.  'JOtli  to  March  Isf. 
1  rei)rodne«!  literally  the  first  and  last  entries,  to  show  tlio  general  nature  of 
alterations  in  tlio  printed  vcrsinns.  '  b'ritlay  Nov.  'JOtli  I84(!  came  to  this 
]>lace  on  the  .'ilst  ot  hist  month  that  it  snowed  we  went  on  to  the  pass  the 
snow  so  deep  we  were  unahh'  to  tind  the  road,  when  within  W  miles  of  th(> 
summit  then  turned  back  to  tiiis  shanty  on  the  Like,  Stanton  came  one  ilay 
after  we  arrived  hero  we  ugain  took  our  teams  &  waggons  &  made  another 
iiiisuceessful  attempt  t.o  cross  in  company  witli  Stanton  wo  returned  to  the 
shanty  it  continuing  to  snow  all  the  time  wc  were  here,  we  now  have  killed 
most  partof  our  cattle  having  to  stay  hci-t;  iintill  next  spring  &  live  on  poor  licit 
without  bread  or  salt  it  snowed  during  the  space  of  eight  days  with  little 
intermi.ssion,  after  our  arrival  hero,  the  remainder  of  time  up  to  this  iluy  was 
clear  and  pleasant  frezing  at  night  the  snow  nearly  gone  from  the  valleys  .  . 
Mond.  March  tho  1st  to  linc&  pleasant  froze  hard  last  night  there  has  U)  men 
arrived  this  morning  from  bear  valley  with  provisions  wc  are  to  start  in 
two  or  three  days  &  cash  our  goods  here  there  is  umongst  them  some  ohl 
they  say  the  snow  will  \xi  here  nntill  June.' 

"Sec  Monterey  Calif.,  Feb.  l.'},  March  •-•7,  1847;  H.  /'.  t'"/.  .V'«/-,  Jan.  Ki, 


r.;»fi 


riONKF.RS     r»0\\KR  PARTV-TIIF.  MORMON'S. 


panioiis  of  tlio  sufferers  in  the  early  part  of  their  jour- 
noy,  (levotcd  a  portion  of  their  pubhslied  diaries  in 
the  subject,  the  former  eonhninj?  himself  ehii;tly  to  et»r- 
respontlence  of  the  time,  and  the  latter  takiiij.^  testi- 
inojiy  from  survivors,  espoeially  from  Etldy."  In  18  ji; 
Mrs  Eliza  W.  Farnham  published  a  narrative  drawn 
mainly  from  the  testimonv  of  Mrs  Breen."  In  I.S7I 
an  artiele  by  F.  IT.  McDou«ral,  based  on  the  .statements 
of  Mrs  Curtis,  ealled  out  narrative  statements  from 
Keed  and  McCutehen;'*'  and  in  1877  William  C. 
Graves  published  his  version  in  a  series  of  newspapei* 
artieles.'"  Meanwhile  there  was  printed  in  books  and 
ni'w-spapers  a  great  mass  of  material  on  the  subject, 
whieh  I  do  not  deem  it  neeessarv  to  eatalojjue,  thouijh 
most  of  it  is  before  me,  beeause  it  is  made  up,  so  fai 
as  it  has  any  foundation  except  imai^ination,  from  the 
authorities  I  have  cited,  and  oftener  than  otherwise 
hastily  and  at  second-hand.  Finally,  ( \  F.  AIc(jilashan 
pui)lished  a  volume  on  the  subject  in  18"l),  treatin-.^  it 
in  a  uianner  that  has  left  little  or  nothing  to  be  de- 
sired. All  the  facts  that  I  am  able  to  utilize,  and 
many  more,  may  be  found  in  his  work.  CoiisultinL; 
all  the  earlier  versions  cited  above,  the  author  supph- 
inonted  results  by  correspondence  and  personal  int«'i' 
views  with  surviving  nuMnbers  of  the  party,  thus 
ac(|uiring  a  ma.ss  of  personal  items  of  which  he  made 
t\<'(llent  use.  On  no  other  to|)'c  of  early  ( 'alifornian 
hi>torv  would  an\  simple  work  so  fullv  sutlice  for  mv 
purpose.'"'     1  have  a  few  original  manuscripts  whi<'h 

F«l>,  I.'l,  MaivK  (»,  i;j,  April  10,  Muy 'J-J,  .luiic  .'•,  1*47;  Orrnon  Sj^cltUor,  Aoiil 
1.  .(iino-.M,  1847. 

'*  Jirji-iiif'.i  W'hiU  i  Saw  ill  ('((/.,  •J40-«."(,  letters  from  Sinclair  ftinl  .NLKn- 
stry.    Thornton'"  <h    awl  t'uL,  ii.  IMl  I'Ul.     This  it  the  most  cotnpirti'  nam 
tivo  |iulilinht(l  ill  ctt'.ly  tiiiiei.      Itotli  Uryaiit  uiid    TliyniUni,  :im  we  liuve  Keen, 
«ive  IJreenM  (.iury. 

'*  Farnhiih'n  I'al.  Indoors  and  Out,  ."$8(1 -4.V1.  KepnutcHl  i\Uit  in  lloHi'lf 
rent  rat  Coll/.,  Murcii  •J.'-April  10,  IH71. 

'•Tluiio  tlneo  iir'.icios  were  urittvii  for  the  /''irifir  Rural  Prfin  1  tiii'i 
MoDoiiKars  iirticlo  ih  the  HolH»lir  CinlraU'ali/.,  Fel>.  I,  lt*71;  ami  tht>mMit 
R«!ed  ami  Mcl'utchon  in  the  .V.  ./.  i'lonf^r,  April  •JH,  Mny  ,'i,  iHl'. 

"  Grairn'  ' '/w«i«;/  (he  I'lainx  in  '.fu,  in  //<a/./->6«r;;  liu^^.  Jtirtr  Haij,  April 
'Hi  to  May  i;,  1»77,  ikuI  /</.,  i)oe.  ;«),  lS7o.  Thi« "fcccount  aUo  roprodue.-i 
Mreoi'.'s  tliary. 

'*  lli.story  of  ((,>!  Ihmni-i- I'aiiij.     .1   Tru-jf,ly  of  the  S '■  ni.      liy  C   F.M- 


THi'  ii»i:loun  iioi'i:. 


S37 


throw  light  on  ciTtain  pliasos  of  the  nmttor,  notably 
\\in  narratives  ut'  Jnlni  liiven  and  ot'  Daniel  lihoatls, 
tlio  latter  a  inenil>er  of  one  of  the  reiii-t"  parties.'" 

The  Morlorn  hope' of  fifteen  persons  already  named 
started  I'roni  tlie  lake  camp  to  eross  the  Si«rra  on 
Deeeuiber  IGth.  takin;'  rations  for  six  davs.  Tins 
iournev  last«d  tliirtv-two  days,  and  was  in   some  r«'- 

■'ft.  ft  • 

speets  tlu-  most  horril)K!  episode  of  the  winti'i's  tvi-nts. 
Stanton,  who  had  perhaps  saved  the  lives  of  all,  was 
himself  left  to  die  on  the  23d.  When  tht^y  had  been 
four  days  without  food,  on  Christmas  thev  reaehed 
the  'camp  of  death,'  v,  iu're  a  snow-storm  confined 
them  for  a  weik.  Antonit),  Graves,  JJolan,  and 
licmu(>l  Murpiiy  died  and  were  eaten.  Ajijain  they 
pres.sed  on;  the  strings  of  their  snow-sho«'s  furnished 
a  n«'W-year's  dinner;  Fosdick  died  on  the  4th  of 
.lanuary;  and  on  the  sum*'  <lay  Kddy  killed  a  «lcer. 
No  fcunl  <»n  tip'  7th;  the  two  Indians  had  refused  to 
rat  human  ilesh,  and  ran  away  to  sa\i'  their  lives,  hut 
tlu»v  were  soon  ovttrtak<Mi,  and  were  shot  hv  Foster. 
About  the  I  Ith  the  survivors  reaclu'd  a  raiieheria 
and  were  ted  with  a<'orn  bread — all  the  Indians  had 
ti>  i;i\e.      ICddv,   more   dead   than    alive,    was   |e«|    ti 

~  ft,    ' 

.lulinson's  rancho, whence  a  party  retuiiied  and  hnmglit 
in  the  other  six  survivors,  pmhably  on  the  17th.** 

We  have  seen  that  Stanton  and  Me(!utehen  lia<l 
reaeiitul  Sutter's  Fort  in  October,  and  that  tin;  former 
had  re;'ro':sed  the  mountains  with  two  Indians,  all 
three  to  ,  erish.  but  bearihij;'  itliil' that  sa\e<l  the  livis 
ef  hjany.     Xext  Ueetl  and  llerron  left  the  company, 


iHwhan.  S.  Y.,  ISSO,  .Hvo,  'HW  \\  ,  |K)rtmit«  nii<l  illiMtintit>n«  The  Jirat  cli- 
tii)»  wan  ixMuril  at  'J'nickcf  in  1^7'.'. 

^*  ItntiiH  l'i"iii-r  Mi-itU'u.  MS,  y  I  l,i;  lihomh'  H'lifJ  <>'  ihf  J>o»ii,  r 
Poriii,  .MS.  .sio  uIho  liiii  h'I'.-)  li'^ulL,  MS,  j.  ;i77  U4,  tlio  mClior  Imviiig 
taken  t<'»t!iiii>iiy  of  Kildy,  I'uHti'r,  aiiil  i.tli<  i' iiiriiiln-ni;  Thornlon'n  Or.  Jli*f., 
-Ms.'Jli  ;k»;   /!(l^^hi^lOn'^  Or  wlho/'  .'itwin,  .MS.,  «1  H, 

'"'I'l'i'  rfsciirnt  arc  I'tiniiMl  ()••  I'^My,  in  Thornton,  li.  ITik-^'S,  ii.m  .ImIih  H.iWfll. 
.lolin  KIiimIoa,  Si';.'iir  i?i,  nnd  '1  iifkur,  wliu  Hturt«<il  lir»t  t>ii  fmil;  ainl  Kitiliii", 
.loliuDiih,  .loacnli  \urr<»  (N'lTrott,  an<i  Kisor  (.Scli.  RcyHfi),  whu  follnMoil  in'\l 
(lay  oil  lioraclMit'k.  Thii  i.i  xmliriiu-'l,  vxi'('|it  in  iiaiiun*  luiil  nutnlivrfi,  Itv 
8iuclair'«  Ifttt-r,  in  Itrimitt,  '2'*'),  written  at  tlio  time,  litt'Dn-  tlio  '  timt  pliof' 
)|«>1  Htartt'il. 


KW 


riOXKKIIS— DOXXKR  I'AUTY-TIIK  MOEMOXS. 


:    1 
'   1 

, 

m 

unci  after  a  most  perilous  jouriu  y  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing a  small  party  of  belated  cmij,Mant.s  in  Bear  Valley, 
piet  Stanton  on  his  return,  and  finally  arrived  at  tlie 
fort,  probably  at  the  end  of  (October.  Here  t!iey 
hastily  collected  supplies  and  horses,  were  joined  by 
McCutchen,  obtained  the  services  of  two  Indians,  and 
started  to  return.  They  found  it  impossible  to  |)ush 
their  way  through  the  mass  of  snow  that  had  fallen, 
an<l  were  obliged  to  turn  back,  rescuing  Jothain 
Curtis  and  wife  of  the  late  immigrants,  who  from 
some  strange  frealv  had  encam[)ed  in  the  upper  Bear 
Valley.  It  was  believed  by  experienced  men  at  the 
fort  that  the  Donner  party  by  killing  their  animals 
and  preserving  the  meat  might  live  at  their  mountain 
camj)  till  relief  couhl  reach  them;  and  Heed  went 
south  in  quest  of  aid.  i^efore  anything  eouhl  be  ef- 
fected, however,  the  survivors  of  the  forlorn  hope  had 
arrived  at  Johnson's  with  reports  necessitating  innne- 
diate  action.'' 

The  news  was  sent  to  the  fort  as  soon  as  possible 
by  an  Indian  ruinier;  volunteers  were  called  for,  and 
a  relief  party  was  litted  out,  larg»'ly  througli  the  ef- 
forts of  Sinclair,  Sutti-r,  Kern,  and  McKinstry,  who 
became  responsible  foi-  the  paynn'til  of  wages  l)y  tin; 
govt>rnment.""  A  company  of  tiiirtccn,  known  as  the 
'first  relief,'  left  Johnson's  rancho  on  the  ;>th  of  Feb- 
luary;  but  only  seven  went  bt'yond  Hear  Valley, 
whenct?  they  started  on  the  ITitli.  These  were  Keasin 
IV  Tucker,  Aqiiila  (llovei-,  lliley  S.  .M<»ultrv,  Joliii 
ixhoads,  Daniel  Ivhoads,  i'Mward  ( 'ofl'ermire,  and 
Jo.seph  Sells.-'     They  reached  the  lake  on  the  l!»tli, 

"  .StiitfiacntMiil'  lU'cil  mill  Mi('uli-li«'ii  in  llitnd  I'irm,  In  tiicooiitatcniiMitit, 
mill  Htill  niiii'i'  in  I  hornttm,  ii.  IS'.'  til,  n.anv  <li'Uiii.s  air  gi\<-n  of  dealing's 
\utli  ( 'iirtiM,  ulio  M't'init  t<iliiiv<>  liccn  ii  |>couliai'  ciiiirui  t*  r.  Miii  Ciirti  <  wan 
antlini'ity  I'll'  tlui  mcourit  that  drew  uiii  ii'iditH  lii.ni  K.  and  MiC,  It  Ik  not 
<  Irar  that  lliiron  arc(>in|Ninii-c|  tln'iu  i:i  tiiii  altt'ni|it  al  irlicf. 

•'■'  In  Nov.  Dt'c.  ISIT,  Kitrlii"  niado  aidaini  fi>r;jl7l  for  Hirvii:i.'s  iiirosonin^^ 
iliK  inirnigruntii.  (iov.  Maxon  lioprH  himmi  to  ^ct  iniiti'Uctioiiii  cnahling  him  to 
pay  sni'li  (diiiinit,  « 'o/.  iiitil  \ .  .</•<'.,  Mih*.  iiml  /'■»(•.,  /.v.i'»,  p,  4IS. 

'  StdU,  <ii'  Sil,  IH  named  liy  Kddy  and  M>  Ivinvtiy ;  Imt  Iim  in  ittllivl  Jo.si'|ili 
l'\mt«'r  l)y 'i'nt'kfi',  aniM  Jro.  l''o«ti  r  liy  KhoiidM.  ('oHuiiniii'  in  »uid  to  Uuw 
Itti'n  Ii  Muilor,  luid  in  called  C'utU'yinJt  r  and  CoitymtiT,  uUu  liy  Ulioudu  'Miki-.' 


THK  RKLIKF  I'ARTIKS. 


530 


l)\ 


pos.siblt! 

or,  aii<l 

the  ef- 

•,  wIh) 

y  till! 

jis  the 

Kol)- 

tlllev, 

leasiii 

•I ( till  I 

ati<l 

Illtli, 


itt'llll'lltM, 

(Ic'iiilt^'-t 

lltH  WIIH 

It  \H  mil 
icDctiiiifi; 

},'  ililli  to 
I  .|ii.si'|i|| 

t(i  liaxi' 
Milo-.' 


aiul  started  back  tliree  days  later  with  twenty-one  of 
the  ininiij^rants,  three  of  whom  died  on  the  way."* 
All  were  on  the  point  of  starvation  from  failing  to 
Hiul  a  eaehe  of  supplies,  when  on  the  27th  they  met 
another  relief  party,  and  heinji,^  thus  succored  they 
)eached  Johnson's  the  2d  of  March,  and  Sutter's  two 
ilays  later. 

The  party  thus  met  was  the  'second  relief  of  ten 
men  under  Reed  and  A[cCutehen.  They  had  not 
Keen  able  to  accomplii^h  anythinj^  in  the  south  until 
the  excitement  of  the  Sanchez,  or  Santa  Clara,  cam- 
paign was  over,  but  then  at  Yerba  ]:Jucna  and  nortii 
of  the  bay  great  interest  was  aroused.  A  |)ublie 
meeting  was  held;  Captain  Hull,  (ieiierul  Vallejo,  and 
other  prominent  men  exerted  themselves;  a  subscrip- 
tion of  some  $I,;')00  was  raised;  twenty  volunteers  or 
more  were  eidistetl ;  J^ritUm  Greenwood  was  engaged 
as  guide  ;  supplies  were  furnished  from  the  naval 
stores;  business  nuMi  furni;  bed  schooners  for  trans- 
[tortation  to  Sonoma  and  New  Helvetia;  aiul  J^ieu- 
tt-nant  Selim  Woodworth  volunteered  to  command  the 
expedition.  All  this  before  the  receipt  of  Sinclair's  let- 
ter aimounciny:  the  arrival  of  ICddv  ami  others  of  the 
Icrlorn  hope. ''  llced  and  McCutchen,  with  Grecn- 
\v<M)<|,  wvwt  by  way  of  Si»ii(»ma,  arrived  ;tt  New  Helve- 
tia in  advamie  (»f  Woodworth's  party  in  the  schooner, 
and  pressed  on  to  John.son's  rancho.  From  this 
point,  with  seven  companions — Charles  ( 'atly,  Charles 

Will  KfMy  Mtiirtcil  but  retiiriH'il  witli  tin;  Iiomcm  on  tlie  lltli,  perlmps  witli 
\'(iri)t.  On  tlic  same  ilay  Wni  (\>im  ami  (ln)i\:;i'  'I'liiKir  wire  It  It  in  cuiipti* 
miaiil  jmivisidiiH.  On  tin-  l.'itli.  at  IJcar  Vallty,  M.  1>.  l!itilii>'.  .Vilolt  Itni- 
liiim,  and  .lotliani  (,'iirti.s  diilim-il  tn  gi)  any  I'artlu  r.  .\l<  (ilacliun  <|in)ti;<  iVuiii 
iliaiiiH  l>y  I!.  I*.  Tui'kiT  aiicl  Hit'liic  ami  a  narrative  liy  (Icti.  Tiiokrr.  IIi- 
iiinlvi'.s  'i'ui'liiT  tho  laptain.  M'Kinstry,  in  llrj/'inf,  'J.").">,  niakcs  (Jlovcr  tiic 
<a|itain,  ami  ([uutoa  Iiih  diury.  Kddy,  aUo,  in  Thornton,  ii.  1*17,  names  (ilnvt'i* 
IIS  tiiO  chief. 

■'Sec  notelJ  for  iiaineH  of  those  rescued  hy  the  \nt  relief. 

•'■''SecN.  /■'.  ( 'ill.  Sdir,  Fcl>.  (I,  \'.i,  IVJT.  Mel  Masliaii,  i>.  I'.'ii,  givcH a  memorial 
addrcMsed  to  (io\ .  .Stockton  by  citi/cUH  of  S.  .lo.-'e.  Heed  descrihes  lii,s  oll'orta 
in  the  tiiirid  Pirs.i.  .An  mi-ount  of  the  niectin;'  at  S.  V.  \a  j,'ivcn  in  'I  honiloii, 
li.  l.'iS-(ll,  including,' an  eliM|itentai)i>oal  liy  l>unlcavy.  Alcalde  jiarthtt,  ('a|>t. 
Mt'rvine,  l.ieiit  .Maury,  W.  A.  Utvliardson,  Win  I'ettet,  John  Kullcr,  Ward  & 
Smith,  Huwitrd  A:  MelluH,  urc  aliM.<  imineil  us  activu  in  theiic  lueparutiuus. 


$A 


.---:fHMt:^ 


MO 


PIONEERS -DONNER  PARTY-THE  MORMON'S. 


Stono,  Nicholas  Clark,  Joseph  Gendreau,  John  Turner, 
Hiram  Miller,  and  Matthew  Dofar'^" — constituting  tho 
second  relief,  started  on  February  23d,  njet  on  thr 
27th  the  other  party,  as  already  notetl — includini,' 
Heed's  wife  and  children — and  on  March  1st,  in  tw«» 
parties,  reached  the  lake  camps.  Two  days  later, 
leaving  Clark,  Cady,  and  Stone,  and  taking  seventeen 
of  the  immigrants,'''  they  started  on  the  return.  From 
tiie  5th  to  the  7th,  while  Gendreau,  Turner,  and 
Dofar  were  far  in  advance,  and  Cady  and  Stone 
were  in  the  rear,  having  left  the  camps  to  overtake 
their  compani<Mis,  the  rest  of  the  party  were  in  Sum- 
mit Valley,  at  what  was  known  as  *  starved  camp,' 
where  three  of  the  immigrants  died.  A  heavy  snow- 
storm prevented  progress,  and  the  caches  of  food  had 
been  destroyed  by  wild  beasts.  At  last  the  five  ut* 
the  relief  took  three  of  the  others  and  started  on, 
and  the  number  of  parties  was  increased  from  three 
to  four.  But  the  advance  reached  Bear  Valley,  where 
Woodworth  was  encamj  t  d  ;  returned  with  two  com- 
])anions,  John  Stark  ai  1  Howard  Oakley,  to  meet 
Keed;  Cady  and  Stone  came  up;  and  all  the  fifteen 
soon  reached  Wood  worth's  canjp.  There  were,  how- 
ever, eleven  of  the  immigrants  left  in  the  snow  at 
*  starved  camp.' 

Then  was  organized  the  *  third  relief.'  Woodwortli 
and  his  men  had  moved  slowly  and  accomplishoti 
nothing.  Probably  they  had  done  their  best,  but 
they  had  little  skill  or  e.\|)erience  in  this  kind  of  work. 
Meanwhile  Eddy  and  Foster  had  partially  regained 
their  strength,  and  after  some  additional  efforts  i\\ 
Yerba  liuena,  had  overtaken  the  naval  division  in 
Bear  Valley.  Five  volunteers  were  i)btained,  and 
the  party  set  out  at  once,  the  exact  date  not  beini;" 
known.  Stark,  Oakley,  and  Stone  volunteered  to 
ri'scue  the  eleven  at  '  starved  camp,'  and  were  left 

"•Of  Dofiir  notliing  more  is  known,     Ho  niay  Imve  been  Dupas.     Gendreau 
is  genurnlly  culled  Jondru. 
"  See  note  10  for  nuniosi. 


!•' 


THE  LAST  VICTIMS. 


541 


there  by  their  companions,  .succecdini^  '\y.  their  purpose 
only  after  the  most  extraordinary  efibrts,  since  nine  of 
the  number  had  to  be  carried.  Eddy,  Foi^ter,  Miller, 
and  William  Thompson  pressed  on  <»ver  the  moun- 
tains; met  Clark  and  Juan  Bautista  trvinjjf  to  escajH'; 
and  reached  the  lake  about  the  middle  of  March. 
Leaving  four  adults,  as  already  nuntioned,  tiny 
brought  out  four  children  and  Juan  Bautista.  l>ittlo 
is  known  of  their  return ;  but  they  seem  t»»havi'  over- 
taken Stark  and  the  Breens;  and  oji  their  arrival  at 
the  camp  in  Bear  Vjdley  all  seem  to  have  j>roceeded 
to  Johnson's  rancho,  and  j)erhaps  all  to  New  Helvetia, 
Woodworth  declining  or  pronouncing  it  impracticable 
to  attempt  a  rescue;  of  tin..'  four  lefl  in  the  moun^^ains. 
Again,  by  the  eflbrts  <»f  Alcalde  Sinclair  and  others 
at  the  fort,  and  by  an  offer  of  hah  of  any  property  that 
might  be  saved,  nine  men,  constituting  the  'fourtii 
relief,'  were  induced  to  start  in  April. -^  These  were 
William  Fallon,  William  Foster.  John  Rhoads,  B.  P. 
Tucker,  J.  Foster,  Sebastian  Keyser,  arxl  Edward 
CofFeemire.  Starting  from  Johnson's  on  the  l;Uh, 
they  reached  Donner  Lake  on  the  17th.  Of  the  four 
who  had  been  left  by  the  last  relief,  George  Domur 
and  his  wife  and  Mrs  Murphy  had  dird,  and  only 
Keseberg  survived,  liaving  preserved  hi>  life  by  eat- 
ing the  bodies  of  his  dead  companions.  Keseberg  Iiail 
been  an  unpopular  member  of  the  company.  Fallon 
and  his  men  were  disap})ointed  at  not  finding  a  large 
amount  of  money  which  Donner  was  believed  to  have 
l»osse.ssed,  and  which  tiny  had  hop»<l  to  share;  tiny 
su.spected  Keseberg  of  having  killed  .Mrs  Donner  and 
I'oncealed  the  money;  and  their  suspicions  were  con- 
firmed when,  on  threats  of  being  hanged,  he  gave  up 
a  small  amount  which  he  .said  Mrs  Donner  had  in- 
trusted to  him  for  her  children.* 

•"Tliornton  inciitions  also  iinotlior  oxpoihtioti  ill  Marili,  consistiug  of  I. 
Klioads,  Stork,  Coireeinirc,  SclU,  Tiuk*^!-,  \Vm  Foster,  aii«l  tJraveii,  which  was 
not  able  to  pcnetruto  iM'yond  IJonr  ViiUey  on  account  of  in>-lting  snows.  <)»\ 
undCal.,  ii.  'J.-n. 

•■•  Foliou's  diary  is  quoted  iu  Thornton';!  Or.  and  Col.,  iL  '^32  et  »e^l ;  and 


'91 


048 


PIONEERS-DONNER  PARTY— THE  MORMONS. 


In  view  of  the  utter  impossibility  of  knowing  the 
exact  truth  in  this  matter,  the  lack  of  definite  testi- 
nionv  oven  of  moat  of  the  accusers,  the  doubtful  char- 
acter  of  Fallon,  the  hope  of  gain  actuatini^  the  party, 
the  bitter  feeling  shown  in  their  version,  the  evident 
exaggerati(m  and  falsehood  of  many  details  respecting 
the  state  of  things  at  the  camp,  the  straightforward 
statonumt  of  the  accused  to  McGlashan  in  1879,  and 
the  fact  that,  in  the  face  of  popular  |)rojud ice  and  tes- 
timony stronger  than  could  ever  again  be  obtained,  h«' 
obtained  a  nominal  verdict  against  Cofteeniire  in  a  suit 
for  slander  at  Sutter's  Fort  in  May  1847*' — in  view 
of  all  this,  I  believe  that  l^ouis  Keseberg  is  entitled  to 
a  verdict  of  not  guilty,  lie  has  been  merely  the  unfor- 
tunate object  about  which  has  crystallized  all  the  pop- 


f ' 


Ilia  version  ia  nlito  (fivcii  Iiy  Hryniit,  wIk)  went  cost  witli  him.  Tlio  vcrslDii 
iios  often  l)ucn  iT|)oati-<l  with  till  it8  Miekcning  ilutaiia  of  ntauglcd  corpst^s 
f<>un<l  nt  tiic  cuin])!*,  'u  hir>;i!  |M'n  full  of  fn  sh  liver  and  lights,' '  two  kettkii  of 
liuinan  bloo<l,'  M'iih  lUenty  cf  i>i.>ef  nntouciiud,  and  KcHcbcrg  as  a  tiondish  ghoul 
iKiasting  of  his  fomlncss  tor  huniau  lleah.  Ho  ii  also  accused  of  liaviug  mur- 
dcrt'd  WoUinger,  l)een  r('M|)'Mi.sil»le  for  the  death  <if  llardcoop,  of  having 
feignr  i  disability  to  di'iwrt  with  the  relief  ])artie8,  and  of  having  murdered 
niul  eaten  FoHter'«  tliild.  K.'«  o\\  ii  version,  as  related  in  1870,  is  given  by  Mc- 
(ilashan.  whoal-'i  represent*  Tucker's  trstiinony  as  being  much  more  favor- 
able to  the  accused  than  thy  current  version. 

'"I  hat'o  two  original  pa|)ers  connected  with  this  case,  tho  general  result  of 
which  — a  venlict  of  $1  darnagcs-is  rcnientbered  by  several  witnesses.  May 
2d,  Alcalde  Sinclair  to  Sheiilf  (ieo.  McKinstry,  sending  suntnions  for  wit- 
n<'-'scs,  and  nsking  McK.  also  to  bo  on  hand  as  a  witness;  also  orders  the 
selection  of  a  jury  of  I)  or  12  men.  Woixl  and  Itlioads  to  l>o  added  to  tho  Jury 
list.  '  The  nature  of  the  trial  you  are  ac(iuaiuted  with.  The  plaintiff  wanted 
the  moderate  charge  of  §1  ,(KK)  to  be  i)nt  down  for  tlama.ijosl!! '  May  4th,  Sin- 
clair to  McK  ,  summons  to  Mrs  Woltingor  as  a  witness  for  tho  next  day. 
McKinstr/  s  I'np.,  MS.  ;«»,  WX. 

The  pdpidar  story  circulated  by  such  prominent  men  as  ])r  Itushnell  and 
]5ishop  K  n  and  Hret  llarte,  that  (!eo.  Vount,  the  Nnpa  jiioncor  hunter,  had 
a  dream  w  hi.'h  revealed  the  daujjer  of  tho  Donner  iwrty,  and  led  to  their  be- 
ing saved,  deserves  biirf  mention.  Its  oidy  foundation  was  |)rol>abiy  in 
Vount's  Ht&tement  that  he  hail  such  a  dream.  It  is  not  likely  that  the  dream 
lost  anything  :n  the  telling,  eiliier  by  the  ohl  traj)|ier('r  by  those  who  repeated 
tho  story.  At  any  I'ate,  Youut  diil  not  go  to  the  relief  of  the  sufb-rers,  and 
his  dream  did  nil  leail  in  any  way  to  their  rescue. 

Un  .lune  '•*,  1S47,  tin'  ii'irinants  of  the  !>onnci'  pn<|H'rty  were  sohl  for  tho 
benefit  of  the  children.  .V.  Ihlr.  h'cini,  MS,,  ."iK.  Accordim:  to  the  Allit, 
•III..  '  'J'J,  18GS,  the  first  railroail  train  from  the  east  ha<l  among  its  passengers 
a  Woman  who,  as  a  littin  girl,  had  been  one  of  the  Uonner  |Mirty.  ^Inny 
relics  of  tho  jwrty  were  dug  up  in  IS7U;  and  a  cabinet  with  some  '2(X)  of  these 
articles  was  kept  at  Truidtco  for  n  time.  *'.  ./  I'iomcv,  Nov.  !.'>,  187((. 
According  to  newsnapcrs  of  the  same  year,  there  was  a  plan  to  erect  a  monu- 
ment at  Donnor  Lake  to  tho  memory  of  the  party. 


rs. 


GRXEItAL  RKFLECTIOXS. 


.'►43 


)\viiig  the 
nite  tosti- 
tf'ul  c'liar- 
:.he  party, 
le  evid(!nt 
•eapectinj^ 
ittbrwani 
1879,  and 
3  aiul  tes- 
tained,  h<» 
3  in  a  .suit 
— in  view 
ntitled  to 
he  unt'or- 
the  pop- 


Tho  vcriiiuii 
iigled  (■orpsi-M 
;wo  kettlfii  of 
iundish  glioiil 
liuviug  mur- 
p,  of  iinviim 
ng  niiiriU'roil 
^ivcii  \>\  Mc- 

inore  tuvor- 

nil  n-siilt  of 
I'UMfs.  May 
)im  for  wit- 
)  diiUts  tllr 
to  till!  jury 
iititf  wuntuil 
|iiy  4tli,  Sin 
next  tluy 

lii.ihnoll  mill 
luiitor,  ))!iil 
b(  tlair  l)c 
|rol>ul>!y  in 
till-  dream 
o  rupcttti'il 
llrnTS,  uii.l 

|>ld  for  the 
the  AIM, 

l)a48eii;{or)i 

|y.  Mniiy 
O  of  thcuc 

Jir.,    1H7!>. 

It  II  IIIOIIU- 


ular  horror  excited  by  tlie  cannibalism  of  the  Donner 
])arty. 

Ot'tlie  36  men,  21  women,  and  30  children  making 
up  the  original  party  of  87,  there  perished  22,  5,  and 
12  respectively,  or  a  total  of  30,  while  the  survivors 
numbered  48.  For  biographic  mention  of  eachf  as  of 
members  of  the  different  relief  parties,  I  refer  tho 
leader  to  my  Pioneer  Register  and  Index  in  these  vol- 
umes. About  30  were  still  living  in  1880.  In  June 
1847  General  Kearny  and  his  party,  including  Fallon 
and  liryant,  on  their  way  to  the  east,  gave  burial  to 
the  remains  of  such  victims  as  they  could  find;  and 
this  work  was  completed  in  September  by  the  return- 
ing Mormons  of  the  battalion. 

in  thus  recording  the  exj)enences  of  this  ill-fated 
company,  I  have  designedly  made  n(»  attempt  to  paint 
in  words  tl>e  horrors  of  their  journey.  The  plain 
laots  are  sutHciently  horribh-.  I  have  also  omitted 
fur  the  most  part  all  allusions  to  individual  acts  seem- 
ing to  justify  censure  or  eulogy.  Such  acts  of  both 
('las.ses  have  been  attributed  to  nearly  every  adult  in 
the  party,  and  to  .some  of  tiie  rescuers.  Soon  alter 
leaving  Fort  l^ridgi-r  dis.sensions  aro.se  between  jtar- 
ties,  cliques,  and  families;  serious  quarrels  ensut'd 
btfore  the  tinu-  «»f  their  greatest  trials;  and  the  prtju- 
(liccs  thus  devdoptHl  colored  all  later  testimony, 
'riure  is  not  an  ■rii'inal  narrative  which  does  not 
sh«)W  traces  of  tlu  writer's  jusrsonal  likes  and  dislikes, 
or  which  does  not  contain  (lijectly  or  indirectly  accn- 
^suti»»ns  or  complaiiit^.  It  is  neither  possibK;  nor  dc- 
sirabie  to  investigHti'  the  de'tails.  Uoul)tless  most 
committed  errors  of  judgment,  wei»'  moved  by  tiieir 
troubles  to  say  an*!  do  i'oolish  things,  or  were  driven 
ill  the  insanity  of  starvation  to  petty  acts  of  appar(!nt 
cruelty  and  .stjltislmess;  but  on  the  other  hand,  there 
Were  few,  if  anv.  who  did  not  on  one  o('('a>itm  or  .in- 
other  show  traits  if  heroic  self-sacriticc.  Mo.st  of 
them  ate  human  tlesh,  and  they  did  right ;  it  was  the 
necessity,  not  the  act,  that  was  deploiable ;  and  the 


I  i' 


'  i. 


M4 


PIOXEKRS-DONNER  PAltTY  -THE  MORMONS. 


|i: 


few  who  at  the  prompting  of  stomach  or  conscience 
refused  the  revolting  food  deserve  no  special  com- 
mendation. These  immigrants  acted  as  others  w<juld 
have  done  under  like  circumstances,  though  i'  'der  a 
competent  leader  and  with  unity  of  purjjose  antl 
action  they  might  have  escaped  the  worst  of  their  mis- 
fortunes. I  think  McGlashan  has  done  wisely  in 
suppressing  disagreeable  details  and  dwelling  on  the 
noble  deeds  of  each  member;  but  his  kindly  exagger- 
ation of  praise,  no  less  than  the  disgusting  accusa- 
tions of  other  writers,  is  unsuited  to  my  work.  Yet 
it  is  well  to  note  the  self-sacrifice  of  Stanton  and 
Mrs  Donner,  the  manly  efforts  of  Reed  and  Edtly, 
and  the  bravery  of  the  rescuers  from  California;  also 
to  point  out  that  the  killing  of  Snyder,  so  far  as  we 
may  know,  was  an  act  of  self-defence;  and  that  the 
most  serious  charges  against  Keseberg  had  but  slight 
foundation  in  fact. 

One  phase  of  the  Mormon  migration  to  California 
has  already  been  noticed  in  a  chapter  devoted  to 
the  battalion  of  volunteer  soldiers.^'  This  battalion 
marched  from  the  far  west,  but  the  migratory  move- 
ment was  intended  to  include  the  whole  church,  and 
there  were  many  of  the  faith  living  in  the  eastern 
states.  In  a  farewell  message  to  saints  in  the  east, 
dated  at  New  York,  November  8,  1845,  Orson  Pratt 
explained  the  general  plan  to  migrate  en  masse  be- 
yond the  limits  of  "this  wicked  nation,"  and  called 
upon  the  brethren  to  sell  their  property,  purchase 
teams,  and  go  to  Nauvoo  for  a  start  with  ihe  rest  in 
the  early  spring.  Such  as  might  not  be  able  to  pro- 
vide a  [)roper  outtit  for  the  overland  journey — and  it 
was  clearly  set  forth  that  poverty-stricken  saints  would 
not  just  now  be  welcome  at  Nauvoo — were  counselled 
to  take  the  cheaper  route  by  sea;  and  it  was  an- 
nounced that  Elder  Samuel  Branuan  would  be  left  in 


"  See  chapter  xviii.  of  this  volume.     Sco  ftlso  Ill»t.  Utah,  this  scries,  for 
a  general  account  of  the  Mormon  movement  westward. 


BKAXXAXS  COLONY. 


r>45 


» liai'gc  of  this  uiiiigratifni  to  .liartor  a  vessel,  or  hall' 
a  dozen  vessels  if  iieeessaiy,  ami  start  in  January  for 
the  Pacific  coast."'^  IJraimaii  was  a  native  of  Maine, 
who  after  a  residence  in  the  west — durinj^  which  he 
liad  imbibed  the  true  faith,  liut  had  been  wellnij^di 
killed  by  fever  and  ague — returned  to  New  York  to 
publish  the  PvopltH  and  preach  to  the  saints  of  th«) 
nietrojxjlis.  He  was  a  man  (»f  more  ability  and  zeal 
than  high  principle;  still  few  better  could  have  been 
selected  to  lead  this  people  around  Cape  Horn  to 
the  land  of  promise. 

Very  soon  the  ship  Brookhjn  of  450  tons,  Richard- 
son master,  was  chartered  at  $1,200  per  month;  and 
the  rate  of  passage  for  adults  was  fixed  at  650,  though 
iiti  additional  sum  of  $25  was  required  for  subsistence. 
It  was  hoped,  however,  that  more  favorable  terms 
I'ould  be  secured  for  later  companies,  since  a  New 
York  merchant  proposed  to  carry  Mormons  at  $1(1 
per  ton,  if  he  could  secure  the  carrying  of  certain 
government  stores.  There  were  over  300  applicants 
lor  passage  on  the  Brookhjn,  but  most  of  them  were 
too  pot>r  to  pay  the  sum  refjuired,  and  had  to  nunain 
behind,  though  some  were  aided  by  contributions  from 
richer  brethren.  A  large  supply  of  implements  foi* 
I'armers  and  mechanics — enough  for  800  men,  as  was 
estimated,  with  a  view  to  later  accessions  to  tho 
colony — was  put  on  the  ship,  which  carried  also  three 
llouring  mills  and  a  printing-press,  with  all  the  mate- 
rial pertaining  to  the  Prophet  newspaper.  Books, 
especially  those  for  school  use,  were  not  forgotten; 
iuid  179  volumes  from  a  benevolent  lawyer  of  JJrook- 
lyii  were  added  to  the  library  at  the  last  moment. '^ 

'^Nov.  8,  1845,  Pratt's  message,  in  Sauno  Timet  nml  Seajtonn,  v.  1043. 

'" Nauvoo  Tiities  and  Sftvoim,  vi.  lOlM,  lll*.*-I4,  1126-8,  inclu(lin|i  l$r;m- 
tian's  announucinents,  explanations,  anil  instnictions  to  tho  laithful  about 
preparations  for  tho  voyage,  anil  prompt  assembling  at  New  \<)rk.  Also  ii 
Hcrics  of  rules  and  regulations  for  contlnct  on  the  trip  in  '21  articles.  I.  M. 
Viincott  was  the  man  who  gave  179  volumes  of  Harner's  Family  Library.  A 
negro  cook  anil  stcwaril  wcro  employed  at  |I6  and  §18  per  iimnth.  Kxuit 
ilatcs  in  tho  preparations  of  Nov.  to  Jan.  are  not  clear,  from  tho  fa<;t  that 
most  of  tho  items  in  tho  Timea  and  6Vrt«>nji  arc  taken  from  the  N.  Y.  M'eageu- 
<jtr  without  naming  ditcs  of  the  latter. 
Hwi.  Oal.,  Vol.  V.    35 


1" 


540 


PIOXKKKS     DONXKR  PARTY -TlIK  MORMOVS. 


Tlic  wliolo  imii)l)cr  of  emigrants  I'mully  lojiviiiij  Niw 
York  was  238,"'*  inrludiiig  70  men,  G8  women,  and  100 
children.  Tlicy  were  chiefly  American  farmers  ami 
mechanics  from  the  eastern  and  middle  states,  and 
included  a  few — just  how  many  it  is  impossible  t<» 
state — who  were  not  Mormons.     I  append  a  list  of 


names 


35 


!l 


^'  According  to  my  list  in  next  note,  though  as  will  Ihs  seen  there  arc  a  fv\\ 
uncertain  items  in  the  matter  of  children.  Kcmblc,  Twenty  Yrarn  Aijn,  twiys 
there  were  'J.'tS  souls,  about  a  dozen  not  being  Mormons.  Eugar  says  tiioir 
vere '-'Sti,  all  Mormons  but  Frank  Wanl.  The  Timen  aiut  SedDOVn,  vi.  112(1, 
iiiukcM  the  number  '2'M,  with  .'l  or  4  not  Mormons. 

^ '  I  have  three  lists  of  the  Mormon  immigrants,  the  most  complete  of  whicli 
i.s  that  publisiieil  iu  the  Honolulu  lYientl,  July  1,  1846,  as  a  pa.sseng('r  ILst  nn 
the  arrival  of  the  Jlrookhjn  at  that  port.  Another  was  made  before  tlie  vcssrl 
k'tt  N.  Y.,  anil  is  fuund  in  tiio  Nauvoo  Tiinvn  and  Scfuioii^,  vi.  1 1 UJ;  but  munv 
t  lianges  were  made  apparently  befure  departure.  The  third  list  is  one  madi' 
out  by  Wmtilover,  Mormons  in  T'a/.,  M.S.,  in  1884,  with  notes  us  to  what  Ijccaiiir 
<if  the  dill'erent  niend)ers.  There  were  i)robably  a  few  non-Mormon  pas.sin 
ger.s  not  named  in  the  foliuwinj^  list.  .Sue  a  biographic  notice  of  each  menibrr 
iu  my  Piiimrr  JifjiMi  r  anil  Imlci: 

lirannan  8 company  of  Mormon  immigrants,  1840:  Isaac  Adilison,  wife,  and 
thiughter;  Silas  Aldrich  (tlied  at  sea),  wife  Prudence,  son  Jasper,  and  dauglitcr; 
Wm  Atherton  and  wife;  Julius  C  Austin,  wife,  and  11  children;  .Samuel  IJraii 
nan,  wile,  and  child;  Alondus  L.  D,  liuckiand,  and  motlier  Hannalt  D.  liuik- 
l;ind;  Newell  Rullcn,  wife,  and  ',\  children;  Charles  ('.  JJurr,  wife,  and  chilil; 
X.ithan  Burr  and  wife;  John  Cade  (possibly  Kincaid)  and  wife;  Sophia  I', 
rlark;  Abram  Combs,  wife,  and  .'1  ehililren;  Mrs  Fanny  M.  (.'orwin;  John 
Kagar,  Lucy  Kagar,  and  daugliter  (peihaps  *_')  I»iary  liag.-ir,  Thomas  Kagiu ; 
Kliiis  Knsigu  (died  at  sea).  Miss  Klizo,  Knsigii  (died  ut  sea),  Jerusliu  Knsigii 
and  son;  \Vm  lOvans,  wife,  and  4  children;  Josepii  R.  Fisher,  Mary  Ann 
Fisher;  .Feruslia  Fowler,  and  4  children  (a  ciiild  of  .Jolm  (?)  Fowler  died  at  seai; 
\Vm  Clover,  wife,  and  .'{  children;  Isaac  Goodwin,  wife  (died  at  sea),  and  li 
children;  Jonathan  Critlith,  wife,  and  '2  children;  Mrs  M.iry  Hamilton  (an  1 
jx'rhaiis  children);  A.<i.  Haskell  ;.lacob  Hayes;  Joseph  Hicks;  John  M.  Honur 
and  wife;  Flisha  llyatt,  wife,  and  son;  Cyrus  Ira  (or  Irea);  .lohu  .biyce,  wilt , 
and  child  (perhaps  "J);  Sirs  Isabella  Jones;  Eil.  C.  Kendile;  <!corgi!  Kittleniini, 
ilohn  Kittleman,  Sarah  Kittlcman,  Thomas  Kittleman,  Wm  Kittleman,  wife, 
MUil  1)  children;  Richard  Knowles,  and  wife;  Sanuiel  I/idd  (or  Johnsoni; 
Hinnicline  A.  Lane;  Isaac  Leigh  (or  Lee),  and  wife;  Jan\es  Light,  wife,  and 
child;  Angeliuo  M.  Lovett;  Patrick  McCuo,  wife,  and  4  children;  Earl  Mai 
xiiall  and  family;  Mo.ies  A.  Mcder,  wife  Sarah  1).,  ami  child;  Rarton  Mow!\, 
wile,  ttn<l  2  sons;  Origin  Mowry  and  family  (?)•  Rinaldo  Mowry;  Ambrose  T, 
Moses,  wife,  and  4  children;  Miss  Mary  Murray;  Kdwin  Narrimoro,  Mercy  M. 
Xarrimore  (iipn;u('ntly  remained  at  Honolulu  for  a  time),  ami  child;  Josoiiji 
Nichols,  wife  .Jerusha,  and  chiUl  (a  child  also  died  at  sea);  Lucy  Nutliiiu; 
Howard  Oakley;  K.  Ward  Pell,  wife,  and  2  daughters;  Rol)ert  Petch,  wifi . 
and  2  children;  John  Philips;  Peter  I'ool,  Mary  Pool,  Klizjibeth  Pool;  Cliri> 
tianalteatl,  Hannah  T.  lieiul (Jiniison ?),  and  child,  Johnlioed,  Uachael  Rciii: 
Isaac  R.  Ilobbins,  wife,  and  2  children;  .John  R.  Robbins,  wife,  and  2  cini 
(Inn  (2  children  died  nt  sea);  Henry  Itowland  (Roulan,  or  Rollins)  anl 
<laughter  (?),  Isaac  Rowland;  Kliza  Savage;  James  Scott;  (Jeorgo  W.  Sirrim, 
tlohn  J.  Sirrine,  wife,  and  child;  Horace  A.  Skinner,  wife,  and  child;  Anieli;i 
Smith;  Orrin  .Suiith.  wife,  and  (>  ciiildren;  Robert  Smith,  wife,  and  2  children; 
ZelnoraS.  Snow;  Mary  Sparks  and  family;  QuartusS.  Sparks,  wife,  and  child; 


TIIK  KLDKUS  .sCHEMKS. 


.m: 


Besides  supeiiiiteiuling  |)rej)aiutioiis  lor  the  ilciuiit- 
uro  of  this  purticulur  com|Kmy,  lOIder  Jinuuiiiii  tie- 
\oti'(l  iiiueh  attention  to  the  j'eiieral  welfare  of  tlie 
whole  Murinuu  people  in  their  new  western  home, 
;uul  this  not  altogether  to  the  net^leet  i)erhaps  of  his 
i»\vn  interests  and  those  of  certani  frit'nds.  He  dis- 
(•((vered,  or  pretended  to  have  <liscovered,  that  tlu' 
m>verninent  would  |)robably  take  ste|)s  to  prevent  tiir 
Mormon  migration,  on  the  ground  that  they  int(>nde<l 
to  take  sides  with  either  Mexieo  or  England  against 
the  United  States.  But  the  shrewd  Samuel  also  dis- 
covered a  remedy  for  all  prospective  misfortune.  II«i 
liarned  that  Amos  Kendall  and  certain  iniluential  as- 
>otiates,  acting  through  one  13enson  as  agent,  and 
chiiniing  President  Polk  as  a  'silent  |)arty'  to  the 
project,  would  undertake  to  prevent  all  interference 
it"  the  Mormon  leaders  would  sign  an  agreement  "t(» 
transfer  to  A.  (I.  Benson  &  Co.  tiio  odd  numhers  ot' 
itU  the  laiuls  and  town  lots  tiu'y  may  acipiirt!  iit  thr 
coiujtry  where  they  may  settle."  Accordingly  such  a 
contract  was  drawn  up  hy  Kendall,  signed  hy  Bran- 
nan  and  J3enson,  witnessed  hy  Elder  Applehy,  an<l 
sent  to  President  Young  for  approval.  In  relation 
to  this  matter,  [  am  unai)le  to  say  whetiier  lirannan 
was  made  to  believe  by  certain  men  for  their  own  in- 
tt>rests  that  the  saints  were  in  danger  and  that  they 
had  intluence  with  the  <;overnment,  beiuLT  thus  in- 
tluced  to  sign  the  contract  for  pr<jtection,  «>r  whether 


DauiLl  stark,  wife,  ami  '2  cliildrcu;  Ocorgo  Still,  wifo,  ami  ,1  cliildreii;  Simeon 
Slivers;  Win  Stout,  wife,  iiiul  eliiltl;  Josho  A.  Striugfellow;  Thomas  Ti)mi>kinM, 
wife,  ami  "J  chililrcn;  Frank  Ward  (not  ii  Mormon);  Caroline  Warner  ami  W 
I'liililren;  (Jeorgo  K.  Winner,  wife,  and  ti  oliildren  (a  child  dieil  at  sea). 

The  Hut  in  Timey  ami  Si'd^imn  eontiiiu.-i  the  following,'  nameH,  not  in  the 
Honolulu  list,  of  |M:rciun!i  wito  prohably  eould  not  tinallv  laise  the  iiassau'e 
money;  Dan.  S.  Kuldwin,  Manena  <>aunon,  .lon:iH  ( 'ook,  .tames  Kmlily,  .1.  M. 
I'arnsworth,  \Vm  F'int,  Joseph  Franee,  .lohn  llnirbaini,  W'm  .Maek,  Stephen 
11.  I'iereo,  Wni  (J.  licainur,  I>an.  IlichartUtiii,  CharltM  Kiissell,  Susiin  A. 
.Soarla,  .James  .Smitii,  .Sam.  Smith,  and  Simeon  .Staidey.  One  l'eri;usoii,  an 
Irisliman  from  Watcrford,  is  named  liy  .Maj,'uire.  Irish  in  Amcr.,  'Jti'.).  Lin- 
coln is  named  l»y  Fiudla,  Stuteintiil,  .M.S.,  ;{-■!,  as  a  .Mormon  |)reaeher.  Clark, 
of  '  Clark'a  I'oint,'  S.  F. ,  i.s  called  li  .Mormon  hy  .Sherman.  Mini.,  i.  .">-.  Mar- 
mIuiII  and  Oakley  aro  nut  named  in  the  Itunoliuu  list,  thouj^h  there  is  no  doulit 
aixjiit  their  coming.     Ladd  was  known  us  .Johnson  iu  Cal. 


'  1" 


wM 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  {MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


IIM    ill  2.5 


«JJ  IM    112.2 


m 

1140 


12.0 


1.8 


1-4    IIIIII.6 


<- 


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V 


W 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIK  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  145  SO 

(716)  872-4503 


1^   >^ 

4s      ^^x* 


U.i 


^/. 


548 


PIONEERS— DONNER  PARTY— THE  MORMONS. 


'I'll 


I  I 


the  scheme  was  one  devised  by  the  crafty  elder  him- 
self as  a  means  of  becoming  a  partner  in  the  proposed 
speculations  of  Benson  &  Co.  in  California.  Brighaiu 
Young  and  his  council  declined  to  approve  the  con- 
tract, and  no  very  serious  results  to  the  Mormons 
ensued;  but  the  war  with  Mexico  may  have  inter- 
fered with  the  plans  of  the  speculators,  of  which  noth- 
ing more  is  known.  It  is  noticeable  that  Lansford 
W.  Hastings  was  a  Californian  agent  in  this  affair, 
and  that  he  also  represented  it  as  a  project  secretly 
supported  by  the  government.^" 

It  was  on  February  4th  that  the  Brooklyn  sailed 
from  New  York  with  her  load  of  emigrants.  She  Mas 
not  a  fast  sailer,  but  excellent  preparations  had  been 
made  for  the  comfort  of  the  passengers.  Elaborate 
regulations  had  been  drawn  up  for  all  the  details  of 

"  Tullidge's  Life  of  Brigham  Young,  18-24,  contains  the  best  account  of 
this  matter,  with  quotations  from  original  documents.  la  his  letter  of  Jan. 
26th  to  Young,  Brannan  says:  'I  had  an  interview  with  Amos  Kendall,  in 
company  with  Mr  Benson,  which  resulted  in  a  compromise ' — a  previous  let- 
ter of  the  12th  had  made  known  the  impending  danger  to  the  saints — 'the 
conditions  of  which  you  will  learn  by  reading  the  contract  between  them  and 
us. .  .K.  is  now  our  friend,  and  will  use  his  influence  in  our  behalf  in  connec- 
tion with  25  of  the  most  prominent  demagogues  in  the  country.  You  will 
be  permitted  to  pass  out  of  the  states  immolcsted ...  I  shall  select  the  most 
suitable  spot  01'  the  bay  of  S.  F.  for  the  location  of  a  commercial  city.  When 
I  sail,  which  will  be  next  Saturday  at  one  o'clock,  I  shnll  hoist  a  flag  with 
"Oregon"  on  it. .  .1  am  aware  that  it  (the  contract  venant  with  death, 

but  we  know  that  God  is  able  to  break  it  and  will  di  i  he  children  of  Israel 

in  their  escape  from  Egypt  had  to  make  covenants  i  >  aeir  safety  and  leave  it 
for  God  to  break  them ;  and  the  prophet  has  said,  "  As  it  was  then  so  shall  it  be 
in  the  last  days. "...  Mr  Benson's  address  is  No.  39  South  St. ,  and  the  sooner  you 
can  give  him  answer  the  better.  He  will  spend  one  month  in  Washington  to 
sustain  you,  and  he  will  do  it,  no  mistake.  But  everything  must  bo  kept 
silent  as  death  on  our  part,  names  of  parties  in  particular.  I  now  commit  this 
sheet  to  the  post,  praying  that  Israel's  God  may  prevent  it  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  wicked  men.'  In  a  postscript  to  a  copy  of  the  contract  he  says:  'It 
is  no  gammon,  but  will  be  carried  through  if  you  say  "amen."  It  was  drawn 
up  by  Kendall's  own  hand;  but  no  person  must  be  known  but  Mr  Benson.' 
In  his  journal  Brigham  Young  writes:  'The  council  considered  the  subject, 
and  concluded  that  as  our  trust  was  in  God,  and  that  as  we  looked  to  hiiu 
for  protection,  we  wouhl  not  sign  any  such  unjust  and  oppressive  agreement. 
This  was  a  plan  of  political  demagogues  to  rob  the  Latter-day  Saints  of 
millions,  and  compel  them  to  submit  to  it  by  threats  of  Federal  bayonets.' 
March  3d,  Hastings  to  Larkin,  predicts  great  things  for  Cal.  from  the  vast 
tide  of  immigration.  Benson  &  Co.  are  about  to  establish  a  great  commercial 
house  in  Cal.  and  will  send  two  ships  a  year,  bringing  immigrants  free  of 
charge.  This  is  a  confidential  govt  arrangement,  B.  &  Co.  not  really  bearing 
the  expense.  The  motive  of  the  govt  will  be  clear  to  L.  Larkin*a  Doc,  MS,, 
iv.  55. 


VOYAGE  OF  THE  BROOKLYN. 


5W 


routine  conduct,  and  there  were  days  when  several  of 
the  rules  were  not  broken.  Strict  attention  was  paid 
to  the  duties  of  religion;  yet  before  the  end  of  the 
voyage  four  leading  members  had  to  be  excommuni- 
cated for  improper  views  and  conduct,  or  what  seemed 
such  to  the  immaculate  Samuel.'*''  Besides  these  spir- 
itual backsliding  there  were  ten  deaths,  and  two 
births,  the  infants  being  named  Atlantic  and  Pacific. 
In  each  ocean  a  storm  put  all  in  danger.  Once  Cap- 
tain Richardson  gave  up  the  vessel  as  lost;  but  the 
Mormons  paid  no  heed  to  such  terrors,  for  were  they 
not  in  the  keeping  of  the  Lord,  and  bound  for  a  land 
of  promise?  It  is  even  claimed  that  faith  somewhat 
strengthened  them  to  bear  the  pangs  of  sea-sickness. 
The  last  storm  struck  the  ship  when  she  was  near  the 
latitude  of  Valparaiso,  and  trying  to  make  that  port, 
driving  her  back  nearly  to  the  cape.  The  first  an- 
chorage was  at  the  island  of  Juan  Fernandez  on  May 
4th.  But  here  they  got  for  nothing  the  supplies  that 
Yvould  have  cost  dear  at  Valparaiso.'*'*  After  five  days 
they  continued  their  voyage,  arriving  at  Honolulu  on 
June  20th,  and  remaining  there  ten  days,  being  hos- 
pitably welcomed,  and  honored  by  Mr  Damon  with  a 
kindly  notice  in  the  Friend.^^  Here  they  met  Com- 
modore Stockton,  about  to  sail  for  Monterey,  and 
learned  something  of  the  prospect  that  California 
would  soon  be  occupied  by  the  United  States.  Much 
of  the  time  during  the  remainder  of  the  voyage  was 


''Biannan'a  letter  in  Liverpool  Millrn.  Star,  ix.  307.  Elder  Pell,  B.'s 
counsellor,  was  one  of  the  culprits.  '  Wicked  and  licentious  conduct '  was 
shown  by  'evidence  of  the  most  disgusting  character,' if  we  may  credit  B. 
The  trial  was  after  leaving  Honolulu. 

"^I  havo  u  copy  of  a  letter  from  one  of  the  passengers,  written  at  Juan 
]''on)andez  on  tiio  5tli,  and  describing  the  voyage  to  that  point  as  pleasant  and 
uneventful. 

^^  Jionolnlii  Frie.nil,  July  1,  1S46,  including,  as  we  have  seen,  a  list  of  the 
Mormons.  Quoted  also  in  the  Millennial  Star,  ix.  39-40.  John  P.  Gregson, 
then  on  the  Erte,  in  a  letter  of  1875,  says  one  of  the  Mormon  ciders  and  fam- 
ily remained  at  Honolulu  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  conversed  freely  with 
tiie  writer  about  the  plans  of  tho  saints.  Glover  says  that  Orrin  Smith's  fam- 
ily was  tho  one  left  at  the  islands.  Mrs  Narrimorc  and  son  arrived  at  S.  F. 
in  1847  on  tho  Don  Quixote,  and  may  therefore  have  remained  at  Honolulu. 


550 


nONEERS— DONNER  PARTY— THE  MORMONS. 


spent  in  military  drill,  with  a  view  to  possible  hostility 
on  the  part  of  the  Mexicans.*" 

The  arrival  at  San  Francisco  was  on  July  31st,  and 
of  course  there  was  not  the  slightest  opposition  to  the 
landing  from  United  States  officials,  as  there  would 
probably  have  been  none  had  the  Californians  been 
still  in  power,  though  it  is  true  that  immigrants  from 
the  western  states  had  not  given  the  Mormons  a  good 
name."  Brannan  and  his  associates  were  doubtless 
somewhat  surprised  to  find  the  stars  and  stripes  float- 
ing over  their  land  of  promise,  and  it  is  even  possible 
that  the  pious  elder's  first  remark,  as  reported,  was, 
"  There  is  that  damned  flag  again  "1  But  it  has  been 
the  fashion  greatly  to  exaggerate  their  disappoint- 
ment. Could  the  Mormons  have  established  them- 
selves, fifty  or  a  hundred  thousand  strong,  in  the 
country  while  it  was  yet  a  Mexican  possession,  it 
might  have  better  suited  their  plans,  since  it  would 
have  given  them  a  vantage-ground  for  negotiations 
with  the  United  States.  Possibly  in  certain  contin- 
gencies they  would  have  acted  against  that  govern- 
ment had  their  interests  seemed  to  require  it;  but  that 
they  expected  or  desired  such  a  state  of  things  may 

•"Glover  names  Ladd  and  Robt  Smith  as  teachers  of  tactics;  and  says  the 
drill  continued  until  Capt.  R.,  fearing  a  mutiny,  stopped  it.  Kcmble  says 
the  teacher  was  .a  deserter  from  the  U.  S.  army.  Eagar  represents  the  arms 
as  having  been  bought  at  Honolulu  on  the  advice  of  Stockton. 

Wm  Glover's  Mormons  in  California  ia  a  MS.  record  of  the  voyage  and  all 
connected  with  tlio  immigrant  company,  written  from  memory  in  J 884,  at  the 
request  of  Franklin  D.  Richards,  and  furnished  for  my  use  by  the  latter.  It  is 
of  especial  value  in  its  information  on  what  became  of  the  different  members, 
and  is  supplemented  by  a  letter  of  July  31,  188-t.  Twenty  Years  Ago.  The 
'Brooklyn'  Mormons  in  California,  is  a  very  complete  narrative  of  the  whole 
matter,  probably  the  best  extant,  published  in  the  Sac7'amenlo  Union,  Sept. 
11,  18G6,  aud  written  by  one  of  the  company,  whom  I  suppo.sc  to  have  been 
E.  (J.  Kcmble.  John  Eagar's  brief  narrative  is  a  MS.  furnished  by  Mr  Rich- 
ards, with  Olo'vcr's  Mormons.  It  is  not  of  great  value,  containing  several 
erroneous  statements.  In  the  Times  and  Seasons,  vi.  1126-7,  is  a  full  account 
of  circumstances  attending  the  departure  from  N.  Y.  Brief  account  by  the 
'wife  of  Col  Jackson,'  in  'J'nllidfie's  Women,  445-8.  Californian  songs  of 
the  Mormons,  in  Youmfs  Wife  No.  i9,  p.  Ill,  110-17;  Marshall's  Throwjh 
America,  179-80.  Mention  of  Brannan  s  company  may  be  found  in  most 
works  on  early  California. 

•'March  '2(1,  Gov.  Pico  to  assembly,  on  rumors  of  an  intended  Mormon 
immigration.  Olrera,  Doe.,  MS.,  14-15;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  ix.  16-17. 
March  4th,  J^irkin  to  U.  S.  sec.  state,  on  the  same  reports,  which  he  repre- 
sents as  having  caused  much  fear.  Larkin's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  ii.  42. 


ARRIVAL  AT  SAN  FRANCISCO. 


551 


well  be  doubted.  There  had  been  nothing  secret  or 
mysterious  about  their  purpose  to  occupy  California, 
but  they  had  hoped  to  be  first  in  the  field,  and  mas- 
ters of  the  situation,  the  grantors  not  recipients  of 
favors  in  their  dealings  with  a  government  that  had 
not  protected  them  against  the  mobs  in  Missouri  and 
Illinois.  Yet,  though  they  had  not  e>:pected  the  war 
to  break  out  so  soon,  they  must  have  known  what  was 
likely  to  happen  before  they  left  the  states;  news  at 
Honolulu  had  left  but  slight  doubt  as  to  the  result; 
and  now,  if  not  entirely  pleased,  they  -vere  prepared 
to  make  the  best  of  the  situation,  taking  comfort  from 
the  thought  that  they  had  at  least  escaped  complica- 
tions with  the  Mexicans,  and  had  saved  a  considerable 
sum  in  duties  that  would  have  had  to  be  paid  on  their 


cargo. 


Thus  San  Francisco  became  for  a  time  very  largely 
a  Mormon  town.  All  bear  witness  to  the  orderly 
and  moral  conduct  of  the  saints  both  on  land  and  sea. 
They  were  honest  and  industrious  citizens,  even  if 
clannish  and  peculiar.  There  was  no  practice  of  polyg- 
amy' to  excite  animosities.  They  had  a  few  months' 
provisions  left  on  disembarking,  but  they  owed  some- 
thing on  their  passage  money.  After  camping  for  a 
time  on  a  vacant  lot,  some  went  to  Marin  county  to 
work  as  lumbermen  and  thus  pay  their  debts;  others 
were  put  in  possession  of  the  old  mission  buildings ; 
all  sought  work  at  whatever  tasks  presented  them- 
selves, making  themselves  generally  useful;  while  a 
party  of  twenty  was  sent  into  the  San  Joaquin  valley 
to  prepare  for  the  coming  of  the  Nauvoo  saints  by  the 
overland  route.  Many  of  them  appear  in  tlio  town 
records  of  1846-7  as  the  grantees  of  building  lots. 
Yet  all  was  not  tranquil  in  the  conniiunity.  Four 
had  been  expelled  from  the  church  on  the  voyage,  us 
before  remarked,  and  three  more  soon  after  landing. 
Some  of  the  company  made  complaints  against  Bran- 
nan,  whose  misdeeds  are  not  clearly  specified,  but 
who  was  apparently  exonerated  after  a  legal  investiga- 


PIOXEERS-DONXER  PARTY— THK  MORMONS. 


W  i 


,1 


'  11 


tion.  Before  the  end  of  1846  twenty  "went  astray 
alter  strange  gods,  serving  their  belHes  and  hists,"  as 
the  elder  expressed  it;  that  is,  they  decHned  to  fol- 
low his  instructions.  In  January  1847  Brannan  be- 
gan the  publication  of  the  Ycrha  Buena  California 
Star,  using  the  material  of  the  old  Prophet  office ;  and  it 
was  continued  through  this  year  and  the  next.  It  was 
not  issued  as  an  organ  of  Mormonisra  but  as  a  news- 
paper, though  I  think  some  special  'extras'  were  de- 
voted to  church  affairs,  not  being  generally  circu- 
lated.^^ 

Brannan  wrote  from  Yerba  Buena  on  the  1st  of 
January:  "Wo  have  commenced  a  settlement  on  the 
River  San  Joaquin,  a  large  and  beautiful  stream 
emptying  into  the  bay  of  San  Francisco;  but  the 
families  of  the  company  are  wintering  in  this  place, 
where  they  find  plenty  of  employment,  and  houses  to 
live  in;  and  about  twenty  of  our  number  are  up  at  the 
new  settlement,  which  we  call  New  Hope,  ploughing 
and  putting  in  wheat  and  other  crops,  and  making- 
preparations  to  move  their  families  up  in  the  spring, 
where  they  hope  to  meet  the  main  body  by  land  some 
time  during  the  coming  season."  "     The  site  of  New 

"Jan.  1,  1847,  Brannan  to  the  bretlnen  from  the  Star  extra  in  Milieu. 
Still;  ix.  300-7.  He  expects  another  shipload  of  immigrants,  2  vessels  being 
reported  as  having  sailed,  one  from  N.  Y.  and  the  other  from  Boston.  (The 
Xyloii.  to  leave  in  N.  Y.  in  April  with  Mormons.  Or.  Spectator,  Aug.  20, 
1S40.)  'A  few  of  tho  passengers  on  our  arrival  endeavored  to  make  mis- 
chief and  trouble  by  complaints  of  the  bad  treatment  they  had  received 
during  tho  passage,  w'liich  induced  Capt.  Montgomery  to  institute  a  court  of 
in(piiry,  before  wliich  tho  larger  portion  of  the  company  were  cited  to  appear 
for  priv.-ite  examination.  But  the  truth  was  mighty  and  prevailed  !'  Tuthill, 
J/lst.  Cat,  214-15,  says  the  lirst  jury  trial  in  Cal.  was  won  by  Brannan  on 
this  occasion.  In  I!i/au's  Jmhjes  and  Criminals,  59-00,  is  a  burlesque  account 
of  the  controversy,  implying  that  tho  quarrel  was  about  funds.  Tiio  Mon- 
terey Calif.,  Oct.  10,  1840,  contains  a  brief  notice  of  a  split  in  the  Mormon 
ranks,  which  by  scattering  them  will  be  good  for  the  country.  The  Mor- 
mons are  spoken  of  as  a  plain,  laborious,  frugal  people,  not  meriting  the  op- 
probrium cast  upon  them.  Aug.  19th,  justice  of  the  peace  at  S.  Diego  uses 
the  'Mormon  invasion' as  an  incentive  to  patriots  to  furnish  100  horses  for 
the  troops.  Hayes'  Doc,  MS.,  188.  Glover  states  that  only  two  of  the  Mor- 
mons enlisted  in  the  California  battalion,  and  this  mainly  through  his  own 
opposition,  many  of  them  having  been  willing  to  enlist  at  first. 

*^  Millen.  Star,  ix.  .306.  According  to  Solano  Co.  Jlist.,  312,  a  site  was 
selected  by  L.  W.  Hastings  at  Montezuma,  where  H.  resided  for  several  years; 
but  tlie  place  did  not  suit  the  brethren,  and  they  went  elsewhere. 


THE  SETTLEMENT  AT  NEW  HOPE. 


553 


Hope  was  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Stanislaus,  about 
a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  San  Joaquin.  William 
Stout  was  in  charge  of  the  party  that  went  in  a  launcli 
Irom  Yerba  Bucna  to  found  the  first  settlement  in 
San  Joaquin  county.  A  log-house  was  built  and  a 
saw-mill,  eighty  acres  were  seeded  and  fenced,  and  in 
April  the  crops  promised  well,  but  not  much  more  is 
known  of  tlie  enterprise,  except  that  it  was  abandoned 
in  the  autumn.  The  company  is  said  to  liave  had 
trouble  with  Stout,  who  soon  left  the  place,  as  did 
others."  The  reason  for  abandoning  the  enterprise 
was  not,  however,  these  dissensions,  but  the  receipt 
of  news  that  the  church  had  decided  to  settle  at  Salt 
Lake.  Brannan  went  east  to  meet  President  Youni»- 
and  the  main  body,  leaving  New  Helvetia  late  in 
April,  reaching  Fort  Hall  on  June  9th,"  and  meeting 
the  saints  at  Green  River  about  July  4th,  to  come  on 
with  them  to  Salt  Lake  Valley.  He  was  not  pleased 
with  the  decision  to  remain  there  and  found  a  city,  and 
soon  started  back  sorrowful  with  the  news.  In  the 
Sierra  he  met  the  returning  members  of  the  battalion 
on  September  6th,  giving  them  a  dreary  picture  of 
the  chosen  valley,  and  predicting  that  Young  would 
change  his  mind  and  bring  his  people  to  California 
the  next  year.*" 

The  members  of  the  Droohhjn  company  were  like- 

**In  S.  Joaq.  Co.  IfittL,  100-1,  tho  settlement  is  called  Stanislaus  City, 
It  is  said  that  after  tlio  planting  and  fencing  was  done  Stout  claimed  the 
farm,  and  advised  the  otliers  to  select  farms  for  themselves  !  Tliis  made 
trouble,  Brannan  was  summoned,  and  it  was  decided  tiiat  tho  house  and 
farm  must  be  reserved  for  the  twelve  apostles,  whereupon  Stout  soon  de- 
parted. A  meagre  crop  of  potatoes  and  a  Hood  are  mentioned.  lUickland, 
tlie  last  to  (piit  tho  place,  went  to  Stockton  in  Nov.,  tho  rest  of  the  company 
having  gone  to  tho  south.  Tho  land  was  abandoned  until  1851.  Sec  also  .S'. 
J.  Pioneer,  June  23,  1877.  Glover,  Mnrmona  in  Col.,  MS.,  says  'the  com- 
pany was  broken  up  and  every  one  wont  to  work  to  make  a  fit-out  to  go  to  the 
valley  as  best  we  could.  The  Land,  tlie  oxen,  the  crop,  tlie  houses,  tools,  and 
launvii,  all  went  into  Brannan's  hands,  and  the  company  that  did  the  work 
never  aot  anything.' 

*^  J  line  I'.tth,  Brannan  writes  to  a  friend  in  N.  Y.  from  Fort  Hall.  Will 
start  noxt  day  witli  2  men  and  part  of  tho  horses.  Mill.  Star,  ix.  305.  Glover 
says  B.  was  accompanied  by  Charles  Smith.  Meeting  with  Young.  Tullidtjc'a 
Life  Younrj,  166. 

^*  TyWa  Hist.  Morm.  Bat.,  315.  Branuau's  return  is  announced  in  the 
S.  F.  Cat.  Sinr.  Sept.  18,  1847. 


fiM 


riOXEERS— DOXNER  PARTY— THE  MORMONS. 


wise  disappointed  to  learn  that  the  now  home  of  their 
people  was  to  be  in  the  far  interior.  Some  declined 
to  leave  the  coast  region;  the  rest,  giving  up  their 
dreams  of  a  great  city  at  New  Hope,  devoted  them- 
selves half  regretfully  to  preparations  for  a  migration 
eastward.  The  discovery  of  gold  in  the  spring  of 
1848  reunited  most  of  them  at  the  mines  of  Mormon 
Island;  but  their  experience  as  miners  belongs  to  a 
later  volume.  Nearly  one  hundred  adults,  with  some 
forty  children,  found  their  way  in  different  parties, 
chiefly  in  1848-50,  to  Utah,  where  many  of  them  are 
still  living  as  I  write.*'  The  rest,  forty-live  adults  and 
sixty-five  children,  according  to  my  lists,  remained  be- 
hind. Most  of  them,  like  the  leader,  apostatized  from 
the  true  faith;  a  few  in  later  years  joined  Mormon 
communities  at  San  Bernardino  or  in  Arizona,  while  a 
few  either  died  in  the  faith,  or  living,  retain  something 
of  their  former  theories.  Probably  about  a  dozen  of 
all  who  came  on  the  Brooklyn  are  still  residents  of 
California. 


Pioneers  of  1847,  according  to  my  register,  were 
1,900,  or  about  twice  as  many  as  those  of  the  preced- 
ing year,"*^  They  may  be  classified  in  round  number  as 
follows:  Overland  immigrants,  not  including  females, 
and  in  reality  only  a  small  part  of  the  whole  number, 
50;  volunteers  of  the  Mormon  battalion,  350;  a  total 
of  400  known  by  name  to  have  come  by  land  routes. 
The  regiment  of  New  York  volunteers,  or  soldier  im- 
migrants, 950;  officers  and  men  of  the  artillery  com- 
pany, U.  S.  regulars,  120;  other  known  arrivals  In- 
sea,  70,  including  20  in  the  navy;  making  a  total  of 
1,140  who  came  by  water.  Men  whose  coming  is 
ascribed  to  1847  in  records  of  later  years,  60;  those 
whose  presence  at  some  point  in  California  is  shown 
by  records  of  the  year,  300;  or  a  total  of  360  to  be 

*' Glover,  Mormons  in  Cal.,  MS.,  describes  the  journey  of  himself  and  a 
few  others  across  the  Sierra  in  the  spring  of  1849,  and  names  most  of  those 
still  livmg. 

*^  See  beginning  of  this  chapter. 


IMMIGRANTS  OF  1847-8. 


5S5 


were 


(lividod  in  unknown  proportions  between  arrivals  by 
sea  and  land. 

My  register  for  1848  contains  520  names.  Classi- 
fied as  above,  they  included  35  overland  immigrants,  25 
iVoni  Oregon,  140  known  to  have  come  by  sea,  100  whose 
arrival  merely  is  ascribed  to  this  year,  50  mentioned 
for  the  first  time  as  being  in  the  mines,  and  170  found 
at  other  places  without  any  definite  record  respecting 
the  manner  of  their  coming.  To  this  number  of  520 
there  should  be  added,  however,  480  men — dragoons, 
teamsters,  mechanics,  and  servants — who  came  under 
Graham  from  Mexico,  arrived  in  southern  California 
late  in  December,  and  with  few  exceptions  are  not 
named  in  my  lists.  Thus  the  total  number  of  regis- 
tered new-comers  for  the  year  was  1,000,  though 
necessarily  the  record  is  less  accurate  than  for  earlier 
times.  For  later  years  even  an  approximately  correct 
register  is  an  impossibility. 

The  overland  immigration  to  Oregon  in  1847  was 
very  large;  that  to  California  much  smaller  than  had 
been  expected,  though  it  was  understood  in  advance 
that  prevalent  uncertainty  in  the  east  respecting  the 
political  situation,  together  with  reports  of  the  Don- 
I'cr  disasters  of  the  past  year,  would  have  an  unfavor- 
able effect.  Oregon  agents  at  forts  Hall  and  Laramie 
also  did  much  to  discourage  those  who  had  California 
in  view,  not  adhering  more  strictly  to  the  truth  in 
tlieir  statements  than  had  Californian  agents  at  the 
.same  points  a  few  years  earlier.  Yet  a  party  of  about 
fifty  came  down  from  Oregon,  arriving  in  June  or 
earlier.*'  The  regular  immigration  by  the  Humboldt 
and  Truckee  route  may  have  numbered  two  hundred 

*^S.  F.  Calif.,  July  10,  1847;  Or.  Spectator,  June  10,  1847.  Charles  l{cn- 
uett  and  Stephen  Staats,  wiio  later  returned  to  Or.,  nro  named  as  members  of 
this  party.  The  S.  F.  Cat.  Star,  Feb.  Ill,  1847,  predicts  a  largo  immigration 
in  the  autumn  and  an  immense  one  the  next.  In  the  Moiilercij  Calif.,  Aug. 
20,  1846,  is  an  extract  from  the  Little  Hock  Gazettf,  announcing  the  comiug  of 
an  Arkansas  company  in  1847.  See  letters  in  praise  of  Cal.,  tliough  mingled 
with  doubts  on  the  actual  state  of  affairs,  in  Xiles'  J\e(i.,  Ixxiii.  Ill;  CiitfK' 
Coiiij.,  203-4;  S.  F.  Bulletin,  3\\nc  16,  1877;  IMfast  (Me.)  lie  pub.  Jour.,'m 
Eureka  Went  Coast  Signal,  May  24,  1871;  Newark  (N.  J.)  Adtvrtiser  (letter 
of  June  17th  from  Monterey). 


m 


556 


PIONEERS— DONNER  PARTY-THE  MORMONS. 


souls,  thougli,  as  wc  have  seen,  only  about  fifty  names 
are  known.  The  parties  were  met  by  Kearny  anil 
later  by  Stockton,  and  were  passed  by  Branuan  on 
his  return  from  Salt  Lake,  news  from  these  sources 
being  published  in  the  papers.  They  had  no  remark- 
able experience  on  the  way,  and  arrived  with  seventy 
wagons  at  New  Helvetia  in  the  first  half  of  Octobei-. 
Charles  Hopper,  a  pioneer  of  1841,  now  returning 
with  his  family,  was  in  charge  of  the  main  company 
as  guide  or  captain.  There  was  another  small  party 
that  attempted  a  northern  cut-off  to  the  upper  Sac- 
ramento, but  was  obliged  to  take  the  Appleton  route 
to  Oregon.*^  As  far  west  as  Salt  Lake  Valley  tlu> 
Mormon  trains  formed  a  prominent  element  in  the 
year's  immigration. 

Of  the  overland  parties  of  1848  still  less  is  known, 
but  the  immigration  was  perhaps  not  less  numerous 
than  in  1847,  though  there  are  only  about  thirty -five 
names  on  the  records.  The  only  narrative  of  the  trip 
extant  is  that  written  from  memory  by  J.  P.  C.  All- 
sopp,  who  came  with  a  small  party  from  New  Orleans 
by  way  of  St  Louis  and  Independence.  Several  of 
the  number  stopped  at  Salt  Lake  to  become  Mor- 
mons, and  seven,  crossing  the  Sierra  by  the  Carson 
Valley  route,  arrived  at  San  Francisco  in  December.^^ 
James  T.  Walker  with  a  party  of  eight  started  in 
1847,  but,  being  belated,  was  obliged  to  spend  the 
winter  in  the  Green  River  country,  and  came  on  to 

^'Aug.  23,  1847,  Huiisacker  and  Smith  arrive  at  the  fort  with  news  of  the 
immigration.  N.  Ilelv.  Diary,  MS.,  100.  Sept.  4th,  news  from  Ft  Hall  in 
extracts  from  a  diary  kept  perhaps  by  Brannan's  companions.  1,500  wagons 
turned  aside  to  Or.  S.  F.  Cal.  Star.  Sept.  18tli,  Brannan's  report.  2o 
wagons  probably  at  Truckec;  others  farther  back.  Id.  O^t.  3d-9th,  arrival 
of  immigrants  at  Snttcr's.  Gerke,  Fairchild,  Fourgeaud,  and  Beaton  named. 
iV.  Ilelv.  Diary.  MS.,  118-20.  See  also  SnUer'a  Diary,  9.  Oct.  IGth,  Capt. 
Hopper's  company  of  GO  wagons  crossing  the  S.  Joaquin  on  the  way  to  S. 
Jos(;.  Also  mention  of  the  party  (Wiggins)  which  took  the  northern  route. 
.S".  P.  Cal.  Star;  also  Hist.  Or.,  i.  623,  this  series.  Oct.  2l8t,  Sutter  to  Va- 
llejo.  Immigration  very  small,  only  70  wagons.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  315. 
See  also  Honolulu  Polynesian,  iv.  51,  137,  146.  James  Findla,  Statement, 
MS.,  was  a  member  of  Hopper's  company,  and  gives  a  brief  account  of  tlie 
journey.  In  Dec.  a  caravan  of  about  212  New  Mexicans  arrived  at  Los 
Angeles  to  trade.  S.  P.  Californian,  Dec.  29,  1847. 

'^  Allsopp'g  Leaves  from  my  Lorj,  MS.,  34-45. 


IIENSLKV  AMI  nilLKS. 


iM7 


California  this  year."  Bigler  of  tlio  returiiing  ^[or- 
inons  gives  some  information  of  parties  met  by  the 
wa}'.  On  August  15tli  at  the  sink  of  the  Humboldt 
they  met  eighteen  emigrant  wagons  from  Fort  Hall. 
Ten  more  were  met  on  the  26th;  and  next  day  Cap- 
tain Hcnsley  came  up  with  a  party  of  ten  men  on 
mules,  who,  after  failing  to  follow  the  Hastings  cut- 
off, had  discovered  a  new  and  bettor  route.  Tliree 
days  later  appeared  Captain  Chiles  with  forty-eight 
wagons,  claiming  to  have  found  a  better  way  than 
Hensley's,  but  the  latter's  was  taken  by  the  Mormons, 
since  Chiles'  trail  could  not  be  found/'' 

'''Contra  Costa  Co.  I/ist.,  686. 

''Jiigler\i  Diary  of  a  Mormon,  MS.,  89-95.  In  the  Ornjou  Spectator, 
Sept.  7th,  is  a  report  from  advance  imtnigrixnts  that  there  were  600  wagons  on 
the  way,  300  of  which  would  probably  go  to  Cal. 


!'■  *'■ 


111'  $:i: 


it; 


i-^  :■ 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  A l-'FAIRS— COMMERCE. 

1340-1848. 

Salk  of  Mission  Estaiks— Act  ok  tiik  Assembly  in  Aimul— The  Mon- 
TKsuKocA  OmiKK  -Pico's  Sales  kuom  May  to  July— Puuciiasehs 
ANi>  Teums — The  Toknkl  Okdek— Evidences  df  Fuauu — Action  ok 
Flokes'  Goveunment — Uecision  of  the  ConuTS— Policy  of  Keauny 
AND  Mason,  1817-8 — Ecclesiastical  Affaiiis— Bishoi*  ani>  Fiuaus— 
Vicars— Indian   Affairs— Sctteu,  Vallejo,   and  IIpnter  as  Scn- 

ISDIAN    AtlENTS — LoCAL   ItEMS— COMMERCE   AND    MARITIME   AfKAIRS— 

Meaoiie    Data    for    1840— Stahstics — Mason's    Communications  - 

COLLKCTORS — REMOVAL  OF  BuitDENS— FrEE-T1!ADE — NeV  TaRIFF  FROM 

Wasiiinoton— AVau  CoNTRimiTioNs— Modifiiatioss  nv  Mason  and 
Shurrick-Gold-dust  FOR  Duties— U.  S.  Revenue  Laws  Introduced 
WITH  the  Trkaty — The  FiR;*T  Steamer  in  Calij-urnia  Waters- 
List  OF  Vessels,  1840-8. 

In  accordance  with  Governor  Pico's  regulations  of 
October  28,  1845,  authorized  by  tlie  territorial  junta 
in  its  resolution  of  May  28th,  three  missions  were 
sold  antl  four  rented  to  private  individ'ials  before  the 
end  of  the  year,  as  has  been  recorded  i  .  the  preceding- 
volume,^  Six  other  establishments  were  to  be  sold 
in  January,  but  a  purchaser  was  found  for  only  one, 
that  of  Soledad,  bouj^^ht  by  Feliciano  Soberanes  for 
$800  on  the  4th.  The  sale  of  San  Francisco  was  in 
later  3'ears  ascribed  to  February  10th,  but  Santillan's 
title  was   doubtless   fraudulentlv   antedated.     There 

'  See  vol.  iv.  p.  540-53.  The  establishments  sold  were  S.  Juan  Capistiano 
to  Forstcranil  MoKinley  for  §710,  Purisima  to  Temple  for  §1,110  (out  the 
title  was  iiifido  out  on  Dec.  0th  to  J.  R.  Malo),  ami  S.  Luis  Obispo  to  Scott, 
Wilson,  and  McKinley  for  §510.  Those  rented  M'ere  StaBdrbara  to  N.  A.  Den 
and  Dan.  Hill  at  $1,200,  S.  Buenventura  to  Amaz  and  Botello  at  $1,0.10,  Sta 
liK's  to  Covarrubias  and  Carrillo  at  §580,  and  S.  Fernando  to  Pico  and  Manso 
at  $1,120. 

(S88) 


TIIK  MISSION  KSTATKs;. 


000 


were  also  six  missions  reinaiiiinj;  to  bo  rented  under 
tiie  regulations,  as  soon  as  obstacles  arisinjj;  I'roni  their 
debts  could  be  removed,  but  these  obstacles  proved 
insuperable.  Respectinjjf  the  j^overnor's  legal  right 
with  tile  junta's  approval  to  sell  the  mission  estates  at 
this  time,  doubts  were  expressed  by  able  men  in  the 
litigation  of  later  years;  but  the  wisdom  of  the  policy 
and  the  good  faith  of  the  sales  cannot  be  (juestioned. 
The  titles  acquired  by  the  purchasers  of  the  four 
missions  named  were  finally  confirmed. - 

In  his  address  to  the  assembly  on  ^March  2d,  Gov- 
ernor Pico  explained  the  condition  of  affairs,  and 
called  upon  that  body  to  devise  some  means  of  saving 
the  missions  from  total  ruin.  The  debts  were  large, 
creditors  clamorous,  and  products  limited.  If  leased, 
the  amount  of  rent  that  could  legally  be  app'  d  to 
the  i)ayment  of  debts  would  be  insignificant;  if  not 
rented,  the  cv^iciises  of  administration  would  eat  up 
all  the  rovenue.^  The  residt  was  a  resolution  Intro- 
duced by  Juan  Bandini*  on  March  23d,  approved  by 
the  assembly  on  the  30th,  signed  by  the  i)resident  and 
secretary  on  the  3d,  and  published  in  a  bando  by 
Pico  on  the  4th  of  April.  It  authorized  the  govern- 
ment to  "carry  into  effect  the  object  of  the  decree 
of  May  28,  1845,"  and  if  necessary  for  that  purpose, 
to  sell  the  mission  estates  at  auction,  distributing 
among  the  Indians  any  surplus  of  funds  that  might 
exist,  and  in  any  case  providing  for  the  maintenance 
of  the  padre  and  the  expenses  of  public  worship.  It 
was  to  have  no  effect  on  what  had  already  been  done 
under  the  earlier  decree.     I  append  a  translation.' 


ill 


'•^  L<and  commission,  no.  '224,  410,  470,  5'20,  in  Ifoffinnn's  IlcpU. 
'March  2,  184(5,  Pico  to  assembly.  Olvent,  iJoc,  MS.,  17-lS.     See  also 
St.  Pap.  Miss.,  MS.,  xi.  01. 

*  In  Bandini,  Doc. ,  MS. ,  GO,  arc  blotter  copies,  with  erasures,  interlineations, 
etc.,  showing  the  development  of  the  measure.  Also  in  Dcpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS., 
viii.  89-95,  as  presented  on  Marcii  2.3d,  with  a  preamble  explaining  the  neces- 
sity of  such  action.  March  28th,  Figueroa  writes  to  Pico  on  the  project. 
He  was  probably  one  of  tlie  cotnmittco. 

*  March  30,  1840,  decree  of  assembly  on  missions,  puL'ished  by  the  gov- 
ernor on  April  4th: 

Article  1.  The  government  is  authorized  to  carry  into  eft'oct  tho  object 


|l|l:^ 


II 


I 


1! 


\l 


f 


060 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  AFFAIRS— COMMERCE. 


Before  anything  had  been  done  to  carry  this  de- 
cree into  eft'ect,  theri.  arrived  from  Mexico,  dated 
November  14th  and  submitted  to  the  assembly  on 
April  15th,  an  order  of  the  national  government  sus- 
pending all  proceedings  for  the  sale  of  mission  prop- 
erty. This,  without  recorded  comments,  was  referred 
on  May  13th  to  the  committee  on  missions,  and  noth- 
ing more  is  heard  of  it  for  several  years.*^ 


In  original 


of  the  decree  of  28tli  May  last,  published  by  this  honorable  assembly,  re- 
specting missions;  to  which  end,  seeing  the  impracticability  of  renting, 
mentioned  in  article  3  of  said  decree,  the  departmental  government  will  act 
in  tlie  manner  which  may  appear  most  conducive  to  obviate  the  total  ruin 
of  the  missions  of  San  Gabriel,  San  Luis  Rey,  San  Diego,  and  the  remainder, 
which  arc  in  similar  circumstances. 

Alt.  2.  As  most  of  these  establishments  are  ow'ng  large  amounts,  if  the 
propvi'ty  on  hand  should  not  bo  sufBcientto  satisfy  their  acknowledged  debts, 
attention  shall  be  had  to  what  the  laws  determine  respecting  bankruptcies, 
and  steps  shall  be  taken  accordingly. 

Art.  3.  Should  government,  by  virtue  of  this  authority,  find  that,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  total  ruin  which  threatens  said  missions,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  sell  them  to  private  persons,  this  shall  be  done  at  public  auction, 
the  customary  notice  being  previously  given. 

Art.  4.  In  case  of  sale,  if,  after  the  debts  be  paid,  any  surplus  should 
remain,  this  shall  be  divided  among  the  Indians  of  tlio  premises  sold,  govern- 
ment taking  care  to  make  the  most  just  distribution  possible. 

Art.  5.  lu  any  case,  care  must  be  taken  to  secure  a  suflScient  amount  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  padres  and  the  expenses  of  public  worship,  the  gov- 
ernment being  at  liberty  to  separate  a  part  of  the  whole  establishments, 
whether  in  lands  for  cultivation,  landed  or  other  property,  at  its  discretion, 
which  will  be  suiQcient  to  secure  both  objects,  the  respective  priests  being 
previously  heard  and  attended  to. 

Art.  6.  The  premises  set  apart  according  to  the  foregoing  article  shall 
be  delivered  as  a  sale  at  a  perpetual  interest  of  four  per  cent;  and  the  pro- 
ceeds shall  bo  applied  precisely  to  the  objects  mentioned  in  said  article  5. 

Art.  7.  What  has  been  done  agreeably  to  what  was  ordained  in  the 
decree  of  tho  honorable  assembly  of  the  28th  May,  before  cited,  remains  in 
full  force;  and  thcso  presents  sliall  in  no  manner  alter  tho  contracts  made 
and  measures  taken  by  government,  in  accordance  with  said  decree  of  May 
1845;  nor  shall  they  in  future  put  any  obstaclo  in  the  way  of  what  may  be 
done  in  accordance  thereto. 

Art.  8.  The  government  will  remove  any  obstacles  not  foreseen  in  this 
decree;  and  within  six  months  at  furthest  will  notify  this  honorable  assembly 
of  the  result  of  its  fulfilment. 

Halkck's  Rept.,  lCG-7;  Leu.  life,  MS.,  iv.  325-8;  Bept.  3t.  Pap.  Angeles, 
MS.,  X.  88-9.  The  original  bando  is  also  in  my  possession.  Doc.  Hut.  Cal., 
MS.,  iii.  155;  and  it  has  often  been  reprinted  in  Spanish  and  English.  In 
later  litigation,  tho  lawyers  attempted  to  show  that  Pico's  reference  to  the 
date  of  this  document  as  April  3d  was  an  evidence  of  fraud,  but  there  is  no 
foundation  for  such  a  tlieory. 

"Nov.  14, 1845,  Minister  Montesdeoca  to  gov.  of  Cal.  '  It  has  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  president  that  the  departmental  govt  lias  made  arrange- 
ments to  sell  at  public  auction  all  the  property  belonging  to  tho  missions, 
which  your  predecessor  had  ordered  to  bo  returned  to  tho  respective  mission- 
aries for  tho  management  and  administration  of  their  temporalities;  there- 
fore, he  has  seen  fit  to  notify  mc  that  that  govt  must  report  on  those  particu- 


MONTESDEOCA  ORDER. 


Ml 


mt  amount  for 


archive  records  of  later  montlis  of  1846,  there  is  found 
but  Httle  to  indicate  that  the  Moutesdeoca  order  was 
not  obeyed,  at  least  to  the  extent  of  suspending  the 
sales,"  Yet  in  later  jxars  there  were  produced  title 
deeds  signed  by  Pico,  showing  the  sale  at  different 
dates  between  May  4th  and  July  4th  of  twelve  mis- 
sions, including  the  four  which  had  been  rented  in 
1845.  I  append  a  list,  referring  the  reader  to  local 
annals  for  more  particulars.**  These  titles  vary  con- 
siderably in  form.  In  none  is  there  any  allusion  to  a 
sale  by  auction,  and  it  has  never  been  claimed  that 
the  sale  was  of  that  character  as  required  by  the  de- 
cree. The  consideration,  even  where  a  definite  sum  is 
named,  was  in  most  cases  an  amount  already  due  from 
the  government  for  past  advances,  and  in  the  other 
cases  there  is  no  evidence  respecting  the  payment  or 
use  made  of  the  money."     Most  of  the  titles  require 

lars,  suspendiug  at  once  every  proceeding  connected  with  the  alienation  of 
tlie  property  in  question  ponding  the  resohition  of  the  supreme  govt.'  S/.  P(ti>., 
.Mis.  and  Col.,  MS.,  ii.  404-5;  Ilartmans  Brief,  49-50;  Le;/.  J'lC,  MS.,  iii. 
;j'J9-.30,  341,  and  often  reproduced.  This  order  had  no  bearing  on  the  gover- 
nor's power  to  grant  in  regular  form  ranches  that  had  formerly  been  used  by 
the  missions,  but  referred  only  to  buildings,  cattle,  lands  in  use,  etc.  Hoffman'. ■i 
Opiiiioii/i,  passim.  It  was  also  claimed  that  the  order  referred  only  to  the  I.S 
missions  restored  to  the  padres  in  1843,  and  not  to  S.  Juan  Bautista.  HuU'i- 
tlm/\'i  lirii'f,  in  Panaud  v.  U.  S.,  Ilai/i-n'  Mm.  B.,  30(5,  p.  14. 

'May  13th,  Pico  calls  upon  all  creditors  of  the  missions  to  present  their 
claim.s  and  proofs.  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  84;  S.  Lu'isOh.,  Arrh.,  MS.,  8;  Dfjit. 
St.  Pop.,  Pre/,  y  Juzfj.,  MS.,  ii.  117.  There  arc  also,  in  St.  Pup.  Mis.,  MS., 
xi.  01-0,  and  Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  some  records  on  the  sale  of  S.  Diego,  S.  Fernandi), 
S.  Buenaventura,  and  Soledad. 

*  Missions  sold  by  Pico  in  184C:  May  4th,  S.  .Juan  Bautista  to  0.  Deleis- 
si^ques  for  a  debt;  May  5th,  S.  Josi5  to  Andrea  Pic  and  J.  B.  Alvarado  for 
$l-',000;  May  ISth,  S.  Luis  Rey  to  Cot  and  Jos(5  Ant.  Pico  for  §J,437;  Juno 
Sth,  S.  Rafael  to  Ant.  Suflol  and  A.  ^[.  Pico  for  88,000,  S.  Buenaventura  to 
.lose  Arniiz  for  $1'2,000,  S.  Diego  to  Santiago  Argiiello  for  past  services  to  givt, 
iiiid  S.  tiabrirl  to  Reid  and  Workman  for  debt;  June  10th,  Sta  ]];irbata  to 
Rich.  Den  for  §7,500;  June  15th,  Sta  Ines  to  C'ovarrubia.s  and  .Joaquin  <_"ar- 
rillo  for  §7,000;  June  17th,  S.  Fernando  to  L't'lis  for  .'?14,000;  June  oOth, 
orchard  of  Sta  Clara  to  Castafleda,  Arenas,  and  Diaz  for  .^1,'JOO;  July  4th, 
S.  Miguel  to  P.  Rios  and  Wm  Itecu;  June  4tli,  Soledad  to  Sobcranes  for  .SM»0. 

The  three  sold  in  1845,  as  already  recorded,  were  Purisima,  .S.  Lui.s 
Obispo,  and  S.  Juan  Capistrano.  A  fraudulent  title  to  S.  Francisco  was 
dated  Feb.  lOth.  Respecting  the  disposition  of  S.  Cdrlos,  Sta  Cruz,  S.  An- 
tonio, and  Solano  nothing  appear;!,  except  that  at  the  latter  a  house  was 
granted  by  Castro  to  Prudon  on  Jane  3d. 

•Pico  has  been  accused  of  carrj  ing  away  largo  sums  to  Mex.,  but  there  is 

nothing  to  support  the  charge.     In  his  Ifint.  C<d.,  MS.,  13.'}-4,  171-'-,  hespe;dis 

of  the  mission  sales,  without  throwing  much  light  on  the  subject.     He  says  lie 

sold  iu  1840  only  five  missions;  that  the  sales  of  S.  Gabriel  and  S.  Luis  Rey 

HiBT.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    30 


502 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  AFFAIRS-COMMERCH. 


I   < 


i 


mti 


the  purchaser  to  pay  the  mission  debts,  and  to  provide 
for  the  padre's  support  and  the  expenses  of  public 
worship,  also  reserving  from  the  sale  the  church  and 
priest's  residence.  Some  of  them  make  provision  for 
lemnanta  of  the  community  Indians.  Nearly  all  le- 
fer  to  the  assembly's  act  as  the  grantor's  authority,'" 
and  also  to  a  general  authorization  from  the  supreme 
government,  witiiout  naming  any  definite  order  or  date, 
or  alluding  in  any  way  to  the  Montesdeoca  order.  In 
later  years  a  Mexican  order  of  March  10th,  declaring 
the  governor  and  general  'facultados  ampliamente'  t»» 
defend  the  country,  was  produced  as  legalizing  the 
sales."  I  resjard  the  document  in  itself  as  sufficient, 
although  the  courts  did  not  take  this  view  of  it.'^  But 
the  date  of  receiving  this  order  is  not  known;  it  is  im- 
probable that  it  arrived  before  May  4th,  when  the 
sales  began,  or  before  the  middle  of  June,  when  most 
of  them  had  been  effected;  had  it  been  in  his  posses- 
sion, Pico  would  almost  certainly  have  cited  it;  and 
during  the  period  between  the  reception  of  the  Mon- 
tesdeoca order  on  April  15th  and  the  unknown  date 
when  the  Tornel  order  came  to  hand  the  governor 
had  no  riorht  to  sell  the  mission  estates." 

In  the  case  of  several  missions,  it  was  proved  clearly 
enough  that  the  titles  and  corroborative  papers  in  pri- 

(lid  not  go  into  eflfoct;  that  the  sale  of  S.  Fernando  was  virtually  a  mortgage 
to  secure  sums  contributed  to  the  govt  (it  is  true  the  deed  contained  a  provision 
that  the  property  might  bo  redeemed  within  8  months);  S.  Diego  was  given 
to  ArgUelio  for  past  services;  and  the  consideration  for  S.  Buenaventura  was 
merely  nominal.     Not  a  dollar  ever  came  into  Pico's  hands. 

'"Copies  of  most  of  the  titles  are  printed  in  Spanish  and  English  in  Harl- 
■mail's  lirkf,  in  Mixs.  Cases,  appendix.  A  noticeable  i)eculiarity  is  that  the 
date  of  this  act  is  generally  given  as  April  13th,  instead  of  3d  (trece  for  tres). 

"  March  10,  1840,  Tornel  to  Castro  and  Pico.  The  original  in  my  posses- 
sion.   Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  171. 

'- Hoffman's  Ojnnini:^,  12,  38;  U.  S.  Sup.  Court  Kepis,  1  Wallace,  745,  700. 
The  'ample  powers,'  it  seems  to  me,  must  have  included  the  power  to  raise 
funds  by  selling  the  only  national  jiroperty  in  the  province. 

^  A  point  not  noticed,  so  far  as  I  know,  by  the  land  lawyers  was  this:  tlie 
Tornel  order  authorized  Pico  and  Castro  to  adopt  measures  for  the  defence  of 
( 'al.  against  the  Americans,  but  for  nearly  the  whole  period  of  the  alleged 
nii.ssion  sales  Pico  was  straining  every  nerve — not  to  resist  the  Americans,  for 
he  did  not  believe  an  invasion  imminent — but  to  defend  himself  against  Gen. 
( "astro!  The  ab.sence  of  the  Tornel  order  from  the  archives  may  be  explained 
either  by  the  late  dr  !-e  of  its  reception,  or,  if  it  came  in  June,  by  Pico's  un- 
willingness to  admit  to  the  sureflos  that  Castro  had  also  the  'ample  faculties.' 


PICO'S  SALES— FLORES'  ORDER. 


863 


governor 


vate  hands  had  been  written  after  Pico's  return  to 
Cahfornia  in  1848,  or  at  least  after  the  raising  of  the 
United  States  flag  in  July  1846,  and  fraudulently 
antedated.  That  the  same  was  true  of  others  is 
strongly  indicated  by  various  circumstances:  notably 
the  absence  of  original  archive  evidence,  the  error  in 
date  of  the  assembly's  decree,  with  other  irregularities 
in  the  documents," the  mystery  enshrouding  the  alleged 
payment  of  large  sums  of  money,  the  delay  of  pur- 
chasers in  making  known  their  claims,  and  the  failure 
to  call  certain  witnesses  in  the  resulting  litigation.  I 
.suppose,  however,  that  several  of  the  establishments 
were  deeded  more  or  less  in  good  faith  before  July  7, 
184G,  to  creditors  of  the  government  who  were  willing 
to  take  the  risks  of  obtaining  confirmation  of  their 
titles;  but  I  do  not  venture  to  name  the  missions  so 
disposed  of. 

The  only  subsequent  action  of  Californian  authori- 
ties in  this  connection  was  a  decree  of  the  assembly 
on  October  30th,  promulgated  by  Governor  Flores 
on  the  31st,  which  annulled  Pico's  sales,  and  author- 
ized the  new  ruler  to  mortgage  some  of  the  missions, 
and  thus  raise  funds  for  a  continued  resistance  to 
American  invasion.^"  Of  course  under  the  United 
States  regime  this  act  had  no  validity  except  as  an 
argument  respecting  the  view  taken  by  Californians 
of  the  sales  and  their  legality.  As  to  the  ultimate 
fate  of  these  mission  titles,  the  supreme  court  decided 


'*  On  the  other  hand,  if  Pico  had  written  the  titles  after  his  return  in  1848, 
ho  would  naturally  have  cited  tlie  Tornel  order  in  his  ijossession.  I'he  sus- 
picious circumstances  are  catalogued  and  exaggerated  by  Hartinan  and  others, 
'i'lie  Mex.  treaty  commissioners  in  1S48  assured  the  U.  S.  representative  that 
tliere  liad  been  no  land  grants  since  May  1,'},  1840. 

'^Oct.  27i  1840,  measure  introduced  by  com.  on  ways  and  means.  Olvrra, 
Doc,  MS. ,  4G-8.  Oct.  30th,  31st,  decree  approved  by  assembly  and  publisliud 
liy  Flores.  Original  in  SoberaiiM,  Doc,  MS.,  32i>;  also  in  JlallcrL'n  Jicpl., 
107;  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii  153;  .JanxMciis,  Dor.,  MS.,  .3.3-5;  Unb.  Doc,  MS., 
3GQ-I.  Unfortunately  this  decree  docs  not  name  the  missions  tliat  have  l)een 
sold,  and  it  may  possibly  refer  to  the  sales  of  1845.  It  also  provides  tiiat  the 
missions  shall  continue  in  the  possession  of  the  lessees.  This  might  indicate 
i^'uoranco  that  tho  leased  missions  had  been  sold;  but  it  must  be  noted  that 
by  some  of  the  deeds  the  purchasers  were  to  have  possession  only  on  the 
expiration  of  the  lease. 


I 


'■■I  c 


604 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  AFFAIRS-COMMERCE, 


in  18G3,  ill  the  cases  of  Stiu  Gabriel  and  San  Luis 
Rcy,  that  Pico  had  no  right  to  make  the  sales;  but 
before  that  decision  was  rendered,  the  titles  of  San  Di- 
ego, San  Buenaventura,  San  Fernando,  Soledad,  and 
San  Juan  Bautista  had  been  finally  coiitirnied  by  the 
land  coinniission  and  district  courts,  while  the  otlier 
six  had  been  rejected  by  the  same  tribunals.  The 
'cliurch  property'  proper,  including  the  church  build- 
ings, priest's  house,  and  lands  to  the  extent  of  six  to 
one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  at  each  of  the  twenty- 
one  establishments,  was  tinallv  confirmed  to  the  arch- 
bishop,  representing  the  catholic  church. 

It  soon  became  evident  to  the  new  rulers  of  Cali- 
fornia that  there  was  room  for  much  doubt  respecting 
the  true  ownership  of  the  mission  estates,  and  during 
1847-8  they  wisely  adhered  to  the  policy  of  maintain- 
ing the  matter  in  statu  quo.  On  March  22,  1847, 
Kearny  ordered  that  four  establishments  in  the  north 
should  remain  in  charge  of  the  priests,  without  pri^jii- 
diee  to  the  rights  of  claimants,  until  proper  judieial 
tribunals  should  be  established.^"  This  caused  some 
trouble  at  Santa  Clara,  where  American  immigrants 
had  taken  possession.  Governor  Mason  announced 
that  "the  government  i'ully  recognizes  and  will  sus- 
tain  the  rights  of  the  priests  at  the  missions  and  to 
all  mission  property,  against  all  who  cannot  in  due 
course  of  law  show  a  just  and  sound  legal  title;"  and 
he  once  ordered  a  military  force  under  Captain  Naglee 
to  eject  the  immigrants;  but  Padre  Real  finally  per- 
mitted them  to  remain  till  after  harvest,  and  longer 
by  paying  a  small  sum  for  the  support  of  the  church.'' 
In  the  south  the  occupants,  whether  priests,  lessees, 

1"  March  2'2,  1847,  Kearny's  onlcr  that  S.  Josi5,  Sta  Clara,  Sta  Cruz,  ami 
S.  Juan  ro main  in  cliargo  of  the  priests,  llalleck's  licpt,  108;  Arch.  Arzoh., 
MS.,  V.  pt  ii.  p.  73-4,  etc. 

"Cat.  ami  X.  Me.v.,  Mens,  and  Doc,  1S50,  p.  S4S-4.  P.  Real  had  sciM 
sonic  nussiou  lands,  under  orders  from  Gen.  Castro  of  May '25  ond  June  lii, 
1840;  but  Mason  on  .Ian.  .3,  1848,  declared  all  such  sales  void.  Neither  did 
ho  ponnit  claimants  under  the  alleged  I'ico  salo  to  take  possession  of  tlu' 
orchard.  At  Sta  Cruz,  on  complaint  of  the  padre,  forbade  the  salo  of  lots  hy 
the  alcalde.  Id.,  433.  Trudon's  occupancy  of  a  building  at  Sonoma  was  sus- 
tained against  the  padre's  claim  and  alcalde's  decision. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  AFFAIRS. 


fi6S 


or  purchasers,  were  allowed  to  reinaiu  in  possession ; 
nor  was  interference  permitted  with  the  Indians  wlu> 
were  living  on  certain  tracts  of  disputed  lands.  Even 
a  claimant  under  a  grant  from  Governor  Flores  was 
temporarily  sustained  at  Santa  Ines.  In  the  case  of 
certain  occupants  who  claimed  a  double  title,  that  of 
lessee  was  [)referred,  and  an  eftbrt  was  nuule  to  obtain 
documentary  evidence  for  future  use  as  well  as  to 
j)revent  a  waste  of  j)roperty  by  a  strict  investigation 
of  accounts.  For  alleged  abuses,  the  lessee  of  San 
J3uenaventura  was  ejected  after  investigation  by 
Colonel  Stevenson;  and  San  Diego  was  also  leased 
by  the  American  authorities.  In  current  correspond- 
ence there  is  little  but  local  items. 

"  Of  general  mission  and  ecclesiastical  matters  out- 
.side  of  those  connected  with  the  disposal  of  estates,  a 
bare  mention  will  suffice."  This  remark  on  the  sub- 
ject for  1345  will  apply  equally  well  to  the  period  of 
J84G-8.  At  the  beginning  there  were  thirteen  sur- 
viving friars,  six  Fernandinos,  and  seven  Zacatecanos; 
at  the  end  onlj-^  t)ne  of  the  former.  Padre  Ordaz,  was 
left,  with  six  of  the  latter.  The  year  of  the  Ameri- 
can conquest  brought  death  to  five  of  the  missionaries. 
The  old  organization  was  kept  up  to  a  certain  extent, 
Padre  Duran  retaining  the  prefecture  in  the  south 
until  his  death  in  June  184G,  and  Anzar  being  suc- 
ceeded by  Gonzalez  as  chief  of  the  Zacatacan  friars. 
Even  the  formality  of  assigning  stipends  for  each  of 
the  missions  was  kept  up  in  IStexico,  though  of  course 
no  money  was  forwarded.''^  Bishop  Garcia  Diego, 
being  seriously  ill  in  April  184G,  appointed  fathers 
J)uran  and  Gonzalez  as  his  vicars,  who  after  tlie 
bishop's  death  in  May  took  ei^-irge  of  the  ecclesiasti- 
cal governn  ;  and  after  ])nran's  early  death,  (Jon- 
zalcz  retained  the  position  for  the  rest  o;  the  period.^^ 

'«.¥«.,  Mem.  Hacienda,  184()-8. 

'■'April  10,  1S4G,  bisliop  to  PP.  Dunin  niul  Gonzalez,  with  appointmont. 
Aju'il  •JOtii,  piistoral  letter  of  D.  and  CI.,  askinj;  for  prayers,  etc.  April  'J'2il, 
bisliop  aunouncea  the  appt  accepted  liy  1).  and  O.  April  'J8th,  gov.  aunouuccs 
the  matter.     May  1st,  3d,  death  and  burial  of  tiie  bishop.     May  (ith,  circular 


566 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  AFFAIRS-COMMERCE. 


Church  matters  led  to  few  eomphcations  during  the 
military  occupation,  though  American  ideas  of  mar- 
riage as  a  civil  contract  troubled  the  priests  consid- 
erably, and  their  complaints  caused  Governor  Mason 
to  issue,  in  August  1847,  an  order  forbidding  alcaldes 
to  perform  the  marriage  ceremony  when  either  of  the 
parties  was  a  member  of  the  catholic  church.  Entire 
freedom  was  guaranteed  in  matters  pertaining  to  re- 
ligious belief  and  worship;  but  beyond  the  preaching 
of  the  Mormon  elders  at  San  Francisco,  and  some 
slight  beginnings  of  protestant  service  there  and  at 
San  Josd  and  Santa  Cruz,  there  was  little  to  inter- 
rupt the  current  of  old-time  religious  customs. 

Indian  aflfairs,  the  doings  of  gentiles  and  apostates, 
will  afford  a  few  items  for  local  annals  of  184G-8;  but 
the  general  subject  requires  but  brief  treatment. 
Naturally,  the  quarrels  of  Californian  rulers,  followed 
by  the  war  of  American  occupation,  tended  to  pro- 
mote rather  than  check  the  ravages  of  horse-thief 
tribes  roaming  throuijh  the  broad  interior.  Durinij: 
the  first  half  of  1846  complaints  of  depredations  were 
of  constant  occurrence,  especially  in  tlic  Los  Angeles 
region,  where  propositions  to  efiect  a  loan,  to  send  out  an 
armed  force,  or  to  station  a  garrison  at  the  Cajon  pass 
were  always  pending;  and  where  parties  of  volunteers 
under  Lugo,  Salazar,  Palomares,  Wilson,  and  others 
made  several  effective  raids.  Many  Indians  were 
killed,  recovered  property  was  distributed  among  tlic 
captors,  and  captive  women  and  children  were  brouglit 
to  the  ranches  to  work  and  be  educated.  In  April 
the  assembly  went  so  far  as  to  resolve  in  seven  arti- 
cles to  devote  surplus  revenues  to  active  efforts  against 

of  the  vicars.  May  19th,  sub- prefect  ortlora  tlieir  recognitiou.  Sta  Clara,  Par- 
roqnia,  MS.,  29;  Doc.  Hist.  CaL,  MS.,  iii.  1S7;  Dcpt.  St.  Pa;).,  MS.,  vii.  118; 
Id.,  Pref.  y  Juztj.,  ii.  62,  0'),  118,  iv.  Oo;  /</.,  Aiifjvle^,  xi.  172;  Sta  Bdrhnni, 
Lib.  Mis.,  MS.,  39;  S.  Ltiis  Ob.,  Arch.,  MS.,  25;  Arch.  Arzoh.,  MS.,  v.  pt  ii. 
66.  Oct.  7,  1847,  tiie  chapter  of  the  nietropolitau  of  Mex.  approves  Gonzalez's 
title  as  vicario  capitular  y  gobcrnailor  do  la  niitra  tie  Culifornias.  Arch.  Obifp. , 
MS.,  26.  In  Gorrenp.  Mu.,  MS.,  13  II/,  is  an  undated  appeal  of  P.  Gonzalez 
to  the  pope  in  belialf  of  Cal.,  asking  for  the  power  to  administer  confirination. 


MASSACRE  AT  PAUMA. 


067 


ring  the 

of  uiar- 

i  consid- 

r  Masou 

alcaldes 

3r  of  the 

Entire 

ig  to  re- 

reaehing 

nd  some 

3  and  at 

to  inter- 

i. 

postates, 

6-8 ;  but 

eatnient. 

followed 

to  jiro- 

rse-thiet 

During 

>ns  were 

A.nge]os 

d out  an 

jon  pass 

untecr.s 

others 

s    were 

)ng  the 

)rought 

[i  April 

)n  arti- 

laijainst 

\lnra,  Par- 
\,  vii.  118; 

Bdrbitrn, 
V.  pt  ii. 

Jonzalez's 
^h.  Obixp. , 

Gonzalez 

irination. 


the  savages!*^  At  the  same  time,  in  reply  to  urgent 
petitions  from  the  people  of  San  Jose  for  protection, 
Governor  Pico  authorized  the  prefect  to  organize  a 
vigorous  campaign,  and  to  pay  expenses  with  $6,000 — 
from  Castro's  part  of  the  revenues !  ^^  Of  Indian  affairs 
in  the  Sacramento  Valley  at  this  time  something  has 
been  said  in  connection  with  Frdmont's  operations. 

During  the  war  in  the  last  half  of  1846  prominent 
phases  of  the  general  subject,  and  almost  the  only 
ones  of  which  anything  is  recorded,  are  the  fears  of 
Walla  Walla  invasion,  the  enlisting  of  Kern's  Indian 
garrison  at  New  Helvetia,  and  the  formation  of  an 
Indian  company  to  serve  in  the  California  battalion, 
all  of  which  have  been  noticed  elsewhere.  Here  I 
may  mention  a  kind  of  census,  by  which  the  native 
population  of  the  region  about  the  fort,  the  district 
including  the  ranches  and  settlements  of  the  valley, 
was  made  2,665,  a  number  increased  to  about  22,- 
000  by  Bidwell's  estimate  of  the  next  year  for  the 
region  above  the  Buttes.^^  In  the  San  Jose  district 
a  somewhat  extended  campaign  of  Purser  Watmongh 
witli  San  Francisco  volunteers  is  recorded  in  Septem- 
ber.-'' In  the  south  the  only  noticeable  event  was 
the  massacre  of  eleven  men  at  Pauma  rancho  in 
December  by  Garra's  band  of  Cahuillas  and  fugitive 
ex-neophytes  of  San  Luis  Rey.  These  men  had  re- 
tired to  Pauma  to  avoid  military  service  either  for  or 
against  Flores.  There  was  an  unfounded  theory  that 
they  were  really  killed  in  the  Hght  at  San  Pascual. 
The  Indians  were  instigated  by  William  Marshall, 
who  doubtless  led  them  to  suppose  tUoir  acts  would 
be  approved  by  the  Americans.  Mar, hall  was  after- 
wards hanged  for  this  offence;  and  in  January  Garra's 

'"Lep.  Ilec,  MS.,  iv,  332-3;  Doc.  flixt.  CaL,  MS.,  iii.,  1!)2;  Dept.  St.  /'«/)., 
MS.,  viii.  97-11;  Id.,  Prif.  y  Jimj.,  ii.  1*23.  If  the  surplus  did  not  sufticc, 
I'ivil  employes  were  to  be  called  upon  for  part  of  their  salaries. 

^^Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  45-8;  Doc.  Jlist.  CaL,  MS.,  iii.  191;  S.  Jvue 
Arch.,  MS.,  Loose  I'ap.,  31. 

'-Originals  in  McKinstri/'s  Pap.,  MS. 

^^  At  nut.  Calif.,  September  "Hi,  184C.  Long  accomit  by  C.  P.  Briggs  in 
Xapa  Reportrr,  Aug.  31,  187'i. 


668 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  AFFAIRS— COMMERCE. 


band  was  drawn  into  an  ambush,  and  most  of  the 
offenders  slain  by  a  force  of  friendly  Indians  and  Cal- 
ifornians  under  Lugo.^^ 

In  1S47-8  under  American  rule  depredations  of 
hostile  Indians  still  continued,  and  the  records  show 
but  slio-ht  chansje  in  methods  or  results  of  warfare 
against  them.  None  of  the  local  happenmgs  are  of 
sufficient  importance  to  call  for  notice  here.  In 
April  General  Kearny  appointed  Sutter  as  sub-Indian 
agent  for  the  district  of  the  Sacramento  and  San 
Joaquin,  and  A^allejo  for  the  Sonoma  district  extend- 
inof  to  Cache  Creek  and  Clear  Lake.  Their  salarv 
was  to  bo  $750.  They  were  to  have  no  power  to 
spend  public  money,  but  were  to  deal  chiefly  in  good 
advice,  explanation  of  recent  changes  in  government, 
and  promises  of  reward  or  threats  of  punishment 
from  the  president  of  the  United  States  as  the  'great 
father'  of  the  Indians,  mainly  bent  on  taking  care  of 
his  good  children.  Both  Vallejo  and  Sutter  had 
large  experience  in  dealing  with  the  Indians  of  their 
respective  districts,  and  no  better  men  could  have 
been  selected  for  the  position.  In  August  Captain 
J.  D.  Hunter  \\  as  appointed  agent  for  the  southern 
district,  with  headquarters  at  San  Luis  Rey,  and  ad- 
ditional instructions  were  issued  by  Governor  Mason, 
in  which  he  enjoined  upon  the  agents  the  care  and 
protection  of  Indian  servants  and  ex-neophytes,  as 
well  as  the  keeping  in  check  of  gentile  bands.  Sta- 
tistics and  information  on  manners  and  customs  were 
also  called  for,  and  a  new  supply  of  promises  fiir- 
uished,  though  there  were  as  yet  no  funds  available 
for  the  purchase  of  gifts.-^    In  the  Sacramento  Valley 

"See  local  annals  of  S.  Diego,  chap,  xxiii.  of  this  volume. 

'■'^  April  7,  1847,  Sutter's  appointment.  April  14th,  Vallejo's.  Aug.  1st. 
Hunters.  Aug.  IGth,  Mason's  instructions.  Cal.  and  N.  Mex.,  J/e»<.  anl. 
Doc,  ISoO,  294-7,  344-5,  358-9;  Valhjo,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  23-4;  xii.  311;  .S^.  /'. 
Calij'ornian,  April  10,  17,  1847.  Oct.  30th,  Vallejo's  recommendations  oa 
regulations  for  Indian  matters.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  317;  (Jnh.  Doc,  MS., 
94-7.  Nov.  29th,  Mason's  order  foi'biclding  sale  of  liquor  to  Indians.  Origi- 
nal print  in  English  and  Spanish.  Vallejo,  Doc,  xii.  319;  S.  F.  Callfornian, 
Dec.  8,  1847.  In  April  1848  Vallejo  offered  iiis  resignation,  which  was  not 
accepted.     April  15th,  May  25th.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  342,  346. 


COMMERCIAL  AFFAIRS. 


669 


st   of  the 
and  Cal- 

ations  of 

rds  show 

r  warfare 

Ts  are  ^>f 

ere.      In 

lb-Indian 

and  San 

;  extend - 

sir  salary 

power  to 

'  in  good 

eminent, 

nishment 

he  'orreat 

I  care  of 

tter  bad 

of  their 

Id  have 

Captain 

outberu 

and  ad- 

Ma.son. 

are  and 

lytes,  as 

IS.     Sta- 

s  were 

ses   fiir- 

vailable 

Valley 


Aug.  1st. 

|J/e*<.  ait' I 
311;  S.  r. 

llations  0:1 
)oc.,  MS., 
[13.  Origi- 
illfornian, 

Di  "(ras  not 


there  were  complaints  of  outrages  by  settlers,  notably 
ill  July,  when  Armijo,  Smith,  and  Egger  killed  a  dozen 
Indians  in  capturing  some  forty  ibr  laborers,  an  act 
that  resulted  in  a  trial  of  the  offenders  by  a  special 
<ourt.  San  Josd  residents  also  abused  tlie  Indians, 
and  took  horses  from  them  on  the  Cosumnes;  and 
the  records  contain  frequent  mention  of  depredations 
and  of  expeditions  in  preparation.  Also  in  the  dis- 
tricts of  Los  Angeles  and  San  Diego  complaints  anil 
laiils  continued,  the  dragoons  being  defeated  on  one 
<»r  two  occasions  by  the  Indians.  The  same  state  of 
things  continued  in  the  early  part  of  1848,  but  the 
items  are  vaguely  recorded  or  unimportant.  In  May 
there  were  alarming  rumors  in  the  Sonoma  district, 
but  they  were  believed  to  have  no  other  foundation 
than  a  desire  to  prevent  the  removal  of  troops  and 
the  recall  of  citizens  from  their  search  for  gold. 
]3etter  founded  were  the  fears  at  Los  Angeles  in 
August  on  the  disbanding  of  the  volunteers  at  the 
end  of  the  war;  but  arms  were  furnished  the  citizens, 
and  no  serious  disasters  resulted. 

At  the  end  of  tliis  chapter  I  give  a  list  of  vessels 
shown  b}'  different  records  to  have  visited  the  coast  in 
1846-8,  though  it  is  doubtless  not  so  complete  as  tlio 
similar  lists  for  earlier  years.  Of  commercial  and 
maritime  annals  during  this  period  of  transition  from 
Mexican  to  United  States  methods,  beyond  what  has 
been  included  in  the  narrative  of  political  events,  there 
is  naturally  little  to  be  presented.  Particularly  is  this 
true  during  the  period  of  military  operations  from  June 
184G  to  January  1847.  Statistical  and  other  records 
are  meagre;  but  slight  attention  was  paid  to  the 
observance  of  any  system ;  there  were  no  notable  con- 
troversies or  other  happenings;  and  the  series  of  petty 
detached  items  that  might  he  put  in  print  would  be 
uninteresting  as  well  as  valueless.  From  January  to 
July  184G  commercial  affairs  were  in  the  same  condi- 
tion as  in  the  preceding  year,  the  oidy  change  being 


Ii 


lii 


I 


570 


MISSIONS  -IN  DI  AN  A  FFAIRS-COM  M  ERCE. 


an  order  of  Governor  Pico  in  March  abolishing  the 
tax  of  3600  per  year  on  each  I'oreign  vessel.*'  The 
Monterey  custom-house  remained  in  charge  of  Guerra, 
and  finally  of  Hartnell,'"  while  Abrego  retained  con- 
trol of  the  treasury.^  A  few  petty  regulations  on 
trade  and  the  collection  of  duties  were  issued  by  Gov- 
ernor Stockton  or  his  subordinates.*'  Exports  of  the 
year  were  estimated  by  Larkin  at  80,000  hides,  60,000 
arrobas  of  tallow,  10,000  fanegas  of  wheat,  soap  to  the 
alue  of  $10,000,  and  furs  $20,000,  1,000  barrels  of 
brandy  and  wine,  200  ounces  of  gold,  and  1,000,000 
feet  of  lumber.^ 

Of  trade  statistics  for  1847-8  we  have  still  but 
fragmentary  items,  San  Francisco  having  become 
now  the  chief  port  of  entry,  d  >ing  more  business 
probably  than  all  the  others  combined,  and  attracting 
some  attention  as  a  Pacific  metropolis  threatening  the 
supremacy  of  Honolulu.'*  Exports  and  imports  at 
San  Francisco  for  the  last  quarter  of  1847  were 
$49,598  and  $53,590  respectively,  the  former  includ- 
ing $30,354  of  Californian  products,  and  $31,741  of 

^"Mar.  28,  1846,  Pico  aboliahes  the  tax  on  foreign  vessels.  Dept.  St,  Pap., 
Ben.  Cust.-H.,  MS.,  viii.  14;  against  protest  of  administrator  at  Mont.  Dei.t. 
St.  Pap.,  Ben.,  MS.,  iii.  80. 

-'  In  May  Hartnell  was  admin.,  Josd  Iiofael  Gonzalez,  com.  do  celadores, 
and  the  celadores,  Benito  Diaz,  Ant.  Chavez,  Jacinto  Rotlriguez,  and  Wm  A. 
Hartnell,  Doc.  Hist.  Cat.,  iii.  204.  Hartnell  was  inspector  in  Sept.,  and  Tal- 
liot  H.  Green  collector  in  Nov. 

^'  There  are  no  complete  accounts  extant.  In  April  receipts  from  customs 
were  §20,826;  the  outlay  wag  $.32,566,  including  $11,552  for  extraordinary  ex- 
penses; and  the  balance  in  the  treasury  May  1st  was  $10,835.  Dept.  St.  Pap., 
MS.,  xiii.  10-17. 

"•Aug.  15th,  Stockton  fixed  a  tariff  of  15  per  cent  on  imported  goods,  and 
a  tonnage  duty  of  .')0  cents.  Cutts'  Conq.,  125.  Sept.  4th,  S.  orders  collector 
of  S.  Diego  to  collect  §10  anchorage  on  whalers  instead  of  the  tonnage.  Mined. 
Hist.  Pap.,  MS.,  no.  3.  Aug.  29th,  elalx»rate  regulations  for  inspectors  of 
hides  and  tallow  for  the  region  round  S.  F.  Bay,  approved  by  the  comandante, 
and  signed  by  Alcalde  Bartlett.  Sauzalito,  Corto  Madera,  S.  Rafael,  Peta- 
luma,  Sonoma,  Napa,  Sutter's  Landing,  and  Dr  Marsh's  Landing  were  the 
places  where  produce  might  be  shipped  for  Yerba  Buena,  besides  others  ap- 
parently on  the  Contra  Costa.  Sonoma  Sta  Rosa  Dem.,  Dec.  30,  1871.  Sept. 
6th,  trade  regulations  of  Capt  Montgomery.  S.  F.  Munic.  Jlepfs,  1866-7,  p. 
519. 

^^ L(ir kin's  Descrip.  Cat.,  MS.,  94.  July  24th,  L.  writes  to  his  cousin  in 
Boston  very  enthusiastically  on  commercial  prospects.  Doc.,  MS.,  iv.  227. 

*'See  Hon.  Polynesian,  iv.  78,  135,  v.  17.  It  need  not  be  added  that  the 
Hawaiians  did  not  altogether  admit  the  danger,  or  fear  the  annihilation  of 
their  trade. 


STATISTICS  AND  REGULATIONS. 


871 


the  latter  t'oniii)g  from  the  Sandwich  Islands.  An 
L'stinuite  of  the  time  was  $250,000  for  the  year's  im- 
I  torts  from  Honolulu  at  all  the  ports.*'  Arrivals  of 
merchant  vessels  at  San  Francisco  for  the  year  end- 
ing April  1848  were  eighty-five.^'  Exports  from  Santa 
Barbara  from  March  to  September  1847  amounted  to 
.^27,780.''*  At  Monterey  sixty-seven  vessels  arrived 
in  thirteen  months  ending  October  9,  1848,  of  which 
fifty -five  were  traders  with  a  tonnage  of  11,504  tons. 
The  amount  of  duties  collected  at  Monterey  iji  the 
same  period  was  $25,000,  and  in  all  California  $120,000, 
according  to  a  record  kept  by  a  naval  officer.^  In 
August  1847  Larkin  wrote  to  the  government,  "the 
commerce  of  California  has  trebled  within  a  year. 
The  regular  traders  of  many  years'  standing  from 
Boston  appear  to  have  retired  from  the  trade,  which 
is  now  carried  on  by  transient  vessels  from  the  Sand- 
wich Islands,  South  America, and  the  United  States."^* 
From  the  beginning  of  1847  we  have  a  series  of 
communications  that  passed  between  Governor  Mason, 
the  collectors  of  ports,  and  military  conmiandants  of 
the  several  districts,  on  commercial  affairs  and  the 
collection  of  revenues.  Most  relate  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  collectors  and  their  duties  in  various  matters 
of  official  routine.^'  These  collectors  received  a  salary 
of  $1,000,  except  at  San  Francisco,  where  it  was 
81,200;  and  they  made  quarterly  returns  to  the  mili- 
tary commandants  of  their  respective  districts,  the 

^'S.  F.  Calif.,  Mar.  29,  1848.  Of  the  exports  .S3:?,890  went  to  Honolulu, 
?7,'286  to  Sitka,  $5,000  to  Mazatlan,  .S"-.000  to  U.  S.;  imports  from  U.  S., 
?(>,701,  Oregon,  $7,702,  Chili,  $3,676,  S.  I.,  $31,741,  Sitka,  $2,471,  Bremen. 
StM,  Mcx.,  $712.  Copied  in  Antmla  r/  S.  F.,  198;  Cronise's  NcU.  Wealth, 
63;  Ifunt'n  Merch.  Mag.,  xix.  52,  etc. 

"5".  F.  Alta,  Apr.  17,  1852. 

'^*CarriUo,  Doc,  MS.,  15.  DuticsforqnartercntlingJnne  .30th  were  $307. 
/./.,  11,  16. 

^''' Niks'  Reg.,  Ixxv.  208.  For  6  months  ending  Feb.  1847,  the  number  of 
trading  vessels  entering  Monterey  was  23.  Lnrkhi's  Off.  Curresp.,  MS.,  ii. 
112. 

^^Larkin'a  Off,  Cortesp.,  MS.,  ii.  120.  In  June  L.  had  written,  'Goods 
arc  falling  off  in  price;  produce  from  the  ranchos  is  rising.'  Id.,  i.  159. 

^^Cal.  and  N.  Me.v.,  Mess,  and  Doc,  1S60,  passim;  also  the  same  or 
similar  letters  in  MS.  collections,  and  in  the  .S^.  F.  Star  and  Californian. 


■i 


.»(•- 


MISSIONS-INDIAN  AFFAIRS-  COMMERCE. 


11    I 


I!',  I  i 


w 


Insulting  funds  being  Hulyoct  to  the  governor's  onlers 
l'(»r  exponsea  ol'  the  civil  government.'"  As  to  system, 
tlie  ports  were  still  nigarded  as  Mexican,  ami  in  theory 
tlie  old  regulations  were  I'ollowed,  except  as  moditled 
i>y  circumstances,  according  to  the  views  of  the  new 
authorities.  Practically,  and  in  accordance  with  prom- 
ises l»y  different  conunanders  during  the  war,  the  old 
liurdens  were  largely  removed,  much  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  both  the  people  and  traders.  In  February  it 
was  ordered  that  certain  staple  articles  of  food  should 
be  admitted  free  for  six  months;  and  by  the  regulations 
of  March  and  April  the  cargoes  of  American  vessels 
were  to  bo  admitted  free,  those  of  foreign  vessels  tt> 
pay  fifteen  per  cent  on  the  value  at  the  port  of  entry, 
with  five  cents  per  ton  anchorage,  and  fees  amounting 
to  foui-  dollars."®  Even  under  these  regulations  there 
was  much  smuggling,  but  of  several  confiscations 
recorded  none  seem  to  require  notice. 

In  October,  however,  there  came  from  Washington 
new  orders,  including  tariff  regulations  formed  in 
jMarch  for  all  Mexican  ports  in  possession  of  the 
United  States.  It  was  decided  to  open  all  these 
ports  to  trade,  to  collect  heavy  specific  duties  as  war 
contributions,  and  thus  to  force  the  Mexican  govern- 
ment l)y  the  loss  of  revenue  and  by  popular  complaints 
of  high  jjrices  to  treat  for  peace.  As  a  war  measure 
directed  against  a  hostile  people,  this  was  perhaps 
good  policy;  but  the  regulations  were  absurdly  inap- 
l)licable  to  the  condition  of  California,  where  the 
natives  were  not  only  submissive,  but  without  national 
influence,  and  where  American  residents    were    the 


^"Thc  collectors  were:  at  San  Diego,  "eJro  C  Carrillo,  Santiago  Argiiello, 
and  from  .Func  Miguel  Peilrorcna;  at  1^  Pedro,  Dav.  W.  Alexander;  at  Sta 
Bdrbara,  I'edro  C.  Carrillo;  at  Montere.  Talbot  H.  Green;  at  S.  F.,  Wni  A. 
Jlicliardson. 

^'Feb.  11,  1847,  Sliubriok's  order  for  i  c  admission  of  beef,  pork,  bread, 
Hour,  butter,  cheese,  sugar,  and  rico  for  'x  months.  S.  F.  Cot.  Star,  Feb. 
'JO.  1847.  Marcli '2!)th,  Biddle's  orders  to  )llectors.  Carrillo.  Doc,  MS.,  1- 
8;  and  other  orders  of  like  import  in  pril.  No  vessel  could  clear  for 
Mi'X.  ports  not  held  by  the  U.  S.  Notl.  ig  but  specie,  treasury  notes,  or 
drafts  to  be  received  for  duties. 


WAR  ((>NTi:il',L'TIl)NS. 


57.» 


oliit't'  pnrcliiisei's  of  imported  ncuuls.^"  ^fjisioii  and 
Shulnifk  rocogiiizoil  ut  inicu;  the  injustico  und  iiu[»oli('y 
of  such  a  ineuHUro  in  Caliloinia,  and  decided  not  to 
cnl'oreo  its  most  onerous  i'e(|nii'omeiits.  Explainini;' 
their  reasons  to  the  ufovernmont  and  announcing;'  in 
proclamations  that  tlie  continuance  ol"  th«>ir  lenient 
policy  would  depend  on  the  <^ood  hehavior  ol"  tiu; 
people,  they  issued  in  Octoher  a  new  seiies  of  lei^u- 
lations  radically  different  in  many  respects  from  those 
of  the  national  authorities." 

•»<7.  S.  Govt  Doc,  ;{Oth  cdiij,'.  1st  seas.,  H.  Kx.  Doc.  1,  p.  n.VJ-SO;  with 
corrcspondenco  at  Washington  i)rL'cc(ling  and  foUowinj;  tiie  new  ivjjuhitionH, 
which  horo  tlato  of  March  HOtli,  ami  was  aunt  ♦■■  (.'al.  on  May  lOth.  Tiio 
essential  features  were  as  follows:  Ports  open  to  ail  Imt  Mex.  vessels;  §1  per 
ton  for  all  port  ciiarges;  a  high  specilic  duty — too  long  for  reproduction  liero 
— on  all  imported  goods;  all  goods  to  bu  uidoaded  at  tiio  lirst  jiort  entered; 
goods  shipped  from  port  to  port  to  pay  tlic  same  duties  as  if  coming  from 
al)road,  untl  this  coasting  trade  to  ho  ojien  only  to  American  vessels; 
military  stores  contrahaml;  mining  machinery  free,  and  also  all  U.  S. 
stores;  exports  free;  all  Mcx.  monopolies  and  proliihitions  annulled;  strin- 
gent regulations  for  ali  details  of  collection,  confiscation,  etc. ;  and  tho  collec- 
tion of  revenue  to  he  in  tho  hands  of  military  ollicers. 

^' Oct.  20,  1847,  Mason's  conunercial  regulations  in  /foiiolnlu  I'ohjiif^'Kui, 
IV.  114,  in  'J(>  articles.  Oct.  Dtli,  Shuhrick  and  Mason  to  people  of  Cal. , 
tlirontcning  to  enforce  tho  orders  on  ndlitary  contributions  in  case  of  any  dis- 
turbance of  the  peace.  S.  F.  Cali/oniiaii,  Oct.  '20,  27,  1847.  Some  I'cu'ula- 
tions  by  Shubrick  on  Sept.  loth  arc  referred  to,  but  1  have  not  found  tlicni. 
Oct.  14th,  20th,  various  instructions  from  Mason,  in  accoiilani'c  with  the  lu'W 
regulations.  Cal.  nml.  X.  ^fr.v.,  il/rs.v.  awl  Doc,  1S50,  p.  404-10.  Sept.  2;5d, 
'all  vessels,  not  American,  engaged  in  the  coast  trade  pay  tlie  same  duties  a.t 
when  coming  from  a  foreign  poit.'  Itl.,  ;J97.  Editorial  on  the  tarilF  ri':,'ula- 
tions,  in  S.  F.  ValiJ'.,  Nov.  24,  1S47.  Call  for  a  meeting  at  S.  F.  to  prepare 
a  memorial  to  congress  on  tho  subject.  /(/.,  Pec.  1,  1S47.  Objections  to  tho 
new  system.  Xilci'  Itcj.,  Ixxii.  'J0!)-10,  210.  Tho  tarilV  is  alsD  given  in  .1  iikv. 
Almaiinc,  1848,  p.  178.  Nov.  10th,  Larkin  to  sec.  state,  in  defence  of  Mjisou's 
cour.sc  in  substituting  a  modified  tariff.  Larl-'iu'x  O.lK  Corrci'p.,  MS.,  ii.  12. 
Nov.  11th,  Maaon  to  adjutant-general,  defending  tho  liberties  ho  has  taken, 
and  explaining  some  of  his  innovations.  J/css.  ami  Doc,  ISOO,  p.  422  .">. 
'  Promises  and  assurances  founded  upon  these  instructions  (those  to  Kearny  of 
June  ,'<,  1840)  have  gone  forth  to  tho  people  of  (^"al.  as  a  solemn  pledge  on  tho 
part  of  our  govt.  It  was  believed  aiul  received  by  tho  people  generally  jis  a 
pledge;  but  some;  of  our  enemies  have  asserted  that  these  pronnses  were  niiide 
l)y  us  to  dcluilc  them  into  subordination,  after  which  the  same  high  duties  aii<l 
restrictions  on  commerce  would  \n-.  restored.  Now,  these  persons  ^iass  fm- 
prophets,  because  after  nearly  a  year  of  quiet,  high  duties  arc  again  ordiicd 
to  l)c  laid,  with  restrictions  on  tlie  -'oast  trade,  that  will  in  a  great  measure 
prevent  tho  expected  conipctitu)n  and  reduction  of  prices;  this,  too,  with  llic 
avowed  declaration  to  treat  tho  Californians  as  open  enemies,  subject  to  mili- 
tary contributions. .  .1  would  most  earnestly  recommend  that  these  duties  and 
restrictions  be  withdrawn.'  May  10th,  sec.  war  to  Kearny,  forwarding  the 
new  regulations.  Whalers  not  subject  to  duties  or  tonnage  unless  engau'ing 
in  trade.  Vessels  which  left  the  U.  S.  before  the  new  orders  need  pay  duties 
at  each  port  only  on  the  goods  landed  tiiere.  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  ^Otli  cong.  1st 
8U8S.,  II.  Ex.  Doc.  1,  p.  50G-7.     Oct.  13th,  tho  lost-uuniud  privilege  extended 


,  (ii 


^-!;Xi 


6?,- 'AS 


S74 


MISSIOXS-IXDIAN  AFFAIRS-COMMERCE. 


For  the  specific  duties  '.vas  substituted  an  ad  valorem 
rate  of  twenty  per  cent;  tonnage  was  reduced  from  ono 
dollar  to  fifteen  cents;  the  rule  requiring  all  the  cargo 
to  be  landed  at  the  first  port  was  ignored;  the  privi- 
lege of  the  coasting  trade  was  extended  to  all  vessels 
owned  in  California;  products  of  the  country  might  be 
freely  shipped  from  one  port  to  another;  and  no  duty 
was  to  be  collected  on  lumber.  The  collection  of 
revenue  was  now  imposed  on  the  military  comman- 
dants, and  the  collectors,  except  at  San  Pedro  where 
there  was  no  military  post,  lost  their  places. 

I  find  no  evidence  that  the  government  at  Wash- 
ington ever  disapproved  the  military  governor's  inno- 
vations, or  that  more  than  a  tacit  approval  was  given. 
Some  slight  modifications  were  adopted  before  Mason's 
protest  was  received;  and  in  November  others  more 
important,  changing  the  specific  to  ad  valorem  duties 
of  twenty  and  lirty  per  cent  on  two*  classes,  or  lists, 
of  imports — but  all  apparently  without  the  slightest 
reference  either  to  California's  needs  or  the  governor's 
acts.  The  revised  regulations  arrived  in  April  1848." 
Except  that  the  coasting  trade  was  now  declared 
open  to  all  vessels,  I  find  no  indication  in  commercial 
correspondence  of  the  time  that  any  essential  changes 
were  made.  At  the  end  of  July,  however,  Mason  in- 
structed his  officers  to  receive  for  duties  gold-dust  at 
very  low  rates  on  deposit,  redeemable  for  coin  in  three 
and  six  months." 

In  August  1848,  on  receipt  of  news  that  the  war 

to  all  vessels,  Ainer.  and  foreign.  Jd.,  580.  A  vessel  may  proceed  from  port 
to  port  to  make  up  a  cargo  of  exports  free  of  all  duties,  fa.  Nov.  lOtli,  the 
former  Mex.  export  duty  on  precious  metals  to  be  collected.  Approved  by 
pres.  Nov.  IGth.  /(/.,  587. 

^'^  April  28,  1848,  Mason  to  Folsom,  forwax-ding  the  modifications  of  Nov.  5, 
1847,  not  given.  Cal.  and  iV.  Mex.,  Mexs.  and  Doc,  1S50,  p.  544-5.  July 
'2()th,  custom-house  and  port  regulations  by  Mason,  with  no  reference  to  rates 
of  duties.  Id.,  583-5.  Miscellaneous  corresp.  of  1848,  in  /(/.,  passim.  The 
substance  of  the  modifications  of  Nov.  5th  is  given  in  S.  F.  Cal.  Star,  May 
'JO,  1848. 

*^  Mess,  and  Doc,  1850,  p.  664,  Mason  to  Howard,  Gillespie,  and  Ward. 
Also  other  orders  to  same  purport.  M.  had  at  first  consented  to  take  gold  if 
melted  into  some  convenient  form,  but  finally  decided  that  he  had  no  right  to 
do  so.  In  Sept.  it  was  decided  to  issue  sea  letters  to  vessels  owned  by  Amer- 
icans, which  should  serve  as  registry  paijcrs  temporarily.  Id.,  671. 


FIRST  STEAMER  IN  CALIFORNIA. 


Oii} 


had  been  caded  and  a  treaty  signed,  the  authorities 
decided,  without  special  instructions  from  Washing- 
ton, tliat  as  Cahfornia  was  now  a  part  of  the  United 
States,  the  national  revenue  laws  must  be  enforced. 
Accordingly  the  collectors  were  reappointed  and  fur- 
nished with  copies  of  the  regular  custom-house  regu- 
lations for  their  guidance,  though  they  were  still,  in 
the  absence  of  orders  to.  the  contrary,  under  the 
supervision  of  the  military  chiefs.**  There  was  no 
subsequent  change  in  1848,  American  vessels  e?iter- 
ing  free  and  Ibreign  imports  paying  duties  as  at  any 
American  port.  In  the  early  part  of  1849,  however, 
and  before  the  revenue  laws  were  formally  extendotl 
to  California  by  act  of  congress,  a  new  view  of  the 
matter  was  taken  by  Governor  Mason;  namely,  that 
foreign  cargoes  could  not  bo  Icijallv  admitted  in  Cali- 
fornia,  where  tliere  was  no  regular  port  of  entry ;  yet, 
to  prevent  inconvenience  and  expense,  the  authorities 
would  take  the  liberty  of  admitting  such  cargoes  on 
payment  of  duties  and  fees.*^  Of  the  amount  of 
military  contributions  and  irregularly  collected  reve- 
nues collected  in  1847-8,  I  find  no  definite  record; 
but  before  the  convention  of  1849  the  amount  yet 
unexpended  was  nearly  a  million,  and,  as  we  shall 
see,  the  disposition  to  be  made  of  this  'civil  fund' 
became  a  subject  of  discussion  later. 


it  the  war 


In  maritime  annals  of  this  period  the  appearance  of 
the  first  steamer  in  Californian  waters  merits  a  pass- 
ing notice,**  among  the  vessels  of  1846-8,  with  a  list 

** Id.,  592,  G5o-60.  Pedrorena  was  appointoil  at  S.  iJiego,  Aug.  Ttli: 
Alexander  continued  at  S.  PiJro;  Lieut  Ciirm  s  apparently  continued  at  Sta 
IJilrliara;  and  Edward  II.  Harrison  appointed  at  8.  F.  after  Edward  Gilbert 
had  declined. 

<^ Feb. '24,  1849,  Mason  to  Harrison.  //.,  (;04-5.  Oct.  9,  1848,  sec.  war 
deciiles  that  no  duties  can  bo  collected  cu  .'\iner.  goods  or  such  as  have  paid 
duties  in  U.  S.  ports;  but  he  gives  no  instructions  on  foreign  imports.  Id., 
•JJ8.  In  March  Gen.  Smith  introduced  still  another  variation  in  theory  not 
aiTecting  the  practice;  namely,  that  foieign  vessels  might  land  their  goods  by 
'  deiwsiting  '  the  amount  of  duties  and  fees,  '  subject  to  such  disposition  as 
congress  may  make  of  them.'  Id.,  713. 

**  The  best  authority  on  this  subject  is  Geo.  McKinstry  in  original  letters 
found  in  McKiimtry's  Pap.,  MS.,  4D-4,  tlie  author  having  made  the  trip  to 


676 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  AFFAIRS— COMMERCE. 


of  which  I  conclude  this  chapter.*'  The  steamer  had 
no  name,  but  has  since  been  called  the  Sitka.  Her 
dimensions  were :  length  37  feet,  breadth  of  beam  9 
feet,  depth  of  hold  3^   feet,  drawing  18   inches  of 


Sacramento  on  the  steamer.  A  notice  of  the  arrival  from  Sitka  is  found  in 
the  S.  F.  Cat,  Star,  Oct.  23,  1847.  Notice  of  tlie  steamer  at  Sonoma  Nov. 
25th,  when  there  was  a  celebration,  with  toasts  to  tho  'rival  towns  of  Sonoma 
and  S.  F.'  CaUfornian,  Dec.  1,  1847.  Sec  also  Annals  of  S.  F.,  197;  •*>'.  1. 
Directory,  1852;  llutchings'  Marj.,  iv.  4;  Sac.  Director]/,  1871,  p.  103;  Sac- 
ramento llliist.,  8;  lion,  S.  I.  News,  ii.  50;  S.  F.  Alia,  May  4,  1858;  Nov.  12, 
1872;  Sac.  Union,  May  19,  1858;  S.  F.  Bulletin,  Feb.  2G,  1808;  and  many 
other  ncwspaijcr  articles.  Some  accounts  describe  the  boat  as  a  stei'n- 
whecler;  and  some  say  she  was  CO  ft  long  and  17  ft  wide. 

*''  Vessels  on  the  coast  of  California,  1846-8: 

Abhjail,  Amer.  whaler;  Barnard,  master;  at  S.  F.  July- Aug.  1846. 

Admittance,  prize  ship;  at  Mont.  June,  Sept.  1847;  under  command  of 
Lieut  Revere. 

Alford,  Hamburg  brig;  at  S.  F.  March  1846. 

Al'ce,  Hinckley,  master;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1847. 

America,  whaler;  Nash,  master;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1846. 

Aniils,  French  schr;  Limautour;  at  Sta  B.  and  S.  Pedro  July- Aug  1847. 
Also  at  Mont,  and  S.  F.  in  May. 

Aiifjola,  Amer.  bark;  311  tons;  Sam.  Varney;  at  Mont,  from  Salcm  and 
Honolulu  for  Sitka  in  June  1840,  consigned  to  Larkin.  Again  at  Mont,  and 
S.  F.  in  Nov.  1847,  from  Honolulu. 

Aui'a,  Amer.  bark;  Woodworth  and  Shoive;  on  the  coast  1847-8.  Cargo 
cost  §25,000;  j  sold  for  620,000;  duties,  §12,000. 

Antoiiita,  schr,  built  in  Cal.  1S47;  Rousillon  &  Saiusevain,  owners;  E.  Gray, 
master;  34  tons,  40  ft  long,  0  ft  8  in.  deep,  12  ft  4  in.  wide.  Permit  to  traile 
Nov.  23d. 

Arid,  Haw.  schr;  Griffin;  from  Honolulu;  wrecked  200  miles  from  S.  F.  in 
Oct.  1848.     Passengers  and  crew  saved. 

Artnata,  Amer.  ship;  Fitch;  at  S.  F.  from  New  Loudon  Sept.  1847. 

Baikal,  Russ.  brig;  Lieut  Rudicrkof;  at  Mont,  in  Sept.  1840. 

Barnstable,  Amer  ship.  Arr.  S.  Uiego  in  March  1840;  Hall,  master;  iii 
feta  B.  and  S.  Pedro  in  Aug.  Aids  Com.  Stockton  in  Oct.  at  Mont,  and  S.  F. 
On  the  coast  throughout  184",  and  in  spring  of  1848. 

Belfast,  brig  from  N.  Y. ;  at  S.  F.  Oct.  1848.  Said  to  liavc  been  tho  first 
vessel  to  discharge  cargo  without  lighters. 

Benj.  Hush,  Amer.  ship;  L.  H.  Smith;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1846. 

Boicdi/ch,  Auicr.  ship;  Borden;  from  Rhode  Island;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1847. 

Brillantc,  French  corvette;  E.  do  Bouzet.  Arr.  S.  F.  from  Callao  Sept. 
24th,  Mont.  Oct.  lst-7th,  1S4(),  with  tlie  consul  Moerenliaut  on  board. 

Brooklyn,  A.ner.  ship;  450  tons;  Richardson.  Arr.  S.  F.  from  N.  Y.  with 
Mormon  colony  July  31,  1840.  Visited  other  ports,  ai.'l  sailed  in  Sept.  for 
Pananiil  via  Honolulu.     (See  chap,  xx.) 

Brutus,  Amer.  ship;  Adams.  Arr.  S.  F.  April  17,  1847,  from  X.  Y.  with 
part  of  tho  N.  Y.  volunteers.     (Sec  chap,  xviii. ) 

Cabinet,  Amer.  whaler;  Bottene;  ut  S.  F.  Aug.-Sept.  1846. 

Cudboro,  H.  B.  Co.  's  brig;  at  S.  F.  Jan.  1840,  with  crew  of  the  U.  S.  schr 
Shark;  wrecked  in  tlie  nortli. 

California,  Amer.  ship;  Fisher;  at  8.  F.  Sept.  1847,  from  N.  Bedford. 

Callao,  Engl,  bark;  liuttmnnn;  at  Mont,  in  Sept.  1S4S. 

Caroline,  Ijark;  Ilalsey;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1846. 

diaries,  An»er.  ship;  Thomas  An(hcws;  brought  naval  stores  and  a  private 
cargo  to  Mort.  1847.     Sold  ^  of  the  cargo  at  immense  profit  at  S.  F.  after  the 


LIST  OF  VESSELS. 


o77 


water,  and  havino-  side  wheels  moved  by  a  miniature 
engine.  She  was  built  at  Sitka  by  an  American  as 
a  pleasure-boat  for  the  officers  of  the  Russian  com- 
j)any,  and  was  purchased  by  LeidcsdorfF,  being  brought 


Ibeen  the  first 


discovery  of  gold  iu  1848.  The  supercargo  took  gold-dust  and  canled  it  home 
overland  across  Mexico,  but  the  anxieties  of  the  trip  killed  him. 

Charles  and  Edward,  schr;  at  Sonoma  and  S.  F.  Sept.  1848. 

Citizen,  ship;  liuising;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  1847,  from  N.  \V.  coast. 

Clementine,  whale  ship;  Hashagen;  at  S.  F.  Oct. -Nov.  1847. 

C'ollingwood,  Brit,  man-of-war;  Admiral  Seymour;  at  Mont,  in  July  184G, 
from  Mazatlan,  thence  to  Honolulu.     (See  chap.  ix. ) 

Columhia,  H.  B.  Co.'s  bark;  Duncan;  at  S.  F.  April  1847,  from  Columbia 
Kiver.     At  Honolulu  in  May. 

Coliimbiifi,  U.  S.  ship;  Commodore  Biddle,  Capt.  T.  W.  Wyman;  at  Mont, 
and  S.  F.  March-July  1847.     (Chap,  xvii.) 

Columbus,  Anier.  whaler;  Hutchins;  at  S.  F.  Aug.-Sept.  1846. 

Commodore  Shnbriek,  Hawaiian  schr;  00  tons;  Von  Plister;  at  S.  F. ,  Mont., 
and  Sta  Cruz  in  April-Juno  1847.  She  came  back  from  Honolulu  in  Sept., 
.Mohran  (or  Morgan),  an<l  was  sold  to  Ruckel  &  Cocke,  FlUiot  Libbey  becom- 
ing master.     Licensed  to  trade  by  Gov.  Mason  Nov.  11th. 

Commodore  Stockton,  schr;  Young,  and  later  Kinch;  running  between 
Mont.,  S.  F.,  Bodega,  and  Oregon  Jan. -Dec.  1847. 

Concepciou,  Cent.  Amer.  brig;  Beristain;  at  S.  Pedro  and  Sta  B.  in  Sei)t. 
1847.  She  reloaded  her  cargo  after  payin'^  duties,  and  departed  before  Feb. 
1848. 

Confederacion,  Chil.  ship;  Jones,  master;  Rich.  Carson,  sup.;  at  the  ports 
.htne-Oct.   1847. 

Congress,  U.  S.  frigate;  Com.  Stockton,  Capt.  Dupont,  Lieut  Livingstone. 
Arr.  Mont,  from  Honolulu  July  15,  184(5.     On  the  coast  through  1846-7-8. 

Constantine,  Russ.  brig;  at  S.  F.  from  Sitka  Jan.  1847. 

Copia,  Amer.  whaler;  Taber;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  1847. 

Corea,  Amer.  ship;  Hempstead;  at  S.  F.  from  New  London  Nov.  1847. 

Covington,  Amer.  ship;  Duval;  at  S.  F.  from  Warren,  R.  I.,  Sept.  1847. 

Currency  Lass,  schr;  Geo.  McLean;  at  S.  F'.  and  other  ports  from  Hono- 
lulu April-May  1847,  anil  again  from  Nov.  1847  to  Jan.  1848.  Perhaps  had 
made  a  trip  in  1846  also. 

Cyaue,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  Mervine  and  Dupont;  on  the  Californian  and 
Mexican  coast  during  the  conquest  in  184G-7.  Some  details  of  movements 
liave  been  given  in  my  chapters.     She  arrived  at  Norfolk,  Va. ,  in  Oct.  184S. 

Dale,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  W.  W.  McKcan;  on  the  coast  Dec. -Jan.  1846  7; 
again  in  Cal.  ports  May-Sept,  under  Sclfridgo;  and  in  Oct. -Nov.  1848  nnd<  r 
Kudd. 

Don  Quixote,  Hawaiian  bark;  Paty;  on  the  coast  Marcli-April,  1846,  fmm 
Honolulu.  Carried  Castillero  as  commissioner  to  Mix.  Again  on  the  coast 
Aug. -Nov.  and  in  Fel).  1847. 

Eagle,  brig;  Levett;  at  S.  F.  Feb.  1848  from  China. 

Edward,  Amer.  ship;  John  S.  Barker;  at  S.  F.  Sept   1846. 

Elizabeth,  Amer. -whaler;  Hall;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  Sept.  1846. 

Elizabeth,  Amer.  brig;  King;  on  the  coast  from  itonolulu  Jan. -Deo.  1847, 
and  wrecked  near  Sta  B.  Feb.  1848. 

El  Placer,  brigantinc,  60  tons;  Charles  Wolters,  master  and  owner;  ;i 
jii  ize  of  tlie  Cyane,  formerly  the  Manuel  Adolfo.  Amer.  sea-letter  granted 
by  (iov.  Ma.son  Nov.  1."),  1848. 

Emily  Morgan,  Amer.  ship;  Ewer;  at  S.  F.  from  New  Bedford,  Aug.  1S47. 

Erie,  U.  S.  store-ship;  Turner;  at  S.  F.  and  Mont.  Aug.-Sept.  1846,  and 
HwT.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    37 


m 


g* 


ii 


578 


MISSIONS-INDIAN  AFFAIRS-COMMERCE. 


down  to  San  Francisco  in  October  1847  on  the  Nas- 
lednik.  Having  made  a  trial  trij3  on  November  15th, 
she  ventured  later  to  Santa  Clara  and  then  to  Sonoma. 
Finally,  on  the  28th  of  November,  she  started  on  the 

again  Feb. -Oct.  1847,  bringing  Col  Mason,  and  Liout  Watson,  who  took  com- 
iiuiiul  of  the  ship. 

Eupheinia,  Hawaiian  brig;  150  tons;  Thos  Russum;  at  Mont.  March-Aug. 
1 S4G  from  Honolulu.  Wm  H.  Davis,  sup.  and  part  owner,  gives  many  details 
in  his  Glimpses,  MS.,  335  et  seq.,  353-4.  She  came  back  in  Nov.-March 
184G-7;  also  in  July-Sept.  1847;  and  in  1848  with  Vioget  as  master. 

Euphrates,  Amer.  ship;  Edwards;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1847  from  Now  Bedford. 

Eiiropa,  Bremen  whaler;  Curns;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  1846. 

Eieliiie,  Amer.  brig;  Goodwin;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  1847  from  Honolulu. 

Fnma,  Amer.  ship;  Nye;  came  from  Honolulu  in  1845,  and  was  wrecked 
near  StoB.  on  Feb.  20,  1846. 

Ferdinand,  French  whaler;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1846. 

Flecha,  sclir;  Mont.  May  1848. 

Francisca,  Au)er.  brig;  Lemoine;  on  the  coast  from  Honolulu  Feb.  1847; 
and  again  in  June,  being  wrecked  at  Sta  B.  in  Nov. 

General  Kearny,  schr;  Shelly,  and  later  Menzies;  at  S.  F.  and  other  ports 
April-May  1847.     Had  some  trouble  about  entering  as  an  American  vessel. 

Georgiana,  Amer.  bark;  Kelly;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  from  Valparaiso  for  Honolulu. 

Golden  Gate,  pilot-boat  from  Boston;  at  S.  F.  Dee.  1846. 

JIaalilio,  Haw.  schr;  Smith;  left  Honolulu  Oct.  1848  for  S.  F. 

Hannah,  Amer.  brig;  Chever;  on  tlie  coast  Jan. -March  1846.  Carried 
despatches  from  Larkin  to  Mazatlan. 

Henry,  Amer.  brig;  Bray,  and  later  Wm  R.  Kilborn;  at  S.  F.  from  Colum- 
bia Riv.  Aug.  1847,  and  again  in  Nov.-Dec,  landing  goods  at  Sta  Cruz.  In 
May  1848  she  was  at  Mont,  bound  to  Mazatlan  with  naval  stores. 

Hero  Id,  Engl,  frigate;  Capt.  Kellett;  at  S.  F.  on  surveying  service  Sept. 
1S4G. 

Hindoo,  probably  lictitious  name  of  a  ship  attacked  by  pirates;  the  novel 
A  melia  Sherwood  being  founded  on  the  voyage. 

Honolulu,  Amer.  schr;  Newell;  left  Honolulu  for  S.  F.  in  June  1847. 
Made  two  trips  t.  Cal.  in  1848. 

Hope,  Ilaw.  schr;  King;  wrecked  in  Dec,  perhaps  on  coast  of  Lower  Cal. 

Huntress,  Amer.  ship;  Spring;  brouglit  recruits  to  S.  F.  from  N.  Y.  in 
Oct.  1848. 

Jndcpendewe,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  Com.  Shubrick,  Capt.  Page;  on  the  coast 
Jan.-Oct.  1847. 

Iris,  Amer.  bark;  Hewes;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1847  from  Now  Bedford. 

Isaac  Howland,  Amer.  whaler;  Corey;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  1846. 

Jsanr  Walton,  Amer,  ship;  Allyn;  800  tons;  brought  naval  stores  from 
N.  Y.  in  Aug.  1848. 

Janet,  Engl,  bark;  Dring;  at  S.  F.  from  Columbia  River  and  Calcutta 
Aug.  1847.  Her  cargo  was  seized,  and  she  was  deserted  by  captain  and  crew 
in  Oct.  1848  (?). 

Janus,  Amer.  whaler;  Hammond;  at  Honolulu  from  S  F.  Dec,  1846. 

Jeanetle,  Amer.  wlinlcr;  Atkins;  at  S.  F.  July-Aug.  1846. 

John  Yov.nrf,  Haw.  brig;  at  S.  Pedro  and  Sta  B.  Aug.  1846. 

Jdeen  Ouipuzeoana,  Peru,  bark,  200  tons;  Barker  (or  Vaca);  on  the  coast 
from  Callao  Aug.-Dec.  1846.  Back  from  Honolulu  April-Aug.  1847.  Hand- 
ford  also  named  as  master. 

Juanita,  Mex.  schr;  Scott;  carried  Covarrubias  to  Mex.  in  Feb.  1846.  In 
July  in  trouble  with  tho  revenue  otlicers  .it  Sta  B.     At  Mont,  in  Nov. 

Julia,  U.  S.  prize  schr;  Lieut  Selden;  on  the  coast  Nov.  1846-Sept.  1847; 


MARINE  LIST. 


679 


great  voyage  of  her  career  to  Sacramento,  carrying 
ten  or  a  dozen  souls,  including  the  owner,  George 
McKinstry,  L.  W.  Hastings  as  far  as  Montezuma, 
and  Mrs  Gregson  and  baby — the  latter  serving  a  use- 


[O  took  coni- 


i  Feb.  1847; 


i6.     Carried 


theu  sold  in  Oct. ,  and  in  Nov.  arrived  at  Honolulu  under  Moran.  Came  back 
as  Julian  under  Hawaiian  flag  in  Oct.  1S48. 

Juno,  Brit,  man-of-war;  Blake;  on  the  coast  June-July  1846.  McNamara 
passenger. 

Kekauonohi,  Haw.  schr;  Treadway;  left  Hon.  for  S.  F.  Aug.  1848. 

Keone  A7ia,  Haw.  brig;  Jeupos;  on  the  coast  from  Lima  Sept. -Oct.  1847. 
Duties  at  S.  Diego,  $1,670.     Duties  at  Sta  B.,  $104,  refunded. 

Lady  Adams,  brig;  Hanna;  at  S.  F.  from  Callao  Jan.  1848. 

Lambayacana,  schr;  left  8.  F.  for  Valparaiso  in  Aug.  1848. 

Laura  Ann,  Engl,  brig;  Thomas;  on  the  coast  July-Oct.  1847.  Back 
from  Hon.  Dec. -Jan.  1847-8,  and  again  at  S.  F.  in  Oct. 

Levant,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  Page;  at  Mont.  June  30-July  28,  1846,  wlien 
she  sailed  for  the  U.  S.  with  Com.  Sloat. 

Lexington,  U.  S.  transport;  Bailey;  brought  Co.  F  3d  artill.  from  U.  S.; 
on  the  coast  Jan. -Juno  1847,  and  again  in  Oct. -Nov. 

Lion,  French  transport;  at  S.  F.  from  Hon.  Sept.  IS4G  and  probably 
earlier. 

Louisa,  schr;  at  Mont,  and  S.  Pedro  May  1848. 

Magnet,  Amer.  ship;  Wilbur;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1846. 

Magnolia,  Amer.  ship;  Simmonds;  on  the  coast  Sept.-Nov.  1846. 

Malek  Adhel,  Mex.  brig;  captured  by  the  Warren  atMazatlan  in  Sept. 
1 S4G,  and  sent  to  Mont,  under  Lieut  Kenshaw  with  dispatches  in  Oct.  and  to 
8.  Diego  in  Nov.  She  was  sold  to  Phelps  in  Sept.  1847,  and  was  on  the 
coast  until  1848  under  Hall  and  Phelps. 

Maria  Helena,  Cliil.  bark;  Curphey;  at  S.  F.  and  Mont.  July-Oct.  1847. 

Maria  Teresa,  Mex.  brig;  Hanks;  at  Mont,  and  S.  F.  May  and  Sept.  184(j. 

Mary  Ann,  Haw.  schr;  Paty;  on  the  coast  June-Nov.  1847,  thence  to 
Houohilu  under  Bussum.  A  part  of  her  cargo  was  seized  at  S.  F.  by  tlic 
revenue  officers. 

Malhilde,  Danisli  brig;  1.10  tons;  Rabbcns;  on  the  coast  April-Oct.  1847. 

Mermaid,  schr;  at  S.  F.  Juno  1840. 

Moncoba,  Kng\.  bark;  at  8.  F.  March  1846  from  Columbia  Riv. 

Moscow,  Amer.  bark;  Plielps;  on  the  coast  from  Jan.  1846,  engaged  in 
trade  and  also  aiding  Fremont  and  Stockton  in  their  operations.  She  carried 
a  company  of  the  N.  Y.  volunteers  down  the  coast  in  1847,  but  was  wrecked 
before  the  end  of  tlio  year. 

Mount  Vernon,  U.  S.  store-ship;  Given;  on  the  coast  April-May  and 
again  in  Aug.  1847. 

Xarwal,  Freucli  whaler;  G.  Radon;  at  Mont.  Sept.  1846. 

Naslednik;  Russ.  l)ark;  Harnden;  at  S.  F.  Oct.  1847  from  Sitka. 

Natalia,  Cinl.  bark;  Luce;  at  S.  F.  from  Hon.  Dec. -March  1847-8. 

Xew  Persteverance,  French  brig;   Boycr;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1848. 

Obed  Mitchell,  ship;  Wing;  at  S.  F.  frou)  N.  W.  coast  Aug.  1847. 

Ohio,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  Com.  Jones,  Capt.  Hardy;  on  the  coast  from 
Oct.  1848. 

^'i/'i  {?);  Teschemacher,  sup. ;  1840. 

Pacific,  ship;  Edwards;  at  S.  F.  from  N.  W.  coast  Aug.  1847. 

Paladian,  Amer.  whaler;  McLane;  at  S.  F.  July-Aug.  1846. 

Pandora,  Brit.  l)rig;  Wood;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1840  on  surveying  service. 

Parachute,  Amer.  ship;  Duval;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1840. 

Patriot,  Bremen  whaler;  Mensing;  at  S.  F.  Aug.  1840. 


ipiil 


080 


MISSIONS— INDIAN  AFFAIUS— COMMERCE. 


ful  purpose  in  'triiuining'  the  little  craft.  The  tri[> 
was  made  in  six  days  and  seven  hours,  one  of  the 
passengers    saving   the   odd   hours    by   leaving    the 

Returning  to  Yerba  Buena, 


steamer  and  walkinjj 


Portsmouth,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  Montgomery;  on  the  coast  from  April 
1846  to  late  in  1847. 

Preble,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  W,  F.  Shields,  and  later  James  Glynn;  on  tlic 
coast  in  April-May,  also  Oct.  1847,  and  in  April-May  1848. 

Prencott,  Amer.  whaler;  Mallory;  at  S.  F.  Aug.-Sept.  1846. 

Primavera,  Mex.  brig;  W.  Stenner;  on  the  coast  from  April  1847.  Sold 
in  June  by  creditors  at  Los  Angeles  to  E.  Cells  for  $1,000,  and  resold  to  K<1. 
A.  King.  Wm  S.  McKinney  became  master;  and  his  license  to  trade  \vas 
issued  by  Gov.  Mason  Nov.  13th. 

Prorideiice,  French  schr;  Mitchell;  left  Hon.  for  S.  F.  Aug.  1847.  I'er- 
liups  Prudence,  Louis. 

Providence,  brig;  Hinckley;  at  S.  F.  from  Hon.  Marcli  1848. 

/{hone,  Amer.  ship;  Hill;  at  S.  F.  from  Baltimore  and  Hon.  Aug,  Oct. 
1848. 

Roman,  Amer.  ship;  Shocklcy;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1846. 

Salnne,  Amer.  brig;  Vincent;  at  S.  F.  from  Boston  Marcli  1848.  Back 
from  Houoluhi  in  Aug.-Sept.  under  ChaHield. 

Sajfadahor,  Amer.  schr;   Barmore;  left  Hon.  for  S.  F.  Oct.  1848. 

Santa  Cruz,  L'al.  schr;  Lowe;  on  coast  1846-7. 

Sarah  Parker,  Amer.  whaler;  Russell;  Mont.  Sept. -Oct.  1846. 

Savannah,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  Com.  Sloat,  and  later  Capt.  Mervine;  on  the 
coast  from  July  1846  to  March  1847. 

Seki  dc.  Junto,  Chil.  brig;  at  S.  F,  from  Hon.  June-July  1848.  In  trouble 
about  duties. 

South  BoHton,  Amer.  whaler;  Hoxie;  at  Hon.  from  S.  F.  Feb.  1847. 

Sonth(imi>lon,  U.  S.  store-ship;  R.  D.  Thorburn;  on  coast  from  Sept.  1847 
to  end  of  1S48. 

Spi/,  Brit,  man-of-war;  Wooldridge;  at  Mont.  Aug.  1846. 

S.  S.,  Haw.  schr;  Molteno;  left  Hon.  for  S.  F.  Jan.  1848. 

Starlintf,  Haw.  schr;  Hinckley;  left  Hon.  for  S.  F.  Feb.  1848. 

Sterling],  Amer.  sliip;  G.  W.  Vincent;  on  the  coast  in  1846,  being  used  as 
a  transport  for  the  Cal.  Imttaliou. 

Slon'uiiitoii ,  Amer.  whaler; Geo. W.  Hamley;on  the  coast  Aug.  1846  to  Fel). 
1847,  aiding  Stockton  in  his  operations  at  S.  Diego. 

Susitnita,  launch,  schooner-rigged;  bought  of  Vioget  by  Brannau,  and  sent 
up  to  Sacramento  in  1848  under  Grimshaw. 

Sweden,  ship;  Nott;  at  S.  F.  from  N.  Y.  Feb.  1848. 

Tnnso,  Amer.  bark;  Libbey;  on  the  coast  from  1846  to  Oct.  1848. 

Tipic,  I'higl.  brig;  Luce;  at  S.  F.  July  1848,  and  again  from  Hon.  in  Sept.- 
Oct. 

Thomiis  II.  Perkins,  Amer.  brig;  Arther;  i.t  S.  F.  from  N.  Y.  in  March 
1847,  bringing  part  of  the  N.  Y.  volunteers. 

Thomat  II.  Benton,  U.  S.  brig;  at  Sta  B.  Aug.  1847. 

Toulon,  bark;  Crosby;  at  S.  F.  from  Columbia  Riv.  Jan. -April  1847. 

Triad,  ship;  Horton;  at  S.  F.  from  N.  W.  coast  Aug.  1847. 

United  State/*,  Amer.  whaler;  Stevens;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1846. 

Valiant,  French  whaler;  Des  Prairies;  at  Mont.  April  1846. 

Vancouver,  H.  B.  Co.'s  bark;  at  Mont,  and  S.  F.  April  1846,  from  Colum- 
bia River. 

Vandalia,  Amer.  ship;  Everett;  on  coast  from  1846  to  May  1847.  Cargo 
c<;st  $37,000;  sold  for  $134,000;  duties,  $-27,000. 

Vt'Kjjer,  Amer.  ship;  Clark;  at  S.  F.  Sept.  1847. 


VESSELS  ON  THE  COAST. 


S81 


slio  was  wrecked  at  her  anchorage  in  a  gale;  but  was 
raised,  hauled  inland  by  oxen,  and  transformed  into  a 
launch  or  schooner.  As  the  Rainbow  she  ran  on  the 
Sacramento  River  after  the  discovery  of  gold. 


Warren,  U.  S.  man-of-war;  Hull,  and  later  Lanman;  on  the  coast  from 
Aug.  1846  to  the  end  of  1848. 

Wave,  Haw.  sloop;  Quimby;  left  Hon.  for  S.  F.  Oct.  1848. 

Whiton,  Amer.  bark;  R.  Gelston;  at  S.  F.  from  N.  Y.  in  April  1847;  again 
in  July  and  Nov.  from  Columbia  River. 

William,  U.  S.  priM  scbr;  at  Mout.  from  S.  Bias  March  1847.  Under 
Knglish  colors.  Ca^e  tried  before  admiralty  court  at  Mout.  Sold  at  auction 
in  April.     At  S.  V,  in  Aug, 

William  Neilsoit;  Weston,  master;  at  Hon.  from  Cal.  July  1846. 

Xylon,  Amer.  ship;  Millington;  on  the  coast  from  N.  Y.  and  Hon.  ia  March- 
April  1847. 

Zach  Taylor,  schr;  built  at  Sta  Cruz  in  1848  (?)  by  Blackburn. 


J 


jiiiiiii 


i 

:!  in 


It-;. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 

1847-1848. 

Mason's  Proclamation  and  Repokts — Fears  of  Revolt — Visits  to  thk 
SocTU  AND  North— Return  of  Josi:  Castro — The  CaSov  Perdiih> 
AT  Santa  Barbara — Return  of  Pio  Pico — His  Claims  for  the  Gov - 

ERNORSHir — iMrRISONMENT  AND  RELEASE — TREATY  OF  GuADAHirE  Hi- 

DALGO — Mason's  Proclamation — California  in  Congress,  1&46-9  - 
Causes  and  Effects  of  the  War — Slavery  in  the  Territories — 
Opposition  to  the  Acquisition  of  California — Debates  on  Territo- 
rial Government— Final  Unsuccessful  Ejtorts— Military  Rj-le— 
Rights  of  Conquerors — Views  of  Congress  and  Administration — 
Policy  of  Sloat,  Stockton,  Fremont,  and  Kearny — Mason's  Theop.v 
AND  Practice — Items— Alcalde  Nash  at  Sonoma — Trial  of  Abmijo— 
Barrus  and  Foxen— De  Facto  Goveisnment  after  the  Treaty. 

The  war  in  California  had  ended  in  January  1847. 
and  the  ensuing  controversies  between  rival  chiet'tains 
in  May.  The  departure  of  Fremont  and  Kearny  and 
Stockton  removed  for  the  most  part  all  cause  for  dis- 
sension, and  left  the  country  tranquil.  It  also  well- 
nigh  removed  all  elements  of  interest  in  territorial 
annals,  so  far  as  the  sequence  of  events  is  concerned. 
Since  dropping  the  chronologic  thread  at  the  end  of 
Kearny's  rule  as  governor,  I  have  devoted  four  chap- 
ters to  subjects  pertaining  wholly  or  in  part  to  Mason's 
rule  in  1847-8;  namely,  the  Mormon  battalion,  New 
York  volunteers  and  artillery  company,  immigration, 
missions,  Indian  affairs,  and  trade.  Most  items  in 
the  records  and  correspondence  of  the  period,  outsiile 
of  local  and  personal  affairs,  have  been  disposed  of  in 
connection  with  the  subjects  mentioned;  but  there 
are  a  few  other  matters  that  require  notice  in  this 

(582) 


ROUTINE  AFFAIRS. 


r.8r 


final  chapter  of  the  regular  series;  notably  matters 
pertaining  to  the  civil  and  municipal  government,  and 
to  congressional  discussion  on  the  destines  of  Califor- 
nia, besides  a  brief  glance  at  minor  events  in  the 
order  of  their  happening. 

On  May  31st  Colonel  Richard  B.  Mason,  on  the 
departure  of  General  Kearny,  proclaimed  his  assump- 
tion of  the  position  of  governor  and  commander-in- 
chief  of  United  States  forces  in  California  by  order 
of  the  president.^  During  the  month  of  June,  as  in- 
deed all  other  months  of  his  rule,  Mason's  attention 
was  chiefly  occupied  with  routine  details  of  military, 
revenue,  and  municipal  affairs,  his  correspondence  tak- 
ing the  form  almost  exclusively  of  replies  and  instruc- 
tions to  local  subordinates  on  various  minor  matters, 
which,  as  already  explained,  I  make  no  effort  here  to 
trace.  On  June  18tli  he  reported  to  the  government, 
expressing  his  need  of  mounted  troops  for  Indian  ser- 
vice, giving  attention  to  the  'California  claims,'  and 
stating  in  general:  "The  country  continues  to  bo 
quiet,  and  I  think  will  remain  so,  though  the  people 
dislike  the  change  of  flags,  whatever  may  be  said  or 
written  to  the  contrary,  and  in  the  southern  part 
would  rise  immediately  if  it  were  possible  for  Mexico 
to  send  even  a  small  force  into  the  country;  nothing 
keeps  them  quiet  but  the  want  of  a  proper  leader  and 
a  rallying  point" — a  view  that  was  much  exaggerated.^ 

In  July  Lieutenant-colonel  Burton  was  sent  on  the 
Lexington  with  two  companies  of  the  New  York  vol- 
unteers to  take  possession  of  Lower  California,  which 
was  accomplished  without  serious  difficulty.^  Appre- 
hensions of  revolt  continued,  though  almost  entirely 
unfounded.     Colonel   Stevenson   had   complained  in 

'May  .31,  1847,  Gov.  Mason's  proclamation.  Loa  Amjelm  Arch.,  MS.,  iii. 
Co;  .S^.  /'.  Californian,  Juno  12,  H»,  20,  1847. 

'^  Juno  18th,  Mason  to  adj. -general.  Cal.  and  X.  .yfex.,  Mesf.  nnd  Doc, 
1S50,  p.  312. 

*  Kearny's  order  of  May  30th,  founded  on  that  of  sec.  war  of  Jan.  11th; 
Miison's  order  to  Burton  Juno  1st;  and  M.'s  report  to  govt  of  B.'s  departure 
July  2l8t.  /(/.,  310,  323,  331.  For  the  occupation  of  L.  Cal.,  see  lUst.  North 
MiX.  States,  ii. ,  this  series. 


884 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


Juno  that  "prominent  Californians"  had  threatened 
to  cut  d(jwn  his  Hag-stafF,  and  was  authorized  to  say 
tliat  "such  an  act  will  he  considered  an  act  of  war, 
and  punished  accordingly."*  Captain  Lipjntt,  left  in 
command  at  Santa  Bdrbara,  soon  learned  that  the 
Californians  were  about  to  attack  his  post,  and  sent 
Mr  Sparks  to  Monterey  to  explain  the  danger.  The 
governor  went  on  the  Dale  to  Santa  Bdrbara,  where 
he  remained  a  week,  and  "became  fully  satisfied  that 
there  were  no  just  grounds  to  apprehend  a  popular 
outbreak;  and  that  if  threats  had  been  made,  they 
were  nothing  more  than  the  expression  of  natural  feel- 
ings resulting  from  the  bad  conduct  of  some  of  the 
men  composing  the  garrison."  Stevenson  also  came  to 
assure  him  of  prevailing  quiet  at  Los  Angeles;  and 
Mason,  back  at  Monterey,  explained  the  state  of 
affairs  in  his  report  of  September  1 8th,  devoted  mainly 
to  the  military  condition  and  needs  of  the  country. ' 
Then  he  went  to  San  Francisco,  where  he  was  en- 
tertained at  a  grand  ball,  found  all  in  a  satisfactory 
condition,  but  was  called  back  by  the  arrival  of  Toler 

*  Ccd.  and  N.  Max.,  etc.,  341.  Mason  to  Stevenson,  July  14th.  July  7th, 
Fitch  in  a  private  letter  says:  'The  inhabitants  are  almost  unanimously 
opposed  to  the  U.  S.  govt,  and  detest  us  from  the  bottom  of  their  hearts,  in 
particular  the  new-comers'!  Fitch,  Doc,  MS.,  447.  July  27th,  'Z.' writes 
toS.  F.  Calif ornian,  Oct.  0,  1847,  on  the  danger  of  a  revolt  at  Los  Angeles 
if  the  militiiry  force  should  be  reducwd.  He  says  the  southern  people  differ 
from  those  of  the  north ;  '  tliey  drink  harder,  gamble  more,  and  have  a  more 
obscene  code  of  ethics,  by  far,  and  have  consequently  less  sympathy  with  us. 
They  arc  Mexicans.' 

^July  10th,  Lippitt  to  Sherman;  July  21st,  Mason  to  adj. -gen. ;  Sopt.  18th, 
Id.  to  Id.  Cat.  and  N.  Mex.,  etc.,  .330-1,  33o-(>.  In  this  report  he  says: 
'  Wlieu  you  remember  the  extent  of  the  coast  and  frontier;  the  great  numbers 
of  Indians  upon  the  immediate  border,  who  know  that  a  change  of  govern- 
ment lias  been  effected  in  this  country,  and  are  watching  its  effects  upon  the 
character  of  the  people,  as  to  whether  it  is  better  for  them  to  live  on  as 
thieves  and  robbers  or  as  friendly  trilws;  and  also  the  immense  amount  of 
property  on  deposit,  you  can  readily  appreciate  my  anxiety  in  contemplat- 
ing that  event.  There  are  other  dangers  in  this  country  I  nmst  point  out. 
The  number  of  natives  and  foreigners  in  the  country  are  nearly  balanced, 
and  of  course  a  strong  jealousy  exists  between  them,  not  only  on  the  score 
<)f  which  government  shall  prevail,  but  as  to  ideas  of  personal  liberty,  prop- 
erty, and  all  the  everyday  dealings  of  life.  There  are  subordinate  jealousies, 
too,  between  the  foreigners  of  diflereut  nations,  the  old  settlers  and  the  new; 
and  indeed,  when  you  remember  that  a  great  part  of  these  foreigners  are 
deserters  from  ships,  and  men  who  have  been  accustomed  to  lead  a  lawless 
life,  you  can  sec  what  confusion  would  result  from  the  sudden  withdrawal 
of  strong  authority,  well  backed  by  force.' 


FKAHS  OF  REVOLT. 


S80 


eatened 
to  sa}' 
of  war, 
,,  left  ill 
hat  tho 
ncl  sent 
r.  The 
t,  where 
led  that 
popular 
le,  they 
iral  feel- 
of  the 
came  to 
les;  and 
>tate  of 
I  mainly 
ountry.' 
was  en- 
sfactory 
>f  Toler 

July  7th, 
laiiiinously 
hearts,  in 
Z.'  writes 
3  Aiigeles 
plo  diflfer 
ve  a  more 
with  us. 

Iflpt.  18th, 
he  says: 
numbers 
b£  govern - 
[upon  tlie 
Ive  on  as 
linount  of 
litemplat- 
loint  out. 
balanced, 
Jthe  score 
|ty,  prop- 
ilousics, 
Ithe  new; 
Ttners  are 
lawless 
khdrawal 


with  despatche."*  before  he  could  extend  hi.s  tour,  as  had 
heen  intended,  to  Sonoma  and  New  Helvetia.  His 
report  was  dated  October  7th;  and  in  the  next,  of 
November  11th,  devoted  mainly  to  commercial  topics, 
lie  reported  a  continuance  of  tranquil  prosperity,  with 
^ood  news  from  the  peninsula."  In  December  there 
was  a  renewal  of  alarminy^  rumors,  with  which  the 
jiresence  of  Sonorans  was  in  some  way  connected,  and 
which  brought  out  on  the  27th  a  proclamation  requir- 
ing all  Sonoreilos  in  the  territory  to  appear  within  ten 
days  before  the  military  authorities  to  explain  their 
business,  under  penalty  of  arrest  and  treatment  as 
enemies  and  spies.^  Meanwhile  an  overzealous  sen- 
tinel at  Los  Angeles  having  fired  his  gun  at  tho 
approach  of  a  horse  or  cow  failing  to  give  the  coun- 
tersign, the  garrison  w^as  called  to  arms,  the  guns  were 
made  ready,  and  finally  a  lighted  fuse  was  dropped 
into  the  ammunition-chest,  causing  an  explosion  that 
l)artially  destroyed  the  guard-house  and  killed  several 
(h'agoons  and  volunteers.* 

In  1848  fears  and  rumors  of  revolt  continued. 
Some  were  inclined  to  coimect  the  return  of  Jose 
Castro  with  revolutionary  plots,  while  others  took 
the  view  that  his  return  without  an  army  indicated 
tlie  end  of  all  plottings.  Three  of  the  men  suspected, 
Antonio  Chavez,  Francisco  Rico,  and  Gabriel  de  la 
Torre,  were  obliged  to  give  bonds  of  ^5,000  each  that 

"Arrival  at  S.  F.  and  ball.  -S".  F.  Cat.  Star,  Sept.  25,  Oct.  2,  1847;  S.  f. 
Cali/orniaii,  Sept.  29,  Oct.  G,  1847.  Oct.  7th,  Mason  to  govt.  Cat.  and  N. 
Mex.,  etc.,  355-8.  '  It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  assure  the  department 
tliat  the  most  perfect  harmony  subsists  between  the  members  of  the  naval  and 
land  forces  on  this  coast,  and  that  tho  most  friendly  intercourse  is  kept  up  be- 
tween the  officers.  I  have  had  frequent  occasion  myself  to  ask  assistance  of 
commodores  Biddlo  and  Shubrick,  and  my  requests  have  been  granted  witli 
l)romptuess  and  politeness;  and  in  return  I  liave  aflbrded  them  all  the  assist- 
ance in  my  power.  Our  consultations  have  been  frequent  and  perfectly  liar- 
inonious,  resulting,  I  hope,  in  the  advancement  of  the  common  cause  of  our 
country.'  Nov.  11th,  rept  on  commerce.  Mucli  insubordination  among  tho 
volunteers. 

''  Sonorans  at  S.  Jos(5,  rumors  of  hostilities.  S.  F.  (UiUj'orulan,  Dec.  15, 1847. 
Dec.  27th,  Mason's  proclamation.  Bf.dlla,  Doc,  MS.,  28;  Cul.  and  N.  Mex:, 
etc.,  450. 

*The  accident  was  on  Dec.  7th.  Los  Angeles  J/ist.,  30;  Clark's  Fir-it  Begi- 
tiient,  76-7. 


'     I 


586 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


iij 

p:  ■  !i 


liii    t 


they  would  commit  no  act  of  hostility.  This  was  in 
February,  and  at  the  same  time  Castro  was  travelling 
very  slowly  from  Los  Angeles  northward,  having  come 
back  to  California  under  a  passport  signed  by  Mason 
in  the  preceding  June.  He  was  notified  by  the  gov- 
ernor of  the  prevalent  rumors  respecting  impending 
revolt,  and  thereupon  came  to  Monterey  and  gave  a 
solemn  promise  to  abstain  from  all  political  interfer- 
ence." 

Still  other  revolutionary  developn.  nts  are  to  be 
noticed  at  Santa  Bdrbara.  In  April,  when  forces 
were  being  organized  to  fight  the  Indians,  a  plot  was 
revealed  to  use  these  forces  against  the  Americans 
with  a  view  to  the  taking  of  both  Santa  Bdrbara  and 
Los  Angeles;  but  an  investigation  by  Colonel  Steven- 
son showed  no  definite  foundation  for  charges  that  had 
been  made  against  certain  leading  citizens.^"  Mean- 
while, however,  the  affair  of  the  canon  pcrdido  tended 
to  increase  popular  excitement  and  official  fears.  A 
six-pound  gun  belonging  to  the  Elizabeth,  that  had 
been  carried  from  the  barracks  to  the  beach  for  ship- 
ment, disappeared  in  the  night  of  April  5th.  All 
efforts  to  find  it  were  unsuccessful;  some  said  it  had 
been  carried  in  a  cart  toward  Los  Angeles,  others 
that  it  had  been  put  on  board  a  vessel;  the  authorities 

•  Feb.  .">,  1848,  bonds  given  by  Chavez  and  the  rest.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  131; 
Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  331.  March  14th,  Chavez  allowed  to  go  to  S.  Bias. 
C'al.  and  X.  Mex.,  etc.,  492.  July  17,  1847,  Macon's  passport  to  Castro.  Id., 
3-23.  Feb.  7,  0,  1848,  Mason  to  Castro.  Id.,  472,  474.  April  12th,  Mason's 
report  of  both  affairs.  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  1,  pt  ii.  103-4.  Marcli 
4th.  trouble  thought  to  be  biewing  near  8.  Jos6  by  a  party  in  the  redwoods 
under  one  Beverley.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  8-9.  Nov.  14th,  Manuel  Castro  tirged 
by  liis  motiier  and  brother-in-law  to  return  to  Cal.  Doc.  JJist.  Ctd.,  1.  505. 

'"Testimony  at  the  investigation  of  April  18th-20th,  Jr.  Gtierra,  Doc,  MS., 
i.  219-28.  Capt.  Lippitt  had  been  told  by  Pelro  Canilo,  who  got  his  infor- 
mation from  liis  brother  JostS,  and  he  from  the  mother  of  J  Uiin  Roch'iguez,  that 
the  latter,  lying  behind  the  counter  at  Camarrillo''. ;;  .<  re,  had  overhead  a  con- 
sultation on  the  proposed  revolt  between  Franc^soo  .md  Pablo  do  la  Guerra, 
Antonio  Rodriguez,  Juan  P.  Ayala,  Josd  Lugo,  and  perhaps  Cesjirio  Lataillade. 
Rodriguez  and  his  mother  as  witnesses  knew  nothing  of  the  matter.  Jos6 
Carrillo  had  heard  some  remarks  on  tlie  case  with  which  the  1>arrack3  might 
bo  taken.  Pedro  Carrillo  had  represented  the  matter  to  Lippitt  as  an  idle 
rumor,  with  the  understanding  that  nothing  should  be  done.  March  lOtJi, 
Alcalde  Pedro  Carrillo  testiBes  to  good  feeling  between  troops  and  citizens,  as 
shown  particularly  on  Washington's  birthday.  Carrillo,  Doc,  MS.,  10. 


KL  (  ASON  rKRDII^O. 


:)87 


wcro  iiicliinMl  to  conni'ct  tlio  (lisiippeaniiK'o  with  cur- 
rent rumors  ot'  revolt,  and  to  believe  that  the  l^ar- 
harenos,  if  as  patriotic  as  they  claimed  to  be,  miijfht 
clear  up  tlie  mystery.  Local  officials  autl  prominent 
i.'itizens  were  oftended  at  the  suspicions  cast  upon 
them,  but  they  could  not  learn  who  had  taken  the  gun. 
Accordingly,  at  the  end  of  May,  Governor  Mason 
imposed  a  military  contribution  of  $500  on  the  town, 
to  DO  paid  pro  rata  by  all  inhabitants,  but  to  be  repaid 
to  the  town  on  discovery  of  the  guilty  individuals,  or 
])roof  that  they  were  not  residents  of  Santa  Bilrbara. 
This  act  caused  much  excitement  and  indignation, 
especially  among  American  residents;  the  alcaldes 
oft'ered  their  resignation,  which  was  not  accepted;  and 
some  individuals  made  trouble  about  paying  theii- 
assessment;  but  the  amount  was  collected,  and  in 
Auirust  was  turned  over  to  the  alcalde  to  be  used  as 
a  municipal  fund.  Ten  years  later  the  cannon  was 
found.  Five  men — probably  without  the  knowledge 
of  others,  and  possibly  with  a  vague  idea  that  the  gun 
mijjht  be  useful  in  some  rising  of  the  Mexicans — had 
dragged  it  away  in  the  surf  by  the  aid  of  a  yoke  of 
oxen,  anci  buried  it  in  the  sand  of  the  beach.  It  is 
not  of  record  that  the  nmnicipal  fund  was  ever  devoted 
to  public  uses,  the  tradition  being  that  it  disappeared 
in  an  eftbrt  to  double  it  at  monte;  but  the  affair  gave 
names  to  two  streets  of  the  town  still  called  Canon 
Perdido  and  Quinientos  Pesos." 

"  April  12th,  Mason,  by  Sherman,  to  Jos6  tic  la  Guerra;  April  20th,  Guer- 
la's  reply;  Apr.  27th,  Mason's  reply;  May  19th,  G.'s  reply;  threats  of  pen- 
alty, protests,  explanation  of  details,  etc.  Guerra,  Doc.,  MS.,  i.  8.3-94;  l)oi\ 
JIUI.  Gal,  MS.,  iv.  1184-6.  May  Slat,  July  21st,  Mason's  order  for  a  mili- 
tary contribution,  and  later  explanation.  Addressed  to  Stevenson.  Gal.  and 
X.  il/ear.,  etc.,  572,  615.  July  11th,  Stevenson  to  Mason.  Has  collected  $.'18."); 
tliinks  tlic  liarbare&os  not  guilty.  Two  Americans  were  exempt  for  past 
services.  Uiib.  Doc,  MS.,  151-6.  It  appears  that  at  first  the  tax  was  $2  iior 
iicad,  but  later  changed  to  a  percentage  on  property.  JostS  Ant.  Aguirrc  «'i» 
not  allowed  to  leave  the  port  on  the  Gitipnzcoaiui  till  he  had  paid  his  quota  of 
S45.  Guerra,  Doc,  MS.,  vii.  202-4.  Corresp.  of  July- Aug.  on  resignation  of 
the  alcaldes  Pedro  C.  CaiTillo  and  E.  Ardisson.  Both  refused  to  pay  the 
tax,  and  some  of  their  property  was  seized.  Uiib.  Doc,  MS.,  195-6;  Jlisccl. 
U'lKf.  Pap.,  MS.,  9;  Uul.  and  X.  Mex.,  etc.,  589.  Aug.  7th,  Mason's  order  to 
Lippitt  to  turn  over  the  §500  as  a  municipal  fund.  /(/.,  591.  JostS  E.  Garcia, 
Epkodios,  MS.,  1-7,  was  one  of  the  5  who  buried  the  cannon,  and  he  gives  a 


1 


'/88 


THR  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


Last  in  the  series  of  alarming  circumstances,  and 
last  development  in  Mexican  rule  over  California,  was 
the  return  of  Pio  Pico,  with  claim  to  he  recognized 
ii .  governor.  His  pretensions  were  characterized  by 
Mason  as  absurd,  and  so  they  were  so  far  as  any 
chance  of  success  was  concerned ;  yet  they  were  plausi- 
ble enough  from  certain  points  of  view.  The  armis- 
tice of  February  29th  suspended  all  hostilities  pend- 
ing the  ratification  of  a  treaty,  and  left  Mexican  civil 
otticials  free  to  exercise  their  functions.  Pico,  being 
in  Sonora,  understood  this  to  restore  him  temporarily 
to  authority,  and  he  applied  to  the  naval  officer  in 
command  for  permission  to  return  in  his  official  capac- 
ity, which  was  denied,  with  the  assurance  that  there 
was  no  objection  to  his  coming  as  a  private  citizen. '- 
Don  Pio  crossed  to  the  peninsula  in  May,  and  arrived 
at  San  Diego  on  the  Gth  of  July,  reaching  Santa  Mar- 
garita three  or  four  days  later,  and  going  to  Work- 
man's La  Puente  rancho  on  the  15th,  and  to  San 
Gabriel  on  the  17th.  Meanwhile  Colonel  Stevenson 
became  alarmed  at  Pico's  return  without  a  passport, 
at  his  failure  to  report  to  the  military  commandant  at 
San  Diego,  and  especially  at  current  rumors  of  his 
having  said  he  came  with  full  powers  as  governor; 
and  issued  an  order  requiring  him  to  present  himself 
at  once  on  penalty  of  being  treated  as  a  spy.  Two 
detachments  of  troops  sent  to  bring  in  Don  Pio  did 
not  find  him ;  but  having  heard  of  the  order  and  sent 
Hugo  Reid  to  explain  matters,  he  came  in  voluntarily, 
with  the  assurance  that  he  had  no  hostile  intentions, 

full  account  of  the  affair.  His  companions  were  Jos6  Ant.  de  la  Guerra, 
,Ios6  Lufro,  Jo86  Dolores  Garcia,  and  Pacifico  Cota.  Streeter,  in  liis  RecoUec- 
lions,  MS.,  83-9,  gives  many  details;  as  also  does  Stephen  C.  Foster,  Lou 
AnqclM  ill  1S47-9,  MS.,  31-4. 

'■•May  10th,  Com.  Rudd  to  Pico,  on  the  Dale  at  Guaymas,  iu  reply  to 
request  of  April  '2'2d.  Hegrets  his  inability  to  carry  P.  across  to  Mulcgt^ 
Original  in  Pico  (Pio)  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  181.  That  other  Mex.  officers  took  tlio 
same  view  as  Pico  is  shown  by  an  order  of  April  22A,  from  Gen.  Anaya  at 
Muzatlan  to  the  '  Mexican  comandunte  general  of  Cal.,'  to  proceed  luider  art. 
I  uf  the  armistice  to  elect  authorities  to  rulo  Cal.  as  part  of  the  Mex.  repub- 
lic. Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  392-3.  Also  by  a  letter  of  Gov.  Partis  of  N.  Leon, 
announcing  on  April  4tli  his  own  restoration,  and  sent  to  Pico  as  gov.  of  Cal. 
Pico,  Doc.,  MS.,  ii.  177. 


PIO  PICOS  KETUllN. 


:m 


and  was  permitted  to  go  on  to  San  Fernando.'^  Here 
he  siunmoned  Covarrubias,  his  fbrnier  secretary,  and 
on  the  22d  addressed  official  letters  to  b<3th  Steven- 
son and  Mason  to  inform  them  that  he  came  in  con- 
sequence of  the  armistice  as  Mexican  governor  of 
California  "to  estaWish  in  the  towns  of  tiiis  territory 
the  benefits  of  said  armistice,"  and  to  ask  for  the  issu- 
ing of  the  corresponding  orders  to  give  his  mission 
due  effect!"  The  colonel  after  receiving  another  let- 
ter  of  inquiry  replied  that  although  Pico's  position 
was  not  tenable,  that  matter  would  be  left  for  the 
decision  of  Mason,  but  meanwhile  he  must  take  no 
steps  and  abstain  from  conversation  tending  to  foment 
discontent  on  penalty  of  imprisonment.     Don  Pio  in 

'*  July  17th,  Stevenson's  order  to  Pico.  Original  in  Piro,  Doc. ,  MS.,  ii.  183. 
July  20tli,  Stevenson's  report  to  Mason.  (Jul.  and  X.  Mix.,  J/cni.  ami  Doc, 
I80O,  p.  599.  July  '21st,  Mason  to  Stevenson,  in  reply  to  a  letter  not  exUvnt, 
on  Pico's  arrival.  P.  must  he  required  to  give  a  written  parole,  treated  with 
the  respect  due  his  rank,  but  watched  carefully.  Id.,  57-.  Pico  givesackar 
account  of  the  whole  matter  in  Iiia  //(V.  Cal.,  MS.,  174  8.  Stevenson  rep- 
resents Pico  as  denying  'ever  having  said  that  he  came  Imck  with  powers  to 
resume  his  gubernatorial  powers,'  but  Pico  says  lie  simply  disavowed  any 
hostile  intentions,  and  was  allowed  to  go  to  S.  B^ernando  ami  open  an  '  otticial 
correspondence. ' 

'*JuIy  *22d,  Pico  to  Stevenson  and  to  Mason,  blotter  originals  in  Pico, 
Dor.,  MS.,  ii.  185-3.  Tiie  following  English  translation  of  tlie  letter  to 
Mason  is  in  Cal.  and  2^'.  Mex.,  etc.,  602:  'Most  Excellent  Sir:  As  Mexican 
(iovcrnor  of  California,  I  have  come  to  this  country  with  the  object  that  the 
armistice  agreed  upon  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  on  the  29th  of  last  February, 
by  the  generals  in  chief  of  the  forces  of  the  United  Mexican  States  and 
those  of  the  United  States  of  the  North,  he  observed  herein.  In  making 
this  declaration  to  your  excellency,  the  just  jirinciple  on  which  it  is  foumled 
tills  mo  with  confidence;  and  from  the  favorable  information  which  I  possess 
respecting  the  qualifications  which  adorn  your  excellency,  I  trust  that  my 
mission  to  California  will  produce  its  due  etFect. 

'For  whicii  reason,  anil  in  due  observance  of  the  before-mentioned  armis- 
tice, I  have  the  honor  to  address  myself  to  your  excellency,  requesting  that 
you  will  be  pleased  to  expedite  your  ordiv  to  the  end  that,  in  the  places 
in  California  occupied  by  the  forces  of  the  I'l  ited  States  of  America,  no  im- 
pediment bo  placed  in  my  way  toward  thi  establishment  of  constitutional 
order  in  a  political,  administrative,  ai :'  iudicial  manne>. 

'It  is  my  desire  that  the  Mexicans  and  Americans  look  upon  and  consider 
themselves  with  the  most  sincere  fraternity;  and  in  accordance  with  this 
principle,  I  feel  disposed  to  co-operate  with  your  excellency  in  surmounting; 
any  difficulties  which  may  arise  in  the  business  wiiich  occupies  us. 

' This  opportunity  offers  me  means  of  protesting  to  your  excellency  the 
assurances  of  my  distinguished  consideration  and  high  rcsixx-t.  (iotl  and 
Lilierty!  San  Fernando,  July  22,  1848.  Pio  Pico.  His  Excellency  K. 
B.  Mason,  CJovernor  and  Commander-in-chief  of  the  forces  of  tiie  United 
States  in  Calif  -  ,  Monterey.'  July  '25th,  Pico  to  Stevenson;  July '2NtIi, 
Stevenson's  rep.^ ,  July  '29th,  i'.s  reply;  July  HOth,  S.'s  replv.  Pico,  iJoc, 
MS.,  ii.  193,  197-8,  '201-0". 


590 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


reply  came  to  the  city,  complained  in  writing  of  the 
threat  as  uncalled  for,  since  he  would  he  the  last  to 
encourage  disturbances  in  his  countr}-,  and  was  per- 
mitted to  go  to  his  rancho  of  Santa  Margarita  to 
await  Mason's  response/^  Grovernor  Masjon,  who  on 
July  2Gth  ha<'  sent  a  warning  in  relation  to  Pico's 
possible  action  in  antedating  records  of  land  grants, 
received  his  letter  on  the  3d  of  August,  and  his  an- 
swer was  an  order  to  Stevenson  to  arrest  Don  Pio, 
confine  him  at  Los  Angeles,  prevent  his  conferring 
with  any  of  his  countrymen,  and  send  him  north  by 
sea  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  There  is  no  definite 
record  of  the  date  or  duration  of  his  confinement,  but 
Pico  and  others  agree  that  he  was  kept  under  arrest 
for  a  week  or  more  at  Stevenson's  quarters.  Mason's 
order  for  his  release,  on  receipt  of  news  that  a  treaty 
had  been  signed,  was  dated  August  8th,  and  was  ac- 
companied by  some  bluster  in  very  questionable  taste 
about  the  ex-governor's  pretensions.'" 

The  treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo,  concluded  on 
February  2d,  ratified  at  Washington  March  10th  and 
at  Qucretaro  May  OOtli,  put  an  end  to  the  war,  aiul 
gave  California  permanently  and  formally  to  the 
United  States."     The  news  reached  California  on  the 


'•'Aug.  5th,  Stovcnsoii'8  xiass  to  Pico.  Pico,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  211-1.'?.  Tliis 
niul  the  prccoiling  7  <locuinciita  of  the  corres|)oiuleuce  were  printed  in  Span- 
isli  in  the  Loi*  Aiiijelt\i  Cal.  Meridional,  July  18,  1S5.">.  See  Coronet,  JJoc, 
174. 

'".Tuly  '2(ith,  Mason  to  Stevenson  on  land  titles.  By  prompt  and  discreet 
action  it  was  hoped  to  get  on  the  right  side  of  Don  Pio  before  the  holders  of 
fraiuliilont  grants  couKl  re.ich  him.  Cal.  and  X.  Mex.,  etc.,  0G8-J).  Aug. 
;kl.  Mason's  order  of  arrest.  Id.,  C.31-'2.  Aug.  8th,  countermand.  'Hatl  iu 
not  iiecn  for  this,  you  ni.ay  inform  Pico,  ho  would  have  been  sent  to  Oregon 
or  some  otlior  foreign  country.  The  manner  in  whicli  ho  entered  California 
might  have  subjecteil  him  to  tho  treatment  of  a  spy;  and  his  subsequent  con- 
duct, after  his  conversation  with  you,  togetlier  with  his  absurd  pretensions 
to  tlui  governiucnt  of  tiio  country,  inadehini  merit  harsher  treatment  than 
he  now  receives.  You  will  please  inform  him  that  Upper  California  is  now 
American  territory,  and  that  he  is  at  liberty  to  leave  it  or  not,  aa  Iwi  ])lea8es; 
but  so  long  as  lie  continues  in  Upper  California  ho  must  be  cautious  how  he 
acts  toward  our  authorities,  civil  or  military.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your 
obedient  servant,  W.  T.  Sherman.'  /(/.,  035.  Aug.  "J.'M,  Mason's  report  to 
govt.  /(/.,  liOl.  Pico,  IliM.  Cal,,  MS.,  174-8,  says  he  refused  to  accompany 
the  oQicer  sent  to  arrest  him,  and  was  left  to  present  himself  voluntarily 
the  next  day.     He  was  treated  willi  courtesy  ami  allowed  many  I'avois. 

"  See  y//.^^  Me.v.,  v.,  this  series,  for  .'idl  ac>.'ount  of  tlic  negotiations  and 


TREATY  OF  GUADALUPK  HIDALGO. 


591 


Gtli  of  Augutst,  and  w&a  announced  next  day  in  a 
proclamation  by  Governor  Mason.  Making  known  the 
cession  of  Upper  California,  the  boundai'y,  and  the 
choice  of  citizenship  offered,  the  governor  continues: 
In  the  mean  time  the  Mexicans  "  will  be  j)rotocted  in 
the  free  enjoyment  of  their  liberty  and  property,  and 
secured  in  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion.  They, 
however,  are  reminded  that,  as  war  no  longer  exists, 
and  as  Upper  California  now  belongs  to  the  United 
States,  they  owe  a  strict  obedience  to  the  American 
authorities,  and  any  attempt  on  their  part  to  disturb 
the  peace  and  tranquillity  of  the  country  will  subject 
them  to  the  severest  penalties.  From  this  new  order 
of  thinijs  there  will  result  to  California  a  new  destinv. 
T/istead  of  revolutions  and  insurrections,  there  will  be 
i.i ■  rnal  tranquillity;  instead  of  a  fickle  and  vacillating 
]•  ..oy,  there  will  be  a  firm  and  stable  government, 
administering  justice  with  impartiality,  and  punishing 
crime  with  the  strong  arm  of  )X)wer.  The  arts  and 
sciences  will  flourish,  and  the  labor  of  the  agricultur- 
ist, guided  by  the  lamp  of  learning,  will  stinmlate 
the  earth  to  the  most  bountiful  production.  Com- 
merce, freed  from  the  absurd  restrictions  formerly  im- 
})osed,  will  be  greatly  extended;  the  choked-up  chan- 
nels of  trade  will  be  opened,  and  the  poisoned  fountains 
of  domestic  faction  forever  dried  up.  Americans  and 
Californians  will  now  be  one  and  the  same  people, 
subject  to  tlio  same  laws,  and  enjoying  the  same 
rights  avui  j^r-vileges;  they  should  therefore  become  a 

resultiij^  "rtwiv,  M^o  Tratado  de  Puz,  Mcx.  1848,  8vo,  ">.")  ]>.,  in  Eujjl.  ami 
Simnish.  Th*  tiTiitoiy  con-espoiuliug  to  Texas,  X.  Mex.,  Arizona,  ami  Cal. 
w as  cedcil  i^  th.  V.  S.  Tur  §ir),<;U),(HX>,  ami  tl>c  amount  of  all  ilociikHl  ami 
(tomlinj,'  olainia  a...  •.  i.  Mexico.  The  loumlaiy  ^v.•ls  the  miiliUf  of  tiic  (iila 
ami  a  straight  line  from  the  Colorail--  jiua'tiou  to  tht  racilic.  at  a  jwint  om> 
lea,:,nie  holow  the  southernmost  point  of  the  port  of  S.  i)iego.  Free  navigation 
of  ihe  Gila  ami  of  tlio  Colorado  ami  gulf  below  the  junction  was  assureil. 
Mexican  resiilenta  of  the  coiled  territory  were  free  to  remain  or  depart  as  citi- 
zens of  Mexico  or  the  U.  8.,  but  must  choose  within  a  year,  a  failure  to  do  so 
being  eiiuivalent  to  a  decision  to  become  citizens  of  tho  U.  S.  All  i)roperty 
rights  were  to  be  inviolably  respected,  including  those  of  the  cluirch  and  of  all 
ecclesiastical  or  religious  corporations  or  conununities.  Mexican  grants  of 
land  wev  lo  bo  recognized;  and  legitimate  titles  in  Cal.  were  to  l)o  such  as 
were  lo    •   "ite  under  Mex.  law  before  May  IH,  1840. 


?1 


ll 


ilil 


I    :i 


no-j 


THE  HULL  OF  (JOVERNOll  MASON. 


band  of  brothers,  cinulivtiiio-  each  other  in  the>r  exer- 
tions to  tlovelu[)  the  wealth  and  resources,  and  to 
secure  the  peace,  happiness,  and  i)ern)anent  prosperity, 
of  their  conniion  countrv."^^ 

%■' 

Reporting  his  action  to  tlie  government  on  August 
10th,  ^lason  was  hiter  occupied  with  the  cUsbandnient 
of  the  volunteers,  with  consequent  fears  of  Indian 
hostilities,  with  details  of  an  anomalous  system  of 
government,  and  with  various  routine  matters,  be- 
sides affairs  connected  with  the  gold  excitement.  He 
says:  "I  do  not  anticipate  any  rebellion  or  revolution 
on  the  part  of  the  Californians,  altlKUigh  the  southern 
district  must  be  en^^irely  abandoned  l)y  the  militaiy 
force  now  there;  ai;^  '•  ^'"^ct,  the  minds  of  all  men  are 
so  intently  engaged  i  getting  gold,  that   for  the 

present  they  have  not  u.  e  to  think  of  mischief;"  yet 
ho  did  not  cease  to  urge  upon  the  governujent  the 
necessity  of  providing  additional  means  of  security/'^ 

Congressional  action  on  the  territory  acquired  from 
Mexico  is  a  subject  that  can  neither  be  ilisregarded 
nor  satisfactoiily  treated  in  connection  with  Califor- 
nian  annals  of  184(5-8.  Not  only  does  its  treatment 
involve  much  repetition  in  the  history  of  New  j\Iex- 
ico,  Texas,  and  of  the  Mexican  war  as  presented  in 

'"Aug.  "til,  Mason's  proclamation  of  peace.  (\il.  and  X.  Mcx.,  il/cw.  ami 
Doc,  lS,'/0,  \\  ")!H)-I.  Original  print  in  English  anil  Si)iinisli.  Pico  (Pio), 
Doc,  MS.,  ii.  '2ir<. 

'*  Aug.  lt)tii,  Mason  to  govt.  The  letter  announcing  the  treaty  was  tlateil 
Querelart)  May  liOth,  ami  was  sent  up  from  La  I'az  overlan<l  l>y  Col  JJurton. 
Ciil.  (tiiil  X.  Mcx.,  etc.,r)97.  June  'J3il,  Ikiclianan  to  Larkin,  with  the  news. 
Liivkhi'/>  hoc,  .MS.,  vi.  1,14.  Aug.  'J.'Jti.  Mason  to  govt.  .Vmmunition  sent 
to  Oregon  for  Iiul.  war;  also  furnished  to  (.'al.  raucheros  for  protection,  Pico's 
return,  fortilieaticjns  urgently  needed  at  .S.  1''.,  no  laborers  can  bo  hired  for 
less  than  ^U»  or  $l'0  per  day.  Cal.  mid  X.  Mcx.,  etc.,  GOl.  Aug.  '2oth,  LI.  to 
Id.  Paying  oil"  of  troops,  continued  desertions,  crews  of  merchant  vessels 
mutinous,  but  no  power  to  arrest  them,  no  ecpiipments.  Id.,  (iO."{.  Aug.  'JStii, 
desertions,  troops  must  be  bettor  paid  or  it  is  of  no  use  to  send  them;  tho.se 
faithful  now  deserve  Howard.  '  Should  any  rebellion  take  place,  no  future 
promise  of  pay,  however  gi'eat,  would  call  UK)  men  from  tiie  mines.'  Not  an 
ounce  of  ammunition  can  be  bought.  Id.,  IW,\.  Nov.  iMth,  ALison  wishes  to 
be  relieved,  '  the  war  being  over,  and  the  soldiers  nearly  all  deserted.'  Many 
people  of  L.  Cal.  have  been  brought  here,  orders  given  to  feed  and  (juarter 
them  for  two  months.  /(/. ,  (US  U.  Dec.  iITth,  compliments  to  ollicers  for  past 
services.  Reports  of  several  horrible  nnirders  and  robberies,  including  that  ol 
Reed  and  family  at  S.  Miguel.  A/.,  04!)-r)3. 


CALIFORNIA  IN  CONGRESS. 


593 


icr  t'Xor- 
,  and  to 
ospeiity, 

I  August 
andniont 
f  Indian 
>stein  of 
:ters,  bc- 
mt.  Ho 
L'volution 
><outlieru 
military 
I  men  are 
t  for  the 
lief;"  yet 
luent  the 
security. ^^ 

I  red  from 
l>  regarded 
Califor- 
reatmcnt 
lew  Mcx- 
lented  in 

.,  J/c,i,'i.  ami 
Pico  (Pio), 

Ity  wns  (latoil 

iCol  IJurton. 

[til  the  HOWS. 

iunitioi\  sent 

tction,  Pico's 

|bo  hired  for 
'loth,  M.  to 

lliant  vessels 
Aug.  '2Sth, 
them;  those 
[e,  no  future 

lea.'  Not  an 
m  wislies  to 
toil.'  Many 
land  (juarter 
leers  (ov  jiast 
liding  that  oi 


other  volumes  of  this  series,  but  it  belongs  inseparably 
to  the  grandest  and  most  complicated  topics  of  United 
States  histor^^  national  development,  territorial  ex- 
tension, the  struggle  between  slavery  and  freedom, 
nullification,  abolition,  secession,  and  all  the  successive 
steps  that  led  to  the  greatest  war  of  modern  times. 
How  futile  the  attempt  to  present  en  rdsume  even  an 
outline  view  of  thesj  matters;  yet  a  resume,  and  that 
of  the  briefest,  is  obviouslv  all  that  can  be  offered 
here. 

Texas  in  1844-5  was  regarded  in  the  United  States 
as  including  a  strip  of  territory  extending  from  the  gulf 
to  latitude  42°,  along  the  Louisianaboundary  of  1819, 
and  westward  rather  indefinitely  into  ISIexican  posses- 
sions. The  people  at  tl  li"  time  strongly  favored  its  an- 
nexation, because  of  a  general  desire  for  enlarging  the 
republic  in  accordance  with  manifest  destiny, of  a  theory 
that  the  country  had  been  needlessly  yielded  to  Spain  in 
1819,  and  of  popular  sympatliy  for  the  supposed  wrougs 
of  Texan  settlers.  With  additional  strength  as  a  pop- 
ular measure  in  support  of  certain  presidential  aspira- 
tions, and  as  a  field  for  profitable  land  speculations,  a 
treaty  of  annexation  was  signed  in  1844;  yet  it  was 
rejected  in  the  senate  by  a  vote  of  two  to  one.  This 
result  was  due  to  the  fact  that  by  the  treaty  the 
United  States  would  have  assumed  the  existing  war 
with  Mexico,  that  by  its  terms  Texan  boundaries  were 
arbitrarily  extended  to  the  Rio  Grande,  and  that 
annexation  by  treaty  was  not  deemed  the  best  method 
of  procedure.  To  the  majority  the  idea  of  an  aggres- 
sive war  on  Mexico  was  not  a  pleasing  one;  a  minority 
favored  the  measure  at  any  cost,  either  desiring  war 
or  believing  it  might  be  avoided. 

Early  in  1845  the  project  was  presented  in  a  modi- 
fied and  more  acceptable  form,  that  of  a  joint  resolu- 
tion to  admit  territory  "rightfully  belonging"  ti) 
Texas,  under  a  constitution  to  be  submitted  to  con- 
gress, and  with  the  condition  that  four  new  states 
might  be  formed  under  the  provisions  of  the  Missouri 


Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    38 


l-i 


694 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


compromise,  prohibiting  slavery  north  of  latitude  36° 
30'.  This  passed  the  house  by  a  vote  of  120  to  97. 
In  the  senate  it  could  be  passed  only  by  the  addi- 
tion of  a  peculiar  amendment  or  alternative  substitute 
j)roviding  for  preliminary  negotiations  at  the  presi- 
dent's discretion,  and  then  by  a  vote  of  27  to  25,  with 
the  understanding  that  negotiations  with  Mexico 
should  be  opened  by  Polk,  the  president-elect,  before 
submitting  the  resolution  of  congress  to  Texas.  But 
President  Tyler  in  the  last  days  of  his  term,  having 
approved  the  bill,  at  once  despatched  it  to  Texas  by  a 
special  envoy.  Thus  the  measure  was  carried  in 
March  by  a  trick.  If  President  Polk  was  to  any  ex- 
tent a  victim,  he  proved  a  very  willing  one,  since  he 
made  no  effort  to  recall  the  envoy,  and  the  adminis- 
tration became  fully  committed  to  the  measure,  which 
was  accepted  by  Texas  in  July.  Accordingly,  in 
December  the  state  was  admitted  by  the  new  congress 
))y  a  vote  of  141  to  56  in  the  house,  and  31  to  14  in 
the  senate.  There  was  a  strong  opposition  from  the 
north  to  the  extension  of  slavery,  but  many  who  op- 
posed annexation  on  account  of  Mexican  complications 
deemed  themselves  bound  by  the  action  of  the  last 
congress. 

Mexico  had  repeatedly  announced  that  the  annexa- 
tion of  Texas  would  be  taken  as  a  declaration  of  war, 
and  as  such  it  was  intended  by  the  administration ; 
but  for  fear  that  IVIexican  threats  might  not  be  car- 
ried out,  the  declaration  was  renewed  by  the  advance 
of  United  States  forces  to  the  Rio  Grande.  Hostili- 
ties began  in  April  1846,  and  in  May  the  president 
called  upon  congress  for  means  to  prosecute  the  war 
and  repel  invasion.  The  war  bill  was  passed  by  both 
] louses  almost  unanimously,  and  signed  by  President 
Polk  on  May  13th.  There  were  protests  against  the 
jneamble,  which  falsely  declared  the  war  to  exist  by 
act  of  Mexico,  but  the  actual  beginning  of  hostilities 
created  a  military  spirit  which  few  cared  to  resist, 
especially  as  there  were  some  real  grounds  of  com- 


THE  'THREE  MILLION  BILL.' 


595 


plaint  against  Mexico.  And  as  yet  the  war  had  no 
other  avowed  purpose  than  that  of  repelhng  inva- 
sion, obtaining  indemnity  for  past  grievances,  and 
effecting  a  settlement  of  Texan  boundaries. 

Not  only  were  immediate  steps  taken  to  enlist  vol- 
unteers for  active  service  and  to  occupy  frontier  prov- 
inces of  Mexico,  but  the  purpose  of  the  war  party  to 
permanently  hold  California  and  New  Mexico  bei^an 
to  be  revealed,  notably  by  proceedings  in  connection 
with  organizing  the  New  York  volunteers  and  Mor- 
mon battalion.  In  August,  at  the  end  of  the  session, 
the  president  called  upon  congress  for  funds  to  be 
used  in  making  peace,  tliat  is,  as  an  advance  payment 
to  Mexico  for  concessions  in  fixing  boundaries.  A 
bill  to  grant  $2,000,000  for  'extraordinary  expenses' 
n<^t  specified,  caused  a  warm  discussion  and  strong 
opposition.  Whigs  denounced  the  war  and  the  pro- 
posed acquisition  of  territory,  which  were  defended  by 
democrats.  At  last  a  substitute  bill,  giving  $30,000 
for  negotiations,  and  $2,000,000  for  expenditure  if 
needed  on  ratification  of  a  treaty,  with  the  'Wil- 
mot  proviso,'  prohibiting  slavery  in  any  territory  that 
might  bo  acquired,  was  passed  in  tlie  house  by  a  vote 
of  87  to  64.  In  the  senate  the  rejection  of  the  Wil- 
mot  proviso  probably,  and  certainly  any  action  on  the 
bill,  was  prevented  by  a  Massachusetts  senator  who 
ypoko  'against  time'  until  final  adjournment. 

Before  the  matter  came  up  again  at  the  second 
session  of  the  twenty-ninth  congress  several  victories 
had  been  won  on  the  field  of  battle,  California  and 
New  Mexico  had  been  occupied,  and  the  intention  to 
wage  a  war  of  conquest,  and  force  Mexico  to  pay  its 
cost,  had  become  more  clearly  apparent.  In  his 
December  message  the  president  alluded  to  the  es- 
tal)lishment  of  a  civil  government  in  the  provinces 
named.  In  the  benate  a  resolution  to  refer  this  part 
of  the  messasre  to  the  committee  on  territories  was 
ilefeated  on  the  ground  that  it  would  be  absurd  to 
take  any  action  respecting  territory  not  yet  belonging 


-.1  P.fi(, 


m 


ill 


I 


II  ■ 

li:  I 
I'lli 


I  ,1   ! 


11        I 


THE  KULK  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 

to  the  United  States.  In  the  house,  however,  such 
a  resohition  was  adopted,  as  was  another  ealHiij,'  c»n 
the  president  for  information  on  the  civil  goveruuieiit, 
with  copies  of  all  instructions  on  the  subject  to 
Kearny,  Stockton,  and  others.  Discussion  took  a 
wide  range,  and  gave  congressmen  an  opportunity  to 
repeat  their  opinions  on  the  war  and  its  probable  re- 
sults, as  well  as  on  the  rights  of  the  government 
under  international  law  in  conquered  provinces. 

But  the  chief  topic  of  debate  at  this  session  was 
the  'three  million  bill,'  of  like  purport,  save  in  amount, 
to  that  defeated  before.  The  whole  subject  of  the 
Mexican  war  was  now  much  more  fully  considered 
than  ever  before,  and  on  the  main  issues  at  least  there 
was  no  longer  any  concealment.  Whigs,  with  few 
exceptions,  denounced  the  war  as  unjust  and  aggres- 
sive from  the  first,  and  still  more  earnestly  in  its 
newer  aspects  as  a  war  of  conquest.  They  favored  a 
treaty  adjusting  Texan  boundaries  and  providing  {'or 
a  payment  of  the  old  claims.  They  opposed  the  dis- 
memberment of  Mexico,  the  enforced  collection  of 
indemnity  for  expenses  of  the  war,  and  the  use  of 
money  to  purchase  a  peace.  Some  of  them  declared 
their  belief  that  the  three  millions  were  to  be  used  as 
a  bribe  for  Mexican  officials,  and  pointed  to  the  re- 
turn of  Santa  Anna  under  a  United  States  passport. 
They  opposed  the  acquisition  of  California  and  New 
Mexico,  because  the  republic  was  large  enough,  W- 
cause  the  population  of  those  provinces  was  undesir- 
able, because  of  the  irregular  methods  proposed,  and 
especially  because  of  difficulties  in  connection  with 
the  slavery  question.  Southern  whigs  were  particu- 
larly anxious  and  earnest  in  urging  this  phase  of  the 
matter,  declaring  that  the  acquisition  of  new  territory 
would  result  in  endless  controversy  and  perhaps  in 
breaking  up  the  union.  Webster  and  other  conser- 
vatives in  the  north  held  the  same  view.  Democrats, 
on  the  other  hand,  justified  the  war  as  provoked  by 
Mexico,  freely  admitting  the  intention  to  force  the 


THE  WILMOT  PROVISO. 


697 


enemy  to  pay  its  cost,  advocating  the  acquisition  of 
(^alitbrnia  and  New  Mexico  as  botli  justifiable  and 
desirable,  and  defending  the  purchase  of  a  peace. 
Most  urged  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  for  the 
purposes  indicated,  though  Calhoun  with  a  small  fol- 
lowing favored  a  defensive  policy,  a  mere  holding  of 
tiie  occupied  provinces  till  Mexico  should  yield.  The 
danger  to  be  feared  from  the  slavery  agitation  was 
represented  as  purely  imaginary,  though  some  speak- 
ers admitted  that  disunion  would  result  from  north- 
ern attempts  to  interfere  with  southern  rights  in 
newly  acquired  territory — attempts  which  as  they 
trusted  would  never  be  made.  Opponents  of  the  bill 
were  plausibly  denounced  as  willing  to  prolong  the 
war  by  insisting  on  irrelevant  issues. 

Slavery  in  new  territory  was,  of  course,  the  real 
])oint  of  contention.  Abolitionists  in  the  north  were 
now  openly,  and  disunionists  in  the  south  secretly, 
in  favor  of  forcing  the  issue.  Conservatives  in  both 
sections  wished  to  avoid  it.  The  Wilmot  proviso  or 
its  equivalent  introduced  in  both  houses  at  this  session 
was  made  the  text  of  the  controversy.  Southerners 
opposed  it,  claiming  that  congress  had  no  right  to  pro- 
liibit  slavery  in  the  territories,  and  generally  express- 
ing acquiescence  in  the  Missouri  compromise.  North- 
erners, including  many  anti-slavery  men,  opposed  it  as 
premature,  since  it  was  absurd  for  congress  to  legis- 
late on  territories  not  yet  belonging  to  the  United 
States;  as  needless,  since  slavery  was  already  prohib- 
ited by  Mexican  law  in  California  and  New  Mexico, 
where  it  could,  moreover,  never  exist  for  natural  rea- 
sons; and  as  tending  both  to  prolong  the  war  and 
to  excite  sectional  controversy.  Its  advocates  in- 
eluded  abolitionists,  men  opposed  to  the  extension  of 
slavery,  those  doubting  the  possibility  of  extending 
free  soil,  and  a  few  conservatives  who  rcgnrded  the 
jiroviso  as  the  best  means  of  defeating  the  bill. 
Doubtless  there  was  a  southern  radical  element  se- 
cretly approving  the  proviso  as  a  means  of  agitation. 


508 


THK  RULli  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


I  i' 


In  the  house  the  three-million  bill  was  passed  in  Foh- 
riiar}'^  1847,  with  the  Wilmot  proviso,  by  a  vote  of 
115  to  105,  but  this  house  bill  went  no  farther.  In 
the  senate  the  proviso  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  31 
to  21,  and  the  bill  was  passed  on  March  1st  by  29 
to  24.  It  passed  the  house  two  days  later  by  115  to 
81,  the  proviso  as  an  amendment  being  defeated  by 
102  to  97. 

Though  funds  were  thus  placed  at  the  president's 
disposal,  there  was  much  hard  fighting  to  be  done 
before  Mexico  could  be  forced  to  yield.  Santa  Anna, 
whether  or  not  he  had  made  and  broken  any  agree- 
ment respecting  a  treaty,  served  a  useful  purpose  to 
the  United  States,  exhausting  Mexican  resources  by 
a  compact  resistance.  At  last,  in  March  1848,  the 
treaty  of  peace,  ceding  California  and  New  Mexico 
for  $15,000,000,  was  referred  to  the  senate  and  rati- 
fied by  the  requisite  two-thirds  vote.  In  July  it  was 
communicated  to  the  senate  as  having  been  finally 
ratified  by  Mexico  in  May.  Meanwhile,  at  the  first 
session  of  the  30th  congress  discussions  on  the  presi- 
dent's message,  on  the  Oregon  question,  and  on  vari- 
ous resolutions  for  and  against  the  right  of  congress 
to  legislate  on  slavery  in  the  territories  had  afforded 
opportunity  for  keeping  the  old  questions  alive,  with- 
out leading  to  any  practical  result,  or  even  to  the  evo- 
lution of  any  new  theories.  In  his  message  of  July 
Gth  the  president  announced  that  California  and  New 
Mexico  now  belonged  to  the  United  States,  that  the 
temporary  military  government  in  those  provinces 
had  ceased  to  exist,  and  that  a  territorial  civil  gov- 
ernment was  an  urgent  necessity,  at  the  same  time 
recommending  a  spirit  of  mutual  concession  in  estab- 
lishing the  new  order  of  things.  On  July  22d,  in 
compliance  with  resolutions  of  congress,  adopted  not 
without  debate,  he  communicated  additional  informa- 
tion on  boundaries  and  on  the  past  military  rule. 

So  fully  had  earlier  debate  made  known  the  views 
of  congress  on  the  questions   at   issue,  that  it  was 


COMPROMISE  DEFEATED. 


rm 


deemed  useless  to  attempt  the  passage  of  any  terri- 
torial bill  either  prohibiting  or  permitting  slavery. 
Neither  the  north  nor  south  would  yield,  and  each 
party  of  course  held  the  other  responsible  for  the  fail- 
ure to  provide  a  government  for  California.  In  the 
senate  a  select  committee  reported  on  July  19th  a  bill 
to  make  territories  of  Oregon,  California,  and  New 
Mexico,  with  the  compromise  feature  of  leaving  the 
matter  of  slavery  to  be  settled  by  the  courts,  facilities 
being  provided  for  easy  and  prompt  appeal  to  the 
United  States  supreme  court.  In  the  discussion  it 
was  advocated  by  southern  whigs  and  by  democrats 
generally ;  but  its  opponents  declared  it  to  be  an  eva- 
sion rather  than  a  compromise,  that  it  was  a  southern 
measure,  that  the  supreme  court  as  constituted  would 
support  slavery,  that  congress  should  not  relinquish 
control  over  the  matter,  and  that  the  bill  in  its  details 
was  faulty.  It  was  passed  on  July  26th,  after  a  con- 
tinuous session  of  twenty-one  hours,  by  a  vote  of  33  to 
22;  but  in  the  house,  after  brief  discussion,  it  was  laid 
on  the  table  by  a  vote  of  112  to  97.  Congress  ad- 
journed in  August,  and  California  had  no  government. 
But  the  Oregon  bill,  excluding  slavery,  was  finally 
passed  by  both  houses,  though  the  senate  favored 
making  the  Missouri  compromise  the  basis  of  its  ac- 
tion, and  the  president  announced  that  he  would  not 
have  approved  the  bill  but  for  the  fact  that  Oregon 
was  north  of  latitude  3G°  30'. 

Before  congress  met  again  in  December  1848,  the 
gold  excitement  had  added  a  new  element  of  interest 
and  importance  to  the  pending  controversy.  Agaiii 
the  president  urged  the  necessity  of  a  government. 
In  the  discussions  of  this  session  more  attention  was 
given  than  before  to  the  people,  conditions,  and  needs 
of  California,  though  these  were  still  but  secondary 
topics.  Slavery  in  the  territories  was  the  real  ques- 
tion and  the  subject  of  voluminous  speeches.  I  can- 
not present  even  en  rdsumd  the  complicated  network 
of  bills,  substitutes,  amendments,  and  points  of  order 


000 


THK  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


by  which  each  purty  strove  to  gain  an  advantage. 
The  north  was  resolved  to  restrict  slavery,  and  would 
entertain  no  proposition  for  compromise.  Once  the 
Jiouse  in  committee  of  the  whole  passed  a  resolution  to 
cede  hack  to  Mexico  the  new  territory,  retaining  San 
Francisco  for  the  $3,000,000  already  paid.  An  offer 
of  private  speculators  to  take  California  and  pay  the 
cost  of  the  war  was  mentioned.  The  house  also  passed 
a  bill  for  Upper  California  similar  to  the  Oregon  bill, 
prohibiting  slavery,  by  adopting  the  ordinance  of  1 787 ; 
but  the  senate  did  not  act  on  this  proposition.  Con- 
siderable importance  was  attached  in  debate  to  the 
danger  of  losing  California  if  a  government  was  not 
.speedily  provided  for  her  rapidly  growing  and  adven- 
turous population. 

The  impossibility  of  obtaining  territorial  govern- 
ments being  apparent  from  the  first,  Senator  Douglas 
introduced  and  most  zealously  advocated  a  bill  to  admit 
California  and  all  the  new  territory  at  once  as  a  state 
of  the  union,  the  people  having,  of  course,  the  right  to 
decide  the  slavery  question  for  themselves.  This  was 
cutting  the  gordian  knot  indeed;  but  besides  being  a 
solution  that  would  be  practically  a  defeat  for  the 
south,  though  certain  prominent  southerners  favored 
a  similar  measure  in  the  house,  it  had  several  objec- 
tionable features.  The  judiciary  committee  reported 
adversely,  on  the  grounds  that  congress  had  no  power 
to  create  but  only  to  admit  a  state,  that  the  popula- 
tion was  scanty  and  unfit,  that  the  right  to  divide  the 
state  later  as  was  proposed  could  not  be  reserved,  and 
that  boundary  troubles  with  Texas  were  inevitable. 
Failing  in  this,  Douglas  offered  a  substitute  bill  ad- 
mitting Cahfornia,  and  providing  for  the  admission  of 
New  Mexico  as  soon  as  her  population  should  be  suf- 
ficient; but  the  measure  was  not  favorably  considered. 

The  final  effort  was  to  attach  the  matter  to  appro- 
priation bills.  An  amendment  of  the  army  bill,  giv- 
ing to  the  inhabitants  the  rights  of  habeas  corpus, 
trial  by  jury,  and   freedom   from  martial   law,  was 


NO  GOVEKNMEXT. 


GOl 


rejected,  perhaps  because  the  'inhabitants'  included 
negroes.  But  an  amendment  to  the  civil  and  diplo- 
matic bill,  extending  the  revenue,  Indian,  and  land 
laws  over  California  and  New  Mexico,  was  adopted  in 
tlie  senate  by  25  votes  to  18,  the  south  ex|)ecting 
some  advantage  from  the  implied  extension  of  the  con- 
stitution to  the  provinces.  The  iiouse  substituted  an 
amendment  authorizing  the  i)resident  to  hold  the  new 
provinces  by  using  the  army  and  navy  to  maintain 
existing  laws,  and  also  extending  the  United  States 
revenue  laws;  but  this  was  not  accepted  by  the  senate, 
chiefly  because  the  Mexican  laws  prohibited  slavery. 
Finally,  on  March  4th,  after  an  all-night  session  and 
complicated  debate,  the  senate  receded  from  its  origi- 
nal amendment,  and  thus  passed  the  appropriation 
bill,  leaving  California  as  before  without  a  govern- 
ment. Then  at  the  last  moment  before  adjourning, 
and  not  without  protests  from  southern  senators 
against  the  protection  of  any  property  rights  where 
their  own  were  ignored,  a  bill  was  passed  extending 
the  revenue  laws  over  California,  and  establishing  a 
collecti«:»n  district  there.^*' 

The  matters  thus  presented  extend  chronologically 
somewhat  beyond  the  limits  of  this  chapter  and  vol- 
ume, but  belong  to  what  precedes  rather  than  to  what 
follows.  Later  developments  connected  with  the  ad- 
mission of  California  as  a  state,  after  the  people  had 
formed  a  constitution,  will  be  treated  in  a  later  vol- 
ume. We  have  seen  tliat  the  subject  of  California 
in  congress,  down  to  the  middle  of  1849,  includes 
really  but  very  little  of  California  and  a  good  deal  of 
conjjress,  or  conijressional  action  on  matters  that  were 
national  rather  than  provincial  in  their  scope. 

As  we  have  seen,  not  only  did  congress  after  the 
treaty  of  1848  consider  the  govermnent  that  should 


'"For  the  voluminous  debates  of  Mbich  I  have  attempted  to  pissent  an 
outline,  see  Cong.  Globe.  1845-9,  29th  and  30th  congresses.  Also  Benton's 
Debates  and  Iloudoii's  Debates  for  the  same  period. 


602 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


be  provided  for  Califoriia,  but  earlier,  in  Deceniber 
1846,  the  system  that  bad  actually  been  put  in  opera- 
tion there.  A  resolution  calling  upon  the  president 
for  information  and  explanation  on  the  subject  was 
passed  after  long  debate,  which  was,  however,  merely 
a  part  of  the  general  controversy,  with  but  slight 
bearing  on  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  far  west.  Cer- 
tain peculiarities  in  the  proclamations  of  Sloat,  Kearny, 
and  Stockton  afforded  a  favorable  opportunity  to 
attack  the  administration,  to  denounce  the  war,  and 
particularly  the  apparent  purpose  to  make  it  a  war  of 
permanent  conquest.  After  the  discussion  had  served 
its  partisan  purpose  the  matter  was  dropped,  as  the 
president's  explanation  was  unassailable  on  the  point 
nominally  at  issue,  and  his  plans  of  conquest  were 
otherwise  clearly  enough  announced.  The  debate, 
however,  brought  out  the  views  of  congressmen  re- 
specting the  civil  government  of  conquered  provinces 
as  regulated  by  international  law.  Mr  Douglas  took 
the  ground,  more  or  less  fully  supported  by  others, 
that  by  the  act  of  occupation  California  and  New 
Mexico  became  United  States  territory,  and  as  such 
immediately  subject  to  the  control  of  congress.  On 
the  other  hand,  Mr  Rhett  and  a  few  followers  ex 
pressed  very  radicil  opinions  in  favor  of  the  arbitrary 
and  unlimited  powers  possessed  by  the  president  as 
comniaii'!er-in-chief.  Neither  of  these  extreme  views, 
however,  was  geneially  supported.''* 

The  position  assumed  by  the  president  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end  of  the  war,  both  in  messages  to 
congress  and  instructions  to  subordinates,  supported 
in  the  debates  by  conservative  members  with  citations 
from  writers  on  international  law,  and  carried  out 

"Debates  in  2il  boss.  '29th  congress,  in  Conrj.  Globe,  184G-7,  p.  13,  20,  3;J, 
m-9,  43-4,  46,  67,  75-6,  85,  87,  345.  The  president's  explanatory  message 
is  also  found  with  acccjnpanying  documents  as  U.  S.  Govt  Doc. ,  29th  cong. 
2d  BOSS.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  19.  See  also,  on  civil  government,  C'oiuj,  Globe,  1847- 
8,  p.  910-16,  989-92,  including  the  message  of  July  22,  1848.  Also  Globe, 
D'tS-Q,  p.  191.  The  most  comnlete  treatment  of  the  subject,  in  all  its 
phases,  ia  found  in  the  speech  of  Mr  Seddon  of  Va..  Dec.  10,  1846,  in  GMx; 
p.  23-6. 


A- 


RIGHTS  OF  CONQUERORS. 


603 


sssmen  re- 


more  or  less  uniformly  by  the  successive  commanders 
ill  California,  was  in  substance  as  follows:  War  hav- 
ing been  regularly  declared,  the  executive,  as  com- 
mander-in-chief, could  use  his  forces  to  conquer  and 
hold  any  part  of  the  Mexican  territory  as  an  act  of 
war.  The  first  object  was  to  obtain  possession,  to 
overcome  all  armed  resistance,  and  to  secure  submis- 
sion on  the  part  of  the  people.  This  accomplished, 
it  became  a  right  and  duty  to  protect  citizens  in  their 
individual  rights,  and  thus  prevent  anarchy.  To  this 
end  the  conquerors  acquired. the  powers  of  sovereignty 
temporarily  lost  by  Mexico.  Methods  would  depend 
largely  on  the  judgment  of  commanders,  and  might 
vary  with  circumstances;  but  a  conciliatory  rather 
than  an  oppressive  policy  was  required.  Strict  mar- 
tial law  might  be  enforced  if  deemed  necessary;  other- 
wise, the  people  being  submissive  and  friendly,  a  tem- 
j)orary  civil  government  might  be  established  as  a 
legitimate  feature  of  military  rule.  The  nature  of 
the  system  to  be  introduced  was  not  to  be  determined 
by  the  people ;  Mexico  was  entitled  to  no  voice  in  the 
matter;  the  power  of  the  conqueror  was  absolute, 
except  as  limited  by  the  requirements  of  humanity 
and  justice,  constituting  what  is  called  international 
law  and  usage.  Other  things  being  equal,  it  was  natu- 
ral and  right  to  continue  the  old  Mexican  methods; 
but  the  conqueror  might  legitimately  conciliate  pop- 
ular favor  for  his  government  and  nation,  as  well  as 
promote  the  cause  of  justice,  by  annulling  oppressive 
acts  of  Mexico;  and  in  introducing  modifications 
deemed  convenient  or  essential  to  safety,  ho  might 
|>roperly  take  the  institutions  of  his  own  nation  as  a 
model.  By  the  conquest  Calil'ornia  did  not  become 
ITnited  States  territory;  the  president  had  no  power 
to  make  or  declare  her  such;  she  did  not  come  under 
the  protection  of  the  constitution  or  of  legislation  by 
congress.  What  powers  of  permanent  annexation  or 
government  congress  and  the  executive  might  legiti- 
mately have  assumed  over  California  before  the  treaty 


lliil 


{KM 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


is  a  question  that  need  not  be  considered,  since  there 
was  no  attempt  to  exercise  such  powers.  The  gov- 
ernment set  up  was  a  temporary  one,  and  a  part  of 
the  mihtary  rule  by  conquerors.  Commanders  in 
CaHfornia  were  responsible  to  the  president,  under 
whose  orders  they  acted ;  and  he  was  responsible  to 
congress  in  this  matter  of  civil  government  to  no 
greater  extent  than  in  any  other  matter  connected 
with  the  prosecution  of  the  war. 

Instructions  from  Washington,  with  consequent 
proclamations  and  acts  of  Sloat,  Stockton,  Fremont, 
and  Kearny  down  to  the  middle  of  1847,  have  been 
fully  presented  in  the  narrative  of  events.-^  In  th<^ 
instructions  no  irregularity  is  to  be  found,  unless  it 
may  be  in  that  requiring  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
United  States  from  ofBcials.  No  more  than  an  oath 
of  obedience  to  the  new  authorities  could  be  properly 
demanded.'"'  In  New  Mexico  General  Kearny  went 
so  far  in  his  proclamations  as  to  elicit  from  the  presi- 
dent a  statement  that  certain  parts  were  not  "approved 
or  recognized,"  but  for  the  rest,  including  the  acts  of 
Sloat  and  Stockton,  he  said  in  his  message  of  Decem- 
ber 1846 :  "If  any  excess  of  power  has  been  exercised, 
the  departure  has  been  the  oflfspring  of  a  patriotic  de- 
sire to  give  the  inhabitants  the  privileges  and  immu^ 
nities  so  cherished  by  the  people  of  our  own  country. 
Any  such  excess  has  resulted  in  no  practical  injury, 
but  can  and  will  be  early  corrected  in  a  manner  t»> 
alienate  as  little  as  possible  the  good  feelings  of  thr 

"See  instrucciona  to  Sloat  ot  nl.,  p.  195-0,  this  vol. ;  Sloat 'a  procl.  of  July 
7,  1840,  p.  '2IU;  Stockton's  procl.  of  July  '29th,  p.  255;  Stockton's  procl.  of 
Aug.  ITtli,  p.  '283;  Stockton's  proposed  government,  p.  '284;  instructions  to 
Kearny,  p.  .■t.;4;  treaty  of  Cahuenga,  Jan.  1.1,  1.S47,  p.  404;  Jan.  '2*2(1,  FrL- 
inont's  procl.  and  govt,  j).  4;J2;  Kearny's  procl.  of  March  1st,  p.  4.'17-8. 

'■''It  is  in  the  instructions  of  July  1'2,  1840,  tliat  we  read:  'The  object  of 
the  U.  S.  has  reference  to  ultiniato  peact!  with  Mev. ;  and  if,  at  that  peace, 
the  basis  of  the  nti  jmti/iulcti/i  sliall  bo  established,  the  govt  cxiiects  througii 
your  forces  to  bo  found  in  actual  possession  of  Upper  Cal.  Tins  will  bring 
with  it  the  necessity  of  a  civil  administration.  Such  a  govt  shall  bo  estab- 
lished under  your  protection;  and  in  selecting  persons  to  hold  ollicc,  duo  re- 
spect should  be  hail  totlie  wishes  of  tho  people  of  Cal.,  as  well  as  to  the  actual 
posseasora  of  authority  in  that  province.     It  may  bo  projjcr  to  require  an 


posseaaora  ot  autnonty  in  tnat  province,     it  may  vo  projjcr  to  requ 
oath  of  allegiance  to  tlie  U.  S.  from  those  who  arc  intrusted  with  autlii 


ioni.y. 


SLOAT,  STOCKTON,  AND  FRfiMONT. 


605 


inhabitants."     Of  proceedings  in  California  no  special 
disapproval  was  ever  deemed  necessary. 

Sioat,  in  his  conciliatory  proclamation  of  July  7th, 
went  far  beyond  liis  instructions  or  the  authority  of 
his  chief,  in  promising  that  California  should  be  per- 
manently a  territory  of  the  United  States;  yet  he 
practically  attempted  nothing  but  the  military  occu- 
pation of  certain  points;  and  Stockton,  while  in  his 
warlike  and  impolitic  tirade  of  the  29th  he  went  still 
further  astray  by  declaring  that  his  only  purpose  was 
to  protect  oppressed  citizens  and  foreigners,  and  that 
he  would  withdraw  his  forces  as  soon  as  that  purpose 
should  be  effected,  simply  proceeded  to  extend  the 
military  occupation,  and  take  the  paroles  of  submissive 
Mexican  officers.  In  his  proclamation  of  August  7th 
he  continued  military  law,  while  promising  some 
changes  in  the  near  future;"  and  in  his  elaborate 
system  of  territorial  government  soon  devised,  local 
rule  under  Mexican  law  was  provided  for,  and  the 
features  of  his  scheme  to  which  exception  might  be 
taken  on  legal  grounds  were  never  approved  or  car- 
ried into  effect.  Then  after  the  revolt  and  reconquest 
came  the  treaty  of  Cahuenga,  January  13,  1847,  the 
terms  of  which  were  entirely  unobjectionable,  requir- 
ing from  the  Californians  only  present  submission  to 
the  American  authorities,  but  no  oath  of  allegiance, 
and  uot  treating  them  as  in  any  sense  citizens  of  the 
United  States.  Stockton's  system  of  civil  govern- 
ment was  then  partially  established;  Frdmont  was 
appointed  governor,  and  in  his  proclamation  of  Janu- 
ary 22d  he  simply  required  "  the  return  of  civil 
officers  to  theii*  appropriate  duties,  and  as  strict  an 


'• '  The  territory  of  Cal.  now  belongs  to  the  U.  S. ,  and  will  be  governed  as 
soon  aa  circumstancea  may  permit  by  officers  and  laws  similar  to  thoso  hy 
wliich  the  other  territories  of  tlio  U.  S.  arc  regulated  and  protected.  But 
until  the  gov.,  sec.,  and  council  aro  appointed,  and  the  various  civil  depart- 
ments of  the  govt  aro  arranged,  military  laws  will  prevail,  and  the  commander- 
in-chief  will  bo  gov.  and  protector  of  the  territory.  In  the  mean  time  tlio  peo- 
lilc  will  be  permitted '  to  elect  civil  officers  to  administer  the  laws  according 
to  former  usages.  Tlie  system  of  govt  devised  by  Stockton  about  this  time, 
and  sent  to  Washington  for  approval,  may  be  found  in  CuUa*  Conq.,  123. 


I 


f 


006 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


obedience  of  the  military  to  the  civil  authority  as  is 
consistent  with  the  security  of  peace."  The  contro- 
versies of  those  clays  referred  to  the  governorship,  and 
not  to  the  system  of  government. 

Thus  far  Sloat,  Stockton,  and  Fremont  had  acted 
without  instructions,  yet,  while  by  their  unfortunate 
differences  in  act  and  promise  and  theory  they  had 
done  nmch  to  retard  Californian  peace  and  prosperity, 
they  had  not  gone  far  astray  in  the  juatter  of  civil 
government  and  its  administration  by  conquerors. 
Kearny,  acting  under  definite  instructions  of  Juno, 
July,  and  November  184G,  and  in  the  light  of  experi- 
ence, in  his  acts  of  March  1847  had  no  occasion  to 
make  radical  changes  in  the  methods  before  observed. 
His  requiring  from  officials  an  oath  to  support  the 
constitution  was  illegal,  besides  not  being  in  accord 
with  the  capitulation  of  Cahuenga,  but  it  was  in  his 
instructions.  He  dispensed  with  the  legislative  coun- 
cil, being  under  no  obligation  to  follow  Stockton's 
ideas,  but  the  council  had  not  acted.  His  promise  of  a 
regular  territorial  government  may  be  understood  as 
referring  to  the  formation  of  a  treaty;  his  absolution 
of  the  inhabitants  from  all  allegiance  to  Mexico  was 
but  a  farce;  his  prediction  that  the  stars  i.nd  stripes 
would  float  over  California  as  long  as  the  sun  should 
shine  upon  her  was  as  harmless  an  expression  of  his 
opinion  and  that  of  his  superiors  as  had  been  the 
earlier  one  of  Sloat. 

(jlovernor  Mason  succeeded  Kearny  at  the  end  of 
May,  and  made  no  innovations  in  system  followed  by 
his  predecessors.  All  the  successive  commanders 
among  themselves  and  with  the  national  authorities 
practically  agreed  respecting  essential  features  of  the 
temporary  military  and  civil  rule;  and  the  president's 
excuses  for  irregularities  in  184G,  as  previou.sly  quitted, 
will  apply  with  equal  force  to  later  informalities.  In- 
structions of  January  now  received  were  much  more 
definite  than  earlier  ones,  approving  in  a  general  way 
what  had  been  done,  but  explaining  the  rights  of  con- 


MILITiUlY  RULE. 


607 


querors,  and  containing  a  warning  that  the  existing 
govennnent  was  but  temporary,  and  that  CaUt'ornia 
could  not  yet  be  considered  a  territory  of  the  United 
States.''^  Thus,  pending  a  treaty  of  peace,  there  was 
but  Httle  opportunity  for  subseijuent  misunderstand- 
ing or  theorizing  on  the  general  system,  though  per- 
plexing details  of  application  were  likely  to  present 
themselves.  Alcaldes  who  had  been  elected  or  ap- 
pointed continued  to  administer  justice  according  to 
their  ideas  of  Mexican  law  and  the  old  usages,  appeal- 
ing in  difficult  or  complicated  cases  to  the  governor, 
whose  policy  was  to  interfere  as  little  as  possible, 
particularly  in  questions  affecting  property  rights. 
Naturally,  in  places  where  both  the  alcalde  and  the 
people  were  foreigners,  some  very  peculiar  versions  of 
Mexican  law  and  of  old  customs  obtained;  but  petty 
local  affairs  were  well  enough  managed  as  a  rule, 
though  there  was  no  lack  of  complaint  that  the  coun- 
try was  without  law.  Local  annals  given  in  later 
chapters  will  furnish  some  illustrative  items,  especially 
on  the  municipal  troublc3  of  San  Francisco,  San  Jose, 
and  the  larger  towns.     I  append  some  brief  notes;'''' 

-^  Sco  p.  334-5  of  tins  vol.  for  instructions  to  Kearny.  I  quote  here  more 
fully  those  to  the  naval  commander:  '  The  course  of  our  govt  in  regard  to 
Cal.  .  .depends  on  those  on  whom  the  constitution  imposes  the  duty  of  mak- 
ing,' and  carrying  treaties  into  cfiect.  Pending  the  war,  our  possession  gives 
only  such  rights  oa  the  laws  of  nations  recognize,  and  the  govt  is  niili!-ary, 
p<  rforining  such  civil  duties  as  are  necessary  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  tlio 
advantages  resulting  from  the  conquest,  anil  to  the  due  protection  of  the 
rights  of  persons  and  of  property  of  the  inhabitants.  No  political  right  can 
be  conferred  on  the  inhabitants  thus  situated,  emanating  from  the  constitution 
of  the  U.  S. . .  .Unless  incorporated,  with  the  assent  of  congress  by  ratified 
treaty  or  by  legislative  .act,  our  riglits  over  enemies'  territory  in  our  possos- 
KJon  are  only  such  as  the  laws  of  w.ar  confer,  and  theirs  no  more  than  are 
derived  from  the  same  authority. . .  .In  the  discharge  of  the  duty  of  govt. . . 
it  has  not  been  deemed  improper  or  unwise  tii.it  the  iidi.-djitants  should  be 
jiermitted  to  partlv-]p.vte  in  tiio  selection  of  agents  t)  make  or  execute  the 
laws  to  be  enforced. .  .  .1  have  regardeil  your  lue.isures.  .  .as  founded  on  this 
lirinciplo,  and  so  far  as  they  eany  out  the  right  of  temporary  govt  under  ex- 
isting rights  of  ])ossessiou  tliey  are  approved.  l>ut  no  olUocrs  ercatcd,  or 
laws  or  regidations  made  to  i)rotect  the  rights  or  perfonn  the  duties  result- 
ing from  our  conquests,  can  lawfully  continue  beyond  the  duration  of  the 
state  of  tilings  wliieli  now  exists,  witliout  autiiority  of  future  treaty  or  act 
of  congress. . .  .The  president  foresees  no  contini;eney  in  widcli  tiic  U.  S.  will 
ever  surrenderor  relimpiisli  possession  of  the  (.'aiifornias.' 

"June  U,  1847,  Mason  to  Alcalde  Hoggs,  explaining  the  system  of  govt  as 
])er  instructions  of  Jan.  II  th.  <\il.  mid  \.  Mcr.,  Menu,  ami  Due,  1S60,  p.  317. 
See  .s'.  F.  Val.  Star  and  Cali/oniian,  1847-8,  for  much  comment  by  editors 


;  4 


608 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


||.i   I 


and  there  are  a  few  cases  that  may  be  somewhat  more 
fully  noticed  in  this  connection. 

The  case  of  Alcalde  Nash  at  Sonoma  was  the  only 
one  in  which  the  military  authority  in  civil  matters 

and  correspondents  on  matters  of  govt.  In  March  a  man  came  to  Mont,  with 
a  paper  from  an  alcalde  which  stated  that  ho  had  been  convicted  of  horse- 
stealing, and  desired  a  new  hearing.  Mont.  Calif.,  Mar.  20,  1847.  Mar. 
2Gth,  Kearny  orders  tite  dismissal  of  an  old  suit  for  winnings  at  a  race.  C'al. 
and  N.  ^fex.,etc.,  291.  Mar.  24th,  Colton  appomted  judge  of  the  admiralty 
court  of  Cal.  Id.  April  10th,  Kearny  orders  that  liquor  shops  be  closed  on 
Sunday,  drunken  and  disorderly  persons  to  be  arrested  and  punished.  Loa 
An'j.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii,  46-7.  If  a  man  is  not  content  with  the  alcalde's  deci- 
sion, let  him  wait  for  the  establisliment  of  other  courts.  S.  Jos6  Arch., 
Loose  Pap.,  MS.,  5.  April  24th,  Kearny  to  Bellamy,  in  answer  to  complaint. 
'  During  the  existence  of  the  war  there  must  of  necessity  arise  many  cases  of 
great  hardship  and  injustice,  which  for  the  timo  beirg  aro  without  remedy.' 
(Jal.  and  jV.  Mex.,  299.  May  1st,  alcalde  remonstrates  with  K.  for  setting 
aside  his  proceedings.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  117.  May  5th,  K.  recommends  arbi- 
trators in  a  divorce  case.  C'al.  and  N.  Mex.,  30o.  June  Ist,  Larkin  to  N.  Y. 
Herald,  writes:  '  We  must  live  on  in  lawless  blessedness.  Wo  have,  however, 
a  fair  supply  of  lawyers,  and  each  can  produce  tlie  laws  of  his  native  state  and 
urgo  on  the  alcaldo  their  adoption  as  most  applicable  to  the  caae  in  iiand.' 
Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  158.  Juno  5th,  alcaldes  decline  to  take  the  o.-vth  of 
allegiance,  which  would  make  them  traitors  to  Mex.  Unb.  Doc ,  MS. ,  204. 
June  IGth,  Mason  orders  an  alcalde  to  come  to  Mont,  and  bring  with  him  a 
prisoner  and  witnesses.  Cal.  and  N.  Mex.,  323.  Juno  14th,  Mason  writes: 
'The  alcaldes  are  not  "autlioritiesof  the  U.  S.,"  nor  aro  they  Mex.  authorities. 
They  aro  the  civil  magistrates  of  Cal.,  and  therefore  the  "authorities  of  Cal.," 
subject  to  removal  from  office  by  tlie  gov.'  Id.,  321.  Only  one  change  of 
venue  can  be  granted.  Id.,  333,  37G.  July  3d,  alcalde  may  call  for  military 
aid  to  enforce  his  decrees.  Id.,  339.  He  must  apply  in  writing.  The  slight- 
est {jossiblc  force  to  be  used.  There  aro  many  other  comnnmications  on  this 
matter.  July  24th,  order  of  Gen.  Scott,  making  tho  martial  law  a  supple- 
mental code  for  punishment  of  serious  crimes  by  or  against  military  men, 
circulated  and  to  be  enforced  in  Cal.  Id.,  353.  Aug.  4tli,  troops  cannot 
take  charge  of  prisoners  except  in  grave  cases.  Los  Anq.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  99. 
A  murderer  at  Sta  Cruz  shot  by  alcalde's  order.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  108.  Aug. 
23d,  'The  civil  officers  would  be  most  willing  to  shift  upon  mil.  tho  disagree- 
able task  of  arresting  and  guarding  their  criminals,  but  this  must  not  be  per- 
mitted. Officers  in  command  are  only  expected  to  aid  civil  officers  when  the 
latter  are  unable  to  enforce  their  decrees;  and  even  then  a  sound  discretion 
should  be  exercised.'  Cal.  and  N.  Mex.,  349.  Aug.  25th,  'Your  auth.  as 
alcaldo  in  all  cases  between  citizen  and  citizen  is  the  same  as  it  was  under 
tho  Mex.  law.  But  when  a  soldier  is  concerned,  then  mil.  law  must  have 
precedence.'  Id.,  354.  Oct.  25th,  alcaldes  may  have  jurisdiction  over  crimes 
committed  on  board  ships,  as  there  are  no  other  courts.  Id.,  404.  Oct.  2(>th, 
alcaldo  may  sentence  a  man  for  manslaughter  to  7  years'  hard  labor  on  publio 
works,  and  may  send  him  to  Mont.  Id.,  410.  Alcalde  can  not  be  required  to 
retry  old  cases.  Id.,  412.  Nov.  1st,  instructions  on  formalities  in  a  trial  for 
murder.  Id.,  413.  Nov.  29th,  Mason's  order  of  fine  of  §50  to  §100,  and  im- 
prisonment of  3  to  G  months  for  selling  liquor  to  an  Ind.  Id. ,  437,  and  else- 
where. Dec.  3d,  there  aro  no  courts  other  than  alcaldes';  and  Mason  de- 
clines to  appoint  a  special  court,  though  he  has  done  so  in  some  cases.  Id. , 
439.  Dec.  20th,  Mason  suggests  an  additional  penalty  of  50  lashes  for  steal- 
ing horses.  /(/.,  445.  Dec.  22d,  if  a  jury  cannot  agree  in  a  reasonable  time, 
a  new  one  may  be  empanelled.  Id.,  440.  Dec.  29th,  in  cases  involving  over 
$100  a  jury  of  six  men  shall  decide.  Id. ,  452,  and  elsewhere.     March  2d, 


ALCALDE  NASH  AT  SONOMA, 


609 


hat  more 

the  only 
[  matters 

o  Mont,  with 
ted  of  horse- 
1847.    Mar. 
;  a  race.    Cal, 
the  admiralty 
bo  closctl  on 
lunlshed.  Los 
ilcaldc's  doci- 
,  Josd  Arch., 
to  complaint, 
many  cases  of 
out  remedy.' 
;v.  for  setting 
nimends  arbi- 
rkin  to  N.  Y. 
avc,  however, 
itive  state  and 
case  in  hand.' 
3  the  oath  of 
,<-.,  MS.,  204. 
ig  with  him  a 
Mason  writes: 
I.  authorities, 
itiesof  Cal," 
no  change  of 
for  military 
The  slight- 
litions  on  this 
law  a  supple- 
iiilitary  men, 
Iroops  cannot 
MS.,  iii.  1)9. 
,108.     Aug. 
tho  disagree- 
[t  not  bo  per- 
lers  when  tho 
id  discretion 
tur  auth.  as 
t  was  under 
must  have 
( over  crimes 
Oct.  20th, 
or  on  publiu 
!  required  to 
kn  a  trial  for 
loo,  and  im- 
|7,  and  else- 
Mason  de- 
I  cases.  Id. , 
les  for  stcal- 
onablo  time, 
lolving  over 
March  2d, 


was  disputed.  John  H.  Nash  was  an  old  man  wlio 
had  come  overland  from  Missouri  in  1845,  and  had 
been  elected  alcalde  in  184G.  In  consequence  of  re- 
ported irregularities  in  his  management  of  the  office, 
General  Kearny  appointed  L.  W.  Boggs,  an  abler  but 
not  a  better  man,  to  succeed  him  in  April  1847.  Nasli 
denied  Kearny's  right  to  remove  an  alcalde  elected 
under  the  system  established  by  Sloat  and  Stockton, 
refusing  to  turn  over  the  records  of  his  office,  and  be- 
ing supported  by  the  citizens,  who,  to  the  number  of 
seventy,  headed  by  Ide  and  Grigsby,  held  a  public 
meeting  to  petition  for  his  reinstatement.  He  was 
egotistic  and  eccentric,  much  like  Ide  in  some  respects, 
and  even  proposed  to  make  an  effort  at  Washington  for 
Kearny's  removal.  For  a  time  in  May  Sonoma  had 
practically  no  alcalde,  each  declining  to  act;  but  Mason 
declined  to  revoke  his  predecessor's  order  as  being  pre- 
sumably well  founded,  and  early  in  June  ordered  Cap- 
tain Brackett  to  use  force  for  the  transfer  of  records, 
at  the  same  time  sending  Nash  a  peremptory  order. 
The  latter  still  declined  to  obey,  and  Brackett  excused 
himself  from  the  performance  of  an  act  that  would 
make  him  unpopular.  Meanwhile  in  June  Boggs  was 
performing  the  duties  of  his  office.  In  July  Lieu- 
tenant Sherman  was  sent  by  Mason  to  arrest  Nash 

1S48,  grave  cases  must  bo  tried  by  jury,  which  must  award  a  sentence  if 
they  convict;  but  tho  verdict  and  testimony  must  be  sent  to  gov.  for  ap- 
proval. Id.,  488.  Men  cannot  bo  punislied  for  crimes  they  will  probably  com- 
mit when  they  have  a  chance.  LI.  Mar.  9th,  Mason  writes:  An  attempt  ou 
the  jail  'would  afford  mo  an  cxcellant  opportunity  of  making  an  example  on 
tho  spot  of  some  of  tho  lawless  characters  with  which  this  country  is  infestcil, 
and  I  shall  always  have  a  halter  ready.'  .S'.  Jomi  Arch.,  Loone  P'ip.,  MS.,  4;{. 
April  17th,  alcalde  lias  convicted  a  man  of  selling  liqucr,  without  jury,  ho- 
ciiuso  Califomian  jurj'mcn  have  on  two  occasions  refused  to  liiul  a  country- 
man guilty.  Uiib.  Dnc,  MS.,  122.  Apr.  12th,  Mason  will  not  take  any  ac- 
tion ill  disputes  about  horse-races.  Cal.  and  X.  Mcc,  oOS.  April  29th, 
M.  will  not  disturb  tho  decision  of  arbitrators.  Iii,  ^M.  May  Sth,  dcliti 
contracted  in  U.  S.  cannot  bo  collected  hero  dining  the  war.  ,S.  Jose  Arch., 
I.oo^e  I'ap.,  MS.,  29.  May  21st,  IlartncU  sent  to  S.  F.  to  atteml  to  printing 
a  .Spanish  translation  of  laws  to  bo  pub.  by  Mason.  ('((/.  and  X.  Mcj-.,  m7>. 
May  .3l8t,  M.  proposes  to  build  prisons,  appropriating  §1,000  for  each,  and 
citizens  to  pay  tho  rest.  Id.,  ooH.  Aug.  23d,  llartuell  to  get  ■?2,000  salary 
as  govt  interpreter  and  translator.  /</.,  0o9.  Tho  support  of  civil  prisoners 
must  bo  paid  from  municipal  funds.  Id.,  5G9.  A  mil.  comuiuudant  repri- 
manded for  too  hasty  a'tiou  in  civil  matters.  Id.,  675. 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  Y.    39 


I 


ill 


610 


THE  RULE  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON*. 


Ill 


1 1  ¥ 


n  ! 


'I 


and  bring  liini  to  Monterey.  Argument  and  sea-sick- 
ness on  the  way  brought  the  old  gentleman  to  terms, 
and  Mason  at  once  sent  him  home  at  public  expens<*, 
"  fully  sensible  of  his  error,"  and  promising  an  imme- 
diate surrender  of  all  the  papers  of  his  office,  with  full 
accounts  of  his  administration.^ 

Antonio  M.  Armijo,  Robert  Smith,  and  John  Egger, 
of  the  Sonoma  district,  were  arrested  in  August  1847, 
and  charged  with  the  murder  and  kidnapping  of  Ind- 
ians in  the  Sacratnento  Valley.  The  affair  gave  ri.se 
to  much  correspondence  and  excitement.  Vallejo  and 
Sutter  were  appointed  as  special  judges  to  tr^-  the 
case  with  a  jury  of  twelve,  and  Boggs  was  added  to 
the  number  later.  For  want  of  an  impartial  jury  and 
for  other  reasons,  the  case  was  transferred  from  Sacra- 
mento to  Sonoma,  where  it  was  tried  in  October, 
Captain  Brackctt  acting  as  prosecutor,  and  Sutter 
being  absent.  Tlie  accused  were  acquitted;  and  Gov- 
ernor Mason  declined  to  approve  an  exorbitant  bill  <»f 
about  $2,000  for  costs  of  the  trial."*^  A  similar  special 
court,  consisting  of  Stephen  C.  Foster  and  Alx-l 
Stearns,  was  appointed  in  April  1 848  for  the  trial  of  sev- 
eral members  of  the  Mormon  battalion  at  Los  Angele-s 
<  )n  a  charge  of  passing  counterfeit  gold  coin.  Each  had 
a  separate  trial  before  a  jury,  and  Lieutenant  Ruel 
]3arru8  was  found  guilty,  confessing  that  he  had  playe<l 
at  monte  with  counterfeit  money,  and  was  sentenced  to 
live  years'  imprisonment  at  hard  labor,  but  the  gover- 
nor, in  consideration  of  his  youth  and  other  palliating 
circumstances,  reduced  the  term  to  one  year.     The 


-' Documentary  record  very  complete  in  Wnb.  Z)oc.,  MS.,  8"i-3,  107-13, 
116,  143,  145,  310;  Cal.  anil  iV.  Mex.,  Mem.  and  Don.,  1850,  p.  -289,  -JXt,  317- 
•JO,  .3-.>.-),  343,  377;  S.  F.  Cal.  Star,  May  22a;  S.  F.  Cali/or„m,>,  .Inly  24tb, 
Sept.  4tli.  Also  a  very  good  and  interesting  account  in  Shfrnntu'^  Mfm..  i. 
.'{0-8.  (irccn,  a  lawyer,  with  whom  Naali  lived,  scenia  to  have  iucitc<l  him  to 
resist,  and  to  havo  attempted  Homo  bluster  at  the  time  of  his  arrest.  I'ickc-tt 
and  Scott  witii  liogga  himself  were  Nash's  enemies.  Boggs  ctaini»<l  in  Aug 
that  N.  had  not  rendered  his  accounts,  accusing  him  of  making  fraudulent 
deeds  of  town  lots,  and  of  clianging  tlio  original  map.  J.  R.  Snyder  and  Tim. 
Murpiiy  were  appointed  commissioners  to  investigate. 

^"Col.  will  \.  Mex.,  McM.  and  Doc,  IS&O,  p.  343-4,  348-9,  .1*4.  3W-j, 
419-22;  Uiib.  Doc.,  MS.,  89-90,  124-0,  292-3,  297-8,  313.  One  of  the  items 
uot  allowed  was  lawyer  Grc'  n's  bill  for  $200. 


NEW  COMPLICATIONS. 


eii 


jea-sick- 
D  term?*, 

II  immt- 
vith  full 

II  E^ger, 
ist  1847, 
of  Iiid- 
jave  rise 
llejo  and 
tr}-  the 
idded  to 
jury  aiul 
ni  Sacra - 
October, 
1    Sutter 
ind  Gov- 
nt  bill  of 
ir  special 
nd    Aljel 
ial  of  .sev- 
Angeles 
Each  had 
mt  Kuel 
ul  playe<l 
tenced  to 
ic  gover- 
balliatiiig 
ir.     The 

|_'-3,  HJ7-I3. 
b,  -tC..  317- 
|,  July  -24111, 
|/.'^  M'nt..  i. 
citctl  liiin  to 
St.  rickc-tt 
[n't!  in  Ang 
fraudulc-ut 
Ter  and  Tim. 

|3M.  3W-5, 
If  the  items 


others  were  acquitted.^  Yet  another  special  court 
was  that  appointed  to  try  Benjamin  Foxeii  in  May  at 
Santa  Bdrbaru.  He  had  killed  Asfustin  Ddvila  near 
Santa  Ines  for  stealing  his  chickens.  Estevan  Ardis- 
son  and  Pedro  C.  Carrillo  were  the  judges;  the  jury 
included  six  Americans  aiul  six  Californians;  and  the 
verdict  was  manslaughter,  for  which  Foxen  was  sen- 
tenced to  four  years'  imprisonment.*' 

News  of  the  treaty  putting  an  end  to  the  war 
brought  some  j)erplexing  questions  respecting  the 
government  of  California,  How  they  were  settled 
is  best  explained  in  ^lason's  own  words.  In  his 
proclamation  of  Augu.st  7,  1848,  he  said:  "The  con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  to  whom  alone  this  power 
belongs,  will  soon  confer  upon  the  ))eople  of  this 
country  the  constitutional  rijjhts  of  citizens  of  the 
United  States;  and  no  doubt  in  a  few  short  months 
we  shall  have  a  regularly  organized  territorial  gov- 
ernment; indeed,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
congress  has  already  passed  the  act,  and  that  a  civil 
g()V(!rnment  is  now  on  its  way  to  this  country,  to  re- 
place that  which  has  been  organized  under  the  rights  of 
conquest.  Such  territorial  government  will  establish 
all  local  claims  and  regulations  which,  within  the 
scope  of  its  legitimate  powers,  it  may  deem  necessary 
I'or  the  public  welfare.  In  the  mean  time  the  [)resent 
civil  officers  of  the  country  will  continue  in  the  exer- 
cise of  their  functions  as  heretofore,  and  when  vacan- 
cies exist  or  may  occur,  they  will  be  filled  by  regulai' 
elections  held  by  the  people  of  the  several  towns  and 
districts,  due  notice  of  such  elections  being  previously 
given.  The  existing  laws  of  tiie  country  will  neces- 
sarily  continue  in  force  till  others  are  made  to  supply 
their  place."  And  his  jiosition  was  further  explained 
in   his  report    to    the  adjutant-general,^^     A  similar 

■•«  Unb.  Dor.,  MS.,  17,  37-9;  Cat.  and  A'.  Mex:,  ISJO,  39-41,  5C2,  570-1. 
C.  C.  (^uiificld  and  Sam.  Myers  were  the  others  accuse<l. 

^"('ul.  »nd  N.  Mcx.,  etc.,  505-7,  570;  Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  63,  .3G.>-70. 

"  Aug.  7tli,  Mason  to  iieople  of  Cal.  t'al.  (iiid  N.  Mex.,  Mexn.  ond  Doc., 
ISoO,  p.  590-1.    Aug.  19th,  Mason  to  adj. -gen.  Id.,  597-8.    In  the  latter dcj- 


(il'2 


THE  RULE  OF  CiOVERNOR  MASON, 


I 


view  of  the  situation  was  taken  by  the  national  au- 
thorities. In  his  message  of  July  Gth,  the  president 
wrote:  "The  war  with  Mexico  having  terminated, 
the  power  of  the  executive  to  establish  or  to  continue 
temporary  civil  governments  over  these  territories, 
which  existed  under  the  laws  of  nations  whilst  they 
were  regarded  as  con(|uered  provinces  in  our  military 
occupation,  has  ceased.  By  their  cession  to  the  Unitetl 
States,  Mexico  has  no  longer  any  power  over  them; 
and  until  congress  shall  act,  the  inhabitants  will  be 
without  any  organized  government.  Should  they  be 
left  in  this  condition,  confusion  and  anarchy  will  bo 
likely  to  prevail."''^     And  later,  when  congress  had 

ument  he  says;  '  The  above  arc  tlie  only  instructions  I  liave  received  from  the 
ik'purtment  to  guide  mo  in  the  course  to  be  pursued,  now  that  war  has  ceased, 
and  that  tlie  country  forms  an  integral  jiart  of  the  United  States.  For  the 
jjast  two  years  no  civil  government  has  existed  here,  save  that  controlled  by 
the  senior  military  or  naval  officer;  and  no  civil  oiticers  exist  in  the  country 
save  the  alcaldes  appointed  or  confirmed  by  myself.  To  tiirow  olT  npou 
them  or  the  people  at  largo  the  civil  manngeincnt  and  control  of  the  country 
would  most  probably  lead  to  endless  confusions,  if  not  to  absolute  anarchy; 
and  yet  what  riglit  or  authority  have  1  to  exercise  civil  control  in  time  of 
peace  in  a  territory  of  tho  United  States?  or,  if  sedition  and  rebellion  should 
arise,  where  is  my  force  to  meet  it  ?  Two  companies  of  regulars,  every  day 
diminishing  by  desertions  that  cannot  be  prevented,  will  soon  be  the  only 
military  force  in  California;  and  tliey  will  be  of  necessity  compelled  to  remain 
at  San  Francisco  and  Monterey,  to  guard  tho  large  depots  of  powder  and 
numitions  of  war,  which  cannot  bo  removed.  Yet,  unsustained  by  militiiry 
force,  or  by  any  positive  instructions,  I  feel  compelled  to  exercise  contml 
over  tho  alcaldes  appointed,  and  to  maintain  order,  if  possible,  in  tho  coun- 
try, until  a  civil  governor  arrive,  armed  with  instructions  and  laws  to  guide 
his  footsteps. 

'  III  like  manner,  if  all  customs  were  withdrawn,  and  tho  ports  thrown 
open  free  to  the  world,  San  Francisco  would  be  made  tlio  depot  of  all  the 
foreign  goods  in  the  north  I'acilic,  to  tho  injury  of  our  revenue  and  tho  in- 
terests of  our  own  merchants.  To  prevent  this  great  influx  of  foreign  goods 
into  tho  country  duty-free,  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  attempt  tho  collection  of 
duties,  according  to  the  United  States  tariff  of  1S40.  Tiiis  will  render  it 
necessary  for  mo  to  appoint  temporary  collectors,  etc. ,  in  tho  several  ports  of 
entry,  for  tho  military  force  is  too  much  reduced  to  attend  to  thoso  duties. 

'  I  am  fully  aware  that  in  taking  these  steps  I  have  no  further  authority 
tiian  that  the  existing  government  must  necessarily  continue  until  some 
other  is  organized  to  take  its  place;  for  I  have  been  left  without  any  dehnitc 
instructions  in  reference  to  the  existing  stivte  of  all'airs.  But  tho  calamities 
and  disorders  wiiicli  would  surely  follow  tho  absolute  withdrawal  of  even  a 
show  of  authority  impose  on  me,  in  my  opinion,  tlie  imperative  duty  to 
pursue  the  course  I  have  indicated,  until  the  arrival  of  despatches  from 
Washington  (which  I  hope  aro  already  on  tlieir  waj')  relative  to  the  organi- 
zation of  a  regular  civil  government.  In  tho  mean  time,  however,  should 
tho  people  refuse  to  obey  tho  existing  authorities,  or  tho  merchants  refuse  to 
pay  any  duties,  my  force  is  inadequate  to  compel  obedience.' 

"  Congress.  Globe,  1847-8,  p.  901.  Similar  views  in  the  message  of  July 
24th.  Amer.  Quart.  Rev.,  i.  560-4. 


A  DE  FACTO  GOVERNMENT. 


818 


adjourned  without  providing  for  the  government  of 
the  new  provinces,  the  president,  through  Secretary 
Buchanan,  in  a  letter  of  flattery,  congratulation, 
promise,  and  advice,  announced  the  existence  of  a  de 
facto  government,  to  be  continued  in  accordance  with 
the  governor's  views  until  another  should  be  legally 
substituted.^^ 

And  thus  the  country  was  governed  as  before  dur- 


"  Oct.  7,  1848,  Buchanan  to  Wm  V.  Voorhies,  agent  of  the  post-oiBce  de- 
iwrtmeut.  U.  S.  Govt  Doc,  30th  cong.  2d  seas.,  H.  Ex.  Doc.  1,  p.  47-50; 
Cal.  and  N.  Mex.,  etc.,  0-9.  The  puqwrt  is  also  given  in  Sec.  Marcy'a  letter 
to  Gov.  Mason,  dated  Oct.  9th.  Id.,  2J8-9.  Buchanan  writes:  'In  the  mean 
time  tlio  condition  of  the  people  of  California  is  anomalous,  and  will  require, 
on  their  part,  the  exercise  of  great  prudence  and  discrctioa.  By  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  treaty  of  peace,  the  military  government  which  was  cstablislied 
over  them  under  the  laws  of  war,  as  recognized  by  the  practice  of  all  civilizeil 
nations,  has  ceased  to  derive  its  authority  from  this  source  of  power.  But  is 
there,  for  this  reason,  no  government  in  California?  Arelife,  liberty,  and  prop- 
erty under  the  protection  of  no  existing  authorities?  Tliis  would  be  a  singu- 
lar phenomenon  in  tlie  face  of  the  world,  and  especially  among  American  citi- 
zens, distinguished  as  they  are  above  all  other  iMsople  for  their  law-abiding 
character.  Fortunately,  they  are  not  reduced  to  this  sad  condition.  Tlio  ter- 
mination of  the  war  left  an  existing  government,  a  government  de/dcto,  in  full 
operation;  and  this  will  continue,  with  the  presumed  consent  of  the  people, 
until  congress  shall  provide  for  them  a  territorial  government.  The  great  law 
of  necessity  justifies  this  conclusion.  The  consent  of  the  people  is  irresistibly 
inferred  from  the  fact  that  no  civilized  conmi unity  could  jwssibly  desire  to 
aljrogatc  an  existing  government,  when  the  alternative  presented  would  be  to 
place  themselves  in  a  state  of  anarchy,  beyond  the  protection  of  all  laws,  and 
reduce  them  to  the  unhappy  necessity  of  submitting  to  the  dominion  of  tliu 
strongest. 

'Tliis  government  de  facto  will,  of  course,  exercise  no  power  inconsistent 
with  tlie  provisions  of  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  is  tlic 
supremo  law  of  the  land.  For  this  reason,  no  import  duties  can  be  levied  iii 
California  on  articles  the  growth,  product,  or  manufacture  of  the  United  States, 
as  no  such  duties  con  be  imposed  in  any  other  part  of  our  union  on  the  pro- 
ductions of  California.  Nor  can  new  ilutics  be  charged  in  California  upon 
such  foreign  productions  as  liave  already  paid  duties  in  any  of  our  ports  of  en- 
try, for  the  obvious  reason  that  Californita  is  within  tiie  temtory  of  the 
United  States.  I  shall  not  enlarge  upon  this  subject,  however,  as  the  secre- 
tary of  the  treasury  will  perform  tliat  duty. 

•Tlie  president  urgently  advises  the  people  of  California  to  live  peaceably 
and  quietly  under  the  existing  government.  He  believes  that  this  will  pro- 
mote their  lasting  and  best  interests.  If  it  be  not  what  they  could  desire  and 
had  a  right  to  expect,  they  can  console  themselves  with  the  reflection  that  it 
will  endure  but  for  a  few  months.  Should  tlicy  attempt  to  change  or  amend 
it  during  this  brief  period,  tliey  most  probably  could  not  accomplish  their 
object  b«forc  the  government  established  by  congress  would  go  into  oi^era- 
tion.  In  the  mean  time  the  country  would  be  agitated,  the  citizens  would  be 
withdrawn  from  their  usual  employments,  and  domestic  strife  might  divide 
and  exasperate  the  people  against  each  other;  and  this  all  to  establish  a  gov- 
ernment which  in  no  conceivable  contingency  could  endure  for  a  single  year. 
During  tliis  brief  period  it  is  better  to  bear  the  ills  they  have  than  fly  to 
others  they  know  not  of.' 


rl  I 


GU 


THE  HULK  OF  GOVERNOR  MASON. 


ing  the  rest  of  1848  and  later;  as  well  governed  as  it 
is  likely  to  have  been  under  any  system  that  congress 
could  have  devised.  It  was  probably  well  for  Califor- 
nia that  no  regular  territorial  government  was  put  in 
operation.  The  people  doubtless  had  the  right  from 
August  to  organize  a  provisional  government  for 
themaelves.  The  president  advised  them  not  to  do  it, 
while  Senator  Benton  took  it  upon  himself  to  give 
contrary  advice.'*  Governor  Mason,  before  receiving 
the  letters  of  Buchanan  and  Marcy,  favored  such  a 
movement  in  case  congress  should  be  known  to  have 
adjourned  without  action.*^  And  some  local  efforts  in 
the  same  direction  were  made  before  the  end  of  the 
year;  but  these  matters  belong  properly  to  the  annals 
of  1849-50 — the  constitutional  convention,  and  the 
admission  of  California  into  the  union  as  a  state. 

Here  as  well  as  anywhere  may  be  added  a  few 
items  respecting  the  foreign  consulates  in  California 
in  1846-8.  Thomas  O.  Larkin's  functions  as  U.  S. 
consul  ceased  of  course  with  the  treaty.  He  was 
notified  to  this  effect  by  Secretary  Buchant  ii  in  a  let- 
ter of  June  23,  1848,  with  approval  of  his  past  perform- 
ance of  duties.  Meanwhile  he  had  been  appointed 
U.  S.  naval  agent  by  Stockton  in  August  184G,  re- 
ceiving in  October  1847  the  president's  appointment 
of  March.  There  are  no  circumstances  connected 
with  his  official  career  in  these  vears  that  call  for  fur- 
tlier  notice  than  is  given  elsewhere.^  James  A. 
Forbes  retained  the  position  of  British  vice-consul.^^ 
J.  S.  Moerenhaut  was  French  consul  from  October 
184G,  and  appointed  Etienne  Jourdain  as  vice-consul 

"Benton's  letter  was  dated  Aug.  27th.  See  S.  F.  Alia,  Jan.  11,  1849; 
JiumetVa  liecol.,  MS.,  ii.  18-20. 

'*Nov.  2r>tli,  Mason  to  Keinble,  referring  to  a  conversation  on  the  subject. 
Unb.  Doc.,  MS.,  140-1. 

'•Aug.  13,  1846,  appointment  as  naval  agent.  Larkin's  Doc.,  MS.,  iv. 
254.  June  23,  1848,  Buchanan  to  L.  Id.,  vi.  1.34.  See  also  Mont.  Consu- 
late Arch,,  MS.,  ii.,  and  Mont.  Navy  Aijent  AccIk,  MS.,  i.  ii. 

"His  claim  to  exemption  from  paying  duties  on  goods  imported  by  him- 
self was  not  allowed  by  Mason  in  Dec.  1847.  Cal.  and  N.  Mex.,  Mes^.  and 
Doc,  1850,  p.  446-7. 


FORKIGN  CONSULS. 


6IA 


at  Yerba  Buena  in  Dcceuiber  1848.  Mocroiihaut  had 
occasion  t6  ])r«»8ciit  for  sottleniciit  the  {.^riovunces  ot* 
Pierre  Aclllan.  (element  Panaud,  and  of  Riciiards 
and  Maube,  who  had  suffered  in  property  at  the  luinds 
of  Fremont's  nien.^  Cesareo  Lataillade  received  his 
exequatur  as  Spanish  vice-consul  in  April  184G,  and 
took  possession  of  his  office  in  Juik;.  In  1847  lie 
was  allowed  to  reside  at  Santa  Bilrbara.  His  eliief 
effort  was  to  obtain  redress  for  the  imprisonment  of 
Josd  Noriega  at  Sutter's  Fort  by  the  Bear  Flag 
men.**  Late  in  1848  George  Trail  Allen  was  ap- 
pointed Hawaiian  consul  in  California.*" 

"Cat.  and  N.  Mex.,  etc.,  254,  320,  322,  379,  566;  Unb.  Doc.,  MS.,  »0- 
1 1)3,  285-6.  Mason  could  grant  no  relief;  but  in  the  case  of  R.  and  M.  orders 
came  from  Wosliington  to  annoint  an  investigating  board. 

'"Doc.  /list.  Vol.,  MS.,  II.  .:0;  iii.  167,  2:16;  JJept.  Si.  Pap.,  MS.,  Ti.  37, 
40;  Larkin's  JJoc,  MS.,  iv.  Uu;  Id.,  Off.  CorrtH/,.,  i.  110;  Unb.  Doc,  MS., 
16,  391-2;  Lo^l  Aug.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  173-4;  Cat.  and  N.  Mex.,  297,  427,  430; 
.y.  /'.  Calif.,  Aug.  7,  1847. 

«  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  132;  Cal.  and  X.  Mex.,  687. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


LOCAL  ANNALS-SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 

1846-1848. 

San  Diego  Events— Fk^mont,  Stockton,  and  Kearny — Massacrk  at 
Pauma— Mormons  and  New  York  Volunteers — Municipal  Affairs 
— Raxcuos — Revenue— San  Diego  Mission— San  Luis  Rey — Padre 
Zalvidea — San  Juan  Capistrano— Los  Angeles  District — Index  of 
OccuiiRENCEs— Sub-prefect  and  Alcaldes — Mormons,  Dragoons,  and 
Volunteers — Ranchos— San  Gabriel — Padre  EstAnega— San  Fer- 
nando Mission  —  Santa  Barbara  —  Pueblo  Government  —  Land 
Grants — Mission— Bishop  GarcIa  Diego — President  Duran — San 
Buenaventura— Santa  Isfci — Purisima — Monterey  District— Sum- 
mary—Town  Affairs— San  CArlos— San  Luis  Obispo — San  Miguel 
— Murder  of  Reed  Family— San  Antonio — San  Joan  Bautista— 
Soledau— Santa  Cruz  and  Brancifobte. 


Local  annals  of  1846-8,  a  period  of  transition  from 
tlio  Old  to  the  new,  must  bo  compressed  within  narrow 
limits;  and  this  may  be  done  without  omission  of  es- 
sential matter  or  serious  inconvenience,  except  at  one 
or  two  points,  where,  however,  matters  pertaining  to 
the  effects  of  the  gold  discovery  are  reserved  for  an- 
other volume.  The  time  of  military  and  mission 
statistics  was  past,  and  I  shall  attempt  no  estimates  of 
local  gains  or  losses  in  population,  the  gain  for  the 
whole  teiritory,  but  for  the  foreign  immigration  and 
tile  tinai  influx  of  gold-seekers,  being  very  small. 
There  are  lists  of  munici[)al  officers  which  are  worth 
being  placed  on  record,  with  hero  and  there  a  local 
occurrence  to  be  added  to  the  index  of  events  recorded 
in  other  parts  of  this  work,  all  to  be  presented  mainly 
in  tine-print  notes. 


SAN  DIEGO. 


617 


Nothing  happened  at  San  Diego,  though  much 
interest  was  felt,  and  a  few  prominent  citizens  went 
to  the  capital  to  participate,  in  the  political  controver- 
sies of  the  time,  until  the  Americans  came  under  Fre- 
mont in  July  1846,  to  be  driven  out  in  August,  but 
to  return  in  November  under  Stockton,  who  here 
made  his  final  preparations  for  the  reconquest  of  the 
south.^     The  coming  of  Kearny,  his  disaster  at  San 

'  San  Diego  events.  1846.  Feb. -May,  minor  Ind.  troubles,  chiefly  in  the 
form  of  rumors.  Di-pt.  St.  Pap.,  Btn.  P.  A  J.,  MS.,  ii.  r24-9.  Election  for 
the  consejo  general  in  May;  Bandini  summoned  to  the  capital.  This  vol.,  p. 
45-51.  Warner  in  coir.'sp.  with  Larkin.  /(/.,  03.  Occupation  by  Frt5mont 
for  the  U.  S.  at  the  eni  of  July.  /.•'.,  260-7.  Jnly  2I.<»t,  padron  showing  7.1 
men  fit  for  military  ddty.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  Ben.  P.  A  J.,  MS.,  ii.  159.  Aug., 
Phelps'  efforts  at  reconciliation;  Bandini  -nd  Arguello  favor  the  U.  S. ;  proli- 
ably  no  garrison  left  at  first.  Id.,  282.  286-7.  Sept.,  Mcrritt  and  a  few  men 
sent  to  garrison  S.  D.  from  Los  Angeles.  /</.,  308.  Reoccupation  by  tlie  Cal- 
ifomians.  /«/.,  310-18.  Oct.,  reoccupation  by  Americans. /f/.,  324-5.  Stock- 
ton's arrival  in  Nov.,  and  bis  picr^irations  to  march  on  lx>3  Angeles.  /(/.,  320- 
9  et  seq.  Kearny's  arrival  in  Dec.  from  N.  Mex.;  battle  of  S.  Pascual; 
relations  of  Stockton  and  Kearny;  they  start  for  Los  Angeles.  Id.,  339-50, 
385, 417,  et  seq.  Dec,  massacre  by  Intl.  at  Pauma.  Id.,  507-8.  The  victims 
M'ere  Sergt  Francisco  Basualdo,  .Tos(S  M.  Alvarado,  Manuel  Serrano,  llamuii 
Aguilar,  Domingii  -.z  (known  as  Dominguito),  an  old  man,  Santiago  Osnnii, 
Jos6  Lopez,  Santr  Alipds,  Eustaquio  Ruiz,  Juan  de  la  Cruz,  and  a  New  Mex- 
ican not  named.  There  is  much  mystery  about  this  affair.  Tliere  wore  tlu  ories 
that  the  Ind.  were  innted  by  the  Americans;  that  they  were  incited  by  Elorcs 
indirectly — that  is,  instructed  to  attack  all  attempting  to  quit  Cal.  or  join  tin- 
Americans;  that  there  was  no  massacre,  the  victims  having  been  killed  in  the 
fight  at  S.  Pascual;  and  that  they  were  first  captured  by  the  S.  Luis  fugitives 
in  connection  witli  an  effort  to  bring  back  the  latter  to  the  mission,  anil  were 
treacherously  killed  by  tlio  Cahuilla  allies.  Estudillo,  I)atos,  MS.,  4.'>-9,  says 
the  S.  Pascual  Ind.  tried  to  save  the  victims  but  were  too  late.  Alwut  tlie 
Ind.  chiefs  engaged  on  Ixitli  sides  therj  is  great  confusion  of  testimony.  See 
Machado,  Tkmpoi*  Pasadox,  MS.,  37— 42;  Julio ('t'-far,  Cosnt  de  Ind.,  MS.,  II- 
13;  11  ayes'  Em.  N.,  595-0;  Id.,  Memorab.,  139-41;  Id.,  Scraps,  Ind.,  i.  \m, 
141. 

1847.  Jan.,  campaign  against  the  lud.  in  consequence  of  the  Pauma 
affair  noted  above.  Liifjo,  Vida,  MS.,  51-(>3;  llnyen'  Km.  Noten,  SuT-H;  ./uih 
Ci' tar.  Cosh s,  MS.,  13-14.  The  evidence  is  still  contUcting;  bnt  the  S.  Liii- 
seftos  under  the  chiefs  Manuelito  (Vita  and  Pablo  Apis  seem  to  li.ave  'hiou  the 
victims  of  an  ambusii  and  bloody  tiLtlit  nejir  .Miuanga,  the  CahuilliiH  iiiuler 
Juan  Antonio  aiding  the  Californians  under  .lose  del  ("Aruien  Lugo  and  IJniuon 
Carrillo.  More  complaints  of  In<l.  depredations  in  April,  .s'.  /'.  Jn/i.,  MS,. 
"19;  //a»/<'s  Ooc,  MS.,  200-2;  Uiil,.  Doc,  MS..  ;«W.  .bin.  Feb.,  return  uf 
Keamy  .md  Stocktim  from  Los  Angeles;  arrival  of  the  Mormon  b.attaliiiii; 
Co.  11,  (.'apt.  Hunter,  as  a  garrison.  This  vol.,  pp.  42S-;{i»,  4S(}-9.     Mareli, 

farrisoned  for  two  weeks  by  Lieut  Stoueinan  and  the  di-;i;;<Hiii8.  /'/..  4S!t. 
uly,  departure  of  tiie  Mormons  to  be  iniistereil  out.  ami  petitions  of  eitizeiH 
on  the  need  of  a  garrison.  Id.,  490;  5.  J>.  Arrh.,  MS..  .•«22;  Fitih,  lh><-..  MS., 
440.  Return  of  the  reenliatcd  Mormons,  C'apt.  Davis,  in  Auj;.  /(/.,  451;  tlii* 
vol.,  p.  495. 

1848.  Arrival  of  Co.  I,  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  to  take  the  place  of  the  Mor- 
mons, who  were  mustered  out  in  March;  Capt.  Shannon  beoonies  loinuiandant 
of  the  post.  Id.,  514.     Feb.,  complaints  against  Shannon's  men  for  engaging 


III- 


(.1 


618 


LOCAL  ANNALS— SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


Pascual,  and  the  massacre  of  a  dozen  Californians  by 
the  Indians  in  December  were  also  more  startling 
events  than  had  occurred  in  this  region  for  years. 
Leading  citizeDs  cheerfully  embraced  the  cause  of  the 
United  States  from  the  first;  and  others  who  fled  to 
serve  under  Flores  for  a  few  months  soon  returned 
after  their  defeat,  and  the  course  of  events  in  1847-8 
was  as  tranquil  as  ever,  the  garrisons  of  Mormon  and 
New  York  volunteers  being  received  as  welcome  ad- 
ditions to  the  population,  giving  new  life  to  the  little 
town  and  to  the  social  festivities  that  alone  interrupted 
the  chronic  monotony  of  existence  there.  Josd  Ramon 
Argiiello  succeeded  his  father  as  sub-prefect  and  held 

in  mercantile  speculations,  introdnciug  military  clothing  free  of  duties. 
C'al.  and  iV.  Mex,,  Mesn.  and  Doc.,  482-3.  Jan.  -April,  more  trouble  with 
the  Ind.,  several  chiefs  being  imprisoned;  Charbonneau  imiilicatcd.  liandini. 
Doc,  MS.,  108;  S.  D.  Arch.,  MS.,  328,  331.  July,  return  of  Pio  Pico.  This 
vol.,  p.  588.  Sept.,  Shannon's  company  mustered  out.  Id.,  515.  Dec,  (Jra- 
ham's  battalion  of  U.  S.  dragoons  arrives  at  Warner's  runcho.  /(/.,  522-3. 

Municipal  affairs.  1846.  Jos^  Ramon  Arguello  appointed  sub-prefect 
Apr.  3d,  sworn  in  Apr.  12th.  He  held  the  office  till  the  Americaus  came. 
Dtpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  16;  Jd.,  lien.  P.  A  J.,  ii.  11,  TiO,  8.".,  128.  Jucces 
de  poz,  Jos6  Antonio  Estndillo  and  Juan  M.  Osuna.  The  latter  at  first  de- 
clined the  office  and  possibly  did  not  act.  Aug.  18th,  Miguel  Pedrorcna 
took  Estudillo's  place  in  the  latter's  absence.  Sept.  15th,  Joaquin  Ortega 
and  Henry  D.  Fitch  elected.  1847.  Jueces  de  ytiu,  or  alcaldes  as  tliey  were 
usually  termed,  Henry  D.  Fitcli  and  perhaps  Philip  Crosthwaito  elected. 
Hayes'  Em.  Noten,  480-91;  but  Tliomas  Ridington  soon  to<jk  C.'s  place  and 
was  acting  at  times  as  1st  juez  in  June-July,  also  as  sheriff.  June  23<), 
Fitch  declining  to  servo  longer,  Lieut  iloltcrt  Clift  of  the  Mormon  co.  was 
appointed  by  '^ol  Stevenson,  and  confirmed  by  Gov.  Mason  Dec.  10th.  Feb. 
5th,  Alcfildo  Fitch's  Lando  of  police  regnl.  S.  D.  Arch.,  MS.,  319.  Addi- 
tional regul.  May  15th.  Id.,  .320.  April,  alcalde  has  trouble  with  Warner, 
who  refuses  to  obey  his  onlers,  and  Thos  Russell  accused  of  an  attempted 
murder;  gets  instruc.  from  Kearny.  Fitch,  Doc.,  MS.,  431;  ('(U.  and  y.  Alex., 
301-3.  June,  Johnson  fined  $50,  with  2  months'  work,  for  stabbing  with  in- 
tent to  kill.  S.  D.  Index,  MS.,  90.  July,  court-house  and  bchool  in  course 
of  construction.  S.  D.  Arch.,  MS.,  319.  184S.  The  resignation  of  Robert 
Clift  as  juez  or  alcalde  was  accepted  Feb.  19th;  Juan  liandini  and  E.  L. 
Brown  were  appointed  as  1st  and  2d  alcaldes  by  Stevenson  March  20th,  and 
by  Caov.  Mason  April  15th.  B>Jdini  resigned  Sept.  27th  on  account  of  ill- 
ness, and  Juan  Marfa  Marron  was  elected  Oct.  3d,  being  approved  by  the 
gov.  Dec.  2tl. 

Custom-house  affairs.  1840.  Henry  D.  Fitcli  an  receptor  resigned  and 
was  succeeded  by  Pedro  C.  Carrillo  in  April.  Dtpt.  St.  Pap.,  Ben.  Cmt.-H., 
MS.,  vi.  7-8;  Id.,  P.  A  J.,  ii,  127.  Aug.  18th,  Carrillo  was  reappointed  by 
Com.  Stockton,  and  took  the  oath  on  tho  24th.  Carrillo,  Doc.,  MS.,  5.  In 
Marclk  the  as.sembly  proposed  the  opening  of  the  port  to  foreign  trade.  Dept. 
St.  Pap.,  MS.,  viii.  134.  Sept.,  purchase  of  ^  V»oat  for  $00  and  furniture  and 
stationery  $77  for  acct  of  U.  S.  Carrilio,  Doc,  MS.,  14.  1847.  Carrillo  after 
Feb.  was  apparently  succeeded  l>y  Santiago  Argiiello;  autl  June  24th,  ^ligucl 
Peda>rcna  was  appointed  This  vol.,  p.  440,   572;  Fitch,  Doc,  MS.,  421; 


ir. 


1  ANCHOS  AND  THE  MISSION. 


619 


►rnians  by 
startling 
for  years, 
use  of  the 
ho  fled  to 
1  returned 
in  1847-8 
rnion  and 
Iconic  ad- 
tho  Httle 
iterrupted 
s«5  Ramon 
;  and  held 

ee  of    duties. 

trouble  with 

,tcil.   liandini, 

^io  Pico.  This 

J.     nec.,(}ra- 

o.  Id.,  r)'22-3. 

•il  8)ib-prt-fect 

ci'icuiiH  came. 

1  "JI8.     Jucces 

er  at  first  <lt'- 

lel  l*edri)reiia 

iu|uia  Ortega 

as  they  were 

uito  elcotetl. 

's  place   nnu 

Juno  'i3<l, 

rinen  co.  was 

lOth.     Feb. 

319.     Addi- 

ith  Warner, 

in  aitenipteil 

ind  y.  Alex., 

biu^;  with  in- 

X)I  in  course 

»n  of  Robert 

li  and  E.  L. 

ch  29th,  and 

count  of  ill- 

ovetl  by  the 

esigncd  and 
n.  Cust.-H., 
ppointcd  by 
MS.,  5.  In 
trade.  iJept. 
urniiuro  and 
[!arriUo  after 
24th,  ^iigucl 
MS.,  421; 


the  place  till  the  Americans  came.  Municipal  affairs 
\vere  but  very  slightly  interrupted  under  the  new  re- 
glmo;  and  the  successive  justices  of  the  peace,  or  al- 
caides as  they  were  generally  termed,  were  Jose  Ali- 
tor io  Estudillo,  Miguel  Pedrorena,  Jo"iuin  Ortega, 
Henry  D.  Fitch,  Thomas  Ridington,  '.obert  Clift, 
Juan  Bandini,  and  Juan  M.  Marron.  The  revenues 
of  the  port  were  managed  successively  by  Fitch,  Car- 
rillo,  Argiiollo,  Pedrorena,  Shannon,  and  Pedrorena 
again,  ad:  ig  as  receptores,  or  collectors.  About  a 
dozen  ranchos  within  the  district  were  granted  by 
Governor  Pico  to  private  owners  in  184G;  and  during 
1847-8  an  efl:brt  was  made  to  keep  the  matter  of  titles 
for  these  and  earlier  grants  in  statu  quo  for  presenta- 
tion to  later  tribunals.  San  Diego  mission  had  no 
resident  padre  after  the  departure  of  Padre  Oliva  in 
August  184G.     The  remaining  property  was  ceded  in 

Ifat/ea,  Doc,  MS.,  203.  From  Oct.  under  the  new  o*  .lers  the  mil.  comman- 
dant was  required  to  act  as  collector.  This  vol.,  p.  .'>7 4.  1848.  C.  C.  Canlield 
acting  as  collector  iu  Feb. ;  (."apt.  Shannon  in  July.  Fitrh,  Doc,  MS.,  486,  522; 
but  Aug.  7th,  Pedrorena  was  reappointed,  with  a  salary  of  $1,000,  if  the  col- 
lections should  amount  to  that  sum  over  expenses.  Cat.  A  N.  Mex.,  654. 

Private  rauciios  iu  S.  Diegu  district  184U-8.  *Caniajal  y  Kl  Palomar,  4  I., 
granted  iu  1846  to  J.  J.  Warner,  who  was  cl.  Caftada,  sue  S.  Vicente. 
<iuadalupe,  mission,  in  B.  Cal.,  5  1.,  1846,  Junn  Itandini.  Le(j.  Hec,  MS.,  iv. 
.'121.  Island,  1846,  Pedro  0.  Carrillo;  Billings  cl.  Mission,  1846,  Sant.  Ar- 
gucllo,  who  was  cl.  Monserratc,  .3  I.,  lN4(i,  Isidro  M.  Alvarado,  wlio  was  cl. 
Otay,  2  1.,  1846,  Magdalena  Estudillo,  who  was  ol.  Pala,  see  M.  Luia  liey. 
i'alomar,  see  Camajaj.  Potrero,  see  S.  Jacinto.  S.  FelijHj,  seo  Valle.  S. 
Jacinto  Nuevo  y  Potrero,  1846,  Miguel  Pedrorena,  whoso  heirs  were  cl.  S. 
.lacinto  Vicjo  y  Nuevo,  sobranto,  5  I.,  1846,  Maria  <lcl  llosario  Estuilillo  do 
Aguirrc,  whose  husband  was  cl.  *S.  Luia  Key  &  Pala,  12  I.,  1846,  Scott  & 
Pico;  Wm  C.  Jones  cl.  Sta  Rosa,  3  1.,  1846,  Juan  Moreno,  who  was  cl.  S. 
Vicente,  caflada,  3  1.,  184(>,  Juan  Lopez;  Douiiugo  Yorba  cl.  Sobrante,  seo 
S.  .lacinto.  Valle  do  S.  Felipe,  3  I.,  1846,  Felipe  Castillo;  John  Forster  cl. 
*  Vallo  do  las  Viejas,  4  1.,  1S46,  Ramon  Osuua  ct  al. ;  Win  Williams  cl. 

8.  Diego  Mission.  1846.  .Ian.  6tli,  inventory  made  by  Pico  an<l  Manao, 
signed  also  by  P.  Oliva.  Engl,  translation  iu  //.  S.  v.  Anjudlo,  rl.  brirf  on 
Kxcfp.  Itfforf. Siirvojor-in'ii . ,  120-2;  Unt/rs'  Lfijnl  Hist.  S.  !>.,  45.  Totiil  value, 
$1,654,  of  which  f  i,00(>  is  for  main  building;  live-stock  1 10  cattle,  65  horses, 
\  mules;  credits  $19,588,  of  wliirh  §18,816  is  due  for  supplies  to  troops;  (h.-bt 
81,474,  of  which  $500  duo  to  Miguel  Pedrorena  lias  been  paiil  with  the  Sl;i 
Monica  rancho.  Juno  8th,  (iov.  Pico's  deed  of  wile  to  Santiago  .Vrgiielli), 
who  gets  all  the  lands  and  other  property  excepting  the  church  and  piidn^'s 
dwelling,  but  is  bound  to  support  the  imdre  and  worship,  and  tt»  pay  the  mis- 
sion debts.  The  consider.it ion  is  money  duo  to  A.  from  the  govt,  for  |)ast 
services.  Ilartman's  If  riff  in  .l/ii.v.  Ca-ti-n,  app.  80  3.  July  2Hli,  gov.  orders 
P.  Oliva  to  surrender  the  estate  by  inventory  ut  Argiiello.  IFnh.  l>oi\,  MS., 
390.  A  ground  plan  of  the  mission  buihlings,  no  date.  Si.  I'li/'.,  J/i^.'*.,  MS., 
vii.  3.     r,  Oliva  loft  the  mission  when  the  Americans  came.  S,  Difijo,  Lil>. 


020 


LOCAL  ANNALS— SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


r  i 


t 


June  to  Santiago  Argiiello  in  payment  for  past  ser- 
vices. Though  Arguello's  title  was  confirnied  in  later 
years,  the  American  autliorities  did  not  permit  him  to 
hold  tlic  property  in  1847-8,  putting  it  in  charge  ol 
E.  L.  Brown,  and  later  of  Philip  Crosthwaite,  who 
was  given  a  lease  for  two  or  three  years.  Naturally 
the  buildings  gradually  went  to  ruin,  but  there  were 
a  few  aged  Indians  left  whose  claim  to  supj)ort  was 
recognized  in  theory  at  least.  At  San  Luis  Rey, 
Father  Zalvidea,  the  senior  of  the  little  remaining 
band  of  Pernandinos,  died  early  in  1846,  and  the  mis- 

Mii.,  MS.,  57.  1847.  Oliva  at  S.  Juan  in  Oct.  complains  that  tho  com- 
niiindant  hail  removuil  the  roofs  of  mission  hiiihliuga  at  8.  Diego.  Unh.  Doc, 
M.S.,  1)7,  389.  Oct.  17th,  Captain  Davis  to  Stevenson,  P.  Oliva  on  his  de- 
purturo  left  a  man  in  cliargc.  J.  A.  Estudillo  shows  a  power  of  attorney 
from  Uliva;  and  Sant.  Arglello  has  a  bill  of  sale  from  tho  gov.,  probably 
antedated.  Id.,  1)7-8.  Scrgt  E.  L.  Brown  seems  to  have  been  put  in  charge 
of  tho  r.iiasion,  no  exact  date,  llayes^  Em.  Notc»,  150.  1848.  April  2Gth,  1*. 
Prefect  .limeno  permits  tho  alcalde  to  take  material  from  the  mined  buildings 
— not  pertaining  to  the  church  edifice! — to  build  a  new  church  in  town.  In 
Alay  there  were  some  efforts  to  obtain  a  padre  from  Lower  Cal.,  and  P. 
Mitncilla  agreed  to  come.  <S.  J).  Iwttx,  MS.,  141;  Hayes'  Mms.  B.,  i.  407. 
Aug.  Gtli,  (Jrosthwaitc  receives  tho  property  from  Brown.  Tiioro  woro  5H 
I  tittle,  43  horses,  13  asses,  33  sheep,  iukI  44  goats.  In  June  there  had  been 
only  107  animals  instead  of  180.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  173.  Aug.  9th,  Stevenson 
to  gov. ,  if  left  in  present  stoto  the  property  will  soon  disappear.  It  should  Iks 
Mold.  Some  old  Ind.  still  remain,  and  they  might  receive  rations  from  tho  (Kjst. 
Id.,  l.'>9.  At  this  time  or  in  Oct.  Crosthwaite  leased  tho  mission  for  3  years 
(or  '2  years).  Ho  went  to  the  mines,  leaving  his  father-in-luw,  Bonifacio  Lopez, 
ill  chai'ge,  and  when  ho  camo  back  in  1849  found  tho  U.  S.  troops  quartere<l 
here.  (Jrosthwaite,  in  Ilaye.n'  Km.  No!e»,\'A.  Aug.  1 8th,  Gov.  Mason  having 
received  from  Stevenson  an  inventory  ordered  tho  property  put  at  tho  dispo- 
sition of  Pmlro  (jionailez  of  Sta  Barbara — perhaps  only  the  church  property. 
Vol.  <0  N.  Mrx.,  .'ilMi.  Sept.  8th,  P.  Gonzalez  to  Stevenson,  has  received  the 
governor's  orders;  but  tho  property  is  already  rented  for  '2  years,  lie  has 
sent  tho  inventory  to  tho  padre  prefecto  J imono.   Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  SU-I."). 

San  Luis  Key.  1810.  May  18th,  deeil  of  sale  to  Josti  A.  Cot  and  Jo8<? 
A.  Pico  for  $2",4:{7.  llartman'H  liilfif,  app.  83-5;  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  '277-9. 
July  21th,  gov,  onlers  tiio  admin.,  Marron,  to  deliver  the  property  to  Cot 
and  Pico.  St.  Pap.,  Mins.,  MS.,  xi.  53.  John  Forster,  Pioneer  Data,  MS., 
'22-3,  .SO,  says  that  ho  took  possession  for  tho  jjurchasers,  and  then  left  Mar- 
ron in  charge  for  C.  and  P.  Seo  also  Marion,  Pap.,  MS.,  9.  In  Aug.,  Vri- 
inont  put  .lohn  Uidwi'll  in  diargo,  removing  M.irron  and  having  some  trouble 
wHh  Forster.  liidii'dl'^  Cat.,  MS.,  181;  /'lir-Krr'.x  Pion.  Data,  MS.,  .30-1; 
Lorenzaiitt,  Mem.,  MS.,  I7-1*<.  The  latter  thinks  (Jodcy  was  put  in  charge. 
She  also  says,  p.  '22,  27.  that  on  Aug.  •2.'»th  P.  Oliva  came  up  from  S.  Diego 
and  stayed  two  montliH  i)cfore  going  toS.  .Juan.  P.  Zalvidai  had  died  earlier 
in  tho  year.  Aug.  '22d,  Cot  eoinplaiiis  to  Stockton  of  forcible  dispossession 
at  tho  hands  of  Ln'mont,  and  I'.sks  for  reinstatt  nieiit,  thougli  willing  to  leavo 
the  aucstion  of  title  to  tho  couctn.  Stockton  loft  tho  matter  to  Gillcapio  and 
notlung  w.is  done,  ns  appears  in  .i  lat.-r  complaint  oi.'  Cot  in  Oct.  of  the  next 
year.  unb.  Doc,  MS.,  '277-9.  Bid  well  had  to  retire  in  Oct.  at  tho  time  of 
the  Flores  revolt.  This  vol.,  p.  '2(17,  '280,  31S;  and  JoscJ  Alipiis  seems  to  have 


SAX  LUIS  REY  AND  I'ADUK  ZALVIDEA. 


921 


sion  had  no  later  resident  minister,  exce[)t  perhaps 
Padre  OHva  tor  a  short  time  in  the  same  year.  The 
San  Luis  estate  was  sold  in  May  to  Cot  and  Pico  tor 
$2,437;  but  their  agent  was  dis[)ossessed  by  Fremont, 
and  they  failed  to  regain  possession.  Some  doubts 
were  expressed  then  and  later  about  tiie  genuineness 
of  the  sale;  but  the  title  was  finally  rejected  on  the 
ground  that  the  governor  had  no  power  to  sell  the 
missions.     Juan  M.  Marron  was  in  charge  until  Au- 


hixa 


}go 
ier 
iou 
kvo 
nd 

iXt 

of 

iVO 


commanded  a  small  military  force  hero  until  Stockton  took  the  place  tlio 
next  Jan.  Eatiidillo,  Dillon,  MS. ,  47.  The  S.  Luis  neophytes  were  concerned 
ill  the  Pauma  massacre  uf  Dec,  as  related  in  anotiier  paragrapii  of  this  note. 
1847.  Jan. -April,  Stockton's  arrival,  and  Monnon  garrisons.  This  vol.,  p. 
.380-7,  4'2S,  441,  488-9.  June-Aug.,  complaints  of  Iml.  depredations.  They 
broke  into  the  church,  stole  the  crucitix,  and  threatened  anotiier  raid.  S.  1>. 
Arch.,  MS.,  .T20;  S.  F.  Cali/omian,  Sept.  1."),  1847.  Aug.  Ist,  Capt.  J.  D. 
Hunter  of  the  Mormon  Imttaliou  appointed  sub-Indian  agent  with  headrpiar- 
ters  at  S.  Luis.  This  vol.,  p.  5GS.  Mormon  garrison  under  Lieut  Barrus.  Iil., 
495.  Aug.  2d,  Gov.  Mason  to  Hunter,  he  is  put  in  cliargo  of  the  missioit 
property  only  to  protect  it;  if  any  priests  come  they  are  to  bo  treated  witk 
kindness  anil  g'ven  rooms  and  supplies  and  anything  they  want,  oven  tli» 
entire  manageincijt  of  the  Ind.  CVt/.  it  A'.  M(X.,  ."US.  Sept.  l.st,  Stevenson 
to  gov.,  the  ind.  are  pica'M  at  Hunter's  appointment;  but  complain  that  livo- 
stock  has  been  removed,  which  should  bo  recovered.  S.  says  tlie  Ind.  iiavc 
raised  grain  enough  for  their  wants,  anil  their  settlement  shows  more  evi- 
dence of  comfort  than  most  of  tiie  ranchos  of  rich  Californians.  IFnb.  /)ot'., 
MS.,  92-3.  Nov.  24th,  gov.  to  J.  A.  Pico,  reijuest  to  turn  ovsr  any  nli.s^4iolt 
property  in  his  possession  to  Hunter,  and  to  furiiisii  an  inventory  of  ail  such 
property  that  may  have  been  at  any  time  in  his  possession.  /'/'•«,  /)oc.,  MS., 
ii.  i:SI.  Nov.  24th,  gov.  sends  a  blank  appointment  for  alcalde,  to  be  filleil 
out  by  Stevenson  with  name  of  John  Shannon  (Charbonncaii?)  or  any  other. 
Col  -t  -V.  Mex.,  434.  Dec.  Ist,  gov.  to  Hiintur  on  eoiiciiiatory  measures 
witi  J.  J.  Warner  and  the  Ind.  whose  land  W.  claims,  so  as  to  ko'p  tiie  Ind. 
quiet,  and  leave  ouestion  of  title  for  tlie  court.s.  Itl.,  43S.  1S4S.  Jean  H. 
Charlxmneau  alcalde  until  Aug.,  wlicii  iiis  resignation,  ollered  because  as  a 
Iialf-lireed  ho  was  thought  to  favor  tiio  lud.  too  luueii,  was  acci'jited  by  tlio 
gov.  a.  D.  Arch.,  MS.,  .333;  LTnh.  iMc,  MS.,  ;ili4  .■»;  Cul.  .1-  X.  .\lrx.,  itH7-H. 
•Ifui.  31st,  Hunter  reiK>rta  tiiat  lie  iias  raised  a  .siiiuil  wlicat  crop  on  tiie  niis- 
sion  farm  at  I'ala,  and  iias  induced  tlie  Iml.  to  do  tiie  8;iiiie.  I'lih.  I><><\,  M.S., 
(12-3.  In  .Sept.,  Hunter  intended  to  i-esigii.  A/.,  174;  and  Der.  ITtii,  he  was 
granted  a  leave  of  absence  for  (i  inoiitiis,  \Vm  Wiliiaiiis  to  take  eliarge  of  tlie 
mission  in  his  place.  Col.  A  N.  Met-.,  (1^1. 

.los6  Maria  de  Zalvidea  was  l)oni  at  Uilbim,  \'i/.ea\a,  S|i.iiM,  on  March  2, 
178(),  t«.k";ig  the  Franciscan  habit  Pei;.  l.'{,  17!*'^,  and  eiimiii^'  to  the  Mex.  col- 
lege  of  .S.  Fernando  in  Sept.  1804.  H:;  jiiTivtil  in  Cal.  in  .Vug.  IHO.'i,  ainl  Ids 
missionary  service  was  at S.  Fernando  in  iSO.'i  <>,  at  .S.  (lalniel  in  lH00-2(i,  at 
S.  Juan  Capistranoin  1820-42,  ami  at  S.  Lui.s  Itt^y  in  IS42-(».  i'tnin  the  (list 
lie  W!i8  r.ateil  by  his  superiors  ns  one  if  (lie  lw;st  and  iiiost/ealniis  ni  tliefiiaiN, 
as  priest,  teacher,  and  manager  of  temporalities.  Aiilohioij.  .!«/(/;/.  i/c  /n.i 
PdilreM,  MS.;  Snrrin,  In/.  </«>  L^ll/,  MS.,  4."i-0;  I'aijnuu,  Inf.  »/.■  ISjn,  Ms., 
12.1.  Zalvidea's  great  liold  of  lalnir  was  at  San  (.iaiiriel,  wliere  lie  toiled  in- 
cessantly for  20  years,  and  witii  the  greatest  success,  to  build  up  the  temporal 
interests  of  his  mission,  but  never  neglecting  spiritual  .ifairsor  sacrillciug  the 
lovu  of  his  neophytes  or  the  esteem  of  all  wlio  camo  in  contact  with  him.    Ho 


I 


II 


622 


LOCAL  ANNALS-SAX  DIEGO  TO  M0>  '  KREY. 


gust  184G,  and  John  Bidwcll  from  that  time  till  Oc- 
tober. A  garrison  of  the  Mormon  battalion  held  the 
place  during  the  greater  part  of  1847;  and  from  Au 
gust  Captain  Hunter  as  sub-Indian  agent  for  the 
south  took  charge  of  the  mission,  being  succeeded 
temporarily  by  William  Williams  at  the  end  of  1848. 
Hunter  found  a  considerable  number  of  Indians,  who 
under  his  protection  tilled  the  soil  with  much  industry 

was  doubtless  in  tiiose  duya  a,  iiiodul  missionary,  and  tl>en  and  later  was  re- 
garded by  tlic  common  people  ns  a  saint.     Ho  gave  miicii  attention  to  viticul- 
ture at  8.  (labricl,  being  the  first  tu  introduce  this  industry  on  a  large  scale, 
and  taking  the  greatest  prido  in  his  immense  vineyard.     In  my  list  of  author- 
ities a  diary  of  exploration  in  180G,  and  a  petition  of  18'.'7  in  behalf  of  the 
Indians,  bear  hia  name.     In  political  controversies  lie  took  no  part;  in  1829 
he  was  willing  to  swear  allegiance  to  the  republic  so  fur  as  was  consistent 
with   his  profession;  and  in  1838  he  declined  a  passport  to  retire,  on  the 
cround  that  there  wa.s  none  to  take  his  place.     His  transfer  in  1826,  against 
his  wishes,  was  doubtless  mainlv  because  his  services  were  needed  at  S.  Juan 
in  the  place  of  Padre  Boscana;  but  also  because  some  of  his  idiosyncrasies — 
notably  that  connected  with  his  vineyard,  whi<;h  he  proposed  to  protect  V)y  an 
iron  fence — bad  assumed  the  form  of  insubordmation  to  bis  superiore,  or  per- 
haps suggested  tliat  a  change  might  be  mentally  bcneiicial.     All  this  has, 
however,  been  nmcli  exaggerated  in  current  accounts?  of  later  years,  as  has 
also  Zaividoa's  brooding  ove"  the  change  and  its  eflfect  on  bis  mind.     Some- 
what eccentric  nt  first,  he  became  more  ao  in  his  old  age,  and  finally  during 
bis  stay  of  four  years  at  San  Luit  be  became  probably  in  some  respects  insane. 
Among  tho.se  w'lio  write  from  personal  acquaintance  with  the  padre  arc  Estu- 
dillo,  JMtlot,  MS.,  35-40;  Marron.  licfwrdi)^,  MS.,  3-9;  Alvarado,  IImI.  Cat., 
MS.,  iii.  113-14;  Coronel,  t'otuit  (!<■  Cnl.,  MS.,  217-19;  Janssens,   Vida,  MS., 
107;  I>avis,  GliiiijttirK,  M.S.,    134-0,  Julio  Cesar,  Counx  de  Iiid.,  MS.,   6-7; 
White,  Vdl.,  MS.,  64-5;  Serrano,  A/i'inli'-t,    M.S.,   1.S3-6;  Perez,  Rectierdos, 
MS.,  o  (i;  and  Lorenzana,    Mem.,  MS.,   14-10.     Tiiere  was  also  in  1874  a 
newspaper  di.scussion  between  E.\-gov.  Downey  and  (Jen.  Vallejo  about  the 
padre's  character  and  his  acts  at  S.  (Jabricl.     Nearly  all  agrr-  as  to  his  many 
eccentricities  in  tiie  last  yeai-s,  most  of  tiiem,  as  is  understood,  having  been 
noticed  in  less  degree  from  the  first.     When  aildressed  bo  invariably  replied, 
'Vamos,  si  Rcfior,' and  turned  his  eyes  partly  away.     His  method  of  eating 
was  to  mix  all  that  was  put  before  him,  solid  and  liquid,  sweet  and  Eour,  in 
one  di.sh,  and  then  devour  the  mass;  or  if  this  w^as  prevented,  he  would  take; 
the  di.shcs  in  succpssion,  butter,  wine,    meat,  etc.,  witiiout  regard   to  the 
order,  ahv.'iys  swallowing  the  entire  contents  of  one  dish  before  beginning 
anotli(>r,  and  never  leaving  anything  on  the  table.     On  rising  ho  cleaned  his 
born  spoon  and  fork,  while  a  servant  cleaned  his  earthen  basin,  and  carried 
all  throe  to  hi^  room,  putting  bis  napkin  in  his  girdle.     Mo.st  of  his  time  he 
spent  in  reading  devotional  books,  walking  meanwhile  about  the  mission,  and 
occasionally  stopi)ing  to  make  strange  gestures  and  exclaim,  '  Va-to  Satands,' 
as  if  engaged  in  a  cctnllict  with  the  o\  il  one,  or  driving  away  evil  thoughts. 
While  thus  engaged  ho  paid  no  heed  to  warnings  of  danger,  and  on  several 
occasions  wild  cattle  charged  upon  him  without  harming  him  or  evoking  any- 
thing but  a  slight  reproof  for  throwing  dirt  upon  his  book.     He  made  fre- 
(juiiit  uso  of  the  scourge,  anil  won'  belts  w ith  iron  points  penetrating  tho 
flesh.     In   his  last  nu)ntlis  ho  would  havo  no  watchers  at  night,  anX  wa« 
always  found  covered  with  blood  from  self-inllicted  wounds  in  tho  morning. 
Yet  even  in  tho  midst  of  all  this  madness  in  devotional  matters,  ho  showed 
himself  to  have  a  clear  head  and  the  most  practical  and  liberal  ideas  on  all 


SAX  JUAX  CAPISTRANO. 


62.1 


and  success.  Jean  B.  Charbonneau  acted  as  alcalde 
for  a  time.  Padre  Vicente  Pascual  Oliva  came  to  San 
Juan  Capistrano  in  the  autumn  of  1846,  and  died  there 
in  January  1848.  Tlier.-  seems  to  have  been  no  other 
resident  minister  during  the  period;  and  nothing  is 
known  of  progress  at  the  pueblo,  which,  howevc^r,  had 
a  population  of  113  souls,  according  to  a  padron  ot 
1846.     J(^hn  Forster,  who  had  purchased  the  mission 

other  subjects.  He  was  a  ttiU  inuii,  of  fine  presence  and  fair  cuinplexion;  ul- 
wayg  courteous  in  liis  manners,  with  a  smilu  and  kind  word  for  all,  and  never 
annoyed  1>y  the  presence  of  others  even  in  liis  niachlest  niomcnts.  He  was 
skilled  in  tlic  native  tongue,  in  whicli  lie  used  to  preach  on  Sunday  nt  8. 
(jabriel,  according  to  Hugo  Ueid.  There  is  no  evidence  that  he  ever  liad  an 
enemy  or  said  an  unkind  word  of  any  man.  He  refused  to  (|uit  S.  I^uia, 
where  he  Iwlieved  his  services  to  be  needed;  hut  finally  it  was  thouglit  best 
to  remove  him  to  .S.  .luan.  A  curt  was  prepared  with  all  possible  conveniences, 
by  advice  of  I'adre  Oliva  and  Apnlinaria  Lorcnzaua,  who  had  nursed  him  for 
some  days.  The  night  l)eforc  the  journey  was  to  bo  nia<le  Zulvidca  died. 
He  was  bnried  in  the  mission  churih,  at  tlie  left  of  the  altar.  The  date  is 
not  known,  but  it  was  apparently  early  in  1840. 

San  .Juan  Capistrano.  I84(!.  John  Foratcr  jiu'Z  de  paz,  Juan  .\vila  su- 
plente.  Dejil.  Si.  /V(/>..  MS.,  vii.  S(S;  viii.  UI-.T;  Id.,  Anij.,  s.\.  170;  Id.,  lien. 
I'.  )i  J.,  iv.  ViA.  March,  (Nidron  of  S.  Juan  sliowing  a  i)op.  de  razoii  of  \\'^. 
J)ept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  viii.  141  5.  1'.  Oliva  came  here  to  live  in  thi;  autumn. 
S.  Dirtjo,  Lib.  Mil.,  .MS.,  57;  l.ort'iizana,  J/<'W.,  MS.,  22, 127.  tJov.  I'icocoii- 
cealed  for  a  time  in  this  vicinity  after  his  (light  from  Angeles  in  Aug.  This 
vol.,  p.  278.  1847.  Forster  reappointed  alcalde  byCov.  Muson  July  14tli. 
(Jul.  «t  .;V.  MfX.,  .174.  llesigns  Dec.  .'<d  becauso  tlie  Ind.  agent,  Hunter,  in- 
terferes and  the  trfwps  tlecline  to  aid  him.  Unh.  Dor.,  MS.,  12!)-.'M).  IS4.S. 
I$laa  Aguilar  alcalde.  In  Aug.  lie  objects  to  being  deemed  subordinate  to 
the  alcalde  of  Los  Angeles.  Ln.^  Ani/.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  2lM-2.  Tlie  S.  Juan 
mission  registers  show  tliat  1'.  Tomaa  Ksti'nega  otKciated  occjisionally  in  1K4.'{ 
«;  P.  Igm  IJamirez  de  Arrellano  in  1.H44;  and  1*.  lUas  (Jrdaz  in  1H47-8. 
Vicente  i'asoual  was  liorn  July  ."t,  I7S<).  at  Martin  del  llio,  Aragon,  and  be- 
came a  Franciscan  at  the  convent  of  Niii  Sra  do  .lesus  in  Zaragoza,  Feb.  I, 
179!>.  He  came  to  Mexico  in  1810  and  started  for  Cal.  in  181 1,  but  was  de- 
layed by  the  revolution  and  by  a  serious  illness  at  Acapiilco,  and  did  not  arrive 
until  Aug.  1813.  Ho  served  at  S.  (Vnlos,  as  supernumerary,  in  I8i;i-I4,  at 
S.  Fcrnanilo  in  1814-15,  at  S.  Francisco  in  I815-I!»,  at  S.  Miguel  in  I81D-20, 
at  S.  Diego  in  1820-40,  and  at  S.  .luan  (".ipistrano  in  184(»-;<.  Ordinary 
merit,  good  application,  and  a  certain  ability  as  jircaclier  were  the  qualities 
accreditcil  to  him  by  his  superiors.  Antoli'inij..  Aidoij.  dr  /.w  I'lulrvi,  MS.; 
Surria,  Inf.  de  ISJr,  MS.,  71-2;  I'mjini^,  Inf.  d,-  /.s'.'m,  M.S.,  I2:(.  Not  much 
is  known  of  this  padre,  wlio  sicnis  to  ha\i^  been  a  vciy  commonplace  man, 
with  tew  notable  merits  or  defects.  Duliaut' 'illy,  t'iniijio,  il.  I!(-2I,  men- 
tions the  jMjor  tpialify  of  fooil  and  the  unclc;iii!y  .service  at  the  pailre's  table, 
and  his  expressions  of  surpiiso  that  no  one  sc>  iiicd  to  care  to  cut  with  him. 
Oliva's  moral  character  was  not  in  nil  icspccts  above  suspicion,  though  there 
is  no  deiinito  evidence  against  him.  He  declined  to  take  the  oath  of  lepubli- 
«'an  allegiance  in  1820  and  later.  When  the  Americans  came  he  left  S.  I'Icljo, 
where  ho  had  lived  for  2(5  years,  and  after  a  short  stay  at  S.  Luis,  camo  to  8. 
Juan  proljably  in  (^ct.  He  died  here  Jan.  2,  1848,  without  receiving  the  siic- 
r.'imcntfl,  as  tho rains ])revented  I'adru  Ordaz  from  arriving  in  time;  but  Ordaz 
buried  him  on  the2!)th  in  tho  presbytery  of  the  missiou  churcli.  .V.  Juan  Vu/t., 
Lib.  J/i».,  MS.,  11-12. 


«M 


LOCAL  ANNALS-SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


f)roperty  in  1845,  and  to  whom  it  was  confirmed  in 
ater  times,  was  not  disturbed  in  his  possession.  He 
served  as  alcalde  in  184G-7,  and  Bias  Aguilar  was  his 
successor. 

Los  Angeles  had  an  unusually  interesting  history 
in  184G-7  as  the  capital,  and  as  the  centre  of  the  Cal- 
ifornians'  last  or  only  resistance  to  foreign  invasion; 
but  this  was  also  the  history  of  California  in  those 
years,  and  has  been  narrated  v/ith  all  desirable  detail 
in  the  earlier  chapters  of  this  volume.  Therefore 
here,  even  more  than  elsewhere,  does  an  index  suffice.' 
Leading  events  of  184G  were  Pico's  controversy  with 
Castro  and  the  north,  involving  fears  of  local  inva.sioa ; 
Stockton's  occupation  of  the  city  in  Aurust:  and 
Flores'  revolt,  including  the  fights  at  Chino  and  San 
Pedro.  At  the  beginning  of  1847  came  the  reoccu- 
pation  by  United  States  forces,  the  final  submission 
of  the  Californians,  and  the  controversies  of  Stockton, 
Frdmont,  and  Kearny,  ending  In  the  triumph  of  the 

'  Los  Angcica  events.  1 846.  Jan.  -July,  political  affairs  in  the  controvc-rey 
of  Pico  V8  (Jastro,  sessions  of  the  assembly,  etc.  This  vol.,  p.  30-53.  Lists 
of  inhab.  in  the  region,  including  one  of  4*27  nien  capable  of  bearing  aniu  iu 
July.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  04-5;  /(/.,  JJen.  P.  .0  J.,  ii.  i5!>-60.  -April 
18tn,  Pio  Pico  sworn  in  as  constitutional  gov.  by  Mex.  appointment.  Thia 
vol.,  p.  40.  March-.\ug.,  Indian  affairs,  showing  frequent  alarms  at  rumors 
of  invasion  from  the  Coloratlo  River  bonds,  with  several  expeditions  from  the 
S.  Bernardino  region.  On  one  occasion  18  Ind.  were  killed  at  S.  Francisco 
rancho,  having  revolted  after  being  captured.  It  was  at  one  time  resolvcl  to 
station  a  guard  at  the  Cajon.  Six  Yuta  families  came  to  Jurupa  to  settle. 
llandini.  Doc,  07;  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  vi.  11,  80,  80-7,  0"2-3;  viii.  104-10;  /'/., 
Amt.,  viii.  64,  71;  Id.,  lien.,  iv.  3G-9;  Id.,  P.  ,bJ.,  ii.  48;  iv.  62;  Uj.  litr., 
iv.  340-8.  June,  news  of  the  Bear  Flag,  cool  response  of  the  Angelifwa  to 
Pico's  aills.  This  vol.,  p.  140.  Action  of  the  assembly  on  the  McNomara 
scheme.  Jd.,  218-19.  July,  action  of  the  gov.,  a8tiemb.,and  general  on  news 
of  Sloat's  invasion.  Id.,  '203-0.  Aug.,  the  American  forces  at  .S.  Pedro  Gtfa, 
negotiations,  flight  of  Pico  an<l  Castro  10th,  Stockton  takes  the  city  I3tli. 
Gillespie  left  in  command  Slat.  Id.,  '200-87.  Sept. -Oct.,  Gillespie's  acta  and 
policy,  Varela  tumult  '23d,  Flores'  revolt,  fight  at  Cliino  rancho  •26-Tth,  Gil- 
iuspio  driven  out,  Mcrviiic's  defeat  at  S.  Pedro  Oct.  8th,  sessions  of  the 
assembly,  Stockton  at  S.  Pedro  2.3d.  /(/.,  305-2.'».  Nov.-Dec.  Horea' opera- 
tions, Kico's  sub-revolt,  Dec.  3d.  Id.,  3*29-34,  3.J0.  Larkin  at  Angeles  as  a 
prisoner.  Id.,  30.').  lictum  of  Manuel  Castro's  army  from  the  northern  cam* 
paign.  /(/.,  372. 

1847.  Jan.,  defence  by  Flores  and  capture  by  Kcarcy  and  Stockton,  bat- 
tle of  the  S.  Gabriel  8tli,  battle  of  la  Mesa  9th,  city  occupied  by  U.  >-  forces 
10th,  arrival  of  Frdmont  and  his  bntUilion  14th,  flight  of  Flores  and  Ca.^r» 
lltii,  treaty  of  Cabucnga  13th.  Id.,  3So-407.   Jan. -Feb.,  controversy  between 


LOS  AXGKLKS  AFFAIRS. 


I  the 


I  to 


latter  and  the  removal  of  the  capital  from  Los 
Angeles  to  Monterey  in  March.  Subsequent  annals 
of  1847-8 — a  period  of  senii-military  rule  under 
Colonel  Stevenson  as  commandant  of  the  south  witli 
garrisons  from  the  iMormon  battalion,  New  York 
volunteers,  and  U.  S.  dragoons — offer  but  littlo  of 
general  importance,  though  including  items  of  local 
interest  as  appended  in  my  note.  Abel  Stearns 
served  as  sub-prefect  for  a  time  before  the  Ameri- 

Stockton,  Kenmy,  and  Fremont,  <lcparturo  of  K.  and  S.,  Frdmont  as  gov. 
/(/.,  422-35.  March-May,  FrOmoot's  controversy  with  Kvorny,  Cant.  Turner 
arrives  11th,  Fremont's  rulo  22d,  Col  Cooke  in  command  24th,  F.'s  return 
2'Jth,  Col  Mason's  arrival  April  7tl»,  Fn'mont  vs  .Miison  Nth,  arrival  of 
Kearny  May  0th,  F.'s  deitarturo  12tli,  Stevenson  succeeds  Cooke.  /(/.,  440- 
50.  March-May,  slight  uctails  of  troubles  with  Ind.,  by  whom  on  one  occa- 
sion tho  dragoons  were  repulsed  witii  tiirec  men  wounded.  Los  Aiiq.  Arch., 
MS.,  iii.  48-50,  54-5;  v.  434-5,  44.VG;  Savwje,  Doc,  .MS.,  ii.  70;  Unb.  Doc, 
M.S.,  87-8,  115-16,  :«0;  Lwjo,  Vidu,  MS.,  07-8;  Moreno,  Vkla,  MS.,  :J3  5. 
March^uly,  tho  Mormons  at  Angeles.  This  vol.,  p.  48!)  et  seq.  May,  etc., 
Co.  K  and  (i,  N.  Y.  volunteers",  at  Angeles  as  a  garrison.  Id.,  514-15.  May, 
efforts  to  obtain  the  services  of  a  parisit  priest  in  placo  of  tho  sickly  presbyter 
Jimenez  del  Ucoio.  Tho  president  wouKl  not  pei-mit  P.  Ordaz  to  serve.  Ao,i 
Ait'j.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  59-62.  June,  artillery  sent  from  Monterey  f(jr  tlio 
Angeles  fortifications.  Cal.  <fc  W.  Mex.,  328.  July,  etc.,  rumors  of  troubU^s 
witli  tho  Californians.  Tiiis  vol.,  p.  583  ct  se(].  Dec.  7th,  explosion.  /'/., 
515,585.  Tlic  killed  were  Sergt  Travers  and  Private  Logaro  of  tho  N.  V. 
vol.,  and  Priv.->to  Stokely  of  v.ho  dragoons;  10  others  were  wounded.  Orijin'.i 
I'll/'.,  MS.,  124-7.  At  an  election  for  ayunt.  in  Dec.  there  were  96  voters,  22 
of  whom  could  write.  Los  Aug.  Ayunt.  liec,  MS.,  80. 

1848.  Jan.  4th,  a  slight  temblor,  according  to  a  newspaper.  Feb.  Gtii, 
a  force  to  bo  posted  at  the  Cajon  to  keep  Ind.  raiders  in  check.  Unh.  Dor., 
MS.,  43-4.  April  15th,  a  N.  Mex.  caravan  under  F.  E.  Vigil  and  Juan  1. 
Moraine  to  start  on  return.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  An<j.,  MS.,  viii.  77.  April,  trial 
of  Barrus  and  other  Mormons  for  passing  counterfeit  money.  This  vol. ,  p. 
GlO-11.  July,  return  of  (Jov.  Pico.  /(/.,  588.  Aug.  8th,  orders  to  Steven- 
son on  breaking  up  the  military  post,  and  removing  tho  guns  and  war-stores. 
Cal.  ct-  X.  Mex.  1850,  p.  635-6.  Aug.  20th,  Stevenson  to  gov.,  an  earnest 
appeal  against  leaving  the  people  c.xiwsed  to  Ind.  raids  without  troops  or 
arms.  Id,,  64.>-0.  List  of  over  100  land-owners  witli  their  water  rates. 
/fai/es,  y^or.,  MS.,  209.  There  were  2.'>9  voters  for  the  ayunt.  Lou  Awj,  Arch., 
MS.,  v.  409. 

Municipal  govei-ment  and  list  of  officials.  1846.  Abel  Steams  subpie- 
fect  in  June-July,  appointed  June  17th,  sworn  in  20th,  Narciso Botcllo  secre- 
tary. It  will  be  remembered  that  .Stearns  was  also  sub-confidential  agent  of 
tlic!  U.  S. !  Members  of  the  ajruiitamiento:  alcaMes  Juan  Callardo  and  Josti 
1..  Seprilveda;  regidores  Leonardo  Cota,  Luis  .lordaii,  Miguel  I'ryor,  ainl 
■luliau  Ciiavez;  suidico  Alexander  liell,  secretary  Ignacio  (Joroncl.  Cota, 
Jordan,  and  Chavez  acted  as  jueces  at  different  times.  Chavez  is  also  nanuxl 
as  juez  de  agiuis,  and  Casihlo  Aguilar  as  celador.  In  Feb.  the  ranchos  of  S. 
Bernardino,  Yucaipa,  Napolitan,  Junipa,  lluapa,  and  Cucamonga  were 
formed  into  a  separafco  district,  with  11.  D.  Wilson  as  juez  do  paz  and  Jos6 
tlcl  Cdrmcn  Lugo  as  suplente.  Aug.  20th,  T. "uis  Robiiloux  succeeded  Wil- 
son by  Stockton  s  appointment.  Francisco  (iaicia  was  juez  of  .S.  Fcliciano, 
".\  itli  JostJ  Salazar  as  suplente.  Igoacio  Coronet  was  receptor  at  S,  Pedro  io 
UisT.  Cai...  Vol.  V.    40 


G20 


LOCAL  ANNALS-SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


can  occupation;  and  inuiiicipal  affair 5,  except  as  in- 
teiTuptea  by  the  military  rule  of  Gillespie  in  August 
and  Scptenilxjr  184G,  and  of  Fieniont  in  January 
1  847,  were  managed  by  an  ayuntriiniento  with  Juan 
(jrallardo  and  Josd  Salazar  as  successive  alcaldes;  but 
i'or  1848,  though  an  ayuntamiento  was  elected,  it  was 

J  r  ly.  Jiui.  2l8t,  gov.  onlcrs  payment  of  $t,6.")6,  the  halauce  of  tlic  §5,000  jiaiil 
for  A.  M.  Lugo's  house  Iwught  for  use  of  iho  goVw.  Unb.  JJoc,  MS.,  388. 
Otlar  accouiUs  .say  that  he  Itouyht  the  house  of  Isaac  Williaui.-?,  paid  §000  on 
account,  anil  in  June  niortgagcdthe  Imilding  to  CVlis  for  §2,000.  Ifai/es'  Crim. 
TriuU,  I  et  seq.;  lintello,  AnaUs,  M.S.,  127.  June,  the  nyunt.  has  its  feelings 
Wounded  ]>y  an  order  to  Hubmit  all  its  acts  to  the  govt  for  approval.  Los  Aiuj. 
Arrh.,  MS.,  V.  3lS-r)l ;  JJcpt.  St.  Pap.,  Ben.  P.  A  J.,  j.\IS.,  ii.  81.  July,  sul)- 
prefect  tells  alcalde  that  he  has  no  right  to  leave  town  without  his  (Steani.s') 
permission.  /Mpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  04. 

1S47.  The  city  was  under  military  rule  in  Jan.,  as  it  had  been  since  the 
jireceding  July,  but  on  Feb.  lOth  the  following  ayunt.  was  elected:  Alcaldes 
Jose  Salaair  and  Enrirpio  Avila;  regidores  Miguel  N.  Pryor,  Julian  Chavez, 
Rafael  Gallardo,  and  Jost5  Ant.  Vorba;  sindioo  Jose  Vicente  (iuerrero;  sec.  Ig- 
nacio  Coronel.  Primary  election  on  the  7th.  There  were  frequent  absences  and 
consequent  temporary'  promotions.  Juez  do  policia  Pedro  Cabrera  from  Oct. ; 
juez  auxiliar  at  Sta  Ana  Teodosio  Yorba;  zanjeros  llasilio  Lusiano  and  Mari- 
ano 11.  lliildah.  Alcalde  at  S.  Bernardino  Louis  llobidoux,  reappointed  by 
liov.  Mason  June  1st.  llecejitor  at  S.  Pedro,  Pedro  Carrillo,  succeeded  by 
D.  W.  Alcxaniler.  Municipal  receipts  for  the  year  §1,210.  Lou  Aug.  Arch., 
MS.,  v.  432.  In  June  a  regidor  was  fined  §10  for  impoliteness.  In  Aug. 
Alcalde  Avila  tendered  his  resignation  on  account  of  disagreements  with  tiio 
mil.  com.  Id.,  4 15- IS.  Dec.  ISth,  an  election  of  alcaldes  for  the  next  year 
was  held,  no  other  members  of  ayunt.  named.  On  the  19th  Col  Stevenson 
complained  to  Gov.  Mason  that  the  olcaldes-elect  were  of  the  worst  class,  one 
of  them  noted  for  his  hatred  of  Americans,  and  the  other  an  ignorant  and 
vicious  fellow;  many  citizens  ask  that  Foster  be  appointed  juez  do  1"  instancia 
1o  supervise  the  alcaldes  acts.  Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  128-9.  Meanwhile  the  gov. 
ou  Dec.  10th  (perhaps  antedated)  had  appointed  Foster,  and  ordered  the 
alcalde  to  surrender  the  records  on  Jan.  Ist;  and  on  the  29th  ho  directs 
Stevenson  to  declare  tlie  election  void,  as  having  been  held  without  the  gov- 
ernor's authority.  Cal.  <0  X.  Mcx:  ISoO,  p.  443,  451. 

1848.  AlcaUles  elected  as  above  but  not  acting,  Ignacio  Palomares  and 
Josi''  Sepiilveda;  alcalde  and  juez  de  1"  instancia  from  Jan.  1st  by  governors 
appointment  as  above,  Stephen  V.  Foster;  2dalaildo  from  May  Vicente  Guer- 
I'ei'o;  Abel.  Stearns  sindico  from  Jan. ;  jucces  do  campo  from  Felj.  12th  Anto- 
nio Ign.  Avila,  Agustin  Machado,  TomAs  Serrano,  Juan  Ramirez,  Antonio 
Salazar,  Francisco  Lopez;  Henry  Cardwell  alguacil  mayor,  or  .sherilF,  appointed 
May  30th;  auxiliary  alcalde  for  S.  Antonio,  S.  Rafael,  etc.,  Ililario  Morillo; 
collector  at  S.  i'edro  D.iv.  \V,  Alexander.  On  Jan,  1st  Stevenson  met  tlie 
old  and  new  ayunt.,  introducing  Foster  as  the  appointed  alcalde.  Salaziir 
preferred,  and  seems  to  have  been  permitted,  to  deliver  the  oilice  to  Palomares, 
liis  elected  successor,  leaving  P.  to  surrender  to  Foster.  P.  and  his  associates 
wislied  to  retain  their  offices,  and  that  Foster  should  l)0  juez  do  I'Mnst., 
or  pi'cfect,  to  supervise  their  acts;  they  were  permitted  to  petition  to  that 
(iTect,  but  did  not  do  so  in  the  time  allowed,  and  Foster  was  installed. 
Stevenson  then  appointed  Stearns  sindico  and  Agiiilar  collector,  those  elected 
declining  to  serve.  At  first  citizens  refused  to  do  tho  regular  guard  duty, 
but  yielded  gradually  to  a  system  of  fines.  Letter  of  Stevenson  Jan.  lltn. 
Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  159-07.  Jan.  13th,  Steven.son's  procl.,  annulling  th.;  elec- 
tion. Los  Jitij.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  1.550.     Feb.  Sth,  S.  has  appointed  su'jorJi- 


MUNICIPAL  AFFAIRS. 


C27 


not  permitted  to  bo  installotl,  and  Stephen  C.  Foster 
served  as  alcalde  by  the  military  governor's  appoint- 
niont,  not  without  considerable  dissatisfacticni  tin  the 
})art  of  the  citizens  at  not  beinjjf  allowixl  to  choose 
their  own  officers  as  had  been  [•roniiscil  theni;  yet 
Foster  seems  to  have  ruled  lor  the  most  part  wisely, 

iiatcoHiciala;  Foster  is  gaining  respect;  all  is  going  smoothly.  /</.,  l.">(>-7.  May 
l''tii,  Foster  to  gov.,  explaining  Ins  ilillioultir:)  owing  to  the  unfiiendly  feeling 
of  the  people,  anil  suggesting  the  town's  Itnancial  and  other  nceils.  Id.,  I'l-W. 
Aug.  'JOth,  Foster  offers  his  resignation,  which  on  Stevenson'.s  ailvico  is  not 
accepted,  and  F.  is  promised  all  possible  aid  and  is  m-gcd  to  roUiin  the  place. 
On  Sept.  (!th,  F.  withdrew  his  resiguatioii  and  thanked  the  gov.  for  his  con- 
fidence. F.  was  at  the  same  time  govt  interpreter  and  translator  for  the 
southern  mil.  district.  /(/.,  'JS-'J,  3.'l;  Cul.  iC  A".  Mix.  lSo'\  p.  (i.19-00. 

Additional  municipal  matter.-i.  Items  of  police  regulations  on  piiaoners, 
vagrants,  use  of  liquors,  lighting  siiops,  carrying  arms,  etc.,  are  omitted.  In 
tiie  administration  of  justice  there  are  no  cases  tliat  require  notici.>.  In  April 
1S4G  the  citizens  petitioned  for  the  removal  of  the  Ind.  rancheria;  and  in  Juno 
tiic  gov.  sold  its  sito  to  Juan  Domingo  for  §"20()  to  raise  funds  for  a  mil.  expe- 
dition. Lo^Awj.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  -JS-.'K);  v.  :«:iG,  ;as,  .'iTO;  /-/.,  Aymt.  J,W., 
10;  J^ept.  St.  Pep.,  Ucn.  P.  .0  J.,  MS.,  iv.  54.  The  lud.,  however,  wcie  .still 
at  this  rancheria  in  1847,  or  had  formed  another.  In  Nov.  its  removal  was 
ordered,  it  being  a  resort  of  vice;  and  again  in  Feb.  1848  a  simihir  onlcr  was 
issued.  Lo»  AiKj.  Arch.,  M.S.,  iii.  i:i;{-:>,  10.");  v.  421)-;>0.  May  'J'J,  IMO,  the 
ayunt.  chooses  two  experts  in  company  with  the  "Jd  alcalde  to  survey  the 
town  ejidos,  measuring  '1  leagues  from  the  church  to  each  point  of  the  com- 
pass (which  would  give  10  sij.  leagues  !)  and  erect  boundary  momimcuts.  /'/. , 
v.  ;{44.  April  1847,  lot  10  x  .'10  v.  sold  for  §20.  /(/.,  4S7.  July,  owing  to 
abuses  and  scarcity  <vf  salt,  the  authorities  take  charge  of  the  only  salina.  Id. , 
409.  Murder  of  a  Frenchman,  not  named,  July  4tli-5th.  Id.,  iii.  87  '.>0.  A 
man  asks  to  be  relieved  from  payment  of  fee  on  his  lot,  because  he  has  built 
a  house  on  it;  but  is  obliged  to  pay  cu  the  unoccupied  part.  Id.,  v.  412. 
July  'J'Jd,  a  oonnnitteo  on  streetsreports  that  the  cemetery  street  is  too  narrow 
and  that  the  sindico's  instructions  on  the  subject  aio  illegal;  wants  more 
light;  ant(  the  ayunt.  decides  in  substance  that  the  nuittcr  nuist  be  regulated 
as  well  as  possible  imder  the  circumstances  without  bcin;^'too  particular  about 
trillcs.  /(/.,  Aiiunf.  Ucc,  MS.,  08-100.  Aug.,  complaints  that  land-owners 
object  to  ]ia;,'n<'  the  water  rates.  /(/.,  -i /■(•/(.,  iii.  103-4.  Oct.,  Valle  asked 
for  a  lot  '200  v.  }ro;it  bj'  7o  v.  deep,  having  contracted  to  supply  the  town 
with  meat  ".iid  needing  plenty  of  room;  but  only  100  v.  front  were  granted. 
Id.,  Ai/iiiit.  lire.,  <)2-;}.  Dec..  Sant.  Argiiello  got  a  title  to  lot  44x00  v., 
saying  that  he  had  bought  the  land  when  tiio  foruuilitics  wore  dilfircnt, 
and  like  m.any  others  had  no  proper  title.  /-/.,  00.  Aug.  1,  1848,  .\lcaldu 
I'oster's  decree  on  regulations  tor  use  of  the  water  for  irrigation.  Coroiiil, 
7W.,  MS., '240-.") I. 

I'riv.itc  ranchos  in  Los  Angeles  district.  Los  Alamos  y  Agua  Calicnte, 
0  1.,  {,'ranted  in  1840  to  Francisco  Lopez  et  al.;  Agustiu  (JKcra  cl.  .Aninuis, 
SCO  Kio.  Boca  do  la  I'laya,  l.\l.,  1840,  I'^uiigdio  Vi'jar,  who  was  cl.  'Cahu- 
(Uga,  4  1.,  1840,  Luis  Arenas;  Nic.  Morchon  cl.  *;'ajon  de  los  Negros,  ',i  1., 
1840,  Ignacio  (.'oroncl;  Wm  Workman  cl.  *Cienega,  'JO  1.,  1810,  Agustin 
Olvera,  who  was  el.  Tom;is  do  Santiago,  4  1.,  1840,  Tcodosio  Yorba,  who 
was  cl.  Palos  Colorados,  1840,  Josii  L.  .Sepulveda,  who  w.is  cl.  Negros,  seo 
(Xjon.  riaj'a,  see  Boca.  *Rio  do  las  Animas,  C  1.,  1840,  Leonardo  Cota  and 
■  I ulian  Chavez;  J.  F.  Jones  ct  al.  cl.  San  Fernando  mission  lands,  14  1., 
1S40.  Fulogio  de  Cells,  who  was  cl.  *.Sau  Gabriel  mission,  1840,  Workman 
:ind  Reid,  who  were  cl.    ^lisaion  lot  500x200  v.,  1840,  Simeon,  who  waa 


W  f 


LOCAL  ANNALS-  SAX  DIECJO  TO  MONTKREY. 

and  tlioiv  was  Imt  slight  grouiul  for  complaint  of 
Stevenson's  j)olicy  and  acts.  J^ut  for  tlio  constant 
depredations  of  Indian  liorse-tliieves,  wliicii  tlic  new 
like  the  old  authorities  were  unable  to  prevent,  (juiet 
and  good  order  prevailed  for  the  most  part  througli- 
out  the  district.  Ahout  twenty  new  ranchos  were 
granted  to  private  ownership  by  Govt;rnor  Pico  in 
184G;  and  all  matters  of  title  antl  posses-sion  were  as 
a  rule  left  in  statu  quo  after  the  change  of  flag.  At 
San  Gabriel  Padre  Estdnoga  died  early  in  1847,  and 

cl.  "Id.,  23x40  v.,  1840,  Andrf^a  Duarto  ct  al.,  who  wcio  tl.  Id.,  400  x 
200  v.,  1840,  Josd  Lcdcsmn,  who  was  cl.  Sta  Anita,  sold  by  H.  llcid  to  Heury 
Daltou  for  ji-'.OOO  iii  May  1847.  (It  acid  for  ?200,000  in  1874.)  l.os  Amj. 
Arch.,  MS.,  V.  488.  Sta  Oatalina  laland,  18-l(>,  Tlioiuaa  M.  Robbins;  J.  M. 
Covarnibiaa  el.  Santia^'o,  seo  Toinils.  Sierra,  4  I.,  1840,  Bernardo  Yorlw, 
who  was  cl.  Id.,  4  1.,  1840,  Vicente  Sepulveda,  wlio  was  cl.  *Sierr»  do  los 
Verdugos,  1840,  Antonio  F.  Coroncl,  who  was  cl. 

San  Gabriel.  I8l(t.  Jan. -May,  Mariano  11.  Roldan  and  Henry  Dalton 
are  named  an  cncargados,  or  i)criiapa  niajonlonios.  Pedro  Ilomero  juez  de 
cani])o.  Los  Ait').,  .1  i/iiiit.  Jlir.,  MS.,  40;  l)t/>t.  St.  Pap.,  Amj.,  MS.,  viii.  0.'l-4, 
71;  /(/.,  Ben.  P.  .l  J.,  iv.  0.");  St.  Pap.,  .Mi**.,  MS.,  xi.  m-\.  Feb.  'JOtli, 
tiio  vocinos,  40  whites  and  100  Ind.,  .-wk  that  tlio  ex-mission  bn  declared  a 
piit'blo,  complaining^  of  mismanagement  on  ^lle  part  of  the  padro  and  major- 
domo.  But  the  govt  decided  in  Marcii  tliat  ti.o  thing  could  not  Ix)  done,  aa 
the  mission  had  a  heavy  debt.  /V/<<.  St.  Pap.,  M.S.,  vii.  14-10;  Lffj.  liec, 
MS.,  iv.  319,  ."{2.'  In  May  the  alcah.o  reported  that  the  farmers  had  to 
leave  their  ranchos  and  gather  at  the  ml. isiou  for  protection  against  Indians. 
In  Juno  Hugo  Ueid  waa  auxiliary  administrator  and  juez  do  poz.  Dept.  St. 
Pap.,  M.S.,  vii.  8.'l,  81).  .Tunc  8th,  tiie  mission  estate  was  granted  to  Hugo 
Reid  and  Wm  \Vorkman,  in  payment  for  past  services  to  the  govt,  they  bind- 
ing theniselvea  to  pay  all  debts,  support  the  poilre,  and  pay  the  expenses  of 
worshin.  Deed  in  lltirtman'a  iirivj',  85-7;  Iiayen'  Miss,  li.,  308.  Reid  was 
probably  put  in  possession,  but  dispossessed  by  Stockton  and  Fremont, 
though  I  hnd  no  definite  records  on  the  subject.  Powder  for  the  dl.  army 
mado  hero  in  Oct.  This  vol.,  p.  318.  1847.  Bernardino  Lopez,  encargado 
do  justicia,  though  lloldan's  namo  is  also  mentioned  in  May;  Joaquin  V^alen- 
zuela  juez  do  camiio;  Francisco  Villa  zanjero.  Manuel  Olivera  seems  to  have 
been  put  in  charge  of  the  mission  i)roperty  by  the  American  authorities. 
Part  of  Cal.  battalion  stationed  here;  trouble  between  Owens  and  Cooke. 
This  vol.,  p.  434,  441,  445.  May  •24th,  Col  Stevenson  requires  that  all  not 
legally  entitled  to  live  at  S.  Gabriel  must  quit  the  houses  and  lands  at  once; 
anil  no  taverns  must  bo  established.  Olivera  must  bo  protected  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties.  Los  Aiuj.  Arch.,  MS.,  iii.  03.  P.  Ordaz'  signature 
appears  on  tho  register  from  May  14th.  S.  Onb.,  Lib.  J/ w.,  MS.,  60.  Juno 
8th,  Pres.  Jimenez  to  .Stevenson,  at  his  request  has  ordered  Ord<iz  to  take 
charge  of  tho  mission,  but  not  of  the  secular  administration.  O'nb.  Doc., 
MS.,  260-7;  yet  later  the  p.idro  seems  to  claim  to  bo  in  charge  also  of  temporal 
matters.  Los  Amj.  Arch.,  MS.,  i'li.  84-6,  102,  300.  He  remained  here  till 
ISoO.  May  and  Julv,  Lopez  and  tho  Ind.  protest  against  Olivera's  arbitrary 
acta  and  insist  on  his  removal.  Id.,  54-41,  84-5,  92,  95-7.  It  scenu  that  P. 
Est<$nega  had  allowed  tho  Ind.  to  retire  from  the  community  to  their  ranchos 
or  those  of  others;  Olivera  required  them  to  return,  which  they  were  unwill- 
ing to  do  unless  O.  was  removed.  The  result  is  not  recorded.  Aug.  4th,  V. 
Ordaz  oaks  the  alcalde  of  Los  Angeles  to  order  the  ex-neophytes  to  repair  tho 


SAN  OABRIEL  AND  SAN  FERNANDO. 

Padre  Ordaz  took  chargo  as  curato  a  low  months 
later.  In  Juno  1840  the  inission  f.state  was  soKl  to 
Keid  and  Workman  in  payment  of  past  aid  to  the 
i^overinnent;  l)ut  they  were  ipparently  dispossessed 
l>V  the  United  States  offieers  in  Auufust,  and  tlie  next 
year  Manuel  Olivera  was  put  by  thoni  in  charj^o  as 
administrator  of  the  property.  The  purchasers'  title 
was  linally  declared  invalid  on  the  ground  that  the 
governor  had  no  right  to  sell  the  missions.  A  few 
Indians  still  lived  in  the  vicinity  under  the  care  of 
the  padre,  and  an  auxiliary  juez  dc  paz  with  a  few 
other  petty  officials  managed  local  affairs  in  subor- 
dination to  the  alcalde  of  the  city.  At  San  Fernando 
Father  Ordaz  remained  until  May  1847,  and  he  was 
the  last  resident   minister.     The    mission    had    been 


cimrcli  and  curate's  house.  IIo  ia  told  that  they  arc  at  hia  orders,  but  not  at 
tlic  administrator's.  On  tiiu  'JOtli  the  ]>iidru  protests  nguinst  the  granting  of 
II  lot  witiiout  his  con.  at.  Id.,  l(h>,  lO.J,  109-10.  1S4S.  Feh.,  (lov.  Mason 
to  Stevunson,  says  Mic  man  in  charge  lias  lately  sold  a  still  worth  $80U  or 
Sl.tJOOforg-iOO.  <;«..  .t  A'.  Mix.  ISoO,  ji.  479.  Stevenson  begs  Ordaz  to  oblige 
hia  protegtJ  Guillernio  Novarroto  quit  the  place,  because  the  settlers  complain 
of  hia  Helling  liipior  and  buying  stolen  goods.  Lou  Anrj.  Arrh.,  M.S.,  iii.  1(J8- 
l).  March,  creditors  claim  ii!.'i,014  and  they  should  bo  secured,  l/nb.  Dor., 
MS.,  'JtiU.  Evidently  lleid  and  tVorkniaii  iiad  not  paid  tlio  mission  debt; 
but  on  tlio  other  hand  they  had  not  been  kept  in  poi^session  of  the  estate. 

Tornds  Eleutcrio  Eatencga  (or  Eatcnaga)  was  Imrn  in  tlie  province  of  Viz- 
caya  about  1790,  Ijccamo  n,  Franciscan  at  Cantabria,  came  to  the  Mex.  college 
in  1810,  and  to  Cal.  in  1S'2U.  After  remaining  for  n  few  months  as  supernu- 
merary he  served  at  S.  Miguel  in  1820-1,  at  S.  Fninciaco  in  ISiJl- ;{.'},  and  at 
S.  Uabriel  in  18.33-47.  Prefect  I'uyeraa  described  him  noon  after  his  arrival 
as  a  pi()U8  and  worthy  miasiouarv,  but  in  bad  health.  Paijrras,  Inf.  de  lS2u, 
MS.,  131-2.  Esttinega  was  tall,  slender,  and  of  fair  complexion;  and  bail 
health  always  impaired  his  usefulness,  tliough  there  was  an  improvement  after 
Ilia  transfer  to  the  south.  He  was  generally  well  liked  by  his  neophytes,  and 
not  unpopular  with  others.  Though  declining  to  take  tlie  oath  to  republican- 
ism he  promised  oliedienco  to  the  govt;  in  18'VJ  3  lie  served  tomponarily  for 
several  mouths  nt  S.  Rafuid;  in  1831  he  was  held  us  a  ]>riaoner  for  a  tiiiiu  by 
the  lud.,  and  was  also  iuvolveil  in  the  laiiious  '  conspiracy  '  of  I)uriin  and 
(luerra;  in  1841  he  was  accused  of  neglecting  the  morals  ot  his  neophytes,  and 
tlio  same  year  declined  to  otliciate  at  the  fiesta  of  Scjit.  Itjlli;  and  in  1SJ3  he 
took  the  oath  to  tlic  '  base.'^  constitucioiialcs, '  1  fin  I  no  trace  of  him  in  the  mis- 
sion registers  of  .S.  Gabriel  after  181."»,  and,  rather  strangely,  no  record  of  his 
death.  But  it  appears  that  he  died  thert!  early  in  1847,  since  the  jiicz  on 
May  8th  writes  of  what  the  'late'  Padre  Kstdncga  «lid  'over  two  mouths 
ago.'  Los  Ang.  Airh.,  MS.,  iii.  .")4  G. 

San  Fernando.  184(1.  Jan.  Ist,  inventory  signed  by  P.  Ordta/  and  the 
lessees;  live-stock  710  head  wild  animals,  92  cattle,  lt>  horses,  .37a  slioep, 
S2,048;  furniture,  tools,  etc.,  §1 '22;  toUl  §2,170.  Pico,  Pup.  Mix.,  MS.,  15«. 
June  17th,  sale  of  mission  estate  for  §11,000  to  Eulogio  do  Celia.  Deed  in 
P.artman's  Priff,  89-92;  .SV.  Pap.,  Minx.,  MS.,  xi.  65.  Celis  was  bound  to 
support  the  padre  and  worship,  also  to  give  the  Ind.  the  use  of  the  lands  they 


il 


630 


LOCAL  AXXALS-SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


rented  in  1845  to  Pieo  and  ^[imso,  who  apiKirently 
luld  possession  in  184(5-8,  tlioui^h  the  jnopeity  was 
sold  in  June  184(5 — subject  to  the  lease,  I  sup|»i)si' — ■ 
to  Eulogio  CeHs  for  614,000,  the  title  of  Celis  bein^,^ 
in  later  years  eonlirnjed.  There  were  no  ooeuirences 
at  this  ex-niission  to  he  noted  except  the  occupation 
hy  Fremont's  battalion  in  January  1847,  and  the 
siijning  of  the  treaty  of  Cahucnga  which  put  an  end 
to  the  war  in  California. 

Santa  ]Virbara  took  but  slijvht  part  in  the  stiriinjjj 
events  of  the  conquest  of  184(5-7,  though  it  was  heic 
that  (lovernor  Pico,  hearing  of  invasion  in  the  north, 
issued  his  patriotic  l»ut  not  very  etrci'tivt^  proclama- 
tioiis.  From  August  to  ( )ctober  1 84(5,  a  small  ganistm 
of  Fremont's  battalion  was  jtosted  here;  and  from 
Apt'il  I  847  atletachmi'ut  of  tiie  New  Yoi'k  volunteers, 
at  first  under  Lit.'Ul-colonel  J3urton  and  later  of  Cap- 
tain lii[)pitt,  gairisoncd  the  place;  i)nt  excepting  the 
t'jiisodc;  of  the  canon  perdido,  tliert)  was  nothing  <\- 
»'iting,  even  from  a  local  standpoint/'  When  wt'  aild 
to  the  peaceful  seipLenci'  of  Santa  l^arbara  events  the 
absence  of  the;  uumicii)al  records,  it  is  not  surprising 

»>fcupi«'(l  (hiring  tlit^r  lifi'-tiine.  IVesuiniilily  lie  l><)Ui;lit  subject  to  the  li-iisc, 
tJi<m;,'li  iinthi:ig  i-i  Haiil  <iii  the  siihjfct.  Thtt  ])un'lia.><('r  was  not  tu  take  po.s- 
ili'M-iidn  tor  S  niiiiith.",  (hiiiiij,' «liicli  time  the  ;,''>v  t  niij^ht  iv'  ('in  the  j>iii|iei'fy. 
ttii  the  ilato  <>i  Hiilc,  June  17th.  I  have  an  original  oril.T  I'nun  tiov.  I'iin  to  thr 
'  hc^c'i' '  ti>  i>ay  th<'  rent  as  it  bt  ri.nies  (hie  to  Anib'es  I'i  o  and  Juan  Manso  on 
ueuoiltit  of  a  ilelit  of  .S;t,(MK)«hle  thini  fioni  tl;'!  H'i\t.  J'irnH'io),  Dor.,  MS,,  ii. 
8.">.  Anih'eM  I'ieo  nanieil  us  h'ssit!  in  Sept.  ISI7.  /f<'/'l.  .^V.  /'<(/>.,  Ainj.,  MS., 
viii.  7(i.  1S17.  .lan.,Cal.  aiiny  aticl  Ff.niont'aliattalioii  in  i)osse,s»ion;  treaty 
of  ( 'ahuen^^a.  Thi.-i  vol.,  p.  401  et  sec|.      1S4S.     (lov.  I'ieoV  retiii'n    /(/.,  ."iMI. 

'.Sta  IWilwini  (Vents,  ete.  !S4<i.  Lieut -eol  <  inniesindo  Kloreseomandanli', 
o\ci[it  as  iiiterruiitecl  by  tlio  l'.  S.  oceui)atioii.  .Ian..  wv('ral  ollieers  of  tl'e 
ioni|>,iny  resii;!,.  I'lii:!  vol.,  p.  ;<.">.  I'M).,  wreel-  of  th'- /'im^f.  /(/.,,'»7^.  -Nhiy, 
plan  ;or  n  'eonsej.i  yenenl'  never  asseniMeil.  /(/.,  ,'{7,  H  7.  June,  (lov.  I'i  'o 
liere;  news  of  tlio  Uear  Flair  rexolt  at  Sonoma;  I'ieo's  ))rocl.'iination  and  ap 
peal.t.  /'/.,  i;iS-4'.'.  July,  nssembly  !'efii.><es  to  meet  at  Sta  It.  /■/. ,  .'17.  V.c 
S'amara's  proposed  colony  and  hi.s  visit.  '(/. ,  'JI.'i-liK  Another  proelam  on 
receipt  (if  news  of  l'.  .s.  oecu[>utioii  of  Monierey.  Iil.,  'itiH.  Auj.;.,  .St«..'kton 
touche.'j  hero  on  his  way  south,  leavitiLf  a  f^.irr.'.ion  and  r.iisin^{  the  U.  .S.  llaj;. 
[il.,'l\)l.  Sept..  Mitchell  and  his  men  re  placed  by  Talhot  and  volunteers  of 
the  battalion  a:i  n  garrison.  A/. ,  •JS(l-7.  Oct.,  I'eciceupntioii  by  the  ('alitor- 
'liann  under  (iarlias;  Talbot  drivo-i  out.  /(/.,  .'Il(i-17.  Nov.,  Kainnindo  Car- 
rillo  conian>lante,  under  Flores.  /(/.,  [VM.  l)ec.,  Fremont  arrives  with  the 
battalioi  .   /,/.,  ;ril. 

1(547.      ^I'l'ili  unival  of  t'o.   A,  15,  and    F,  \.   V,  vol.,  uuder   Lieut-cul 


SANTA  nAUBAUA. 


C31 


it-cul 


that  local  annals  of  the  district  are  for  the  most  part 
a  l)lank.  Anastasio  Carrillo  served  as  sub-jiretVct 
until  the  United  States  Hag  was  raised;  and  town  af- 
fairs were  managed  by  the  following  justices  of  the 
peace:  Antonio  M.  Ortega  in  184<),  Pablo  de  la 
Guerra  in  1847,  and  Pedro  C.  Carrillo  in  1848.     Colo- 

burton;  July,  Co.  F  roiuuins  ns  a  L'urrison  unclti'  Capt.  Lippitt  nscomnixlMiito 
of  tlic  post.  /*/.,  513-10.  Many  <lctails  of  camp  life  iit  Sta  15.  in  Mnri-'n/'.i 
A'')V..  MS.;  (lrceii!t  Lij'i',  MS.  July,  rnni(>r»  of  tiouMo  «itli  tiif  (';iliti)r- 
nians.  This  vol.,  p.  584.  Custom-iiousc  receipts;  I'tilro  C.  Uarrillcj »  jllcctor. 
/,/...^71-'.'. 

1S4H.  Feb.,  f!ov.  Mason  lias  heard  very  unf.ivorablo  reports  ri).  ut  tho 
coniluct  of  Co.  F,  anil  coniphiiii^  of  the  soldiers  linvin;^  i-luljljed  togethor  to 
purchnsc  largo  cpinntities  of  supplies  free  of  dtitics  fur  piirpo^es  of  trad"'. 
''«/.  .0  S.  J/cr.  ISSO,  n.  4.Sl-'2.  March,  citizens  authorized  l>y  juc/  to  iiiaki; 
expeditions  to  the  tutares  in  ([-..est  of  wild  livo-stock,  on  wiii.  h  a  certain 
amount  must  ho  paid  into  thu  town  treasury.  .S'^f,  //.  Arvh.,  Ms.,  i;.",  7 
April,  afl'air  of  the  cdnwi  pfrdiilo.  This  vol.,  p.  .'iMi-  ".  Sept.,  iiiutstt-i  in.,'  nut 
of  the  \.  Y.  vol.  I(t.,  515;  records,  etc.,  turned  over  0.1  .Sept.  Mil  tiv  •'aiit. 
I.ippitt  to  Capt.  Sudth.   I'lih.  Ih,i\,  .MS.,  'Jl-'J. 

Aliinicipalatl'airs.  IS4(i.  Anastasio  < ';u'rilli)  sul)-pref--ct. Jan. -June,  th-iuu'li 
often  (U'sirinj;  to  In-  relievcil.  .hieces  do  paz  Antonio  M.  Ortej,'.i  aii'l  .liuiii  I*. 
Ayala,  Juan  (  ainarrillo  having  licen  apponited  jiie/  '2'  hut  <\cuycd  at  liis  own 
reiiucst.  F.stcvaii  ()rtcj.'a  collector  ()f  nninii'.  taxes.  IS47.  N.,  v.-coiiN  until 
Miiy  .since  .luno  184(i.  (>ii  .May  !Hh  I'ahio  do  la  (Imira  arnl  l.iiis  ''anillo 
v»  re  elected  l.«t  ami  'lA  alcaldes.  They  declined  the  ^'overiior's  aiipointniinr 
'Uid  refused  to  take  the  oath  of  idh.;,'iance  to  thu  V .  S.;  yet  in  -  uiie  w:iy  tli'  y 
sccni  to  have  retained  tho  positions  throu:,'hout  the  jc:ir.  /".I'l.  hif.,  |."i, 
I'JU  4,  '2l>4-5.  Au^'.,  j;ov.  to  .Mc.-ilde  Carrillo,  has  ordered  ("apt.  Lippitt  to 
discontinue  iidlitai'j  proceedings  against  two  nun  fur  in^rdlin,' woiiu  11  ami 
theft.  Is  willing  to  yicM  the  jurisdiction  in  sudi  cases  to  t!ie  alcaMes  w  lien 
as  now  ho  has  reason  to  believe  them  inlluenced  by  pro|)<'r  motives.  ( 'nl.  A-  X. 
Mi.c.  IS'/O,  p.  .'{54.  I>ec.  Ilth,  idriddc  to  p(V.,  criticisin;.;  the  >lccree  torliid- 
iling  tho  sale  of  li<iiior3to  Ind.,  which  lie  has  not  enforced.  Mo.k-nite  clriiiU- 
in;4  i.s  good  for  working  men.  and  tho  Ind.  will  not  woik  for  anything  el-e. 
Abuse  of  liijuor  is  what  should  be  punished:  ami  tiie  whites  behuvc  woi>e  in 

this  respect  than  the  Ind.    T;*/).  //-•.,  MS.,  i    '-•_'()!.     |S»S.    Thireh.idl n 

an  election,  if  not  two,  in  J.'in.-Oec.,  b\it  one  .^.  '  of  alcaldes  dcelined  tosirve, 
nyainst  another  apparently  I  lie  citizeiH  pn  tested,  and  I'ablo  de  hi  (iuerr.i 
went  I  n  serving  \intil  on  Feb.  Stii  <  iov.  Niason  appointed  I'edro  < '.  C.iirillo 
and  KNtevan  Ardisson  as  alcaldes.  '"'(').  />'i..,  .M '.,•_'.">,  rt7'J-:t;  '''('.  <i-  X. 
J/..C.  7,S7'»,  p.  47;i-4.  It  seems  that  another  l>on  l\di-..  dtou  Tablo?)  w.,ul  1 
have  bee  »  appointed,  but  he  declined  to  accept  the  olliees  from  a  mil.  ltov. 
.May,  Stexenson  threatens  Carrillo  with  removal  if  lu'  refuses  to  oIm-v.  M'lre 
trouble  in  i\ng.  I'lih  Ooc,  ^]  <.,  XVi,  I'.U.  .Inl\ .  < '.ipt,  I.ippitt  re|><a-ts  that 
there  are  no  'ivil  magi  .Irate.s.  /</.,  I(t.  Trinl  of  lleiij.  I'oxi'ii  fa- the  mui'ler 
(f  Vgi\stin  l>.  Vila  by  tho  two  id'aMe^  appointecl  as  ;i  sj^'cial  court  by  tin; 
gov.  This  Vol.  p.  (Ml.  Cervasio  .\yala,  Fsti'V.TU  Orte_'a,  and  liioi.iitt:  I.o- 
ren/aiia  .juecc"  de  policiii.  Sla  II,  Ari  ,'i.,  MS.,  (i7.  (Jeroiiinio  llui/  /anjero  .it, 
Carpinterni.  //.,71.  March,  muidc.  regulations  by  tli!'  1 -t  alcalde.  CJi. 
]><■'•.,  Ms.,  "J."  7  Trouble  with  Ind.  thieves:  Tico authorized  t  itnak<.'  a  raid. 
Slii  J{.  Aixh.,  NiS,,  t]l>-7l.  April,  gov.  (Icclincs  to  interfere  with  the  d-ii- 
sion  of  ni\  un  -ire  in  n  horserace,  ('a/,  d  X.  M'  ■•.  /^'J'^  p.  .V)S-!».  June, 
the  military  n.ust  ai<l  the  civil  authorities  in  gM:irding  prisoners;  inU'h  f.iult 
found  with  Lippitt's  conip.  /•/.,  .VI5.  .luly,  Steven <on  has  \isited  Sta  H., 
and  has  arnuigcd  umuio.  matters  there,  though  he  had   to  remoustrato  wi'.h 


W')i 


:| 


C32 


LOCAL  ANNALS— SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


nel  Stevenson,  in  command  of  the  southern  military 
district,  liad  generally  some  fault  to  find  with  the 
jueces,  hut  the  difficulties  never  assumed  any  serious 
form.  Only  seven  or  eight  ranchos  were  granted  by 
tliC  governor  in  this  district.  The  mission,  which  had 
heon  rented  in  1845,  was  sold  in  June  184G  to  Rieh- 

tho  alcalde.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  23-4.  Tho  town  iniiat  raiso  futuls  for  expenses 
of  admin,  of  justice;  gov.  finds  fault  with  lH>tli  Lippitt  and  CaiTillo  for  their 
acts  in  several  minor  cases,  Cal.  <t  N.  Mcx.  IS&O,  p.  509-70.  Sept.,  the  mil. 
com.  releases  a  prisoner  for  wont  of  civil  authorities  and  a  jail.  Unb.  Doc., 
MS.,  2*2.  Dec.  1.1th,  Ilanion  llodriguez  Iniricd;  lie  was  shot  at  Ortega '.s 
ranclio  while  trying  to  arrest  evil-doors.  Dec.  llOth,  a  boy  7  years  old  found 
<Icad  from  stabs  near  town.  Dec.  28tli,  Lynch,  Itemer  (or  Ilaymond),  and 
Ouin  HJiot,  for  murder  at  S.  Miguel.  Sla  Ji.,  Lib.  iV/i.,  MS.,  41-2. 

I'rivato  ranchoa.  Canada  do  S.  Miguel  and  Cafiada  del  Diablo,  2  I., 
grunted  in  1840  to  Ilamon  Ilodrigucz,  whose  heirs  were  cl.  *Cuvania,  111., 
1840,  Ces:irc()  I.<itailladc;  whoso  widow  w.is  cl.  Diublo,  see  Canada,  (iolota, 
1  1.,  1840,  Diiniel  Hill,  who  was  cl.  Licbrc,  II  1.,  1840,  Josii  M.  Flores, 
who  waj>  ?1.  S.  liuonaventura  mission,  121.,  1840,  josd  Arnoz;  M.  .\.  Rod- 
riguez do  Poll,  ol.  ,S.  Marcos,  8  1.,  1840,  Nicholas  A.  Den,  who  was  cl.  (Ste- 
venson amuilH  the  grantto  li.  S.  Den,  in  Oct.  184S.  Arch.  Stti  It.,  MS.,  xi.  'A.) 
S.  Miguel,  see  Ciiuuda.  Sta  Ddrbaranii^jHion,  1840,  llichiird  S.  Den,  who  wa.s 
cl.  "Stalui's  niid.<tion,  1840,  Jo8(5  M.  Covarrulda.'",  who  was  cl.  Sta  Inr^s,  land 
near,  granti'<l  ity  (Jov.  Flores  in  1840  to  Joa(juin  Ayula,  who  in  '47  was  al- 
lowed by  t lie  govt  to  retain  pos.session,  tiiough  his  title  could  not  bo  goml. 
Sarii'/i',  Dor.,  MS.,  ii.  78.  Tho  grant  of  a  house  at  tho  presiilio  by  Oen.  Ca.s- 
tro  to  Nicolas  Lopez  was  in  Feb.  1848  declared  null.  Cal.  A  N.  Mcx.  1S60, 
]..  47!>. 

Sta  Barbara  niisxion.  1840.  Jan.,  several  hitters  of  P.  Diiran  togov.  on 
the  delivery  of  the  rented  mission  ]>roporty,  and  about  lots  assigned  to  the 
liid.  and  for  support  if  tiie  padres.  Arch.  Arzob.,  M.S.,  v.  pt  ii.  09-72. 
.March  2ttli,  inventory  of  the  property  valued  at  8lt,.'J87.  tfni/cK'  MUh.  IS.,  i. 
.'C3-0.  June  8th,  bond  of  Den  iind  ilill,  who  pledge  thcMr  ranciios  of  Do.s 
I'ueblos  and  S.  I'edro  to  return  all  the  property  in  g<K)d  condition  after  the 
fA'rm  of  nine  years.  /(/.,  .".T"-;  Unb.  Jinr.,  MS.,  '_•"!>•  Juno  lOtii,  deed  of  snlo 
to  Hiihard  S.  I  >en  for  li57,")tM».  Ihirlin  iii'n  lirirf,  t\])\\  00  !»;  //«//.V  .1/is.<.  Ji.. 
i.  ;{77.  July  184H,  tin;  govt  oidcr.s  tiie  iuvcsti^^ation  (>f  tho  lease  by  (.'ol 
Stevenson.  Ctil.  it  X.  J/rx.  /.V.<",  i>.  ")7.'<-4.  Au','.  iHlh,  govt  aninils  the  act 
of  Ali'aldc  ( \irrillo  in  iiutting  U.  S.  Den  in  possession  of  S.  Marcos,  one  of 
the  inis.sioii  ranchos,  thou;;!)  not  on  I  lit;  gi'ouiiil  that  the  niission  sale;  was 
ilU'L.'ul.  /'/.,  ')!lti.  I  fuid  nothing  aliout  the  linal  disposition  of  11.  S.  Den's 
title,  except  that  it  was  conlirnicd  by  the  laud  coiiunission,  but  that  in  his 
lat«r  suit  ai,'ain«t  Den  and  Hill  to  gi't  tin;  property  he  was  defeated  in  thi' 
U.  S.  circuit  coiii't  on  the  ground  that  I'ii'o  had  no  power  to  <nM  the  mission 
estate.  DiMth  of  (lanii.'i  Diego,  Huecession  of  Dman  and  ( Jon/alez,  and  death 
of  Duran.  This  vol.,  j).  TttL't  0.  Late  in  I8IS  rresl)yter  Josi"'  .M.  Itosahs  was 
tor  doctrinal  irnigularities  sent  away  froin<'al.  by  the  gov.  of  llie  diocese, 
*:<>n/.ale/,  iiotwitliHt.aniling  the  petition  of  ."»()  ciiiziiis  Ihat  he  be  retained  for 
Los  Angeles,  the  original  of  which  is  in  Unrrilla  (/>.),  />or. ,  .MS.,  121-4. 

Francisco  (iarcia  Diego  was  a  native  of  Mexico,  and  had  been  'lector  de 
ailes  y  do  sa^rada  liiologia  '  at  the  Franciscan  college  of  (iuad.ilupe  de  Zaca 
tecas.  when  sent  to  (J.ilifornia  in  IS.'I.'I  as  ooinisario  prcfecto  in  charge  of  the 
Zacatccan  band  of  mission.arics.  He  became  minister  of  Sta  Clara,  where  he 
remained  until  Ih:I.'>,  discontented  with  the  general  condition  of  atlairs,  but 
performing  acceptably  the  routiiKMluties  of  his  position,  and  showing  himself 
to  be  ;.  well  mcauing  and  intelligent  man.     TUou  ho  went  to  Mexico,  to  conic 


BISHOP  GAUCiA  DlKCiO  AND  TADUK  DUKAN. 


033 


ard  S.  Den  for  $7,500,  but  the  lessees  seem  to  liorve 
kept  possession  tlirou^hout  184G-8.  Den's  title  was 
confirmed  by  the  land  commission,  thout^h  there  are 
indications  that  it  was  practically  annulled  in  later 
litigation.  Padre  Duran,  the  venerable  president  ol 
the  Fernan<linos,  died  at  his  post  early  in  1840,  one 

back  ill  1841  OHtlie  limt  hislionof  Culifoniiii.  Tlio  country  nccdi.'d  iiu  liisliop, 
and  Garcia  iJic^o  wiui  in  no  way  fitted  to  overcmio  oltstaclca  that  would 
havo  di8courag<;d  a  younger  and  inoro  rncrirctic  man.  Witiiont  priests  or 
money  lio  could  acconipUsh  notliuie,  and  only  ut  Kta  Hdrbara  did  lie  rcccivu 
liearty  popular  support.  A<lvaiiccd  in  years,  somewhat  overwciglitetl  hy  the 
dignities  of  his  otiioo,  grievously  disappointed  at  the  failuro  of  liia  snhjuct.s 
U>  support  liis  grand  schemus  for  their  good,  hu  hccamc  peevish,  and  ovon 
eiiildisli,  rarely  leaving  his  home  at  Sta  lUrliara,  thongii  ho  made  an  cpiscopnl 
tour  to  the  north  in  IH'14.  'J'he  kind-hearted  and  inotfensivo  old  man,  having 
Ittft  the  governorship  of  the  diocese  to  I'i*.  Duran  and  (>on/iiIez,  ti'.-'d  at  mid- 
Jiight  of  April  30,  lS4(i,  nt  the  age  of  (»0  years,  5  months,  and  24  Uys.  II(( 
was  buried  May  ."M  by  1*.  Gonzalez,  in  a  new  tomb  made  for  the  purpose  in 
the  mission  church.  Sla  II.,  Lib.  Mis.,  .M.S.,  '.]'.);  Arch.  Anob.,  MS.,  v.  pt 
ii.  07;  Doc.  Hint.  Ual.,  MS.,  iii.  1»7;  Arrh.  Obinp.,  MS.,  'J.>. 

Narciso  Durun  was  born  Dec.  10,  177(S,  at  (Justellun  du  Ainpurios,  Catalo- 
nia, and  bc-camo  a  Franciscan  at  Gerona  May  3,  170-.  Ho  came  to  Meyicoiu 
1803  and  tr,  Cal.  in  ISOfl,  serving  at  S.  .Ioil'  iit  lS0fl-.'»3,  and  Sto  B.lrhara  in 
1833-40.  h:  '817-20  ho  was  praised  by  his  superiors  as  a  most  zealous  ancl 
cflicient  ■■'i  i  nary,  fit  for  the  prelacy.  Aiitobini/.  Aiitoi/.  di' lin /'<vlri'.i,  MS., 
Sarri<i,  Inj.  .a;  1S17,  MS.,  09-70;  i'ai/rrax.  Inf.  de  IS'.JO,  MS.,  1.39.  Duran 
was  presitlent  of  the  Fcrnandinos  in  18'2.'>  7,  IS3I-8,  and  1844-0,  boing  comi- 
Nario  prefocto  in  18.37  43,  and  governor  of  tiie  diocese  after  the  bi.shop's  dcatii 
in  1840.  In  all  the  miasii)n  chapturs  of  the  last  three  volumes  of  tiiis  work, 
the  reader  has  found  Tadre  Narciso's  name  more  ])roininent  than  tiiat  of  any 
other  friar,  nml  several  of  his  writings  appear  in  my  list  of  authorities.  He 
w,i8  a  most  earnest  and  successful  mi.ssionary,  the  only  fault  ever  found  with 
liitn  in  this  respect  beini;  an  excess  of  zeal  in  thy  forcible  conversion  of  gentiles 
for  his  mission  of  S;in  .Josi-;  while  ns  prehilo  ho  was  a  worthy  successor  of 
Sarrin,  Seuan,  and  I'ayr.is,  'I'liroughout  the  troublous  times  of  si'ciil.iriza- 
tion  ho  managed  the  missiuu  afTiirs  with  marked  ability.  To  a  greater  «v tent 
than  most  of  his  comrades  lie  was  a  politicand  practical  man,  contenting  him- 
self with  a  part  wh<;n  all  i-ould  not  bo  won.  Though  iin  abla  and  bitter  foo  to 
hecularization,  yet  as  a  choice  of  evils  when  he  realized  that  secularization 
couhl  not  bo  i)revented  lie  gave  honest  and  valuabli?  advice  njspecting  the 
jiractical  working  of  the  siic<ressive  srhi'mi's,  Thoiigli  he  often  iKcaine  impii- 
tii'ut  and  despondent,  these  moods  nc'\rr  lasted  long;  ami  tlioiiirh  ho  ciiLMgeil 
in  nmny  controversies  and  wrote  many  iiittrrand  Nanastii;  tliioi^'s,  he  yet  re- 
tained the  esti'<Mn  of  mo-tt  adversaiies,  an<l  w.is  always  beloved  by  the  peoiile 
< if  all  classes,  bein-.,' especially  jiopular  imd  inlliienlial  at  Sta  It.'irbnra  in  th>' 
later  years.  Rather  strangely  I  find  no  direct  trace?  of  lii<<  presciiroat  S.  Jose 
before  1811.  An  immense  music  ImoU,  \vrittnn  in  colors  on  home  made  jiarcli- 
meat  an<l  boiin>l  in  heavy  boards  anil  leather,  h;;s  an  explanatory  preface  si^'ned 
'  l'"r.  N.'  in  1813.  In  1^17  he  wus  present  at  the  foundiii','  of  S.  Itafael.  lie 
refus(!il  the  oath  to  republicanism  in  IS'Jd;  refuNed  to  aid  the  revolutionist 
Solis  in  1829;  and  in  |S3I.  KiiU'ering  from  th'!  gout,  obuiineil  a  promise  of  his 
iiassport  for  Ibibana.  In  Is.'l.',  discour.kged  at,  the  morl.dity  among  his  Ind  , 
lie  writes  '  la  paeieneia  no  me  nlcan/.a,  y  no  veo  las  lior.is  ile  tirar  esta  carga.' 
Figueroa  reconnnended  hi)  e\ile  in  IS3.3,  and  Piiran  never  hid  friendly  feel- 
ing.* for  this  governor,  believing  liiin  to  Ih>  a  mueh  overrated  man.  In  1S3(I 
ho  had  a  controversy  with  Chico,  and  bccan»e  an  earnest  and  moat  valuable 


684 


LOCAL  ANNALS— SAN  DIFGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


|l! 


month  after  the  death  of  Bishop  Garcia  Diego  of  the 
Zacatoeanos;  but  Patiro  Gonzalez  still  remainetl 
throughout  this  period  and  for  nearly  thirty  years 
longer,  to  become  the  last  survivor  of  all  the  Califor- 
nian  missionaries.  The  mission  of  San  Buenaventura 
had  also  been  rented,  but  was  sold  for  $12,000  in  June 
184G  to  Jose  Arnaz,  one  of  the  lessees.  His  title  as 
purchaser,  though  confirmed  by  the  courts  in  later 
years,  was  not  recognized  by  the  government  in  184G- 
8,  and  he  was  even  ousted  as  lessee  in  1848,  Isaac 
Callaghan  obtaining  a  lease  from  Colonel  Stevenson, 
and  bping   also  juez   auxiliar,  as  Jose  Moraga   and 


supporter  of  Alvnrado  even  against  Canillo,  his  personal  friend.  In  18.'<9  ho 
ugaiii  thought  of  departuns  and  ohtaincd  a  new  passport,  liaving  already  one 
from  Kiguurua.  In  1845  hu  onlured  tliu  btdanco  duo  him  to  bo  paid  to  tho 
UL'ophytfs.  lu  184.")  li  iiisadvicu  was  sou^lit  and  in  many  respects  followed 
by  Gov.  I'ico  ill  tho  matter  of  renting  and  selling  the  missions.  In  ])liysiniio 
l>ui'an  was  of  )iK>(liiiiii  stature,  suinewhat  stout,  of  fair  complexion,  and  blue 
eyes.  Mofras,  K'x/ilor.,  i.  I'M,  gives  a  iiortrait,  only  a  tolerable  likeness  ac- 
cording to  P.  (.ionzale/,  says  Tayhir.  His  death  occurred  on  J'lno  I,  lS4(i,  at 
.">  r.  M.,  and  ho  was  buried  Juno  lid,  by  i'adrc  Uoii/iilez,  in  tho  ciiurcli  vault. 
Sta  II.,  Lil>.  .l/i.i.,  MS.,  40;  Arch.  Arzoh.,  MS.,  v.  pt  ii.  7'-'.  Only  two  of  tho 
Spanish  FcrnandinoN,  Oliva  antl  Ordaz,  survived  linn. 

San  I'.ucnaviutuia.  1840.  Jostj  Moraga  appointed  juoz  do  paz  in  Jan. 
May  'JOtli,  tho  Iiid.  authorize  the  guv.  to  dispose  of  the  mission  for  govt 
iu'i'<ls.  Miiril.  l)oc.,  MS.,  14  'J4.  .June  8tli,  deed  of  sale  to  Jose  Arnaz  fur 
§l-_',(XK)duo  him.  .y.  /'(/y».,  J/iVv.,  Ms.,  xi.  Ol-.'J;  J/artniaii\i  Jir'irf,  app.  D'J- 
tl.  .luno  lOtli,  assembly  approves  grant  of  4(X)  varas  to  Fernando  Tico.  Ar;/. 
/.'('■.,  MS.,  iv.  3.")4.  Juno  I'JtIi,  inventory  <4'  various  effects  delivered  to  tlie 
lessees,  iiielu<ting  l.-TU  \\>''xA  of  cattle,  rho,  /'uji.  J/i.<.,  MS.,  77-0.  Arna/, 
J'l'-.,  MS.,  8;i,  says  ho  \)ii'u\  notello  ^1,(XH)  for  his  interest  ill  tho  lo.nse.  <lov. 
I'ico  hero  with  his  army  in  June.  This  v(j1.,  p.  48.  Occupied  by  tho  (.'alif.  in 
Oct,  /(/.,  'Ml.  IS47.  I'li'mont  and  his  battalion  arrive  Jan.  A/.,  401). 
1848.  Francisco  Ortega  juez  do  paz  until  May  iltitli,  when  ho  was  removeil 
by  Col  Stevenson  and  Isiuic  Callaghan  appointed  in  his  place;  and  (Sov. 
^la8on,  though  criticising  Stevenson's  act,  conlirmed  tiio  appointment  on 
June  lull.  Jan.  7tli,  gov.  authorizes  (i  Ind.  to  continue  their  occupation  of 
mission  lanils  unless  .losiKMorag.i  can  show  a  legal  right  to  dispussess  them. 
Cdl.  it  y.  il/c.r.  IS.'id,  p.  4.'54.  Feb.  .June,  imperfect  details  of  Stevenson's  in- 
vestigation of  Arnaz 'h  acts  in  disposing  of  mission  property.  The  corresj). 
seems  to  indicate  that  Arnaz  was  regarded  merely  asles.see,  and  that  his  bill 
of  salo  was  not  presented.  .\t  any  rate,  lu;  was  oiistetl  and  his  vineyard  and 
other  property  were  seized  as  security.  A/.,  47!),  r>04,  54!).  ■">(l.'t-4;  Lnn  Aii'/. 
.1  <•(•//.,  .MS.,  iii.  17.">-S4,  191-'.';  Uiih.  hoc,  MS.,  ;j;j|-4.  It  was  in  connec- 
tion with  this  change  that  Callaghan  was  appointecl  to  succeed  Ortega;  and 
apparently  in  Aug.  Callaghan  became  lessee.  Ctil.  ,(■  X.  Mrx.  JSJO,  p.  088. 
Streeter,  liieolL,  MS.,  Ol-.l,  claims  to  hare  been  a  partner  of  C,  liis  brother- 
in-law,  and  says  nothing  was  heard  of  Arnaz's  ownership  till  1830.  Arnaz, 
Iliciu  nloii,  M.S.,  !)I-U,  however,  says  that  his  title  as  owner  was  presented  to 
Stevenson  and  by  him  declared  a  forgery.  The  Arnaz  title  was  finally  con- 
tinned  by  land  commission  and  C  S.  courts,  though  litigation  lasted  many 
years,  and  many  men  iu  that  region  still  regard  tno  title  us  fraudulent.     I 


SAN  BUKNAVUNTURA  AM)  SANTA  INKS. 


08S 


Fralu•i^sco  Ortoj^ji  luul  hoou  before  him.  PivslAtcr 
Jose  M.  Kosalcs  ivnuiinod  in  charge  of*  spiritual  in- 
terests until  expelled  by  his  prelate  late  in  1848,  and 
Alejandro  ^[.  J^ranchi  was  the  next  curate  from  1841). 
Santa  Ines  was  sold  to  the  lessees,  Covarrubias  and 
(.'airillo,  for  .'i?7,000  in  Juise  1840;  but  thoui,di  they 
kept  possession  until  after  1848  uniler  their  lease, 
their  title  by  purchase  was  finally  declared  invalid, 
Joaijuin  Carrillo,  Agustin  Janssens,  Francisco  C.'ota, 
and  Jose  M.  Covarrubias  are  named  as  successive 
jueces  de  paz;  and  Padre  Joacpiin  Jimeno  continued 
as  curate,  being  also  rector  of  the  ecclesiastical  sem- 
inary, an  institution  which,  with  Padre  Francisco  do 
Jesus  Sanchez  as  vice-rector,  still  maintained  a  pre- 
carious existence.  Purisima  was  cntirelv  abandoned, 
and  nothing  about  the  establishment  ai)[)ears  in  the 
reconls. 

Though  no  longer  the  capital,  Monterey  had  still 
the  custom-hous<.!,  the  [)refectura,  and  the  military 
comandiuicia,  being  still  as  in  former  yeju's  the  centre 


havf  foniiil  no  witisfuctory  rcasoim  to  ilmilit  that  the  sale  wiis  iiiiulo  in  gooil 
t'iiith. 

Siint.a  Im'-n.  184(5.  .Toiuiniii  Cfin-illo  jucz  do  jmz  in  Jan. ;  OcUiviano  <  Uiticr- 
11/ jiU'Z -"  in  .func;  A;;nstin  .FiinH.scns  jui/ unil  military  CDniaudiinto  in  Oi'f. 
.Ian.,  I'oiTfsp.  bt'twt'cn  1'.  .linicm),  .Jucz  ( Jairilio,  and  the  j,'c)V.  almiit  Huitpiot  nf 
till!  padri',  who  coniplaincd,  and  jiro|Mi.s('d  that  tin?  ri'nt  uf  !?."iSO  should  he 
iiiually  dividi'd  hi'twccn  tin-  Ind.  and  iiadic  /'»/i/.  Si.  I'd/).,  MS.,  \ii.  lOii. 
.lime  [."ith,  di'cil  of  sail!  to  < 'ovarniliia.s  and  .Ioa<|iiin  ('arrillo  for  !*7,<KX». 
Ilni'tmail'ii  Ih-kf,  app.  !)!» -!(>•_•;  Ciih.  lh,i-.,  MS,  -JsO  I.  Interview  hetweiii 
(iov.  rifo  and  I'ref.  Castro  in  .liiiii'.  'I'hi.i  vol.,  p.  I  i:{.  Soiiu;  uiiinipoi  taut 
troubles  with  the  Ind.  ari!  doscrilnd  by  .I.ins.Mens.  \"i<l(t,  MS.,  ISS-ill.  1S47. 
Sept.  (itli,  (Iov,  Muitun  calls  upon  the  lessees  for  <.'o[iies  of  their  eoiitiact,  also 
aeeounts  of  rents,  etc.  CaL  <D  A'.  Mix.  IS,:/),  p.  ;«)•_'.  Nov.  'Jirtli,  i,'i>v.  de- 
clines to  recoj,'ni/o  tlio  sale  to  (Jovarnihias  anil  Cariillo,  hecause  the  side  h.id 
not  been  at  auction  aa  reipiired,  an. 1  liieaiise  their  acts  in  continiiini;  to  pay 
rent  in  l.SKi-7  was  against  th<!  theory  of  a  piir.liase.  'i'hry  must  be  rek,-.iriled 
as  renters,  and  nnist  settle  np  ancl  show  receipts  on  that  basis.  lit.,  {'Mi. 
1S4S.  Francisco  Cota  jue/.  aiixiliar,  Mii.ceeded  in  Maiiii  by  .lose  .M.  (Joviirrn- 
bias;  though  .lanBaens  claims  to  have  U'en  jue/.  in  .Ian.  I»ei',  ,'l|st,  financial 
condition  of  the  ecclesiastical  seiiiinury,  Fr  .b)si5  .loaipiin  .linn-no  rci'tor,  Fr 
Francisco  ilo  .leans  Sanchez  \  icenctor;  receipts  for  ISIS  (.<")S  from  parents  of 
pupils,  9(i(l7  from  sales  of  live-stock,  §-•"><>  from  bi  diop,  ?•.','{'.(  from  re.  tor,  i^'MH) 
from  vice-rector,  fioni  .Vmeiicans  §'J5,  and  ahns  ^!Mi),  $l,(i,'<."i;  expend.  ^'I.HKI, 
•lelicit  i:-2l\i  delicit  of  IS47,  ^'.VM.  Crops  '22i\  fanegas  of  i^iain.  Ciittle  at 
end  of  1S48,  1,700  head.  Sutuje,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  SJ;  .V^t  /«(*<,  Lib,  .!/(>.,  .M.S.. 
;j5. 


11  M 


«M 


LOCAL  ANNALS-SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


of  all  political  (levolopmonts  in  the  north,  as  fully 
indexed  in  my  note.*  During  the  first  half  of  184(5 
the  controversy  between  Castro  and  Pico  was  tlu' 
chief  topic  of  consideration,  though  sectional  feeling 
was  less  inter»se  here  than  at  Los  Angeles;  anil  tlu' 
popular  attention  was  also  much  directed  to  foreign 

'Moittoruy  ovcnts.  1840.  Jun.-Juiie,  Montcrcv  and  Castro  vcraus  I^>.s 
Angelcb  and  Pico.  This  vo!.,  p.  30-.'>3.  I^rkin's  oftorta  in  l>chalf  of  tlio  II. 
S.  /(i.,  ri4ijtfeq,  Jan.,  FrC'inont'a  visit.  Id,,  A.  Quarrel  of  Man.  Castru  and 
<  uMibnsti-n  Id.,  .34.  Murih,  Frc^inont'a  operations  at  tiavilan.  Id.,  i»-'21. 
Maruh-April,  juiitA  of  military  men  to  save  tho  country.  Id.,  41-2,  5U  ct  se(|. 
April,  arrival  of  Gillespie  on  the  L'yane,  Id.,  27-8,  '200.  Moy,  delegates  for 
t!io  Stu  Bdrbarr.  consejo.  /(/.,  45  ct  seq.  Juno,  arrival  of  the  Juno  and  Mc 
Numsra.  Id,,  21?  Custro'a  efforts  against  I'ico  and  tho  U.  S.  Id.,  ril-3. 
Idc's  Bear  Flag  proclumution  jwstcd  here.  Id.,  l&O.  July,  arrival  of  Com. 
JSloat  and  raising  of  tlio  U.  S.  flag.  Id.,  2'J4-:W.  Arrival  of  Fr*5mont  and 
(•ilUwpic;  Sloat  succeeded  by  Stockton;  radical  change  of  policy.  Id.,  248-G(). 
Aug. -Sept..  iluonologicol  summaty  of  local  happenings,  including  movements 
of  war  vcsHcls,  iiublication  of  the  1st  newspaper,  Ist  trial  by  jury,  etc.  Id., 
2S8-U3.  Nov. -bee,  i\  like  snnin.ary;  also  organization  of  the  Cal.  l>attalion, 
impri.sonment  of  l.4irkin,  and  campaign  of  Natividad.  Id.,  S.*)?-??. 

1847.  Jan.,  arrival  of  ('o.  F,  third  artillery.  Id.,  619.  Arrival  of  Com. 
Shubrick.  Id.,  428-9.  llotum  of  Capt.  Maddox  and  commny  from  the  Stu 
Clara  cam|)aign.  Feb.,  Keaniy  arrives  from  the  south.  lit.  March,  arrival 
of  Com.  Biddle;  Kearny  assumes  tho  governorship;  Frt^mont's  visit  and  nuar 
111  with  Kearny.  Id.,  430-8,  443-4.  April,  orrival  of  four  companies  of  the 
N.  Y.  vol.,  Co.  I  remaining  as  a  garriwm  until  Dec.  Id.,  514.  Grand  ball 
^ivon  by  tho  naval  oflioers  on  April  9th.  .*>'.  /'.  (.'nlijoniinn,  Apr.  17,  1847. 
.\l)out  this  time  two  barrels  of  liquor  wore  smashed  on  tho  wharf  by  Lieut 
Siicrman,  an  event  that  John  A.  Swan  ntvor  forgets  to  mention.  Volunteer 
c.kvalry  co.  under  Lieut  M.  Burton.  This  vol.,  521.  May,  arrival  of  Kearny 
uiul  Fr(?inout  from  tho  south,  and  tlt-[)Hrturo  for  tho  cist;  Gov.  Mason  In  oom- 
ii.and.  /«/.,  4."iO-l.  July  4th  celcbratcil  at  tho  cipital.  S,  F  Calif.,  .Sent.  8. 
1.S47.  In  llio  sfinio  iiaper  the  progress  of  tho  town  is  noted;  27  houses  heiug 
cicctod;  tho  Ist  briclc  house  in  Cal.  lately  completed  by  l)ii'ki'iisoir,  great  im- 
provement.'* at  till!  fort  on  the  hill  under  direction  of  Lieut  Ord;  Miss  Kagcr'n 
Kchool  very  popular.  Nov.,  Ijirkin  writes  that  town  lots  have  ri.ion  from  f  I0<) 
to  JI2,0<K).  Lnrkiii'i  Off.  Corr<»p.,  MS.,  ii.  124.  I).--.  :!Otli,  a  tiro  in  Jo.s.- 
Abrc/o's  house,  extini^uished  by  tho  aid  of  citi/rns,  soldiers,  and  sailors. 
( 'all/.,  Jan.  10,  184S.  Disgraceful  conduct  ol  somo  of  the  volunteers  at  a  ball 
civen  at  the  barracks.  /</.,  Oct.  20,  1847.  1848.  Ft  b.  20lh,  subscription  for  a 
ball  on  Washington's  birthday  $X>rK  Lnrkin'ii  Doc,  MS.,  vi.  38.  May  29lli, 
news  of  the  (liRcovcry  of  gold,  .'olton'*  Three  Yenr»  242.  Sept.,  a  boanl  of 
trustees  app(>inted  by  the  uU'uldu  to  manage  a  stone  l.'.'ildinj,'  erected  for  jmli 
lie  uses.  .l.v/f.V//,  Ihif.,  MS.,  2(S4.  Oct.,  muHtrriuL!  out  i.f  l.'wt  coiiip.  and  MtutI 
of  N.  Y.  voluntriTs.   This  vol.,  515-  1(1. 

Municipal  all'airM.  IH4(i.  Prefect  Manuel  Castro,  with  Florencio  Serrano 
as  secretary.  Jan.,  ('astro  oonii>liiins  that  tho  ayuiit.  has  Ihhii  installed  with- 
out  notice  to  him;  insists  on  is  I'l^^hts.  i.'tuitro,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  2ij5.  French 
lonsul  complains  that  Castro  is  not  Isgally  pr  ',w.i,  bdng  under  30  years  of 
age.  Dejit.  St.  /'«/».,  Hen.  /'.  if-./.,  MS.,  ii.  4.  May,  Castro  oilers  his  resig- 
nation, /(/.,  5S,  whii'h  was  not  incepted.  The  »)rcffpt's  part  in  ])oliti('al  and 
military  affairs  of  .Ian. -July  has  Ih-ou  fuUv  reoonled  in  olhc-  cliapters.  Al 
caMes — clc<'tod  in  Dec,  taking  pos-ii's.Hion  .Ian.  I.st,  approved  by  gov,  .lun.  22d, 
— Manuel  Diaz  and  .loa([uiii  Lscaiiiilla;  regiiiores  Ignacio  Kziiuor,  Francisco 
Arias,  Itafacl  Kstrada,  .lob  F.  Dye;  sindico  FloriMuio  .Serrano,  secretary  Am- 


MOXTKIiEY  AlIAIHS. 


637 


intervention  as  a  soiircu  ot'  loliol'  tVoin  prevalent  evils. 
Mcanuiiile  the  Montereyans  were  willin'j  to  wait  in 
patience  lor  whatever  fate  niij^ht  have  in  store  ti)r 
tlieni,  hstenin*^  to  Larkin's  appeals  in  behalf  of  the 
United  States,  and  startled  only  by  FrtJnjont's  al)surd 
performance  at  ( Javilan  a'ul  tlic  American  settlers' 
tilibusterism  on  the  northern  frontier.  In  July  the 
st-iirs  and  stripes  were  raise<l  without  tlie  slij,ditest  o[>- 
position,  and  the  old  capital  became  a  garrison  town, 
whose  uneventful  progress  was  duly  recorded  in  a 
weekly  newspaper  and  in  Alcalde  Colton'.s  diary.  Tiio 
coining  of  Company  F,  third  artillery,  and  the  restor- 
ation of  the  capital  were  the  events  of  1847;  while 
the  next  year  can  hardly  b<;  said  to  have  had  any  dis- 

brosio  Ooiiicz.  Diuz  wislicd  to  Ikj  excused  in  Jan.,  but  wiia  required  to  servo. 
Kzfjucr  often  Berved  as  juez  1^  in  I Hiu'h  illness.  Auxiliares  de  jwlicfa,  Teotloro 
(Souzalcz,  Juan  Antonio  VuUeju,  Francisco  (iranado.s,  Adull>crto  Thonu, 
Uuiliornio  (iontcz,  and  Jesus  .Soto.  .Jucccs  do  cmnpo  AKUst-n  Kicobar,  RstiS- 
vau  do  Ilk  Torre;  id.  of  the  valley  (Salinas)  ranchos,  Josii  Antonio  Alviso, 
A^ustin  Martinez,  Andrt?H  Juarez,  Franc'isco  (iarcfu,  nml  Kelipotturcia,  id.  H. 
t'drlos,  Juan  do  Mata  liorondu.  Juccc.i  nuxiliares,  of  tlio  valley  ranclios, 
Siuitiago  Estrada  and  Joai|iiiii  ISuelna,  ^^  itli  Andr(!s  .Soto  and  I'rudoncio  Ks|ii- 
IJ08.1  as  Buplcntcs;  id.  S.  Carlos  J iiaii  Itosalcs.  TitJjc-coUuctor  Francisco  I'a- 
clieco.  InJuly,  by  U.  S.  niilitjiry  appointment,  KdwariKiilcliriKtamlRoduiaii 
M.  I'rico  were  inado  alcaldes;  l)ut  (tilchrist  was  succneded  by  Walter  (^)lt(iu 
on  July  'JOtii;  and  on  Sept.  I.'ttli,  at  n  popular  election  ^itli  ItH  votes  out  of 
33s,  ('<dtun  was  ciioscn  aicaldo  witli  .Miltou  Little  ns  .sulwtitute;  counuilloii 
David  .Spence,  \V.  K.  1'.  Ilartncll,  .luau  .Malarin,  ami  Manuel  l)i/u;  treiiaurer 
Salvador  Munrda.  Monl.  CaJi/.,  Sopt.  10,  1840.  Ji«.,  police  regulations  in 
17  articles.  Doc.  Uii'.  V(d.,  MS.,  iii.  S.'{.  April,  instructions  lo  jucccs  auxi 
Hares,  ilout.  Arrh.,  Ms.,  viii.  "JS-!).  .Aug.,  etc.,  regulation*  nn  *doof  liijUdrs, 
etc.  Mont.  <'nli/;.„ia.,.  .Vug.  l.">,  Sept.  I'tl,  Oct.  :«,  t).t.  :;i,  Dec.  11),  LS4(i. 
1847.  Aicaldo  Walter  t'olton;  councillors,  etc.,  not  n:iiii'»i,  Wni  It.  Clarncr 
■hcritr.  TliQ  muiiii'ii)al  recoiil  is  M'ly  sli^ijlit,  Hhnwing  onU  a  fow  minor  regu- 
lations of  dilTen-iit  dates,  tliou^li  ('olti>n  in  his  (luMisbod  diary  t^ivos  occasional 
annising  incident!  in  the  administration  of  justice.  In  Oct.  two  Ind.  were 
■lii>t  lor  murder.  S.  F.  '  '///.,  Oct.  '.'Otli.  IMS.  tloltm  still  mnving  a.s  al- 
oaldu  until  Oct.,  when  l'"lorencio  S.'rrano  tiM>li  his  plaro.  Win  U.  Loni^ley 
woa  api>oiiitcd '2(1  alcalitc  <in  Jan.  I.'ttli,  Wni  K.  liartier  i^i ill  served  m  clerk. 

llauchon.  I.Aguna  do  Tache,  II  I.,  IHIti,  Manut  1  ( 'a^tiM;  i  I,  and  J.  OlaiK 
cl.  .S.  Juan  IJuntista,  orchard,  4(X)  v.,  |H.|(!,  OlUvier  Pi-li  hscuiios;  (J.  I'niiaud 
ct  ul.  tl.  *S.  .Fuan  tJapistrano  (Kl  ('.iinute,  10  1.,  lS4(i,  1".  Uorrora  and  <i. 
Qtiintana.  S.  I,ijr«:nzo,  111.,  !S4(!,  Kafucl  SuiRliez,  who  wiw  ci.  "S.  Mi^'iul, 
18»ti,  Win  Uctnl,  jVtronilo  Uion,  ,ind  .M.  (Jarcia;  Uios<l.  .S.  Miguelil.,  Mn 
v.,  IH4«J,  MiK'uel  .\vila,  who  «ms  cl.;  ''2  I.,  i<l.  grantuo  and  el,  .Soiodod,  niii 
(•ion. '_' I.,  1H40,  Feliciano  .SolM^ranus,  who  was  c!.  ll;uichos  without  naiiiiv.' 
(i  1.  to  Jo«<5 Castro,  Itobt  H.  N'cli«hcl.;  t'>  "T.  II.  (Jroen,  who  was  cl.;  I.MMt 
v.  to  Jo«<$  Castro,  Tatrick  Hncn  cl,;  (Jurmclo  (perliops  not  ui  Montenycli  - 
trict),  10  I  ,  Wm  Knijilit;  J.  (!.  Mor.hcad  <  1.  Tuclio.  1  1.,  1840,  Joaomn 
.Arroyo.  JJnr.  Hi^t.  far,  MS.,  i.  ."iOJ.  In  1S47-S,  Alcnldc  <  olton  was  callc  I 
upon  to  fitniiNli  cop.,'.-  tif  grants  of  town  lands  with  'letailsas  to  tlio  title-; 
luirticuUriy  with  .cference  to  the  lots  within  II..lli<  U^^     irrfy  of  lands  in  tliu 


I 


fi3S 


I.or.M.  AXNALS-SAN  DIEGO  TO  MOXTKRKY. 


V 


tiiiiniisliiii;;  local  feature  before  tlie  news  of  ;'oKl  caiiu* 
to  cie|io|mlate  the  town.  Manuel  Custro  ruleil  as 
prefeet  down  to  the  American  occupation;  am!  Ma- 
nuel J)iaz  as  alcalde  presided  over  the  ayuntamiento 
that  managed  mimicipal  affairs.  After  the  change  of 
tiag,  Edward  ( Jilclnist  was  made  alcalde,  but  wassoon 
succeeded  by  Walter  Colton,  who  ruled  till  late  in 
IS48  an«l  was  followed  by  Florencio  Serrano.  As 
Monttrt'V  was  the  residence  of  the  militarv  I'ovenior, 
the  municij)al  authorities  had  but  little  to  «lo,  though 
the  reverend  alcalde  has  woven  into  his  publisheil  nar- 
lative  a  series  of  iimusing  experiences  in  the  adniin- 
istrati«»n  of  justice.  IJanchos  granted  in  184G  wen* 
only  about  a  dozen,  including  several  of  the  ex-mis-ijoii 
I'states.  For  San  dirlos  mission  there  is  no  record 
whatevei  ;  and  it  is  not  even  clear  who  was  the  resi- 
dent pili'st  at  Nronlerey,  tlxuigh  the  names  of  Hr-al. 
Anzar,  and  Aiiil>ris  ap])ear  (»n  the  I'egisters.  At  San 
Luis   Obispo,  J *adre  Jose    Nicolas    (Jomez  serve<l  as 

vicinity  of  tlic  fort— or  tlinso  of  Slmlnii-k,  IJailry,  Diiylo,  S|)cnco,  Oreen.  aoil 
Mt'li'is.MMine.s;  nlikt  iMiiap  of  l-'mt-  liill  is  j^iveii.   Jldllcrk'n  Hi'port,  |(iO-T'». 

S.  ('.11I04,  no  I'l'fonl  of  cviiiiHsion  iiU'aiis,  or  latlicr  no  alFairs  of  mIiii  h  to 
iiiako  n  iriortl.  'flu:  names  of  |'|'.  Ileal,  Anzar,  and  Ainbii.s  nppar  on  tite 
icgisti'i'M,  tliougli  nuither  rrsidi'il  at  i\w  mission. 

S.  1,1118  (Jl)i:*|>o.  JoKi'  Ortega  jiiez  Kiii'ceeilini;  Kstraila,  Jan. -March,  wim 
Vii'ttir  Linares  118  j lie/.  '_'  ;  .lo.sn.s  I'ieo  juez  Kul).  Sept.  liareia.  llc<'ho*,  W^-, 
\\C\,  wiyri  that  I'ii'o  an  mil.  eom.  took  the  liaton  l>y  force  from  O. ,  Iwin^  mi- 
willing  to  1)0  niled  liy  a  man  who  liail  an  liiil.  wile.  In  Sejit.  Mariano  |V»- 
nilla  was  r.ppointeil  jiu/,  ninl  Ncrvivl  tliroii;:li  the  year.  .I;in.  4th.  \\vr.  to 
gov.,  the  l)iiyi'r«  of  the  mission  hav<!  not  yet  api)eareil.  l)e.-ieril)C3  the  Ixiilil- 
ing*,  wliii  li  are  in  ImiiI  eoiulition,  exeeot  the  chiiii'li.  />.y/^  St.  Pap.,  B'h.  P- 
ft./.,  MS.,  ii.  (}•_•-,■(.  Fell.  !ttli.  Home  Iml.  have  niti  away  and  larrioil  off  the 
alealile'.s  wife.  >',  Jo^d  Ar-fi.,  .MS.,  loose  pap.,  ,'10.  Feli.  'JlUh.  I'.  ( toni(>ztogi>T., 
can  not  iiiuli  r.^^t.'in  1  why  after  all  his  laliors  there  comes  an  order  t)  turn  over 
tlie  property  to  uther.s.  y^f/i'.  St.  /'dp  ,  M.S.,  vii.  10.>-(>.  Feh,  'JlJlh,  jiioctM  de 
cumpo  ap|>oiiited,  imt  n.inied.  Via),  Aroiif.,  MS.,  7!)-N0.  Mareh  7th,  I.in.ir.-* 
oriU'i's  1*.  (iomcz  to  turn  over  property  to  I'ieo  for.Seott  and  SVilson;  ♦i-mit  .• 
appeaU  to  liisliop,  who  iisks  gov.  to  reserve  certain  storerooms  and  the  mitU. 
(Jov.  ]»romi.sc.i  to  investigate.  Anfi.  Ar:nl).,  MS.,  v.  jit  ii.  (!.">  (>.•  Man-h  I«>th. 
(iomez  to  gov.,  complaining  of  lack  of  ni'';nis  of  support,  also  ot  his  mortitica- 
tions  and  insults.  Jhiil,  St.  P.ip..  .MS.,  vii.  JJ-K.  Niarch  "JiUli  .?),  i)osse«non 
given  to  I'ico.  /</.,  llm.  I',<(J.,  ii.  (i.'l.  Aju'il  IStli,  Linares,  jrc/. '2',  rrpri- 
maiided  by  Buli-preted  for iiisul)  irdiiialion.  .S'.  l,HisOb.,  Anh.,  SlS..  -J.  Apr. 
•Jsth,  order  of  jivz  n  1  nso  of  water  for  irrigation.  /(/.,  '^.  June  Lst,  I'lco 
i.p  .it«an  Ind.  light  1  \,'hiih  (i  weit!  killed.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  Ptn.  P.  .1-  J.. 
MS.,  ir.  Jti.  .lime  ijili.  <fOV.  I'ieo  onlers  enlistment  of  men  for  !ii:5  n\iL  t%- 
ped.  to  tht  north,  .s".  I. Hi*  Oh.,  Ar,h..  MS.,  1'2.  .1  imo 'J-Jd,  2.')th,  doc.  cor- 
luvted  wit!,  the  putting  of  .John  Wilson  in  formal  possesHionof  thocxmiMikKt 
estnte, '.vitli  measurements,  etc.    ILntmtin's  liri  l',i\\tYi.  71-4.    .Tan.sscris,  F'tf/<», 


SAN  LUIS,  SAX  MIGUEL,  AND  SAN  ANTONIO. 


039 


curate;  and  pueblo  ailairs  were  direcled  successively 
by  Toso  Ortega,  Jesus  Pico,  ^Mariano  Bonilla,  anil 
John  M.  Price  as  justices,  or  alcaldes.  The  purchasers 
of  1845  seem  not  to  have  been  disturbed  in  their  pos- 
.scssion  of  the  ex-niisMon  estate,  their  title  to  which 
was  in  later  years  declared  to  be  valid.  San  Miguel 
was  subject  spiritually  and  municipally  to  the  curate 
and  justice  of  San  Luis.  The  estate  was  sold  in  July 
to  liios  and  Keeil,  and  their  pos.session  was  not  dis- 
turbed by  the  new  authorities,  though  the  purchase 
was  declared  invalid  by  the  courts  later.  The  murder 
of  Hoed  and  his  family  in  Decend^er  1848  was  the 
most  notable  event  of  San  Miguel  annals  during  this 
period.     At    San  Antonio,   Padre  IJoroteo  And)ris 

MS.,  190,  incntioiia  tho  nrrcst  of  Williams,  an  American,  hy  n  party  of 
(Ininkcn  Califciriiians,  who  were  Anally  iiuluccd  liy  J.  to  ruU-iisf  liiin,  when 
iimilo  to  uiKlcr.stiiiiil  till-  ilangir  to.Mtx.  i)ri.soncr.s  in  Amor,  hamls.  'I'liiswas 
jii.-,t  lii'foro  Fri'indut's  arrival.  July-Due.  (.Jov.  Tico  anil  (!cn.  Castro  meet; 
iicwM  of  capture (.f  Mont.;  .Skirmish  I)ct\vefi»  Lieut.  MaiMox  ami  Calif. ;  .Man. 
Castro  has  hi.s  hi.idiniaitcrs  at  S.  Luis;  capture  of  the  placi'  hy  I'ri'inont,  trial 
of  Jesus  I'ieo,  ete.  I  his  Vol.,  J).  141,  'HVl,  '1^2,  :;-Jl,  ."iliJ,  WlX-o.  1S47,  -Mari- 
ano Itonilla  alealili;  until  Oct.,  wiien  he  resi;,'UC(l,  as  he  liad  tricil  to  tlo  in 
April;  (Jov.  Masuu  oU'ert'd  to  appoint  any  one  the  ))cople  eoulil  .'ijiree  on,  hut 
there  is  no  rreord  of  a  new  appuintnunt.  May  .'JOth,  al'alile's  rc^'ul,  nu  Bale 
of  liipiors,  etc.  Mont.  Arch.,  M.S.,  xiii.  I4-1.">.  Jun<-  tlth,  Wni  (1.  l>aiia  at 
Nipouio  eomplains  of  S.  Luis  as  a  sink  of  debaueliery,  where  tin-  alealdt's 
authority  has  no  weii^ht;  Ind.  are  raiiliiii^,  horrid  nmrurrs  arc  reiiorted,  and 
farnu'rs  will  have  to  ijuit  their  ranehos  if  no  military  aid  is  sent.  I'lih.  Ihir., 
MS.,  l(iS.  liiinilla  had  made  like  eumplaint^,  and  on  .lune  10th  was  ordered 
{(Vliov.  Mason  toeonie  to  Mnnt.,  l>rini,'ing  three  criminals  and  three  witnesses 
with  hiui.  ('((/.  iL' -V.  J/(.c.  ISM,  p.  'Xl'A.  Aui;.  -Uli,  jnez  ordered  liy  gov.  to 
t  urn  over  to  tin:  priest  all  the  property  hehl  liy  the  padres  at  the  raisin;;  of  the 
C.  S.  llaj,'.  .V.  Ahm  Oh.,  Airh.,  MS.,  .-.;  I'.onUIn,  Doc,  MS.,  -Jt  .->.  1848,  Al- 
calde .lohn  M.  I'riee,  appointed  hy  Gov.  Mason  .Ian.  iVith.  Jle  was  lirst 
elected,  hut  the  gov.  disapproved  the  (lection,  at  the  sanii;  time  scndin:,'  tho 
.ippointmcnt.  .S'.  Ai/m  Oh.,  Aiyli.,  MS..  iM;  Cal.  .0  Mcc.  !S.in,  4()'_'-;t.  Price 
wiis  aeeUNcd  )<y  Miguel  .\vilaof  having  stolen  hiscow,  and  when  1'.  was  made 
alcalde  A.  thought  his  ease  not  improvctl,  antl  he  p  -titioned  the  ayunt.  of 
.Mont,  for  a  trial  without  the  alealde's  intervention.  ArVn,  0"f.,  MS.,  17-lS. 
I''eh.,  jiulieu  rcgidations.  .s'.  Lui.i  Oh.,  Arch.,  .M^..  I."i-l8.  March 'J  1st,  gov. 
urders  I'lico  to  organize  an  exped.  against  the  Ind.,  ammuidtion  to  he  sup- 
plieil  l.y  tho  govt.  J<1.,  'JJ  4;  t.'af.  .i- X.  .1/.  r.  /^:.^  4;t.-,-7 

S.  .Miguel.  lS4(i,  mission  in  charge  i«f  the  jiii/  and  padre  at  S.  Luis 
(Ihisi)o.  .luly  4th,  estiitc  s  ild,  as  was  claimed,  to  I'etronilo  Hios  and  Wni 
lleeil;  liiit  very  little  is  known  of  the  tninsaetion.  lieed  lived  lure  .since 
LSl.">  or  earlier.  IS47.  Sept.,  gov.  orders  th.it  1  Iced  be  left  in  possession,  a 
satisfactory  provision  for  the  priest  W'ing  made,  and  the  title  being  left  f(jr 
later  settlement.  JJoiiilhi,  Hu.-.,  MS.,  •J4,  •_»(!:  'Vi/.  A  X.  M(x.  ISoO,  ]>.  IVM, 
430-8.  Nov.  .10th,  gov.  orders  that  thcS.  Miguel  Ind.  I>e  put  in  jwssession 
of  lands  granted  tliem  in  1844.  /'».  1848.  Dec,  murder  of  Heed  and  family 
by  a  party  of  tramps,  formerly  soMiers.  Reed  entertainecl  these  fellows  for 
Kcveral  Jay.s  with  his  usual  hospitality,  but  unfortunately  revealed  the  fact 


' 


»I0 


LOCAL  ANNALS-SAX  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


had  cliargo  as  curate;  but  there  is  no  record  of  events, 
or  of  the  mission  estate,  which  apparently  was  never 
sold.  At  San  Juan  Bautista  the  curate  was  Padro 
Jose  Antonio  Anzar  in  1848,  and  there  was  probably 
no  otiior  resident  priest  during  the  period.  Quintin 
Ortega  and  Jose  Maria  Sanchez  were  the  municipal 


that  ho  had  quite  a  largo  sum  of  gold  in  his  posscsBion,  having  recently  re- 
turned from  u  trip  to  tlio  mines  wlicro  he  had  sold  a  flock  of  sheep.  Lcavins 
S.  .Miguel  the  villainH  went  only  tu  Sta  Margarita,  and  after  dark  returncu 
iind  murdered  all  the  occupantsof  tiiocx-mission,  makingnheap  of  the  corpses 
in  one  of  tliu  rooms,  und  carrying  otf  the  gold  and  other  valuables.  Tlio  vie- 
tims  were  llecd,  hia  hou  aged  '2  or  .'t  years,  his  wife  Maria  Autonia  Vallejo, 
lier  unborn  child,  her  brother  Jomi)  ICamon,  Josefa  Olivera  a  midwife  who  liad 
como  to  attond  Mrs  Reed,  her  daughter  aged  15  and  nephew  aged  4,  an  Ind- 
ian servant  aged  over  00  und  his  nephew  of  5  ycura,  and  a  negro  cook.  Tito 
murderers  were  ttpi)arently  five  in  number,  were  pursued  by  a  force  of  men 
front  Sta  Bdrluira  under  Ijvtuilludc,  and  were  linolly  overtaken  on  tlio  coast 
near  tho  Ortega  runciio.     One  of  the  number  after  being  fatally  wounded  shot 


and   killed   Ramon  Rodriguez,  who  i-ashly  rushed  upon  tho  imrty;  another 

1'umpcd  into  tho  sea  and  was  drowned;  and  tho  other  three,  Joseph  Lynch, 
'eter  Reiner  (or  Raymond),  and  I'cter  Quin,  were  executed  ut  Sta  Utirbara  on 


1'umpcd  into  tho  sea  and  was  drowned;  and  tho  other  three,  Joseph  Lynch, 
'eter  Remer  (or  Raymond),  and  I'cter  Quin,  were  executed  ut  Sta  Utirbara  on 
Dec.  'J8tli.     Samuel  lironard  ia  given  as  the  name  of  one  of  tho  party  not 


I 


taken  alive.  Dutuila  are  given  by  Cutarina  Avila  do  Rioa,  lircuerdos,  MS., 
widow  of  I'ctronilo  Rios,  Reed's  partner,  then  living  at  I'uso  do  Roblcs,  and 
who  buried  tho  victims.  Sliretei-'n  Itecoll.,  M.S.,  195-0;  JanHgcim,  Vida,  MS., 
•207-0;  Sta  D.,  Lib.  Mis.,  MS.,  4-.'. 

S.  Antonio.  No  record  of  any  disposition  of  tho  estate  in  1840.  This  vol., 
501;  and  no  claim  l>eforo  the  land  commission  in  later  times,  except  that  for 
tho  church  property  as  elsewhere.  Dorotro  Ambris  in  chargo  as  curate,  but 
perhaps  not  livmg  hero  continuously,  from  Feb.  1S4G.  S.  Antonio,  Lib.  Mis., 
MS.,  'JO.  Vicente  T.  Gomez,  Lo  Que  Snbf,  MS.,  204-10,  saya  that  ho  at  tho 
request  of  1*.  Ambris  and  M'itli  Gov.  Mason's  ap[irov;kl  took  charge  during 
1847-8,  gathered  about  .'l.i  Ind.  fam.,  raised  gootl  crops,  but  became  tired  of 
living  alono  exposed  to  tho  attacks  uf  passing  miners,  and  gavo  up  tho  place. 

S.  Juan  liuutista.  1840.  Jucccs  do  paz,  Quintin  Ortega  and  Angel  M. 
Castro,  with  Jua(iuin  Soto  and  Antonio  C'l'stro  aasuplontea.  After  tho  Amer. 
occupation  Mattlicw  Felloni  was  appointed  alcalde.  Cutis  Conq.  Cal.,  125. 
ClmboUa  ia  also  named  in  Nov.  March  15th,  iuez  Angel  Castru  asks  for  leave 
of  absence.  J}oc.  Jli^t.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  135.  Alarcli,  afTairs  connected  with 
Fri'mont's  fiasco  at  Gavilan.  This  vol.,  p.  9-20.  May  4th,  sulo  of  the  orchard 
of  S.  Juan  to  Ollivier  l)eK'i8.-'N[ues  on  account  of  govt  indebtedness.  J/nrt- 
man's  lirirf,  102-0.  June-July,  events  connected  witli  tho  U.  S.  occupation; 
Ciistro's  headquarters;  FrOmont  and  FuuntliToy.  Tiiia  vol.,  p.  51,  231,  233, 
245,247-8,  254,  201.  Oct.,  occupied  by  Maddox.  /(/.,  290-4.  Nov.,  Cal. 
battalion  organized;  liglit  at  Natividad.  /(/.,  300-72.  Estolano  Larios,  FWa, 
MS.,  24,  says  that  liia  rancho,  I'alos  do  Lanza,  was  so  named  from  tho  lance- 
shafts  hero  obtained  fur  tiio  figlit  ut  Natividad.  1847.  Alcalde  JosiS  Maria 
Sanchez.  In  Nov.  Julian  Ursua  was  elected,  and  Gov.  Mason,  though  de- 
claring tho  election  null  and  void,  api>ointcd  UrsAa;  but  U.  seems  not  to  have 
lueii  willing  to  act,  and  Sanchez  retained  tho  place.  March,  onler  that  tho 
mission  property  remain  in  chargo  of  tho  priest.  This  vol.,  p.  5G4.  May, 
Doleis86ques  asks  tho  French  consul  to  reclaim  for  him  the  orchard  granted 
him  by  Pico,  but  of  which  tho  U.  S.  govt  has  tlispossesseil  him.  Unb.  Doc, 
MS.,  287.  1848.  Alcalde  J os(S  M.  Sanchez.  March,  Josii  Castro  buys  Do- 
leissdques'  title,  and  asks  to  bo  ])ut  in  posseKsion,  which  Mason  declines  to 


SAN  JUAN  AND  SOLKDAD. 


641 


chiefs.  The  cx-inisuion  orchard  was  sold  in  May  1846 
to  OlHvier  iJeleiss^quos,  and  though  he  did  not  obtain 
possession  in  1840-8,  his  title  was  finally  confinne<l. 
Soledad  was  soM  in  June  1840  to  Felioiano  Sobr- 
ranes,  who  retained  possession,  and  whose  title  was 
confirmed.     The  ux-niission  has  no  other  annals.      I 

permit  unless  tlio  priest  consents,  as  lie  pruluibly  will.  Unb.  Doe.,  MS.,  2(i.'(, 
•208,  '-'Tl;  <<i/.  A  A'.  Mfx.  ISM,  p.  41K). 

.Soledad.  1840.  Sold  .Juno  Ith  to  Feliciuno  SoU-miies  for  $.S00.  Hart- 
mnii'n  Jlrirf,  Aip.  1I0-I."{;  St  I'ti/i.  MUi.,  MS.,  xi.  (K5.  There  is  no  record 
fiT  1817-8,  liut  iipimrcntly  Soberunes  was  not  (listurl>ed  in  his  i)i)s»e8si<>h. 
(iiiinez,  Lo  (Jiie  SniM',  M.S.,  'JlT-IS,  wiys  tiio  Imildings  wero  in  nuns,  and  it 
was  ii  vlesulutc  looking;  place,  liuving,  moreover,  a  liad  reputation  as  u  place 
where  travellers  had  to  pay  heavily  for  hospitulitios,  and  where  their  horses 
Were  upt  to  bo  put  astray,  involving  a  coni|H.'nH4ktiun  for  their  recovery. 

Sta  L'ruz  and  IJranei forte.  1840.  .lucccs  de  pu/  .Io8<5  ISoKof  and  Muce 
donio  Lurcn/jina,  suplentes  (juadalui>e  Castro  and  Uonian  Kodrigue/.  Juei! 
de  canipo  Isidro  Sahi/nr.  On  the  American  occupation  Ilnlcof  was  desired  to 
continue  in  uflicc,  either  alone  or  with  .lulin  llames,  LarLin's  l>ff.  Correny., 
MS.,  i.  140  1;  but  ajUHirently  declined;  nml  .loseph  I,.  Majors  was  ap[>ointe(l 
iu  Aug.  with  \Vm  Thompson  as 'Jd,  un<l  l.awrcncc  Curmichacl  as  secretary. 
•Ian.  'Jlst,  juez  has  given  the  Costros  ]H)S8es8ion  of  S.  Andrt^s  lands,  C'aitro, 
/)of.,  MS.,  i.  t281,  nt  which  the  jucz  of  Mont,  complains.  A/.,  'J8.'(.  March, 
linnlM'rmcu  refuse  to  puy  taxes.  This  vol.,  p.  57.  According  to  a  resolution 
of  the  ayunt.  the  town  lands  extend  one  league  in  each  direction  from  tli<! 
mission.  Sl^i  Vruz  Arch.,  MS.,  KM).  All  claimants  nnist  present  their  titles 
for  insiKiction.  Id.,  108.  April,  killing  of  Henry  Naile  by  James  Williams 
at  the  house  of  Wm  Huckle.  The  two  men  hu<l  a,  (puirrcl  alM)Ut  their  iirop- 
crty  rights  iu  the  Suyante  sawiuill,  N.  In-ing  struck  and  challenging  \V.  to 
lik'ht  n  duel,  perhaps  threatening  to  kill  him  next  day  or  un  sight.  Next  day 
W'.,  concealed  ut  lluckle's  iiouse,  shot  N.  as  the  latter  passed,  and  then  gave 
himself  up  with  the  claim  of  having  acted  in  self  defence.  Witnesses  <'X- 
amincd  weie  W'm  liuckle,  .Joseph  L.  Majors,  John  Ilume.s,  Win  lUackburn, 
.lacob  II.  Snyder,  Joseph  U.  Foster,  and  \Vdliams,  the  testiniony  being  fax  or- 
alili!  to  W.  The  result  is  ni>t  given,  but  I  think  W.  wa.s  ac(|tiitteii.  Muni. 
.!/•<•/».,  MS.,  v.  'J-D.  (jraham  claimed  Naib^'a  arms,  but  the  jucz  refused  to 
yive  tliem  up.  JJoi-.  Ilint.  CiiL,  MS.,  iii.  171.  April  l.'ith,  John  Marsh  and 
others  iufoi'm  Larkin  of  tht!  ull'air,  a.sking  him  to  taki'  »<teps  to  bring  the  mur- 
derer to  justice.  Lnrkiii'H  /Aic,  MS.,  iv.  IK).  .Jas  W.  Weeks,  Hvinin.,  MS., 
107-S,  was  coroner  in  this  case'.  .Jan.,  building  an<l  launch  of  the  s<-li(xjner 
.V'li '.V»:,  built  by  Charles  Roussiilon  for  I'iciTc  S.iiinevaiii.  S.  ./uii;  I'iono  r, 
.\ni.'.  -.  |S7">.  Oct.  loth,  .Maria  en  tiraci'a  llodriu'ue/  coiiiplaiin  to  Alcalde 
.Majors  that  her  sister-in-law  has  Mlamh  red  her  and  her  daui;hter>;  desires 
that  she  be  mailc  to  give  satisfaction,  or  be  puni.she.il  according  to  .\meri- 
can  laws.  SUi  Cruz  Airh.,  MS.,  XI.  llancho  of  S.  Vicente  gninted  to  Hias 
.\.  Kscamilla,  to  whom  it  was  later  conlirmcd.  Lmiil.  i'uin.,  no.  G(»S.  ISJ7. 
AKaldea  Majors  and  Thompson  till  .June;  later  Wui  HlacUburn  and  Win 
.\ndcrson.  beginning  of  pn 'cstant  worship,  by  Hecox,  Aiitlioiiy,  and  1)um- 
Uavy.  Cat.  Chriit.  Adruc,  ,n\y  '2,  lS(i;{;  Tliis  vol.,  p.  abti.  .Marcii,  onli  r 
that  the  mission  remain  in  charge  of  the  jtriest.  /'/.,  .")ti4.  .Juno  21st,  go\. 
sends  to  ]ilackl>urn  his  appointment,  and  din.'cts  him  not  to  permit  cncroai  ii- 
Mients  on  Sain.sevain's  land.  C(i!.  <(•  A'.  .'/<■./■.,  18."»(>,  p.  ."(.'{•J-.'!.  .\<ig.,  I'cclr.i 
ilomez,  who  murdered  his  wife  on  the  14th,  was  convicted  before  . Alcalde 
IWackbtirn  and  a  jury,  and  was  shot  by  15. 's  sentence  on  the  llith.  Sla<'riiz 
Ar-h.,  MS.,  100;  .V.  /•'.  C"//>'..  Sept.  Slh;  ,S'.  /•'.  r,,/.  Star,  Sej.t.  lltli.  Nov., 
a  man  for  cutting  the  mane  of  A.  llodriguc/.s  bor-se  was  cuudcmued  to  have 
Hut.  Oal.,  Vol.  V.    41 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


c  m 

i4  0    12.0 


m 


1-25      1.4    1  1.6 

—     —  nil 

< 

6" 

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WVS^  MAIN  STREET 
WEBSVEV.N.Y.  I4SS0 

(716;  iilT2.i!501 


w 


m 


t 


II 


642 


LOCAL  ANNALS— SAN  DIEGO  TO  MONTEREY. 


find  no  definite  record  of  any  resident  curate  at  Santa 
Cruz  and  Branciforte,  where  the  successive  jueces 
and  alcaldes  were  Josd  Bolcof,  Joseph  L.  Majors,  and 
William  Blackburn,  with  the  aid  of  four  councillors 
in  1848.  The  murder  of  Henry  Naile  in  1846,  the 
execution  of  a  wife-murderer  by  Alcalde  Blackburn's 
order  in  1847,  with  a  municipal  controversy  and  vain 
attempt  to  oust  the  famous  alcalde  in  1848,  were 
prominent  among  local  happenings. 

hia  own  hair  cut  close  in  front  of  the  alcalde's  office.  Willey'a  Centen.  Sk., 
"25.  Not.  24th,  the  priest  of  Sta  Cruz  (not  named)  complained  to  gov.  that 
the  alcalde  had  been  granting  lota  belonging  to  the  mission;  therefore  the 
gov.  calls  on  the  alcalde  for  hia  authority  to  do  so,  and  for  documents  and 
map  to  sliow  that  a  town  has  been  organized;  otherwise  he  haa  no  right  to 
dispose  of  landa.  Col.  A  N.  Mex.  1850,  p.  433-4.  In  later  yeara  there  were 
also  charges  that  the  priest  (Anzar  of  S.  Juan  ?)  had  improperly  disposed  of 
some  mission  property.  Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  273-4.  1848.  Blackburn  and 
Anderson  alcaldes.  A.  A.  Hecox  acting  alcalde  in  Nov.  March  18th,  a 
town-council  elected,  consisting  of  Jos  L.  Majors,  Manuel  Rodriguez,  John 
Haines,  and  Geo.  W.  Sirrine;  approved  by  gov.  on  24th  on  petition  of  citi- 
zens. They  were  to  act  aa  advisers  to  Blackburn.  Sta  Cruz  Arch.,  MS.,  108; 
Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  340.  April  28th,  petition  of  J.  W.  Powell  and  26  others 
for  the  removal  of  Blackburn  and  appointment  of  James  G.  T.  Dunleavy  in 
hia  place;  also  counter-petition  of  134  citizens  in  Blackburn's  favor.  Unh. 
Doc,  MS.,  7-9,  23.  March  20th,  council  decidea  that  the  beach  is  the  best 
and  only  suitable  site  for  the  town.  Sta  Cruz  Arch.,  MS.,  108.  Oct.,  alcalde 
of  Mont,  complains  that  Alcalde  Anderson  refuses  to  obey  his  summons  to 
appear  in  a  suit;  and  is  instructed  by  the  gov.  that  A.  is  subject  to  him  and 
must  obey.  Cal.  <fc  N.  Mex.,  1850,  p.  675. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 

1846-1848. 

Population  of  California— San  Fkancisco — Events — The  Name  Yebba 
BoENA— Descriptions  and  Statistics— Plan,  and  Notes  on  Buildings 
— Municipal  Official  List — Controversies  of  Alcalde  and  Council 
— Town  Lots — Survey,  Streets,  and  Improvements — School  and 
Churcu  —  Newspapers  —  Military  and  Revenue  —  Ranchos  and 
Ex-mission  —  Annals  of  San  Jose  —  Local  Occurrences  —  Indian 
Troubles — Municipal  Affairs  and  Lands — The  Contra  Costa — 
Santa  Clara — Mission  San  Jose — Sonoma  and  the  Northern  Fron- 
tier— San  Rafael — Bodega — Napa — Benicia — Original  Correspond- 
ence of  Semple  and  Laukin— Stockton  and  New  Hope — New 
Helvetia  in  1846-7 — Plan  of  San  Francisco — Early  Buildings. 


In  local  annals  of  1846-8,  as  already  explained,  no 
estimates  of  population  have  been  given,  since  no  reli- 
able foundation  for  such  estimates  exists  in  contem- 
porary records  for  most  of  the  settlements.  In  the 
aggregate  there  was  a  small  gain  in  the  Hispano- 
(jalifornian  population,  which  was  slightly  less  in 
1845  and  slightly  more  in  1848  than  7,000  souls. 
The  number  of  foreigners  has  been  given  elsewhere 
as  approximately  a  little  less  than  7,000.  Probably  a 
total  of  14,000,  or  7,500  and  6,500  for  the  two  classes, 
would  be  as  accurate  an  estimate  as  it  is  possible  to 
make  of  the  population  in  the  middle  of  1848.  There 
were  still  from  3,000  to  4,000  ex-neophyte  Indians 
leading  a  somewhat  civilized  life  at  or  near  the  towns 
and  ranchos,  with  perhaps  nearly  twice  as  many  scat- 
tered among  the  gentiles.  Estimates  of  the  period 
have  but  slight  value,  but  agree  well  enough  with 
these  figures  in  a  general  way. 


644 


LOCAL  ANXALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


San  Francisco  in  184G-8  was  in  some  respects  the 
most  thriving  town  in  CaHfornia,  its  future  greatness 
as  commercial  metropolis  of  the  coast  being  clearly 
foreseen  even  before  the  discovery  of  gold — an  event 
destined  to  give  the  bay  settlement  an  immediate  de- 
velopment not  dreamed  of  by  the  most  enthusiastic 
citizen.  In  view  of  this  latter  growth,  even  the  most 
petty  local  affairs  assume  an  additional  interest  and 
importance;  and  fortunately,  besides  the  ordinary 
sources  of  information,  we  have  two  local  newspapers 
from  which  to  draw  material.  Thus  the  aggregate 
of  items  is  much  more  bulky  here  than  elsewhere; 
but  they  are  best  presented,  as  in  chapters  devoted  to 
other  towns,  in  the  form  of  a  classified  note.  It  is 
well  to  add  here  that  in  the  Annals  and  the  work  of 
John  S.  Hittell  we  have  two  very  satisfactory  records 
already  before  the  public,  much  more  complete  for  this 
than  for  earlier  periods  of  San  Francisco  history.  I 
refer  the  reader  also  to  the  end  of  this  chapter,  where 
by  means  of  a  plan  and  accompanying  notes  I  have 
attempted  to  give  a  clear  idea  of  the  town's  develop- 
ment before  the  discovery  of  gold.^ 

'  Summary  of  S.  F.  events,  184G.  Jan.,  Frdmont'a  visit  on  the  way 
from  N.  Helvetia  to  Monterey.  This  vol.,  p.  3.  Feb.  7th,  Vice-consul  Forbes 
thanks  the  receptor  for  having  attended  the  funeral  of  the  'Britislx  subjects 
interred  yesterday.'  Pinto,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  221-2.  March  16th,  Sub-prefect 
Guerrero  to  receptor,  asking  the  loan  of  a  Mex.  flag,  as  he  has  to  enter  town 
witli  an  armed  force  to  publish  a  commun.  from  the  prefect.  /(/.,  229.  End 
of  March,  Lieut  Talbot  at  Y.  B.  to  obtain  supplies  for  FrtSmont.  This  vol.,  p. 
22.  April,  visit  of -Gillespie  on  his  way  from  Mont,  to  overtake  Frdmont. 
Id.,  28.  May,  Benito  Diaz  chosen  delegate  for  the  consejo  general  at  Sta  B. 
Id.,  45.  June  7th,  Gillespie's  2d  visit  to  get  supplies  for  Fremont.  /(/.,  102, 
12G.  Juno  15th,  news  of  the  capture  of  Sonoma  by  the  Bears;  steps  taken  by 
Capt.  Montgomery  of  the  Portsmotith.  Id.,  129-32.  July  Ist,  2d,  visit  of 
Frt/mont,  Semple,  and  the  Bears;  spiking  the  guns  at  the  presidio;  capture  of 
Ridley.  Id.,  13G,  177-8.  July  9th,  Montgomery  takes  possession  for  the  U. 
S.  M,  2.38-41.  July  1 1th,  arrival  of  the  British  JuMo.  /(/.,  240.  July  31st, 
arrival  of  t\\G  Brooklyn  \vii\\  Brannan's  Mormon  colony.  Id,,  550-1.  Aug.- 
Oct.,  local  happenings,  including  a  grand  ballon  Sept.  8th,  an  election  on  the 
18th,  a  grand  reception  to  Com.  Stockton  on  Oct.  5th,  and  the  commodore's 
departure  on  the  13th.  /(/.,  295-G.  Nov.,  loss  of  the  irarren's  launch.  Id., 
384.  Dec. ,  capture  of  Alcalde  Bartlett  by  Sanchez,  and  the  resulting  Sta 
Clara  campaign  in  Jan.  Id.,  379  et  seq.  A  Christmas  celebration  mentioned 
in  the  Sac.  Union,  Jan.  1,  1873. 

Events  of  1847.  Jan.  9th,  publication  of  the  1st  newspaper,  the  Califor- 
nia Star.  Jan.  IGth,  first  news  of  the  Donner  party's  peril.  More  definite 
uews  came  in  Feb. -March,  and  mucli  space  was  given  to  the  subject  in  the 


SAN  FRANCISCO  EVENTS. 


645 


jspects  the 
3  greatness 
ing  clearly 
— an  event 
nediate  de- 
snthusiastic 
m  the  most 
iterest  and 
e  ordinary 
newspapers 
I  aggregate 

elsewhere; 

devoted  to 
lote.  It  is 
he  work  of 
;ory  records 
lete  for  this 
history.  I 
pter,  where 
ptes  I  have 
I's  develop- 


iit  on  the  way 

-consul  Forbes 

British  subjects 

th,  Sub-prefect 

to  enter  town 

/(/.,  229.     End 

This  vol.,  p. 

rtake  Frdmont. 

ncral  at  Sta  B. 

mont.  /(/.,  102, 

steps  taken  by 

st,  2(1,  visit  of 

(lio;  capture  of 

siou  for  the  U. 

40.     July  31st, 

550-1.     Aug.- 

election  on  the 

comniodoro's 

's  launch.  Id., 

resulting  Sta 

ion  mentioned 

)r,  the  Call/or- 
More  definite 
subject  in  the 


In  the  first  half  of  1846  San  Francisco  took  locally 
but  slight  part  in  the  political  and  military  move- 
ments that  were  agitating  the  territory;  yet  it  was 
here  that  Fremont,  having  already  captured  the  un- 
occupied San  Rafael  and  shot  three  inoffensive  Cali- 
fornians,  accomplished  the  crowning  achievement  of 
his  campaign  by  spiking  the  presidio  guns  and  captur- 
ing that  valiant  Mexican  chief  Robert  Ridley.  Then 
the  United  States  flag  was  raised  in  July,  and  in  the 
same  month  the  Mormons  came  to  double  the  town's 
population.  In  December  Alcalde  Bartlett  was  cap- 
tured while  engaged  in  a  raid  on  the  Californians' 
live-stock;  and  in  January  1847  the  first  newspaper 
appeared.  At  this  time  steps  were  taken  officially  to 
prevent  the  permanent  substitution  of  Ycrba  Buena 
for  the  town's  original  name.     A  chief  motive  was 

columns  of  the  Star  until  June.  See  also  this  vol. ,  p.  539.  Jan.  23d,  Alcalde 
Bartlett  issued  the  following  order:  '  Whereas  the  local  name  of  Yerba  Buena, 
as  applied  to  the  settlement  or  town  of  San  Francisco,  is  unknown  beyond 
the  immediate  district,  and  has  been  applied  from  the  local  name  of  the  cove 
on  which  the  town  is  built — therefore,  to  prevent  confusion  and  mistakes  in 
public  documents,  and  that  the  town  may  have  tho  advantage  of  the  name 
given  on  the  published  maps,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that  the  name  of  San  Fran- 
cisco shall  hereafter  be  used  in  all  official  communications  and  public  docu- 
ments or  records  appertaining  to  the  town. '  Published  in  the  Star,  Jan.  30th. 
Both  the  order  and  tlie  reasons  given  for  it  were  proper  ant'  timely.  Yet,  as 
has  been  often  pointed  out,  one  phase  of  the  leading  motive  was  not  mentioned 
in  the  order;  namely,  that  Francisca,  the  rival  town  on  the  Strait  of  Carquines, 
was  likely  to  gain  a  decided  advantage  in  the  outer  world  by  the  resemolance 
of  its  name  to  San  Francisco.  Gen.  Sherman,  Mem.,  i.  55-6,  and  in  an  oft- 
repeated  newspaper  interview,  has  something  to  say  on  the  subject.  There 
was  and  has  been  ever  since  much  opposition  to  the  so-called  change  on  the 
part  of  the  numerous  class  who  date  the  history  of  the  state  and  city  back 
only  to  the  coming  of  American  immigrants.  The  publishers  of  the  Star, 
though  bitterly  hostile  to  Semple  and  Benicia,  kept  the  name  Yerba  Buena 
at  the  head  of  its  columns  for  a  time,  submitting  to  the  inevitable  under  pro- 
test in  the  issue  of  March  20th.  From  Jan.-Feb.,  three  lawyers,  Jones,  Pick- 
ett, and  Hastings,  advertise  in  the  Star,  and  in  Feb.  the  first  auction  sale  of 
goods  is  advertised  by  Dickson  and  Hay.  Feb.,  visit  of  Gen.  Kearny,  wlio 
meets  Mason  and  Watson.  This  vol.,  p.  430.  March,  meeting  to  protest 
against  the  lack  of  representation  for  the  immigrant  element  in  tiie  proposed 
governor's  council;  Dunleavy  nominated.  Star.  March  Gth,  arrival  of  the 
Perkins  with  part  of  N.  Y.  volunteers;  arrival  of  tlie  rest  of  the  regiment 
March  19th  and  26th  on  the  Drew  and  Loo  Choo.  This  vol.,  p.  513.  April 
17th,  arrival  of  the  lirulm;  semi-monthly  mail  for  S.  Diego.  Star.  May 
22d,  the  Callfomian  first  appears  at  S.  F.,  being  transfuircd  from  Mon- 
terey. May  29th,  a  grand  illumination  in  honor  of  Gen.  Taylor's  victory  in 
Mexico.  Star.  June  8th,  firo  in  the  bush  back  of  town,  causing  some  alarm. 
Star  of  12th.  June  14th,  public  meeting  to  protest  against  Frdmont  as  gov. 
This  vol.,  p.  455.    July  4th,  grand  celebration,  decoration  of  men-of-war, 


646 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


doubtless  fear  of  rivalry  on  the  part  of  Francisca  at 
the  strait  of  Carquines;  but  the  action  was  most  oppor- 
tune. It  has  been  generally  but  inaccurately  regarded 
and  deplored  as  a  change  of  name;  but  Yerba  Buena 
was  but  a  comparatively  modern  designation  for  a 
part  of  San  Francisco;  and  to  have  taken  from  the 
great  founder  of  the  Franciscan  order  the  honor  of 
naming  California's  great  city  would  have  been  a 
most  unfortunate  piece  of  barbarism.  So  far  as 
events  are  concerned,  there  is  nothing  in  the  later 
annals  of  1847-8  that  requires  further  notice  than  is 
given  in  the  note.  Descriptive  and  statistical  state- 
ments by  visitors  and  residents  appearing  from  time 
to  time  in  books,  manuscript  reminiscences,  and  espe- 
cially in  the  Star  and  Californian,  have  considerable 
interest,  a  prominent  element  being  that  of  enthusi- 

salutes  from  guns  on  ship  and  shore,  meeting  at  Brown's  Hotel,  oration  by 
Dr  Semplc.  The  Y.  B.  M.  R.  C,  Scherrebach,  orderly  sergt,  had  called  a 
meeting  in  advance  to  make  arrangements.  Star  and  Californian  of  the  10th. 
July,  anniversary  of  raising  U.  S.  flag  in  Cal.  celebrated  in  a  supper  given 
by  Alcalde  Hyde  at  Sherreltack's  house.  Californian,  July  10th.  Aug.  14th, 
the  (S/a/- notes  a  ball  at  brown's  a  few  days  before.  Sept.,  visit  of  Gov.  Mason, 
\vit)i  Maj.  Rich  and  Lieut  Sherman,  entertained  by  a  ball.  This  vol.,  p.  584, 
Sept.,  breaking  up  of  the  Mormon  establishment,  or  dissolution  of  the  firm  of 
Brannan  &  Co. ;  commissioners  appointed  to  settle  the  business;  and  from 
this  time  advertisements  appear  of  property  for  sale  at  S.  F.  and  elsewhere, 
including  the  set  of  Harper's  Family  Library  presented  to  the  colony  on  leav- 
ing N.  Y.  Star,  Oct.  et  seq.  Oct.,  arrival  of  the  1st  steamer  for  Leidesdorff. 
This  vol.,  p.  .573-81.  Oct.  UOtli,  a  fierce  norther,  beaching  several  craft.  Star. 
Nov. ,  murder  of  Dornte  by  Beverley  at  Denikc's  bakery.  Star,  20th.  Rainy 
season  set  in  before  the  3d.  Californian.  Nov.  18th,  first  thanksgiving  din- 
ner of  New  Englanders  at  Brown's  Hotel,  presided  by  Admiral  C.  W.  Wooster, 
ending  with  a  ball.  Besides  the  records  in  the  two  newspapers,  K.  C.  Kem- 
ble  wrote  his  recollections  of  the  affair  20  years  later.  .S".  /'.  Bulletin,  Dec.  23, 
1868.  Dec.  4th,  call  for  first  meeting  of  Odd  Fellows  at  the  Portsmouth 
House;  regular  meetings  later.  Star.  Jan.  1,  1848,  the  sloop  iStofi'^OM,  Briggs, 
was  advertised  for  regular  tri-weokly  trips  to  Sonoma.  March,  discovery  of 
gold  first  announcecl.  May,  capsizing  of  Capt.  Richardson's  boat,  drowning 
5  persons;  the  gold  fever  raging  in  town. 

Descriptions,  stiitistics,  etc.  (Sec  plan  and  notes  at  end  of  this  chapter. ) 
Yerba  Buena  is  mentioned  naturally  by  many  visitors,  both  in  print  and  MS., 
but  the  descriptions  and  figures  given  are,  as  a  rule,  vague,  inaccurate,  and 
of  no  real  value.  The  general  purport  is  tluit  in  1840  tlie  place  had  from  2.> 
to  r)0  buildings,  mostly  slianties,  and  a  population  of  from  100  to  200;  but 
that  in  1847  8  it  had  greatly  increased  in  size  and  in  activity.  Most  men- 
tions are  not  worth  analysis  here,  thougli  tlic  reproduction  of  them  all  en 
masse,  did  space  permit,  would  have  some  interest.  Wm  H.  Davis  furnished 
the  .S'.  /'.  Call  of  .March  11,  1877,  a  list  of  about  ."50  persons  residing  at  Yerba 
Buena  in  July  184(5,  representing  a  population  of  luO,  witii  23  buildings.  The 
Star  of  Jan.  30,  1847,  gives  a  slight  description  of  the  town  and  its  surrouad- 


GROWTH  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO. 


647 


astic  predictions  respecting  the  town's  future  great- 
ness. A  careful  statement  by  Gilbert  in  August 
1847  makes  the  population  459;  number  of  buildings 
157,  of  which  half  had  been  erected  in  the  last  four 
months;  places  of  business  41.  Before  the  gold-fever 
began  to  rage  in  May  1848,  the  number  of  inhabi- 
tants had  probably  increased  to  about  900  and  that 
of  buildings  to  200.     Many  of  these  are  shown  on  a 

ings,  giving  Y.  B.  a  pop.  of  about  500,  a  gain  oi  300  in  two  years;  it  'is  rap- 
idly improving,  and  bids  fair  to  rival  in  rapidity  of  progress  the  most  tliriving 
town  or  city  on  the  American  continent.  It  is  no  douht  destined  to  Ij«  the 
Liverpool  or  New  York  of  the  Pacifiu.'  Ai,'aiii,  in  the  issue  of  Mundi  llJtli, 
tlie  Star  indulges  in  enthusiastic  prophecies.  If  labor  uiid  hiinljcr  can  be  ob- 
tained, from  ,300  to  500  houses  will  go  up  witliiu  a,  year.  There  are  many 
similar  articles  in  both  papers.  Lieut  Wise  in  Maroli,  /yo<  Orinifox,  70-1, 
found  the  population  '  composed  of  Mormons,  backwoodsin.Mi,  and  a  few  very 
respectable  traders  from  the  U.  S.  Very  rare  it  was  to  see  a  native.'  Fria- 
bie,  Remin.,  MS.,  30,  Murray,  No.rr.,  MS.,  56-9,  and  others  of  tlie  N.  Y.  vol. 
liave  something  to  say  of  the  town  as  they  found  it  in  March.  Fifty  houses 
built  in  the  last  month,  according  to  the  Slur  of  A\m\  1 7th.  James  C  Ward'.s 
Diary  contains  many  items  on  local  afTairs  from  April.  Hyde,  Jlht.  Facts, 
MS.,  14-15,  thinks  that  by  Juno  there  were  COO  iuhab.  The  Star  of  Aug. 
•2Sth  and  Sept.  4th  contains  some  comparatively  careful  statistics,  wliich  have 
often  been  republished,  as  follows:  pop.  in  June,  of  whites,  exclusive  of  the 
N.  Y.  volunteers,  375,  or  247  males  and  128  females,  Ind.  'M,  Sandwich  Isl. 
40,  negroes  10,  total  459.  Of  the  whites,  228  were  born  in  the  U.  S.,  38  in 
Cal.,  27  in  Germany,  22  in  England,  14  in  Ireland,  14  in  Scotland,  0  in  Swit- 
zerland, 5  in  Canada,  and  21  in  various  countries.  Increase  during  the  past 
year  about  100  per  cent.  Over  four  fifths  under  40  years  of  age;  273  can 
read  and  write.  The  white  males  include  10  professional  men,  farmers  12, 
traders  16,  clerks  13,  navigators  7,  laborers  20,  hotel-keepers  3, 26  carpenters, 
and  62  other  mechanics.  Places  of  business  number  1  apothecary  shop,  3 
bakeries,  2  blacksmith  shops,  3  butcher  shops,  1  cabinet-maker  shop,  2  car- 
penter shops,  1  cigar-maker's  shop,  2  cooper  sliops,  7  grocery  scores,  1  gun- 
.smith's  shop,  2  hotels,  2  mills  (horse  and  wind),  2  printing-oflices,  1  shoe  shop, 
S  stores,  2  tailor  shops,  1  watchmaker's  shop,  total  41.  On  April  1st  there 
were  31  frame  buildings,  26  adobes,  and  22  shanties,  or  79  buildings;  at  the 
end  of  August  there  hod  been  added  47  frames,  11  adobes,  and  20  shanties, 
total  79;  grand  total,  157  buildings.  (Sec  end  of  this  chapter.)  The  writer, 
'E.  G.'(Edward  Gilbert), '  cannot  suppress  a  desire  to  say  that  S.  F.  is  destined 
to  become  the  great  commercial  emporium  of  the  nortli  Pacific  coast,'  not- 
withstanding the  claims  of  Monterey  and  Benicia.  Sherman,  Mem.,  i.  32-4, 
whose  visit  was  in  Sept.,  has  much  to  say  of  the  town,  its  lots,  and  its  pros- 
pects. In  the  Cal'forniuii  of  Dec.  3d  appeared  a  dream  on  the  future  great- 
ness of  S.  F.,  signed  'Nina,'  and  said  to  have  been  written  by  Mrs  Larkiu. 
It  was  reproduced  in  the  Alt<i  of  Sept.  14,  1851,  and  in  other  papers.  About 
the  end  of  1847,  the  pop.,  according  to  a  school  census,  was  473  men,  177  wo- 
men, and  GO  school  children,  or  710  in  all,  with  enougli  more  to  raise  the  total 
to  over  800.  In  the  Alta  of  Feb.  17,  1807,  A.  D.  Piper  gives  many  interest- 
ing items  about  S.  F.  in  1847,  as  utilized  elsewhere.  Sec  also  Parbr's  S.  F. 
Directory,  1852-3;  Colville'n  S.  F.  Directory,  1856;  Ibfnv's  J ndije-i  and  Crim- 
inals; besides  the  Annali  of  S.  F.;  and  JHttell'n  Hid.  S.  F.  The  Star  of 
March  18th  gives  the  pop.  by  school  census  as  812,  besides  cliildren  too  young 
for  school.  According  to  Ward'.i  iJiari/,  in  March  1848  the  town  wiiS  3  times 
as  large  at  iu  March  1847)  having  about  GOO  pop.     The  pop.  at  this  time,  at 


64S 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OP  THE  NORTH. 


plan  at  the  end  of  this  chapter.  Until  the  coming  of 
the  Americans  in  July  1846,  Francisco  Guerrero  con- 
tinued to  serve  as  sub-prefect,  and  Jesus  Nod  was  the 
juez  de  paz.  Under  the  military  rule  of  the  United 
States,  Washington  A.  Bartlett  was  alcalde  from 
August  to  February  1847;  Edwin  Bryant  from  that 
time  till  May;  George  Hyde  from  June,  aided — or 
embarrassed,  as  he  viewed  it — by  a  council  of  six — 
Glover,   Howard,    LeidesdorfF,   Jones,   Parker,  and 


the  news  of  the  gold  discovery,  according  to  the  Annaln,  200,  was  about  850, 
with  200  buildings.  The  Cal\forn%an  ol  April  26th  gives  192  buildiugs  and 
1,000  inhabitants. 

List  of  municipal  officers.  1846.  Sub-prefect,  Francisco  Guerrero  until 
July;  Francisco  do  Haro  sometimes  acting  temporarily.  A  secretary  asked 
for  in  J.an.,  but  no  appointment  given.  Jueces  de  poz,  appointed  in  l)cc. 
1845  for  this  year  by  prefect  at  nomination  of  the  sub-prefect,  Jesus  No6  and 
•)os6  dc  la  Cruz  Sanchez,  suplentcs  Vicente  Miramontes  and  Robert  Ridley. 
Ridley  was  suspended  early  in  April  by  the  sub-prefect,  on  complaint  of  Nod, 
iuul  nlso  on  account  of  R.'s  quarrels  with  LeidesdorfF,  the  two  having  a  fight 
in  Guerrero's  presence.  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  60.  The  others  held  of  lice  till 
.1  uly.  John  C.  Davis  treasurer,  Francisco  Ramirez  collector;  jueces  de  campo, 
Candelario  Valencia,  Jos6  M.  Flores,  Rodolfo  Miramontes,  and  Leandro  Ga- 
lindo,  all  appointed  Jan.  4th  by  a  junta  of  the  jueces  and  suplentcs.  Vaxtro, 
J)oi\,  MS.,  i.  240.  From  the  occupation  by  the  U.  S.  on  July  9th,  there 
were  no  civil  authorities  until  Aug.  26th,  when  Lieut  Washington  A.  Bart- 
lett was  appointed  alcalde  of  the  district.  On  Sept.  loth  tho  following  were 
elected:  alcaldes  Bartlett  and  Jesus  No(5,  treasurer  John  Rose,  collector  Peter 
T.  Slierrebaok.  Seo  this  vol.,  p.  295.  No6  seems  not  to  have  accepted  the 
office,  for  from  tho  date  of  Bartlett's  capture  by  Sanchez  in  Dec. ,  probably 
by  appointment  of  Cape.  Hull  on  Dec.  10th,  George  Hyde  acted  as  alcalde. 

1847.  Alcalde  Washington  A.  Bartlett  (Geo.  Hyde  acting  until  B.'s  re- 
turn about  Jan.  10th),  with  J.  G.  T.  Dui.leavy  as  municipal  clerk.  Feb.  22d, 
Edwin  Bryant  was  appointed  alcahie  by  Gen.  Kearny,  and  took  possession 
the  same  day,  Bartlett  returning  to  his  naval  duties.  John  C.  Buchanan  was 
Bryant's  clerk.  There  is  no  mention  of  a  2d  alcalde.  ShtT.eback  still  con- 
tinued to  serve  as  collector,  and  presumably  Rose  as  treasurer,  though  I  find 
no  record.  E.  Ward  Pell  acted  as  sheriff,  in  March-April  at  least.  May  2d, 
Bryant  offered  his  resignation,  and  May  28th  Gov.  Keaniy  appointed  George 
Hyde  to  succeed  him.  Hyde  assumed  the  office  on  June  1st.  Frank  Ward 
was  acting  alcalde  during  Hyde's  absence  in  June,  by  temporary  appointment 
of  Major  Hardie.  Jasper  O'Farrell  was  appointed  surveyor  by  the  gov.  on 
July  6th  at  request  of  LeidesdorfF  and  others,  dated  June  28th.  Council,  or 
ayuntamiento,  appointed  by  Hyde  on  July  28th;  W.  A.  LeidesdorfF,  R.  A. 
Parker,  J.  P.  Thompson,  P.  T.  Sherrclmik,  J.  Rose,  and  B.  R.  Buckelew. 
Council  elected  on  Sept.  I3th,  Wm  Glover,  W.  D.  M.  Howard,  Wm  A. 
LeidesdorfF,  E.  P.  Jones,  Robert  A.  Parker,  aud  Wm  S.  Clark.  Wm  Pettet 
was  secretary  of  the  council,  having  been  the  alcalde's  sec.  before,  until  Sept. 
27th,  when  E.  P.  .Tones  succeeded  him,  being  succeeded  by  W.  F.  Swasey  on 
Oct.  4th.  LeidesdorfF  was  made  treasurer.  Oct.  2d,  gov.  appointed  T.  M. 
Leavenworth  2d  alcalde.  Oct.  11th  the  council  appointed  Henry  Smith  and 
W.  S.  Thorp  constables.  Smith  being  also  jail-keeper;  but  on  Dec.  i7th  Thomas 
Kittleman  was  appointed  constable  in  place  of  the  above. 

1848.  Alcaldes  Hyde  and  Leavenworth  to  the  end  of  March.  By  gov- 
ernor's appointment  of  March  27th,  John  Townaend  became  1st  alcalde  from 


MUNICIPAL  AFFAIRS, 


649 


oming  of 
rero  con- 
5  was  the 
B  United 
Ide  from 
•orn  that 
ided — or 
of  six — 
ker,  and 

IS  about  850, 
uililiiigs  and 

lerrero  until 
rctary  asked 
itcd  in  Dec. 
sua  Nod  and 
bert  Ridley, 
aiut  of  Nod, 
iviug  a  fight 
Id  oilico  till 
js  de  campo, 
Licandi'O  Ga- 
tes. Oaxtfo, 
'  9th,  there 
on  A.  Bart- 
owing  were 
lector  Peter 
cepted  tiie 
,  probably 
alcalde, 
itil  B.'.src- 
Feb.  22d, 
possession 
shauan  was 
k  still  con- 
lugh  I  find 
May  2d, 
ed  George 
,nk  Ward 
lointnient 
le  gov.  on 
touncil,  or 
i-ir,  K.  A. 
Juckelew. 
Wm  A. 
Im  Pettet 
itil  Sept. 
Iwasey  on 
3d  T.  M. 
Iinitii  and 
Thomas 

By  gov- 
Ide  from 


Clark — from  September  until  March  1848;  John 
Townsend  from  April  to  August;  and  T.  M.  Leaven- 
worth from  September  to  the  end  of  the  year  and 
later.  The  administration  of  municipal  affairs  in 
1847-8  was  attended  by  continuous  and  bitter  con- 
troversy, a  prominent  element  of  which  was  connected 
with  charges  against  Alcalde  Hyde  preferred  by  citi- 
zens and  members  of  the  council.  The  merits  of  tlie 
quarrel  are  somewhat  obscure,  and  the  whole  matter 
is  too  complicated  for  discussion  here,  even  if  I  were 

April  Ist,  Leavenworth  still  holding  his  place.  Council  as  before,  with  E.  C. 
Kemble  as  secretary  from  April  10th.  From  June,  Leavenworth,  in  Town- 
send's  absence,  was  acting  1st  alcalde.  Chas  V,  (Jillcspie  notiiry  public  from 
July  29th.  Aug.  29th,  1.  M.  Leavenworth  chosen  1st  alcalde;  tlio  election 
was  declared  null,  but  at  a  new  election  on  Oct.  3d  Leavenwortli  was  reelected. 
At  tho  same  time  B.  R.  Buckelew  and  Barton  Mowry  were  chosen  members 
of  tho  council  in  place  of  Glover  and  Leidcsdorff. 

Municipal  government  and  controversies.  1846.  Jan.  4th,  sub-prefect 
to  prefect,  complains  of  lack  of  an  office  and  a  secretary;  of  the  quarrels 
between  Forbes,  Leidcsdorff,  Ridley,  and  Hinckley,  whom  he  has  tried  in 
vain  to  reconcile;  and  of  troubles  witli  deserting  sailors,  whom  the  U.  S.  vice- 
consul  will  not  permit  to  be  contlncd.  Caslro,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  2.">1.  Feb.  IGth, 
same  to  same,  has  many  prisoners  from  all  parts  of  the  partido,  and  the  juez 
moves  slowly;  wants  a  lot  to  build  a  house  on  tho  water  side  of  the  plaza,  to  be 
used  perhaps  as  a  casa  municipal.  /(/.,  ii.  14.  Marcli  12th,  is  unable  to  borrow 
from  tho  merchants  tho  littlo  money  needed  to  buy  ammunition  for  tho  force 
about  to  march  against  a  foreign  foe.  Pinto,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  227.  C.  E.  Pick- 
ett, Paris  Ex-pas.,  13,  claims  to  have  declined  tiie  alcaldeship.  Ryan,  Jiuljes 
and  Crim.,  01,  relates  that  at  tho  lat  electioji  a  reckless  fellow,  Joe  Do\,uey, 
clerk  of  election,  managed  by  fraudulent  tampering  with  tho  ballots  to  gut 
himself  elected  alcalde,  but  \,  as  arrested  and  carried  drunk  on  board  the  Ports- 
mouth. 

1847.  Jan.,  C.  E.  Pickett,  or  '  Yerba  Buena,'  in  the  Star  accused  Alcalde 
Bartlett,  tho  '  Viujuero  general,'  of  misappropriating  town  funds,  failing  to 
hiivo  a  surs'cy  made,  etc.,  besides  criticising  tho  acting  alcalde,  Hyde,  for 
such  offences  as  smoking  in  court.  Tiicrcupon  Ikirtlett  called  on  Capt.  Hull 
for  an  investigation,  which  was  made  by  Howard,  Leidcsdorff,  and  Cuerrero 
as  a  committee,  who  completely  exonerated  tho  alcalde  from  having  misman- 
aged any  part  of  tho  municipal  receipts,  amounting  to  $747.  Star,  .Jan.  9- 
.30,  1847.  Jan.  .30th,  discharge  of  fire-arms  prohibited  in  town.  Feb.  17th, 
Com.  Hidl  announces  tho  restoration  of  civil  authority.  March,  complaint 
of  no  post-office.  April,  gov.  decides  that  the  munic.  autii.  should  provide 
an  office  for  tho  alculdo  outside  tlio  building  occupied  by  tho  military.  May, 
Hyde's  appointment  provokeil  much  opposition.  A  public  meeting  was 
called,  by  a  notice  reading:  '  The  people's  voice  stifled  by  intrigue.  People 
of  S.  F.,  rally  for  your  rights!  A  majority  has  petitioned  the  gov.  to  appoint 
John  Townsend ...  Geo.  Ily  Jo  is  appointed !  Will  you  submit  to  this?  Tiio 
proclam.  of  Stockton  gives  you  the  right  of  electing  alcaldes. . .  Asscinl)le  at 
Brown's  Hotel  this  evening  (May  30th),  and  assert  your  rights.'  In  Feb. 
there  had  been  an  altercation  at  a  public  meeting  between  Hyde  and  Dun- 
leavy  on  one  side  and  Jones  aud  Brannan  on  the  other.  Leidcsdorff  informed 
tho  gov.  that  the  opposition  to  Hyde  came  from  tho  friends  of  Cal.  independ- 
ence from  the  U.  S.,  supported  by  the  Mormons.  Maj.  Hardie  attended  tlie 
meeting  of  the  30th,  and  refused  to  permit  an  election.  Uiib.  Doc.,  MS.,  08, 


fifiO 


LOCAL  AXXALS  OF  THK  XOltTIL 


disposed  to  take  sides  with  either  party.  It  is  clear 
enough  that  personal  enmities,  business  cliques,  and 
newspaper  rivalries  were  leading  factors  in  the  con- 
troversies; that  the  Mormon  influence  played  no 
other  part  than  that  of  bugbear  among  the  foes  of 
that  sect;  and  that  there  was  a  stronj;  feelin<r  in  favor 
ot  election  and  agamst  military  appointment  that 
would  have  rendered  almost  any  appointed  alcalde 
unpopular.     Yet  so  much  smoke  is  generally  indica- 

10!)-10.  In  June  Hyde  left  town  for  Monterey,  and  liis  iibsenco  was  pro- 
nounced  '  culpable  negligence,'  etc.,  by  the  Star  of  the  'JOtli.  Major  llardic 
rc|)orted  that  on  account  of  the  prevalent  disorders  ho  had  appointed  Ward 
to  act  as  alcalde.  Uuh.  Doc,  SlS.,  111).  Hyde,  however,  declared  to  tlio 
gov.  that  tlie  Mormons  abused  him  because  ho  souglit  to  check  their  influ- 
ence. /(/.,  105.  On  July  loth  the  gov.,  just  after  H.'s  visit,  had  M-ritten  an 
order  for  the  election  of  a  council,  but  was  called  away  and  completed  the 
letter  on  Aug.  15th,  after  the  appointment  of  the  1st  council.  He  authorized 
the  alcalde  to  hold  an  election,  or  not,  as  he  deemed  best.  Cal.  ifc  N.  Mix. 
ISSO,  p.  .S78-9.  The  appointment  of  July  '28th  is  recorded  in  the  Californ'mn. 
of  the  31st.  J.  P.  Thompson  was  sec.  The  alcalde  at  a  meeting  said  he  had 
proposed  the  council  to  tiio  gov.,  who  had  not  objected.  At  the  election  of 
Sept.  1.3th  200  votes  were  east;  the  judges  were  Vioget,  Leavenworth,  and 
Robert  Gordon;  the  clerks  W.  P.  Swasey  and  W.  Hood.  The  unsuccessful 
candidates  for  councilmcu  were  Everhart,  J.  S.  Lincoln,  C.  L.  Ross,  Stephen 
Harris,  B.  S.  Lippincott,  Wm  Pettet,  John  Sirriiie,  E.  H.  Harrison.  LI., 
Sept.  15tli.  A  notice  of  the  election  had  been  published  in  the  papers,  both  of 
which  approved  the  measure,  and  later  the  men  chosen.  At  the  first  meeting,  on 
Sept.  IGth,  Howard,  Jones,  and  Clark  were  appointed  a  committee  to  frame 
a  code  of  laws.  At  tiie  next  meeting,  on  the  '2 1  st,  the  code  was  reported  and 
adopted;  then  camo  trouble.  Dr  Jones  moved  to  appoint  a  com.  of  r>  citi- 
zens to  investigate  tiic  affairs  of  the  alcalde's  office,  an  alteration  of  tho 
records,  '  an  enormous  outrage,'  having  been  charged  in  the  Star  of  Aug.  '21st, 
and  there  being  other  charges;  but  Hyde  protested  warmly,  and  after  a  wordy 
altercation  the  meeting  was  adjourned  withoutthe  appointmentof  the  commit- 
tee. An  incorrect  report  was  furnished  tho  papers,  both  of  which  disapproved 
Hyde's  action,  though  the  I'alifurnian  of  Sept.  '2t)th  published  a  defensive 
letter,  in  which  H.  denied  having  prevented  a  full  investigation.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  '24th  the  matter  was  taken  up,  and  the  council  made  itself  a 
com.  of  investigation  against  the  vote  of  Jones  and  Glover.  Tho  citizens 
also,  through  VVard,  Brannan,  and  Ross,  sent  charges  to  the  gov.,  with  a 
petition  for  H.'s  removal;  and  Mason  on  Oct.  1st  ordered  the  council  to  make 
an  investigation.  Cal.  <t'  N.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  .301  -'2.  There  is  no  record  of 
progress  in  the  investigation  during  the  rest  of  tlie  year;  but  the  Star  con- 
tinued to  make  charges,  and  the  Calif  or  nian,  while  disposed  to  criticise  tho 
council  for  inaction,  to  publish  Hyde's  letters,  wliich  finally  brought  out  in 
the  Star  of  Oct.  30th  a  collection  of  letters  from  Brannan,  Folsom,  Pickett, 
and  Ross.  Clearly  there  was  a  bitter  quarrel,  but  as  to  its  merits  we  are 
left  for  the  most  part  in  darkness. 

1848.  In  Jan. -Feb.  there  are  but  slight  indications  of  tho  continuance  of 
the  controversy,  and  none  at  all  of  tho  investigation  supposed  to  bo  in  prog- 
ress. Tho  two  papers  continued  to  snarl  at  each  other,  the  Californian  crit- 
icising the  council,  which  was  mildly  defended  by  tho  Star.  Hyde  found  it 
necessary  to  deny  his  alleged  ownership  in  the  former  paper.  Charges  were 
made  against  Leidesdorff,  tlie  treasurer,  provoking  several  letters  and  edito- 


ALCALDE  TROUBLES. 


651 


rt  is  clear 
iquns,  aii<l 
1  the  con- 
[)laycd  no 
the  foes  of 
i<jf  in  favor 
nont  that 
ed  alcalde 
dly  indioa- 

scnco  was  pro- 
Major  Hardiii 
ppointcd  Ward 
cclured  to  the 
!ck  their  iuilu- 
lad  written  an 
completed  tin; 
J£c  authorized 
'al.  cfc  N.  Alex. 
the  Cal'iforniaih 
ing  said  he  had 
the  election  of 
i,venworth,  and 
le  iinsuccoasfiil 
Ross,  Stephen 
jHarrison.  /'/., 
papers,  both  of 
st  meeting,  on 
ittco  to  frame 
reported  and 
om.  of  5  citi- 
ration  of  tli(» 
of  Aug.  '21st, 
after  a  wordy 
"  thccommit- 
disapproved 
a  defensive 
ion.     At  tiie 
nado  itself  a 
The  citizen* 
gov.,  with  a 
ncil  to  make 
no  record  of 
he  Star  con- 
criticise  the 
ught  out  in 
om,  Pickett, 
erits  wo  are 

ntinuance  of 
bo  in  prog- 
vrnian  crit- 
rdo  found  it 
Iharges  were- 
s  and  edito- 


tive  of  more  or  less  fire,  and  in  view  of  the  character 
of  some  of  the  accusers  and  the  earnestness  of  their 
doubtless  exaggerated  statements  of  prevalent  law- 
lessness, it  is  perhaps  necessary  to  conclude  that 
Hyde  was  not  altogether  a  model  alcalde.  Much 
opposition  was  also  developed  against  Leavenworth, 
though  it  did  not  produce  definite  results  until  after 
the   end   of    the   period    now   under    consideration. 

rials,  and  a  resolution  for  investigation  in  the  council.  Karly  in  March,  4  of 
the  G  councilmen  sent  an  undated  request  to  the  gov.  to  remove  Hyde,  im- 
plying that  the  charges  against  him  had  been  substantiated;  but  the  gov.  ic- 
quircd  somctiiing  more  delinite,  March  0th,  Hyde  to  gov.,  declaring  the 
charges  slanderous  and  fully  refuted;  Init  the  council  are  not  gentlemen 
enough  to  retract  the  accusations.  There  is  a  hitter  feeling  against  him  on 
the  part  of  certain  men;  LcidesdorfF,  formerly  his  friend,  has  turned  against 
him;  ho  is  disgusted  with  his  thankless  position,  and  wishes  to  come  to  Mon- 
terey and  resign.  Similar  request  on  the  11th.  Unb.  Jtoc,  MS.,  4l-'2,  27-8. 
March  10th,  prominent  citi/ens,  including  Fourgcaud,  .Jones,  ,T.  C.  Ward, 
Brannan,  Howard,  W.  H.  Davis,  K  II.  Harrison,  liCidcsdorfF,  (J.  L.  Ross,  (i. 
W.  Whittock,  Henry  Melius,  etc.,  petition  the  gov.  for  tlio  removal  of  Hyde 
and  Leavenworth,  and  the  apiwintment  of  Townsciul  and  Buchanan,  They 
represent  the  town  as  in  a  disgraceful  state  of  dis>oruer;  bloody  street-fights 
of  almost  daily  occurrence;  the  alcalde  defied,  publicly  insulted  on  the  bench, 
not  daring  to  endanger  his  personal  safety,  and  moreovei-,  tho  open  associate 
of  the  worst  characters.  Another  petition  of  tho  sumo  dat  sup))orts  Town- 
send's  claims.  Same  date,  Lcidesdorft",  in  a  private  letter  to  \  ho  gov. ,  explains 
that  the  accumulation  of  testimony  has  changed  his  opinion  oi  Hyde,  who  is 
responsible  for  all  the  lawlessness,  prevents  tho  council  from  effecting  reforms, 
is  suspected  of  being  the  author  of  scurrilous  articles  in  tho  Cnli/onitini,  and, 
like  tho  professional  gamblers  McDougall  and  Lippincott,  is  tho  writer's  per- 
sonal foe  on  account  of  his  efforts  to  suppress  gami)ling.  Uiih.  Jhr.,  MS.,  '20- 
32.  March  18th,  Jones  and  Leidcsdord' of  tho  council  to  gov.,  declaring  that 
Hyde  prevented  the  progress  of  the  investigation  by  legal  quibbles  and  long 
cross-examination  of  witnesses  on  iiuitters  foreign  to  tho  case,  continued  for 
2  months,  until  tho  patienco  of  tho  investigators  was  exhausted,  tho  accusers 
withdrew  from  the  prosecution  in  disgust,  and  the  witnesses  went  home;  yet 
2  of  tho  charges  were  fully  sust  ',ned  by  the  evidence  and  wero  admitted  by 
tho  accused,  viz.:  1st,  changing  'imbei's  on  the  town  map;  2d,  granting  lots 
to  later  applicants,  ignoring  tho  rights  of  earlier  ones.  Of  the  council.  Glover 
and  Howard,  through  sickness  and  absence,  have  not  been  present  at  meet- 
ings; Parker  thinks  he  has  said  enough  in  the  earlier  report,  and  Clark  de- 
clines to  unite  with  J.  and  L. ;  therefore,  only  these  two  sign,  and  they  ask 
the  gov.  to  treat  the  report  as  a  'private  communication'!  /(/.,  39-40;  Calif., 
Apr.  5th.  March  19th,  20th,  Hyde  to  gov.,  complaining  that,  despite  his 
efforts  to  have  the  invi-^stigation  completed,  nothing  has  been  dono  for  months; 
the  council  has  acted  most  unjustly  by  waiting  so  long  before  recommending 
his  removal;  they  are  influenced  solely  by  personal  enmity;  but  ho  tenders 
his  resignation  as  ho  has  dono  before,  and  recommends  that  the  alcalde  in 
future  have  nothing  to  do  with  tho  council,  which  shouhl  choose  its  own  presi- 
dent. March  20th,  Clark  to  gov.,  dissenting  from  the  views  of  the  4  council- 
men  against  Hyde,  as  not  supported  by  evidence.  Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  171-3, 
80-1.  The  Star  of  the  2oth  has  an  editorial  .against  Hyde,  who  ha,d  gone  to 
Monterey  to  influence  tho  gov.  in  his  own  behalf.  Tho  Calif,  of  the  22d  had 
•an  editorial  against  tho  proceedings  of  the  council,  also  noting  H.'s  departure 
to  consult  the  gov.     Also  on  the  2')th,  the  gov.  replied  to  Leidesdorff  and 


652 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


Town  lots  to  the  number  of  about  1,200  were 
granted  or  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  municipal  treas- 
ury during  the  three  years;  at  first  for  purposes  of 
actual  settlement,  under  condition  of  fencing  and 
building;  later  without  conditions,  though  still  at 
nominal  prices  of  $12  and  $25  each  for  lots  of  50 
and  100  varas;  and  finally  at  auction,  the  purchasers, 
especially  of  beach  and  water  lots,  being  for  the  most 
part  speculators  who  paid  in  some  instances  as  high 

Jonea,  declining  to  treat  their  commun.  as  'private,'  or  to  remove  Hyde,  as 
no  proper  investigation  liad  been  held  and  nu  details  of  testimony  had  been 
furnished.  This  corresp.  was  published  in  the  Cali/urniau  of  April  5th,  with 
an  editorial  favorable  to  Hyde.  But  as  wc  have  seen,  on  March  27th  Hyde's 
resignation  was  accepted  and  Townsend  was  appointed.  In  his  Hist.  Facts, 
MS.,  10-'20,  Hyde,  in  reply  to  the  statements  of  Jones  and  Leidesdorft",  and  to 
that  of  the  AnnaU  o/S.  F.,  201,  that  'some  9  or  10  charges  of  a  criminal  na- 
ture were  made,  only  two  of  which  were  established  by  proof,'  denies  positively 
that  these  two  charges  were  substantiated,  or  that  they  were  ever  admitted 
by  himself;  and  he  gives  copies  of  letters  from  W.  D.  M.  Howard,  R.  A. 
Parker,  and  \V.  S.  Clark  of  the  council,  written  L\  1855  in  reply  to  his  own  let- 
ters, and  confirming  his  statement  that  he  was  completely  exonerated  from  the 
2d  charge,  while  tlio  1st  onu  was  not  'established  by  proof.'  In  June-Aug., 
Alcalde  Townsend  went  to  the  mines,  and  the  citizens  sent  petitions  to  have 
Ed.  Gilbert,  and  later  J.  D.  Hoppe,  appointed  ist  alcalde.  The  gov.  declined 
to  make  an  appointment,  but  on  Aug.  7tii  directed  the  2d  alcalde  to  hold  an 
election,  at  which  on  Aug.  29th  Leavenworth  was  elected  by  99  votes  against 
70  for  Hoppe.  K.  H.  Dimniick,  Wm  Evans,  and  John  S.  Norris  were  the 
judges.  On  the  same  day  Howard,  W.  H.  Davis,  Jones,  and  40  others  pro- 
tested to  gov.  against  the  election  as  illegal,  and  the  gov.  on  Sept.  4th  sus- 
tained their  view,  on  the  grounds  that  sufficient  notice  had  not  been  given; 
that  the  franchise  had  been  limited  to  the  town,  whereas  it  extended  to  the 
district;  and  that  Mexicans  and  other  closses  of  residents  had  been  denied 
the  right  to  vote.  He  ordered  a  new  ele  !ou,  with  at  least  3  weeks'  notice, 
and  named  Howard,  Gillespie,  Dimmick,  Jlark,  and  J.  C.  Ward  as  judges. 
Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  73-4,  19,  78-80;  Cal.  AN.  xMex.  ISoO,  p.  568,  593,  GGl-2. 
Sept.  8th,  29  citizens  ask  for  an  election  for  2  councilman.  f/?i6.  Doc,  MS., 
158.  Sept.  IGth,  gov.  orders  the  election  of  councilmen  to  take  place  on  the 
same  day  as  that  for  alcalde,  Oct.  3d.  Cul.  it  N.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  6G7.  Sept. 
22d,  Leavenworth  to  gov.,  has  advised  his  friends  to  give  Hyde,  Ross,  etc., 
'  ample  rope  to  hang  tliemselves  with. '  Their  assertions  will  be  proved  false. 
Unb.  Doc ,  36.  Of  the  2d  election,  at  which  Leavenworth  was  reelected,  I 
have  no  other  record  than  that  in  the  Annals  o/S.  F.,  206,  where  it  is  stated 
that  158  votes  only  were  cast.  There  seems  to  have  been  no  further  serious 
controversy  before  the  end  of  the  year,  though  trouble  was  brewing  for  1849. 
Pueblo  lands.  Beyond  the  fact  that  the  alcaides  continued  to  grant  lots, 
there  was  nothing  in  developments  of  1846-8  which  had  any  special  bearing 
on  the  town's  claim  to  4  leagues  of  land,  or  the  great  question  of  later  litiga- 
tion. Wheeler's  Land  Titles  iiiS.  F.  contains,  besides  an  excellent  r6sum(5  of 
land  annals  down  to  the  date  of  publication  in  1852,  lists  of  about  1,200  lots 
granted  to  private  owners  in  184G-8,  dates,  lots,  grantees,  and  grantors  being 
specified.  1846.  There  had  been  Gl  lots  granted  previously  at  YerbaBuena, 
and  18  were  granted  before  July  0th,  making  79  at  the  end  of  Mex.  rule; 
while  in  July-Dec.  there  were  39,  or  a  total  of  1 16  at  the  end  of  1846.  These 
grants  were  made  according  to  the  Vioget  survey  of  1839,  and  with  the  con- 


TOWN  LANDS. 


633 


10  were 
al  treas- 
poses  of 
ing  and 
still  at 
bs  of  50 
•chasers, 
ilie  most 
as  high 

ve  Hyilo,  as 

ly  hail  been 

-il  5tli,  with 

27th  Hyde's 

Hist.  Facts, 

lorft",  and  to 

zrimitial  na- 

28  positively 

cr  admitted 

ward,  R.  A. 

his  own  Ict- 

bcd  from  tliu 

Juno- Aug., 

ions  to  iiave 

ov.  declined 

B  to  iiold  an 

otes  against 

is  were  the 

others  pro- 

pt.  4th  sus- 

)ceu  given; 

ided  to  the 

leen  denied 

ks'  notice, 

as  judges. 

93,  CGI -2. 

oc,  MS., 

lace  on  the 

167.     Sept. 

OSS,  etc., 

ved  false. 

elected,  I 

t  is  stated 

ber  serious 

•  for  1849. 

Krant  lots, 

Tl  bearing 

Iter  litiga- 

V^sum(5  of 

|l,200  lots 

lors  being 

pa  Buena, 

fex.  rule; 

These 

the  con- 


as  $600.  During  the  earliest  phases  of  the  'flush 
times'  before  the  end  of  1848  some  of  the  lots  «>ii 
favorite  corners  changed  hands  for  $10,000;  and  40 
years  later  many  then  not  deemed  desirable  are  wort  1 1 
more  than  a  million  each;  while  four  miles  beyoml 
the  limits  of  O'Farrell's  survey  lots  sell  from  $0,000 

dition  of  fencing  and  building  on  the  lots  within  a  year.  Oct.  8th,  Larkiu, 
Grimes,  and  Wm  li.  Davis  petition  Com.  Stockton  for  land  on  the  water  side 
of  Montgomery  St.  for  a  wharf.  LaiTins  Dor.,  MS.,  iv.  303. 

1847.  Total  no,  of  lots  granted  702,  of  whicli  248  were  water-lots  obtaine<l 
like  many  others  for  speculative  purposes,  being  beyond  the  limits  of  actual 
improvements.  Total  no.  at  end  of  the  year  S78.  Jan,  16th,  the  Star  in  nu 
editorial  advised  the  people  that  no  title  to  bead)  and  wat'  • !  ta  could  in  any 
way  be  obtained;  but  argued  that  the  lots  ought  to  bo  sold  1  r  ho  benefit  of 
the  town,  and  hoped  this  would  bo  rendci-cd  legally  possible.  At  a  public 
meeting  in  the  plaza  on  Feb.  15th,  enlivened  by  harsh  words  between  Parson 
Dunleavy  and  Editor  Jones,  resolutions  to  the  above  "*Te;ct  w^'o  adoptc  ■• 
Star,  Feb.  20th.  Accordingly,  Gov.  Kearny,  who  prol  1  y  had  no  autlv  ity 
to  clo  anything  of  the  kind,  on  March  10th  proceeded  to  "grant  con  cy,  and 
release '  to  the  town  all  the  title  of  the  U.  S.  in  the  beach  nii>l  water  lots 
betwc'Ti  !'■  t  Montgomery  and  the  Rincon,  except  lots  to  be  selccieJ  by  army 
and  navy  olficers  for  government  use,  tho  lots  to  Lc  sold  ,it;  unction  for  the 
benefit  of  tho  town.  Val.  tfc  jV.  Mcx.  1S50,  n.  291,  often  repeated  elsewhere. 
Halleck,  Report,  123-4,  regarded  this  as  an  order  for  the  selectii^n  of  lauds 
needed  by  tho  govt,  and  a  release  of  U.  S.  title  to  tho  rest,  if  tho  lot*  wero 
within  the  limits  of  the  town — not  as  a  land  grant  by  a  territorial  gov- 
ernor. March  IGth,  Alcalde  Bryant  announced  tlie  sale  for  Juno  29th,  and 
Jasper  O'Farrell  was  employed  to  make  a  survey  for  tiio  purpose;  terms  one 
fourth  cash,  and  one  fourth  in  0,  12,  and  18  months,  with  interest  at  10  per 
cent.  Vallejo,  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  282;  S.  F.  Val.  Star,  March  20th  fuul  following 
nos.  Feb.  1st,  W.  S.  Clark  applied  to  the  gov.  for  a  confirmation  of  his  title 
to  the  lot  on  Broadway  and  Battery,  where  ho  was  to  build  a  wharf;  but  the 
gov.  said  he  had  given  up  all  authority  in  the  matter,  though  recommending 
tlio  grant  to  the  local  authorities.  Cul.  <D  N.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  297  -S.  Similar 
reply  to  Wm  Pettet.  hi.,  301-2.  Advertisement  of  sale  in  Cnlifoniian  from 
May  23d.  Juno  21st,  Gov.  Mason  decides,  in  the  case  of  Buckolew,  that  any 
loss  sustained  by  an  owner  by  changes  in  tho  streets  should  bo  paid  by  the 
town,  but  thai  other  (beach)  laud  cannot  l)o  granted  in  compensation  exccjit 
by  public  auction.  C'al.  <t  N.  Mcx.  1S50,  p.  333.  June  23d,  gov.  orders  Maj. 
Hardie  to  select  the  lots  needed  by  the  govt  for  custom-house,  wharves,  etc., 
before  the  sale.  /(/.,  339-40.  The  Rincon  site  of  the  later  marine  hospital 
was  also  reserved  under  this  order.  By  advertisement  of  July  10th  the  sale 
of  beach-lots  was  postponed  to  July  20th.  In  the  newspapers  of  July  also 
holders  of  Mex.  titles  to  lots,  who  had  not  complied  with  the  conditions,  were 
ordered  to  present  their  titles  at  the  alcalde's  oilico.  The  sale  took  place  July 
20th-23d,  when  nearly  250  lots,  each  45  x  137.V  feet,  were  sold.  The  beach- 
lots  brought  as  high  as  §000,  while  water-lots'sold  from  850  to  .$400.  The 
results  announced  in  the  Valif.  and  .S7«/'  of  July  25th.  Ilittell,  Hist.  S.  F. , 
114,  says  that  all  those  between  Clay  and  Sacramento  streets  were  reserved 
for  possible  public  uses,  and  sold  0  years  later  at  an  average  of  .S12,000  each. 
Aug.  23d,  Larkin  says  house-lots  in  S.  F.  have  increased  500  per  cent.  O//'. 
(7orresp.,  MS.,  ii.  120-1.  Sept.  22d,  cliarge  fi."n  citizens  tliat  the  records  had 
been  tampered  with,  some  20 grants  having  bec.i  ,>rasod  for  some  informality. 
Califomian.  Something  has  been  already  .said  on  tiiis  subject.  Hyde,  iu  Ids 
Hist.  Facts,  MS.,  admits  that  some  errors  of  his  predecciiso. ;  were  corrected 
on  the  map,  though  not  by  him;  and  Wheeler's  lists  show  opposite  many  num- 


Go4 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


to  $10,000.  In  lo46,  but  for  buildings  and  fences 
vaguely  outlining  unnamed  streets  on  a  small  area, 
there  were  no  public  improvements;  but  in  1847  the 
reiQfion  extendinjr  some  half  a  mile  in  different  direc- 
tions  from  the  plaza  was  surveyed  and  mapped  by 
Jasper  O'Farrell,  street  names  being  permanently 
fixed.    Gradually,  as  needed,  a  few  streets  were  graded 

bers  such  notes  as  '  erased,  deed  void,  not  taken  out  as  required  by  law.  Geo. 
Hyde.'  Meanwhile,  O'Farrell's  survey  extending  over  land  as  well  as  water, 
and  far  beyond  the  limits  of  V'ioget's  survey,  lots  were  granted,  about  500  in 
number,  at  §12  each  for  50-vara  lots,  and  §"28.(i'2  for  lOO-vara  lots,  of  which 
few  were  granted.  Sept.  27th,  council  decides  that  hereafter  lots  shall  not 
be  forfeited  for  failure  to  fence  and  build,  all  conditions  being  removed.  Star, 

0  t.  2d.  Se[it  .'{Qth,  gov.  to  alcalde,  orders  not  to  grant  any  more  lots  south 
of  llincon  Point  and  east  of  a  certain  line.  Cal.  ct  iV.  Mex.  ISoO,  p.  .%l. 
Oct.  11th,  council  ratifies  the  action  of  tlie  alcalde  in  having  granted  more 
than  one  lot  to  one  person.  Star,  Oct.  ICth;  Calif.,  Oct.  13th.  Oct.  28th, 
council  orders  that  hereafter  all  lots  on  land  or  water  must  be  sold  at  auction. 
Star,  Oct.  23d.  Nov.  22il.  < '.  E.  Pickett,  two  citizens,  and  a  soldier,  pe- 
titioned the  gov.  to  appoint  a  special  court  to  settle  laud  titles  in  S.  F..  a 
scheme  which  Gov.  Ma.sou  on  Dec.  J 4th  decliired  impracticable.  Cal.  tk  X. 
Mcx.  1S50,  p.  470.  1848.  Total  no.  of  lots  granted  this  year,  388,  making 
1,200  in  all;  30  were  of  the  beach  and  water  lots,  300  of  the  50-vara  survey, 
10  of  the  lOO-vara  sun'ey  (below  Market  St),  17  lOO-vara  lots  in  the  region  of 
the  lagoon,  (i  at  North  Beach,  and  10  at  Clark's  Point.  Jan.  5th,  advertise- 
ment of  sale  of  the  rest  of  the  water-lots  at  auction  on  Feb.  1st;  postponed  to 
1st  Monday  in  March.  Star,  Jan  Sth,  Feb.  3d.  I  find  no  record  of  the  sale, 
and  the  3(5  lots  appear  on  Wheeler's  list  as  having  been  'granted  on  petition  ' 
to  W.  S.  Clark  and  W.  C.  Parker  on  Sept.  J)th  and  25th.  In  connection  witli 
the  plan  at  the  end  of  this  chapter,  some  additional  items  on  the  location  of 
the  earlier  grants  may  be  found. 

Streets  and  public  improvements..  See  plan  and  notes  at  end  of  this  chap- 
ter. The  survey  made  by  Vioget  in  1839  h.is  already  been  mentioned.  By 
it  lots  were  granted  throughout  1840,  but  it  gave  no  name  to  streets.  In  Jan. 
1840  Jacob  R.  Snyder  obtained  authority  from  the  sub-prefect  to  survey 
lands — chiefly  outside  of  the  town,  perliaps — for  the  owners.  Doc.  IJlst.  Cal.. 
MS.,  iii.  48.     But  of  the  results  in  town,  if  there  were  any,  nothing  is  known. 

1  have  found  no  definite  record  of  the  namim^  of  streets  at  first,  but  evidently 
Moutgomerj',  Keaniy,  Clay,  Washington,  Jackson,  and  some  other  leading 
streets  were  named  in  1840,  after  the  raising  of  the  U.  S.  flag  in  July.  In  Oct. 
I^arkin  and  others  petitioned  the  gov.  for  land  on  Montgomery  St  for  a  wharf, 
but  nothing  was  accomplished.  Hxcept  a  general  outlining  of  streets  by  fences 
and  buildings  on  a  part  of  the  lots,  and  the  wooden  bridge  over  the  neck  of 
the  lagoon,  there  were  no  street  improvements  before  the  end  of  1846.  At 
the  end  of  the  year  or  beginning  of  1847  the  necessity  of  a  new  survey  was 
agitated  at  a  public  meeting  and  in  the  Star,  but  there  was  a  general  disagree- 
ment about  what  to  do  and  how  to  pay  for  it.  In  Feb.,  however,  a  Verba 
Buena  corrcsp.  of  the  Honolulu  F}-iena,  v.  84,  writes  that  a  man  was  then  en- 
gaged in  surveying  the  place  and  laying  out  streets;  also  that  there  was  a  hope 
of  having  a  wharf  in  a  few  months.  This  may  have  been  O'FarreU,  who  was 
perhaps  already  at  work  making  a  semi-oliicial  extension  of  the  Vioget  survey. 
The  result  was  probably  a  map  signetl  by  Alcalde  Biirtlett  Fob.  22d,  and  pre- 
served in  the  Sacramento  State  Libi-aiy  and  S.  F.  hall  of  records,  a  photographic 
copy  of  which  is  described  in  the  Attn  of  Feb.  27,  1875.  It  covers  the  tract 
included  between  Vallejo,  Powell,  and  Sutter  streets.     Powell  St  has  no 


STREET  IMPROVEMENTS. 


660 


tliroufjh  sand  hills  to  the  water  front.  On  one  ocea- 
sion  it  was  resolved  to  open  California  Street  from 
Kearny  to  the  bay,  at  a  cost  of  $150.  The  only 
other  improvements  were  the  filling-up  of  the  lagoon 
at  the  corner  of  Jackson  and  Montgomery  streets, 
and  the  construction  of  two  wooden  wharves  at  the 
foot  of  Clay  and  Broadway  streets,  respectively,  rep- 
resenting at  that  period  rival  sections  of  the  town. 

name;  Battery  is  Battery  Place;  Sansome  is  called  Sloat;  Pacific  is  Bartlett; 
Sacramento  is  Howard;  there  is  no  Piue  .St  between  Bush  and  California;  and 
Dupont  and  Stockton  are  reversed,  Dupont  being  farthest  west.  Tlie  lots 
au(l  grantees  seem  not  to  agree  in  all  cases  with  those  indicated  on  the  later 
survey.  The  lot  at  the  s.  K.  cor.  of  Vallejo  and  Sansome  is  marked  as  the 
graveyard.  The  Californiau  of  July  24th  mentions  this  burial-place  on 
Sansome  and  Broadway,  calling  attention  to  the  necessity  of  selecting  a  new 
place.  And  according  to  the  Atta  of  Feb.  4,  18.>1,  Anderson  of  tlie  N.  V.  vol., 
who  died  in  Sept.,  was  buried  far  out  of  town  in  the  Xorth  Beach  region,  this 
Ijeing  the  beginning  of  a  new  cemetery,  which  already  in  ISol  was  in  process 
of  destniction.  O  Farrell's  regular  survey  of  the  town  was  begun  probably  in 
March,  though  petliaps  virtually  a  continuation  of  earlier  work  as  aljove,  and 
«»mpleted  in  Aug.,  in  connection  with  the  sale  of  water-lots.  It  included 
three  divisions,  the  beach  and  winter  lots  between  Clark's  Point  and  the 
liincon,  the  100-vara  survey  south  of  Market  St,  and  the  30-vara  survey  ad- 
joining the  original  Verba  Bucna.  Says  Hittell,  OTarrelTs  survey  covered 
*  uu  area  of  about  SOO  acres.  His  map  included  the  ilistriot  bounded  by  the 
lines  of  Post,  Leavenworth,  and  Francisco  streets  and  the  water  front,  and 
fouth  of  Market  St  it  showed  four  full  blocks  fronting  on  Fourth  St,  and 
i  1  full  blocks  fronting  on  Second  St.  There  were  besides  a  few  fractional 
blocks.  U'F.  disliked  many  things  in  Vioget's  little  survey,  but  some  he 
t-ould  not  change.  Kearny  and  Dupont  streets  were  too  nan"ow,  but  these 
could  not  bo  widened  without  an  expense  of  several  thousand  dollars,  which 
uobody  wanted  to  incur.  It  was  considered  indispensable,  however,  that  the 
acute  and  obtuse  angles  of  V.'s  lots  should  be  corrected,  and  to  do  this  a  change 
of  2\  degrees  was  necessary  in  the  direction  of  some  of  the  streets.  Tins 
transferred  the  situation  of  all  the  lots,  and  Wi.  i  subsenuently  called  "O'Far- 
rell's  sv.ing"  of  the  city.  For  years,  on  account  of  the  swing,  buildings  were 
to  be  seen  iit  various  places  projecting  a  little  beyond  the  general  line  of  the 
street.  The  corner  of  Kearny  and  \V'a3hiugtoii  streets  was  the  pivot  of  the 
*wing,  and  the  main  moimment  or  starting-point  waj  established  there.  The 
new  map  gave  to  the  streets  the  names  whicli  they  now  liave.'  Hist.  S.  /'., 
1 14-lG.  Lots  granted  before  the  end  of  1S4G  were  chiefly  in  the  tract  bounded 
by  California,  Stockton,  and  Broadway  streets  and  the  water  front,  27  lots 
within  this  space  remaining  unsold;  soutli  of  California  only  7  lots  had  been 
sold,  west  of  Powell  17,  and  north  of  Vallejo  13.  In  .Sept.  1S47  the  council 
appointed  a  committee  to  consider  the  subject  of  building  a  wharf;  and  in 
Oct.  the  construction  of  two  nharves  was  ordered,  §10,000  being  appropri- 
ated to  that  at  the  foot  of  Clay  St,  and  §"2,00()  to  that  on  Broadway,  which 
was  to  be  10  X  150  feet.  The  Clay-St  result  was  ridiculed  in  the  Cali/ornian 
of  Nov.  10th  as  a  'monument  to  the  folly  of  the  town,'  fortunately  not  strong 
enough  to  last  through  the  winter;  but  it  was  decided  to  extend  the  wharf  to 
4!»x5t7feet,  at  a  cost  of  $11,000,  for  which  $1,000  was  appropriatetl  Nov.27th. 
The  Broadway  structure  'took  a  start  seaward'  in  Dec,  but  $2,000  more  was 
appropriated,  and  the  work  went  on  slowly  till  suspenvled  in  Jan.  1S4S  for 
lack  of  funds;  and  in  Feb.  all  wharf  work  was  ordered  to  be  stopped,  except 
so  far  as  material  was  on  haud  for  the  Clay-St  structure.     The  last  we  bear  of 


I 


666 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


A  private  school  was  opened  by  J.  D.  Marston  in 
April  1847;  after  much  agitation  of  educational  proj- 
ects by  citizens  and  press  a  school-house  on  the  plaza 
was  completed  in  December;  and  finally  a  public 
school  under  Thomas  Douglas  as  teacher  was  open 

the  wharves  before  the  gold  excitement  is  a  record  of  various  'reports  of 
progress,'  not  unmixed  with  protests,  in  April;  for  besides  the  usual  'jobs,' 
there  was  much  rivalry  between  property  owners  of  the  'old  town'  and  those 
at  Clark's  Point.  Meanwhile,  the  project  of  filling  up  the  lagoon  had  been 
agitated  since  October,  and  work  had  been  actually  begun  near  the  comer  of 
Montgomery  and  Jackson  in  Jan.,  the  widening  of  Montgomery  St  at  that 
point  being  favorably  considered.  In  Oct.  O'Farrell  was  paid  $300  on  account 
for  his  labors  as  surveyor;  and  negotiations  with  him  were  opened  to  run  the 
town  boundary  after  the  completion  of  the  survey.  In  Nov.  the  council  de- 
cided to  open  Broadway  from  Sansome  to  the  bay,  and  California  from 
Kearny  to  the  bay,  the  appropriation  being  $150.  The  sum  of  $2,000,  soon 
increased  by  $500,  was  appropriated  in  Jan.  1848  for  general  street  improve- 
ments. In  April  Gerko  took  a  contract  to  grade  Pacific  Street,  and  it  was 
resolved  in  March  to  complete  tlie  work,  citizens  being  allowed  to  work  out 
their  indebtedness  to  the  town.  In  March  there  were  also  petitions  for  mov- 
ing fences  to  correspond  with  tlie  survey,  and  for  opening  Jackson  St  to  San- 
some; but  only  reports  of  progress  in  April  appear  as  results. 

Education.  I  find  no  record  of  any  school  in  operation  or  even  proposed 
in  1840,  under  either  the  Mexican  or  American  rule.  But  the  Star  of  Jan. 
10,  1847,  urged  the  importance  of  attending  to  educational  interests,  having 
counted  40  children  in  the  streets  who  ought  to  be  in  school.  A  lot  and  $50 
in  money  were  editorially  offered.  In  the  next  number,  .Jan.  2.3d,  a  subscrip- 
tion and  a  public  meeting  were  proposed.  A  meeting  was  held  and  a  com- 
mittee of  5  appointed;  but  nothing  more  was  accomplished,  as  appears  from 
editorials  in  the  same  paper  of  Feb.  6th  and  Marcli  0th.  According  to  the 
Annals,  077,  a  private  school  was  opened  in  April  by  Marston,  a  Mormon,  as 
Fitzgerald,  Educ.  in  Cat.,  MS.,  2,  states,  though  there  was  no  such  Mormou 
in  the  Brooklyn  colony;  but  I  find  no  definite  information  about  this  school. 
In  July  and  Aug.  both  Star  and  Caiifornian  continued  to  agitate  the  matter, 
and  it  was  complained  that  tlic  lot  selected  had  been  granted  by  the  alcalde 
to  private  ownership.  In  June,  however,  Lieut  Ed.  Gilbert  had  taken  a 
census  showing  129  persons  under  20  years,  and  50  between  5  and  15  years. 
Star,  Aug.  28th.  At  a  council  meeting  of  Sept.  24th,  Leidcsdorff,  Glover,  and 
Clark  were  appointed  a  com.  on  the  building  of  a  school-house.  They  re- 
ported progress  on  Oct.  4th,  and  were  empowered  to  receive  sealed  bids,' 
wliich  were  opened  on  the  11th,  and  tliat  of  Mr  Stark  accepted.  Its  comple- 
tion was  announced  in  the  Star  of  Dec.  4th,  though  with  a  complaint  of  the 
council's  lack  of  energy  as  likely  to  defer  the  opening  of  a  school,  and  another 
tiiat  'the  nut-brown  of  red- wood  lumber  is  not  sulficicntly  fanciful  for  San 
Francisco, '  and  the  appearance  of  the  exterior  should  be  improved.  Also 
mention  in  the  Californiaii  of  Dec.  29th.  The  AnnaU,  075,  has  a  view  of  the 
structure.  On  Feb.  1,  1818,  at  a  public  meeting  presided  by  E.  H.  Harrison, 
with  E.  C.  Kemble  as  sec,  Brannan,  Ross,  and  Harrison  were  chosen  as  a 
committee  to  canvass  the  town  for  scholars,  select  a  teacher,  and  suggest  to 
the  council  the  propriety  of  ordering  an  election  of  5  school  commissioners. 
Star,  ^wa.  29th,  lei).  5th.  On  Feb.  14tii  the  council  ordered  an  election  for 
the  21st,  when  Fourgeaud,  Ross,  Townsend,  John  Sirrine,  and  Wm  II.  Davis 
were  chosen  as  trustees.  Id.,  Feb.  19th,  20th.  They  advert'ocd  for  a  teacher 
on  March  1st,  Id.,  ^larch  4th.  The  council  on  the  17th  appropriated  $400 
for  the  payment  of  a  teacher;  and  on  April  1st  tlie  school  was  announced  to 
begin  on  tlio  3d,  under  Thomas  Douglas,  a  graduate  of  Yale;  tuition  $5  to  $12 


CHURCH  AND  NEWSPAPERS. 


607 


in  April  and  May  1848.  Besides  the  weekly  meet- 
ings of  the  Mormons  there  was  no  regular  religious 
service  at  San  Francisco  until  November  1848,  when 
Rev.  T.  D.  Hunt,  presbyterian,  was  employed  as 
town  chaplain;  but  there  had  been  occasional  preach- 
ing by  naval  chaplains  and  others;  and  in  May  1847 
a  sabbath  school  was  organized  through  the  agency 
of  Oregon  methodists,  with  J.  H.  Merrill  as  super- 
intendent. The  California  Star,  San  Francisco's 
first  newspaper,  was  published  by  Samuel  Brannan, 
with  E.  P.  Jones  and  E.   C.  Kemble  as  successive 


per  quarter.  The  opening  was  as  announced.  Id.,  March  18th,  Apr.  Ist,  Stli. 
On  May  'id  the  council  declared  tlio  trustees  illegally  chosen,  and  ordered  a 
new  election  on  the  13th,  when  L.  W.  Hastings,  Ross,  Davis,  Brannan,  and 
Fourgeaud  were  cliosen.  /(/.,  May  6th,  13th,  20th.  Meanwhile  tlie  school 
continued  prosperously  enough  under  the  care  of  Douglas,  until  perhaps  the 
early  part  of  June,  when  the  gold  excitement  seems  to  have  carried  patrons, 
trustees,  and  finally  the  teacher  to  the  mines,  and  educational  matters  were 
neglected  until  1840,  though  in  Nov.  an  advertisement  for  a  teacher  appeared 
in  the  Star  and  C'ali/orniau, 

Church  and  religious  affairs.  In  1846,  the  priest  at  the  mission  remained 
on  duty  until  tlie  raising  of  the  U.  S.  Hag;  and  subsequently  priests  from 
abroad  occasionally  visited  Dolores;  but  there  was  never  any  catholic  service 
at  Yerba  Buena.  Brannan  and  other  Mormon  elders  lield  religious  services 
;it  private  houses  every  Sunday  from  the  time  of  tlieir  arrival  in  July.  There 
is  no  record  of  any  protestant  service  in  1846,  though  it  is  not  impossible  that 
such  service  may  have  been  performed  on  some  occasion  by  a  chaplain  of  the 
naval  force.  On  Maj  8,  1847,  at  a  public  meeting,  Rev.  T.  M.  Leavenworth 
(episcopalian)  urged  the  importance  of  a  cimrch,  presenting  a  document  for 
the  signatures  of  those  interested;  and  a  committee  was  named  to  carry  the 
matter  further.  Star,  May  8th.  It  does  not  appear  that  anything  was  ac- 
complished as  a  result  of  this  effort.  But  on  the  16th  Rev.  James  H.  Wilber 
of  tho  Oregon  methodist  mission,  a  passenger  on  the  Whiton,  organized  a  sab- 
bath school,  which  was  addressed  by  Leavenworth,  included  a  promising 
class  of  kanakas,  was  put  in  charge  of  J.  H.  MeiTill  as  superintendent  and 
J.  D.  Marstou  as  secretary,  and  was  to  meet  every  Sunday  forenoon  at  tho 
alcalde's  office.  Rev.  Wm  Roberts,  superintendent  of  the  Oregon  missions, 
promised  a  library  as  soon  as  tho  books  could  bo  foijnd  in  tho  hold  of  tho 
vessel.  Id.,  May  2'2d.  In  the  same  paper  of  July  24th  preaciiing  by  Newull, 
chaplain  of  the  Independence,  was  announced  for  the  next  Sunday.  Ward  iu 
his  Diary,  in  1848,  notes  that  'Capt.  L.  H.  Thomas,  a  most  estimable  Welsh 
gentlemen,  reads  prayers  every  Sunday  in  the  school-house,  and  Mrs  C.  V. 
Gillespie  has  organized  a  Sunday-school,  tho  first  on  the  Pacific  Coast. '  In 
October  1848  Rev.  T.  D.  Hunt,  presbyterian,  arrived  from  the  Sandwich  Isl- 
ands, and  from  Nov.  1st  olDciated  at  the  school-house  as  chaplain  of  tho 
town,  at  a  salary  of  $2,500.  Annala,  088. 

Newspapers.  On  the  Brooklyn,  in  July,  arrived  the  press,  type,  and  gen- 
eral outfit  of  tho  Prophet,  a  Mormon  paper  that  had  been  publislied  in  N.  Y. 
by  Samuel  Brannan,  who  doubtless  intended  to  continue  its  publication  as  a 
church  organ  in  Cal.  This  became  undesirable  as  soon  as  it  vas  revealed 
that  Cal.  was  not  to  bo  tho  promised  land  of  the  Mormons;  but  tho  pla.i  of 
publishing  a  newspaper  was  not  abandoned.  It  is  said  by  Hittell,  Ilixt.  S. 
F.,  109,  that  a  shee*'  of  printed  matter  describing  Taylor's  victory  in  Texas 
UiBT.  Gai..  Vol.  V.    42 


I 


I  i 


658 


LOCAL  ANKALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


editors  from  January  9,  1847,  to  June  10,  1848.  The 
Californian,  transferred  from  Monterey,  was  published 
and  edited  successively  by  Robert  Semple,  B.  R. 
Buckelew,  Robert  Gordon,  H.  L.  Sheldon,  and  other 
associates  from  May  22,  1847,  with  some  gaps  in 
May- August  1848,  to  November  11th.  Then  it  was 
swallowed  up  by  its  former  rival,  and  the  California 
Star  and  Californian  appeared  from  November  18th, 
to  be  known  at  the  beginning  of  1849  as  the  Alta 

was  issued  in  Oct.  1846,  but  I  have  not  seen  it.  The  first  number  of  the 
California  Star  was  issued  on  Jan.  9,  1847,  Elbert  P.  Jones  taking  the  posi- 
tion of  editor,  temporarily,  as  he  announced,  in  the  absence  of  the  man  wlio 
was  to  be  permanent  editor — presumably  Kemble.  The  paper  was  of  4  pages, 
8i  :{  12  inches  of  print,  subscriptions  §6  per  year.  A  prospectus  of  the  usual 
style  was  signed  by  Brannan  as  publisher.  The  Star  was  a  very  good  local 
newspaper,  its  editorial  and  other  departments  showing  no  special  ability  or 
lack  of  it  on  the  part  of  the  managers,  who  as  usual  in  such  eases  sometimes 
indulged  in  expressions  more  coarse  and  violent  than  gooil  taste  would  justify. 
Tlio  paper  was  complimented  for  its  neat  appearance  by  its  Monterey  con  tern - 
jwrary  in  Jan.,  but  the  compliment  was  not  returned.  On  April  17th  -Jones 
withdrew  from  the  editorship  on  account  of  'circumstances' not  explained, 
which  prevented  any  connection  between  himself  and  the  publisher;  and  Ed- 
ward V.  Kemble  and  John  Eagar  took  charge  until  Brannan's  return  from 
tlie  oast,  when  Kemble  became  the  regular  editor.  On  Jan.  '22,  1848,  vol.  ii. 
no.  3,  the  paper  was  enlarged  to  lOJ  x  16J  inches  of  print,  taking — as  an  ad- 
\  ertisement — three  columns  of  Brandreth's  pills.  The  issue  of  April  1st  with 
n  supplement  was  sent  overland  to  the  states  to  the  number  of  2,000.  It  was 
published  regularly  each  week  until  .Juno  10th,  or  vol.  ii.  no.  23;  and  its 
.suspension  .a  account  of  the  gold  excitement  was  announced  in  an  extra 
Rheet  of  June  14th.  The  Californian,  as  has  been  related  elsewhere,  was  es- 
tablished at  Monterey  by  Colton  and  Semple  in  1846,  with  the  material  that 
had  been  used  by  the  Californians  since  1834.  Its  San  Francisco  existence 
liegan  with  no.  1  of  vol,  ii.,  on  May  22,  1847,  Robert  Semple  being  publisher 
jtnd  editor,  the  size  being  4  pages  of  3  columns  each  about  16  inches  long — 
subsequently  increased  to  4  columns  on  a  page,  or  the  same  size  of  the  enlarged 
S/nr — and  the  price  of  subscription  being  $5.  From  the  issue  of  July  17th, 
vol.  ii.  no.  9,  B.  R.  Buckelew  succeeded  Semple  as  proprietor  and  editor; 
from  Aug.  28th,  no.  15,  the  '  The'  was  dropped  from  the  title,  which  became 
simply  Californian;  and  from  the  issue  of  Sept.  8th,  no.  17,  the  day  of  pub- 
lication being  changed  from  Saturday  to  Wednesday,  Robert  Gordon  was 
named  as  editor.  In  Dec,  Gordon  seems  to  have  been  publisher  as  well,  but 
early  in  1848  Buckelew's  name  rcappeai-s.  In  April  the  editors  were  Bucke- 
lew and  J.  D.  Hoppe;  and  in  May  Buckelew  sold  out  to  Hoppe,  II.  L.  Shel- 
don, and  perhaps  Jos.  Dockrill,  Sheldon  being  the  editor.  On  May  17th 
tlio  3d  volume  was  begun,  but  on  the  24th  a  fly-sheet  had  to  be  issued  announc- 
ing temporary  suspension  on  account  of  the  impossibility  of  retaining  work- 
men. This  is  the  way  the  Star  of  Juno  .3d  puts  it,  'Gone  too  — .  The  Cali- 
fornian ceased  issue  with  an  annunciatory  "slip"  on  Tuesday  last.  Verdict 
of  inquest — fever. '  I  have  another  slip  of  June  '2d,  containing  two  columns  of 
news  on  treaty  with  Mexico,  Frt^mont's  trial,  etc.,  two  advertisements,  and 
the  following  editorial:  '  For  tiie  purpose  of  convincing  what  there  is  left  of 
the  "public  that  the  Californian  is  not  extinct,  nor  yet  altogether  used  up, 
we,  in  our  triple  character  of  editor,  printer,  and  devil,  have  compiled,  set 
up,  worked  off,  and  circulated  this  extra,  which  we  hope  will  do  our  readers 


MISSION  DOLORES. 


659 


California.  Military  and  revenue  aflfairs  require  no 
further  mention  than  is  given  in  my  note  and  in  other 
chapters  of  this  volume.  The  same  may  be  said  of 
the  few  ranchos  granted  or  pretended  to  have  been 
granted  in  1846,  only  one  of  them  subsequently  con- 
firmed; and  of  the  mission  at  Dolores,  where  there 
was  no  regular  curate  except  for  a  time  in  1846,  and 
where  no  definite  or  formal  disposition  is  known  to  have 
been  made  of  the  remnants  of  the  ex-mission  estate. 


much  good;  for  it  would  probably  very  much  perplex  his  Satanic  Majesty  to 
toll  at  what  precise  period  they  will  hear  from  us  again. '  A  number  was  issued 
on  .July  1  .")th,  and  another  in  Aug. ;  and  the  publication  was  regular  from  Sept. 
2d,  vol.  iii.  no.  5,  to  Nov.  11th,  no.  15,  Sheldon  still  being  editor.  Then 
Kcnible  returned  from  the  mines,  bought  out  tlio  Cctliforninn,  and  fi-om  Nov. 
18th  published  The  California  Star  and  Calif ornian,  which  was  in  reality  a 
continuation  of  the  Star,  beginning  with  vol.  ii.  no.  24,  where  that  paper  had 
stopped.  Early  in  Jan.  1849,  Ed.  Gilbert  having  become  associated  with 
Kcmble,  the  name  was  changed  to  The  Alta  California,  which  still  appears 
regularly  in  1881);  and  through  all  its  changes  the  typographic  peculiarities 
of  tlie  original  St<ir  heading  have  been  preserved. 

Military  matters.  Francisco  Sanchez  was  nominally  comandantc  at  8. 
F.  until  the  end  of  Mexican  rule,  though  practically  no  military  duties  were 
lierformed  by  him  or  any  other.  After  the  U.  S.  flag  was  raised  in  July, 
Capt.  John  B.  Montgomery  of  the  navy,  succeeded  before  the  end  of  the  year 
by  Capt.  Hull,  was  in  command  of  the  district;  but  Lieut  H.  B.  Watson  was 
put  in  command  of  the  garrison,  being  succeeded  late  in  the  year  by  Capt. 
\Var(l  Marston,  and  the  latter  in  Feb.  1847  by  Lieut  Robert  Tansill.  The 
old  custom-house  was  occupied  by  the  military,  and  a  battery  of  guns  from 
tlie  presidio  had  been  established  near  the  foot  of  Vallejo  Street,  called  Fort 
Montgomery,  and  giving  a  name  to  Battery  St.  On  Feb.  17th  Hull  and  Tan- 
sill  announced  the  end  of  military  rule  and  the  resumption  of  their  functions 
by  the  civil  authorities,  and  Tansill  departed  in  April.  Meanwhile,  from 
the  arrival  of  the  N.  Y.  volunteers  in  March,  companies  H  and  K  were  sta- 
tioned at  the  presidio  as  a  garrison,  and  Major  James  A.  Hardic  was  com- 
mandant of  the  post,  Capt.  J .  L.  Folsom  being  assistant  quartermaster  down  to 
Aug.  1848,  when  the  volunteers  were  mustered  out,  and  apparently  later  as 
lieut  of  artillery,  a  small  garrison  of  dragoons  being  stationed  here.  There 
arc  many  communications  of  Hardie  anil  Folsom  to  the  gov.,  in  which  they 
complain  of  prevalent  disorders  at  S.  F. 

Custom-house  affairs.  Rafael  Pinto  continued  as  receptor  to  the  end  of 
Mexican  rule,  Robert  Ridley  being  captain  of  the  port;  Lieut  W.  A.  Bartlett 
was  put  in  charge  of  the  revenues  by  Montgomery  after  the  raising  of  the  U. 
S.  flag;  and  Wm  A.  Richardson  wa^i  appointotl  by  Stockton  collector  and 
captain  of  !)ort,  to  succeed  Bartlett  in  Oct.     A  year  later,  in  Oct.  1847, 

the  collection  of  revenues  devolved  on  the  military  officers  by  orders  from 
\Vashington,  and  Capt.  Folsom  was  put  in  charge  from  the  1st,  holding  the 
position  until,  on  the  news  of  peace  with  Mexico,  Lieut  Edward  Gilbert  hav- 
ing ileclined  the  place,  Edward  H.  Harrison  was  appointed  on  Sept.  3d,  at  a 
salary  of  §2,000.  Sec  p.  507  et  scq.  of  this  vol.  for  revenue  and  commercial 
atl'airs. 

Ranchos.  'Mission  estate  granted  in  1840  to  Prudencio  Santillan,  title  re- 
jected by  the  U.  S.  courts  as  having  been  fraudulently  antedated.  J.  R. 
Bolton  was  the  chief  claimant;  also  preemption  claim  of  "Francisco  Rutino  to 
a  mission  lot  rejected.     "Presidio  lands,  .^  league,  1840,  granted  to  H,  D. 


I 


660 


LOCAL  AXNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


A  very  good  outline  of  local  affairs  in  the  San  Josd 
region  is  given  in  Hall's  history,  which  with  supple- 
mental items  from  the  usual  archive  and  other  sources 
is  represented  and  indexed  in  the   appended    note.- 

Fitcli,  whoso  widow  was  claimaut.  His  petition  of  May  13th  for  the  land 
where  ho  proposed  to  buihl  a  mill  is  given  in  Dwhielle's  Colon.  Hist.,  add. 
5)5-0.  *Puuta  do  Lobos,  2  1.,  1846,  Benito  Diaz;  J.  C.  Palmer  et  al.,  cl. 
This  land  extended  from  Ft  Lobos  to  the  laguna  do  Lonia  Alta.  Larkiii 
owned  the  claim  which  was  submitted  to  the  American  authorities  in  Oct. 
184()-Juno  1847,  and  was  pronounced  invalid  in  a  report  by  Capt.  Folsoni. 
Documents  in  J/alleck'a  Report,  173-9.  San  Mateo,  21.,  184(5,  Cayetauo  Are- 
nas; W.  D.  M.  Howard,  claimant. 

Mission.  Prudencio  Santillau  served  as  curate  until  July  1846,  leaving 
his  post  on  tho  coming  of  tho  Americans,  and  not  returning  to  reside  perma- 
nently until  after  1848.  Nothing  whatever  seems  to  havo  been  done  in  con- 
sequenco  of  the  order  of  sale  issued  in  1845.  Jan.  4,  1845,  tho  sub-prefect 
forwarded  to  the  prefect  for  tho  gov.  a  petition  of  residents  that  they  be  per- 
mitted to  continue  their  residence  in  tho  ex-mission  buildings  in  order  tliat 
the  majordomo  might  not  remove  the  roofs,  as  lie  had  done  in  tho  case  <if 
other  abandoned  dwellings.  They  also  recalled  an  earlier  order  of  Gov.  Al- 
varado  to  establish  a  pueblo  at  Dolores;  and  as  there  arc  no  Indians,  and  as 
thero  is  no  room  for  live-stock  at  Yerba  liuena,  they  desiro  to  form  at  Do- 
lores '  a  frontier  (I)  to  tho  town  at  Y.  B.,  whicli  is  being  formed  entirely  of 
foreigners.'  Castro,  JJoc,  MS.,  i.  248.  This  shows  that  thero  was  still  a  ma- 
jordomo— perhaps  Vazquez,  still? — as  there  was  also  in  April,  at  $20  per 
month.  April  20th,  sub-prefect  to  prefect,  says  that  P.  Sautillan  wants  two 
rooms  for  schools,  and  tho  majordomo  should  bo  ordered  to  give  them  up. 
His  salary  is  a  useless  expense;  he  lives  in  tho  house  and  sells  brandy,  has  no 
duties  to  perform,  and  his  cattle  aro  always  about  the  church.  There  is  an 
old  order  for  granting  lot'i,  etc.,  but  nothing  can  be  done,  for  tho  majoi'doiuo 
pays  no  heed  to  tho  civil  authorities.  Id.,  ii.  64.  Tho  grant  of  the  mission 
estate  to  Padre  Santillau  in  Feb.  has  no  special  interest  in  connection  witli 
the  annals  of  this  period,  because  his  claim  was  not  known  until  after  1848, 
and  was,  besides,  shown  to  be  fraudulent.  Nor  aro  thero  any  events  that  call 
for  mention.  Sept.  18,  1847,  Capt.  Folsoni  was  ordered  to  obtain  tho  records 
existing  at  the  mission  and  send  them  to  the  governor's  office  for  safe-keeping. 
Cal.  A  jV.  Mex.  ISoO,  p.  397.  Feb.  5,  1818,  gov.  orders  that  P.  Santillau  i>e 
consulted  about  lands  that  may  be  put  in  his  charge  for  the  use  of  tho  Ind. ; 
also  about  such  movable  property  as  mjiy  exist.  Id.,  472.  On  Jan.  22d,  llob- 
crt  Ridley  was  made  subaltern  alcalde  at  tho  mission  by  Hyde,  with  author- 
ity from  tho  gov.  Id.,  452;  Star,  Jan.  15th. 

^  San  Jos6  events.  1846.  Visit  of  Frdmont  in  Jan.  This  vol.,  p.  3.  Feb., 
Frdraont  again  at  S.  Jos(5  and  Fisher's  rancho.  Id.,  6-8.  March,  78  citizens 
sign  a  petition  for  an  Ind.  expedition.  Dept.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  47-8.  April, 
local  authorities  indorse  the  declaration  in  favor  of  Paredes.  This  vol. ,  p.  41. 
Delegates  chosen  for  the  Sta  B;irbara  consejo.  Id.,  45.  In  March-May  there 
was  considerable  popular  excitement  about  Pierre  Sainsevaiu's  grist-mill, 
which  ho  had  established  the  year  before  by  permission  of  the  govt.  Over  20 
citizens — two  of  whom  could  write  their  names — petitioned  for  the  removal  of 
tho  dam  represented  as  very  prejudicial  to  tho  welfare  of  the  town.  There 
was  a  sharp  correspondence,  Sainsevain  claiming  that  tho  movement  was  a  de- 
vice of  some  plcaros  whom  ho  had  refused  to  trust,  his  mill  being  a  public 
convenience.  The  prefect  finally  ordered  tho  removal  of  all  obstructions  in 
the  stream  so  far  as  demanded  by  public  convenience  and  health,  leaving  the 
owner  at  liberty  to  sue  for  damages.  Original  corrcsp.  in  Doc.  Hist.  Cal.,  MS., 
iii.  136-7,  207-S,  210,  214,  228,  498-9.  June-July,  operations  of  Gen.  Castro 
at  Sta  Clara,  in  his  efforts  against  Pico,  the  Bears,  and  the  U.  S.  This 


SAN  JOSE  AFFAIRS. 


661 


IS  i 


with 

IS48, 

call 

}COl(ls 

ling, 
m  lie 
In.l.; 
.1)- 


41. 
there 
mill, 
or  -20 
al  of 
[here 
ade- 
ublic 
13  in 
K  the 
MS., 
astro 
This 


This  was  the  centre  of  General  Castro's  niihtary 
operations  in  the  first  half  of  1846;  but  the  change 
of'  flag  was  effected  here  as  elsewhere  without  hostili- 
ties. The  native  element  was  more  prominent  than 
in  other  sections  of  the  north,  and  as  the  valley  was 
also  a  favorite  rendezvous  of  the  immigrants  who 
looked  down  with  contempt  upon  the  whole  Spanish 
race,  it  is  not  strange  that  there  was  some  clashing 
and  disorder,  which,  however,  never  assumed  serious 
proportions.  The  Santa  Clara  campaign  between 
Sanchez  and  Marston  was  the  end  of  the  war  in 
the  north.  Indian  horse-thieves  were  continuously 
troublesome  to  the  rancheros,  as  they  had  ever  been. 
Raids  by  and  against  them  were  of  frequent  occur- 
rence; but  the  new  authorities,  like  the  old,  seem  to 

vol.,  r-  51.  53,  105,  108-9,  132-3,  185,  2G1.  Arrest  of  Weber  and  others. 
/(/.,  136.  July,  raising  the  U.  S.  flag.  /(/.,  245-6.  Local  happenings  Aug.- 
Oct.,  Watmough  in  command.  Id.,  294-5.  Bryant,  whoso  visit  was  in  Sept., 
describes  S.  Jos<5  as  a  village  of  600  or  800  inhab.,  in  a  fine  valley,  of  adobe 
buildings  and  very  irregular  streets,  with  thousands  of  ground-squirrels  l)ur- 
I'owiug  in  the  plaza,  and  men  and  women  of  all  classes  cngagr  d  in  gambling. 
Whot  I  Saw,  315-17.  Dec. -Jan.,  1847,  Lieut  Pinkney's  garrison,  Weber's 
ofTorts,  the  Sta  Clara  campaign,  final  hostilities  of  the  war  in  the  north.  This 
vol.,  p.  377-83.  Feb.,  meeting  to  elect  a  member  of  the  council.  Id.,  433. 
Feb.  IGtli,  Hull  orders  Weber  to  disband  all  volunteers.  S.  Josi  Pioneer,  March 
(i,  1880.  Action  of  citizens  in  behalf  of  the  Donner  party.  This  vol.,  p.  539. 
Fii"st  visit  of  a  steamer  to  the  cmbarcadero.  /(/.,  578.  Beginning  of  protes- 
taut  worship.  /(/.,  566.  In  HaWs  Hist.  S.  Josi,  188-9,  S.  Jos6  Pioneer, 
March  3,  1877,  are  some  items  about  early  buildings.  In  WanCs  Diary  is 
what  purports  to  be  a  view  of  the  town,  which  would  servo  equally  well  for 
.Tu  adobo  house  or  two  on  a  plain  anywhere  else.  Dec,  a  military  guard  de- 
sired; Gov.  Mason  orders  an  investigation  of  quarters,  supplies,  etc.  Cal.  <fc 
K.  Mfx.  1S50,  p.  447-8.  Aug.  7,  1848.  Order  to  send  detachment  of  N. 
V.  volunteers  to  S.  F.  to  be  mustered  out.  Id.,  633.  Hall,  196,  notes  a  snow- 
fall of  two  or  three  inches  about  Christmas. 

Indian  affairs.  March  15,  1S46,  petition  of  78  citizens  for  a  force  of  100 
men  to  light  Indians,  whose  raids  are  becoming  unbearable;  bitter  complaints 
tiiat  the  custom-house  receipts  are  wasted  by  the  employees  living  in  great 
style  and  working  2  or  3  hours  a  month,  ■\niile  the  workers  of  the  country 
have  to  pay  double  price  for  their  gooils,  and  defend  themselves  against  tho 
Ind.,  who  might  be  annihilated  at  a  small  expense  by  continued  and  system- 
atic effort.  Dcpt.  St.  Pap.,  MS.,  vii.  45-8.  Apr.  30th,  Gov.  Pico  orders  a 
camjiaign,  appropriating  §0,000  for  the  purpose — from  Castro's  part  of  tho 
revenue!  Doc.  Hist.  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  191.  July,  etc.,  renewed  depredations 
after  the  U.  S.  took  possession;  complaints  of  the  failure  of  citizens  to  provide 
for  defence;  campaign  of  Purser  Watmough,  killing  several  Ind.  and  recover- 
ing 100  horses.  S.  Josd  Arch.,  MS.,  loose  pap.,  32;  this  vol.,  p.  567.  From 
Feb.  1847,  after  the  removal  of  the  garrison,  complaints  were  renewed.  The 
gov.  decided  that  troops  at  S.  Jos6  would  accomplish  nothing,  since  the  Ind. 
came  in  small  parties,  having  an  understanding  with  other  Ind.  on  the  ranchos; 
but  it  was  thought  best  to  send  a  company  to  the  S.  Joaquin  Valley  to  watch 


662 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


have  had  only  modoratc  success  in  checking  the  (loji- 
redations  of  these  robbers,  who  often  had  confederates 
among  the  rancho  Indians.  Before  the  change  of 
flag,  San  Jost5  was  subject  to  the  sub-prefect  of  San 
Francisco.  The  jucces  de  paz,  later  called  alcaldes, 
were  successively  Dolores  Pacheco,  James  Stokes,  and 
John  Burton  in  1846;  Burton  and  James  W.  Weeks 
in  1847;  Weeks  and  Charles  White  in  1848.  Eacli 
of  the  alcaldes  was  involved  in  more  or  less  contro- 


the  passes,  with  a  force  of  35  CaL  volunteers  on  horseback.  Felipe  Butron 
was  appointed  a  lieut  to  raise  and  command  these  men.  They  seem  to  ha\o 
started  late  in  April,  but  wo  have  no  account  of  their  achievements.  Tlio 
citizens  in  May  urged  the  appointment  of  B.  K.  Thompson  as  Ind.  agent  on 
the  S.  Joaquin.  S.  Josd  Arch.,  MS.,  loose  pap.,  17,  41,  49;  Unb.  Doc,  MS., 
146-7,  311;  Vatlejo  Doc,  MS.,  xii.  288;  S.  F.  CaliJ'ovnlnn,  Juno  19,  1S47. 
Sept.  G,  1847,  preparations  for  a  grand  campaign;  Ind.  on  ranclios  to  be  fur- 
nished with  papers,  wuich  they  must  show  or  bo  treated  as  liorsc-thieves. 
Ind.  caught  stealing  should  be  sliot;  if  merely  loitering  about,  they  should  l)c 
sent  to  tlio  alcalde.  Cal.  ik  //.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  3.")5.  July  1848,  Josd  do  Jesus, 
a  S.  Joaquin  cliief,  acting  in  behalf  of  the  whites  against  tho  liorsc-thicvcs. 
Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  74-5.  liernal,  Mem.,  MS.,  11-2.S,  gives  many  details  of  an 
expcd.  in  April  1848,  in  which  8  Ind.  of  a  party  of  9  were  killed  and  many 
horses  recovered;  and  Larios,  Vkla,  MS.,  7-lli,  '25-7,  describes  au  attack  by 
Ind.  on  his  father's  rancho  of  Sta  Ana  near  HoUistcr  in  Sept. 

Municipal  ofiicers.  1K4C.  Duriug  tho  first  half  of  the  year  S.  Josii  was 
subject  to  tlio  sub-prefect  of  S.  Francisco.  Jueces  do  paz  Dolores  Pacheco 
and  Peiii  o  Chabolla,  suplentes  Valentin  Higuera  and  Jos(5  Fernandez.  These 
were  appointed  in  Dec.  184.')  by  tho  prefect,  though  the  sub-prefect's  recom- 
mendation was  for  Jos(S  Noriega  and  Pacheco,  with  Chabolla  and  Higuera  as 
suplentes.  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  235.  Jueces  de  campo  appointed  by  Alcaklc 
Pacheco  Jan.  25th,  Joaquin  Higuera,  Jos(3  F^lix,  Jos6  M.  Alviso,  and  Agus- 
tiu  Bernal,  juez  do  policia  Francisco  Palomares;  sindico  Salvio  Pacheco. 
Juez  do  paz  of  the  contra  costa  Joaquin  Kstudillo  of  S.  Leandro,  suplento 
Antonio  M.  Peralta  appointed  Dec.  15,  1845,  approved  Jan.  22,  1840.  Al- 
calde from  July  Kith,  oy  Sloat's  appointment,  James  Stokes.  According  to 
the  Calif ornianoi  Sept.  5th,  Geo.  Hyde  was  appointed  civil  magistrate  of  tho 
Sta  Clara  district  on  Aug.  2(3tli,  but  I  find  no  evidence  that  he  served.  John 
Burton  was  appointed  by  Montgomery  temporary  alcalde  on  Oct.  19th,  S.  J. 
Arch.,  MS.,  ii.  35,  and  served  throughout  tho  year.  I  find  no  support  for 
Hall's  statement  that  Burton  was  alcalde  and  Stokes  juez  de  paz  from  July. 
1847.  John  Burton  alcalde  until  Sept.  Wm  Fisher  wasappointed  Aug.  30tli, 
but  declined;  and  on  Sept.  14th  James  W.  Weeks  was  appointed.  Ignacio 
Alviso  auxiliary  justice  in  March.  L.  C.  Anthony  sheriff  in  Nov.  Estudillo 
was  still  juez  of  tho  contra  eostti,  though  in  April  the  citizens  petitioned  foi 
tho  appointment  of  Elam  Brown.  1848.  Alcalde  James  W.  Weeks,  who  had 
sent  in  his  resignation  in  Dec,  until  Feb.  9th,  when  Charles  White  was  ap- 
pointed 1st  alcalde  and  Dolores  Pacheco  2d  alcalde.  White  resigned  on  July 
Kith  on  account  of  opposition  among  tho  Mexican  population  and  the  lack  of 
a  military  guard;  and  Wm  Byrne  was  appointed  on  July  26th;  but  Bryno  de- 
clined to  accept  tho  office  and  White  continued  to  act.  H.  K.  Dimmick  was 
elected  alcalde  on  Dec.  12th  for  tho  next  year.  In  the  contra  costa,  Elam 
Brown  waa  appointed  March  30th  to  succeed  Estudillo  as  alcalde. 

Pueblo  affairs  and  administration  of  justice.  1846.  Jan.,  complaints  of 
vagabonds  killing  cattle,  encouraged  by  traders  who  buy  the  hides.  Doc. 


MUNICIPAL  AFFAIRS  AT  SAN  JOSE. 


663 


versy,  arising  chiefly  from  class  and  race  prejudices. 
They  had  but  little  skill  iu  the  administration  of 
municipal  affairs,  but  for  the  most  part  did  their  best 
under  unfavorable  circumstances  to  maintain  order, 
though  the  town  did  not  achieve  a  flattering  reputa- 
tion in  this  respect.  The  inability  of  the  government 
to  furnish  a  military  guard  for  interior  posts  did  much 
to  increase  the  difficulties,  the  force  of  Indian  horse- 
thieves  and  Mexican  vagrants  being  gradually  sup- 

Iliat.Ccd.,  MS.,  ii.  28,  33.     Jan. -May,  instructions  to  jucccs  dc  campo,  and 
police  regulations.  EdudUlo,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  94;  .V.  Jos6  Arch.,  MS.,  loose  pap. 
31-2;  Castro,  Doc,  MS.,  i.  2GI.     Alcalde  Pachcco  tried  to  avoid  accepting 
the  office  on  account  of  legal  irregularities  and  because  ot  opposition  from  a 
part  of  the  people;  and  vague  complaints  were  made  against  liim  after  lie  did 
accept,  by  A.  M.  Pico  and  others.  Doc  Hist,  Cal.,  MS.,  iii.  13,  184;  ('axtro. 
Doc,  Ms.,  i.  274,  277-9.     Before  Stokes'  appointment  an  election  was  talked 
of,  but  not  held.  Lark'in's  Off.  Corresp.,  MS.,  i.  139.     1847.     Jan.,  the  juez  of 
the  contra  costa  claims  equal  authority  with  him  of  S.  Josi5,  complaining  of  Bur- 
ton's summons  to  him  to  appear  before  him.  Entudillo,  Doc.  MS.,  ii.  \)S.    Feb., 
Com.  Hull  gives  instructions  in  the  matter  of  complaints  against  Weber.  S. 
Jose  Arch.,  MS.,  loose  pap.,  7.     March,  alcalde  ordered  by  Kearny  to  dismiss 
the  old  suit  of  Gabriel  Castro  against  Antonio  Hernano  for  winnings  at  a  hcirse- 
r.acc.  Cat.  «t-  jV.  Me.v.  1S60,  p.  291-2,  331-2.     April,  if  Stokes  is  not  satisfied 
with  tlio  decision  of  the  alcalde's  court,  he  must  wait  for  higher  tribunals  to 
bo  established  tliat  lie  may  appeal.   Id.,  295.     May  1st,  alcalde  and  junta  pro- 
test against  Kearny's  setting  aside  legal  proceedings;  tlio  alcalde  wants  to  re- 
sign, as  his  rights  are  invaded.   Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  117-18.     Juno  5th,  8  citizens 
ask  the  gov.  to  appoint  an  alcalde  in  Burton's  place,  and  also  to  station  a 
guard.  /(/.,  114.     Oct.  18th,  murder  of  an  lad.  by  another.  S.  F.  Calif.,  Oct. 
20th.     Oct.,  a  man  named  Chute  convicted  bya  jury  of  manslaughter.     (Jov. 
recommends  a  sentence  of  7  years  of  hard  work.  Cal.  <k  N.  Mir.  1S50,  p. 
410-11.     Dec.  2d,  P.  Real  complains  of  men  who  stand  at  tlio  church  door  to 
look  at  the  women  as  they  came  from  mass,  a  practice  that  should  bo  stopped 
in  the  interests  of  religion,  morality,  and  public  tranquillity.  Sobcranes,  Doc, 
MS.,  328.     Dec.  28th,  J.  S.  Ruckel  to  gov.,  reporting  increasing  lawlessness; 
states  that  the  lato  alcaldes  Burton  and  Weeks,  though  upright  men,  com- 
manded DO  respect;  recommends  White  and  a  guard  of  0  tempercate  men  under 
asergcant.  t/rjo.  Z>oc.,  MS.,  1.12-3.     1848.    Jan.,  complaints  of  horse-thieving, 
whicu  is  not  all  the  work  of  Ind.,  since  the  Bcrnals  were  attacked  by  G  for- 
eigners. Id.,  46.     Alarch,  three  men.  Hands,  Higgins,  and  Williams,  arrested 
and  sent  to  Monterey  for  the  intention  to  commit  robberies,  etc.     Gov.  Mason 
objected  to  this,  but  did  not  send  the  men  back.     Hands  eidistcd;  Higgins 
was  a  deserter  sent  to  S.  F. ;  and  the  other  was  shipped  to  Mazatlan.  Cal.  <(; 
y.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  487-8.     Reported  organization  of  a  party  of  marauders  in 
the  red-woods  under  one  Beverley.   Uiib.  Doc ,  MS. ,  8-9.     April,  alcalde  tried 
a  Mex.  for  selling  liquor,  without  a  jury,  because  in  earlier  cases  the  native 
element  of  the  juries  refused  to  commit.  Id.,  122.     May,  gov.  does  not  know 
whether  Alcalde  Brown  of  the  contra  costa  is  subordinate  to  S.  Jos(5  or  not. 
July,  alcalde  complains  of  dangers  resulting  from  the  political  intrigues  of 
Salvio  Pachcco  and  the  violence  of  his  son  Juan  Ignacio  against  foreigners. 
No  native  will  deal  justly  with  foreigners.     The  writer  is  accused  of  favoring 
the  natives,  yet  fears  for  his  life  if  Pacheco  is  punished.   Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  76 
-7;  but  White  was  urged  to  do  his  best  and  continued  in  office.     Dec,  three 
men.  Matthew  Freer,  Wm  Campbell,  and  David  A.  Davis,  for  highway  rob- 


664 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


plomcntcd  by  foreign  marauders  from  ship  and  army, 
three  of  whom  were  hanged  for  highway  robbery  at 
the  end  of  1848.  A  junta,  or  council  of  twelve  mem- 
bers, subsequently  reduced  to  six,  there  being  no  end 
of  controversy  respecting  their  election  or  appoint- 
ment, shared  the  alcalde's  tasks  in  1847-8.  The  at- 
tention of  the  council  seems  to  have  been  chiefly 
directed  to  the  town  streets,  squares,  and  lots,  several 
surveys  being  made  during  this  period;  but  their 
greatest  achievement  was  perhaps  the  distribution  of 
the  outside  pueblo  lands  in  500-acre  tracts  among 
resident  heads  of  families,  an  .action  that  in  later 


l)ery  and  attempted  murder,  were  convicted  by  a  jury,  and  hanged  on  Dec. 
ISth.  Id.,  340,  34;  S.  J.  Arch.,  W  .,  loose  pap.,  8-9,  55, 

Junta  or  council.  In  Dec.  184G  Alcalde  Burton  appointed  a  committee, 
or  council,  of  12  citizens  to  aid  in  managing  the  pueblo  affairs.  The  men  se- 
lected were  Antonio  Sunol,  Dolores  Pucheco,  Jos6  Fernandez,  Josd  Noriega, 
Felix  Buelna,  Salvador  Castro,  Wm  Fisher,  Isaac  Branham,  Grove  C.  Cook, 
(yharles  White,  Julian  Hanlw,  and  J.  W.  Weeks.  Hall's  IJisL,  174-5.  In 
Feb.  1847  this  committee  was  ratified  by  a  meeting  of  the  people,  and  the 
committee  was  named  a  junta.  May  Ist,  ten  of  the  above,  all  except  Castro 
aud  Cook,  represent  to  Kearny  that  they  had  been  so  chosen,  complaining 
that  K.  had  decided  a  case  on  hearsay  evidence,  ignoring  the  alcalde  and 
junta.  Hist.  Doc,  MS.,  117-13.  July  3d,  Weeks  and  others  object  to  the 
election  as  illegal,  and  propose  that  the  gov.  appoint  3  Califomians  and  3 
Americans,  recommending  Pachcco,  Noriega,  Castro,  Fisher,  Hanks,  and 
Thomas  Campbell.  Id.,  130.  It  appears  that  a  new  election  of  6  councilmen 
was  ordered,  and  that  two  elections  were  held,  the  gov.  in  Nov.  deciding  that 
only  the  1st  was  valid,  but  if  any  members  elect  were  not  actual  residents 
their  places  must  bo  supplied  by  a  new  election.  Cal.  A  N.  Mex.  1S50,  p. 
417.  On  Nov.  15th  Noriega,  Castro,  Campbell,  James  F.  Reed,  Robert  B. 
Nclcigh,  and  John  Murphy  were  elected.  Next  day  Charles  White  and  6 
others  protested  against  Reed  and  Murphy  as  non-resident  gamblers  chosen 
by  a  small  vote.  Reed  is  also  accused  of  having  killed  a  man  (the  Donner- 
party  affair?).  They  aiso  declare  Weeks  an  unfit  man  for  alcalde,  and  will 
present  charges  if  necessary.  The  gov.  then  appointed  J.  S.  Ruckel,  Weeks, 
aud  a  third  to  be  selected  by  them,  to  investigate  the  election  and  decide  the 
matter  equitably.  I  do  not  find  their  definite  report;  but  Ruckel  reported 
privately  in  favor  of  a  new  alcalde  and  an  appointed  council.  Id.,  431-2;  Unh. 
Doc,  MS.,  120-1,  132-3.  Fisher,  Castro,  White,  Noriega,  Sunol,  and  Pa- 
chcco are  spoken  of  as  'a  majority  of  the  late  junta'  meeting  on  Dec.  31st. 
/(/.,  45-6. 

Pueblo  lands.  Feb.  11, 1847.  Alcalde  Bartlett  of  S.  F.  advises  Burton  to 
sell  lots  at  the  regular  prices,  25  cents  per  front  vara.  There  are  complaints 
of  his  charging  $100  for  a  100-vara  lot.  S.  J.  Arch.,  MS.,  ii.  34.  One  of  the 
first  acts  of  the  junta,  probably  in  Feb.,  was  to  order  a  survey  of  the  town 
into  blocks,  streets,  and  squares,  50-vara  lots  to  be  sold  for  $12.50  and  fees, 
and  no  person  to  buy  more  than  4  lots,  or  half  a  block.  In  May  the  survey 
was  made  by  Wm  and  Thomas  Campbell.  The  alcalde's  grants  of  these  town 
lots  were  finally  sustained,  even  against  earlier  titles  claimed  by  Weber  and 
Pico.  In  June  the  junta,  their  action  being  ratified  by  the  alcalde  and  peo- 
ple, decided  to  have  the  outside  pueblo  lands  surveyed  into  tracts  of  2,000 


SANTA  CLARA. 


060 


years  was  annulled  by  the  courts.  Town  lots  at 
San  Jose,  as  at  San  Francisco,  wore  sold  by  the 
alcaldes  at  25  cents  per  front  vara.  Of  the  few  land 
tyrants  made  in  1846  only  one,  with  a  few  mission 
lots,  was  subsequently  confirmed  by  the  land  commis- 
sion. Santa  Clara,  under  the  care  of  Padre  Jose 
Marfa  Real  as  parish  priest,  has  been  included,  so  far 
as  events  are  concerned,  with  the  town,  having  been, 
indeed,  more  prominent  than  the  latter  in  the  semi- 

varas  square,  or  500  acres— or  less  if  the  land  were  not  enough  for  all — one 
of  which  should  bo  reserved  for  a  school,  and  the  rest  sliould  be  distributed, 
one  to  each,  among  the  actual  citizens  who  were  heads  of  families,  the  rest 
being  reserved  for  distribution  to  later  citizens,  and  each  tract  paying  an 
annual  tax  of  $3.  The  survey  was  made  by  J.  D.  Hutton  in  July-Aug.,  and 
the  tracts  were  distributed  by  drawing  lots,  tlic  alcalde  issuing  titles  which 
were  in  later  years  not  sustained  by  tlio  courts.  IIcUI'h  Jliat.  S,  J.,  170-82. 
In  1848  a  new  survey  was  made  by  C.  S.  Lyman,  U.  S.  surveyor,  tho  streets 
and  squares  being  much  extended.  Id.,  182-4.  See  AUa,  Dec.  15,  1809,  for 
a  decision  of  U.  S.  Circuit  Court  in  one  of  the  '  SOO-acro '  cases.  In  Jan. 
1848  the  alcalde  complained  that  Hutton  had  defrauded  the  citizens  by  certi- 
fying tracts  of  200  to  380  acres  to  contain  500.  Ho  should  be  prosecuted  for 
obtaining  money  under  false  pretences.  Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  45-6.  March  10th, 
gov.  decides  that  alcaldes  have  no  right  to  dispose  of  pueblo  lands.  S.  J. 
Arch.,  MS.,  loose  pap.,  14. 

Banchos  granted  in  1846.  *CaIaveras,  8  leagues,  Francisco  Pico,  who  was 
claimant.  Huecos,  9  1.,  Luis  Arenas  and  John  Roland,  R.  claimant.  *New 
Almaden  mine,  Andres  Castillero,  who  was  claimant.  *S.  Jos^  mission  es- 
tate, Andr<Ss  Pico  and  J.  B.  Alvarado,  who  were  cl.  *Sta  Clara,  embarca- 
dero,  1,000  varos,  Basiliu.  fiernal,  who  was  cl.  Mission  lands,  Juan  C.  Ga- 
lindo,  *Antonio  M.  Oslo,  Francisco  Arce,  *Jos6  Arnaz;  'orchard  to  Castaiieda, 
Arenas,  and  Diaz — Larkin  cl.  June  3,  1847,  gov,  to  Gabriel  Alviso,  declar- 
ing his  lack  of  authority  to  grant  lands.  Cal.  <k  N.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  318-19. 
Aug.  24th,  alcalde  directed  not  to  interfere  in  the  land  quarrel  of  Forbes  and 
Cook.  Jd,,  389.  Nov.  24th,  gov.  cannot  settle  disputes  on  land  boundaries 
in  the  contra  costa.  Id.,  435.  March-Apr.  1848,  tho  gov.  decides  that  Inigo 
has  no  claim  to  certain  lands  as  against  Castro.  Id. ,  498-9,  542-3. 

Sta  Clara  mission.  Padre  Jos6  M.  Real  continued  in  charge  as  curate 
and  temporal  manager  of  Sta  Clara,  and  also  of  mission  S.  Jos6.  1846.  May 
2jth  and  Juno  lOtli,  P.  Real  authorized  by  govt  to  sell  mission  lands  to  pay 
debts  and  support  himself  and  tho  church.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  209-70.  June 
30th,  sale  of  the  orchard  and  buildings  pertaining  to  it  for  $1,200  to  Juan 
Castafleda,  Luis  Arenas,  and  Benito  Diaz;  deed  in  Ilartmaii's  Brief,  110-18. 
This  deed  was  later  proved  to  have  been  fraudulently  antedated.  Hoffmanns 
Opin.,  15.  1847.  Diaz  was  negotiating  with  Larkin  for  the  sale  of  the  Sta 
Clara  orchard,  and  on  Feb.  14th  wrote  to  the  padre  to  say,  in  Larkin 's  name, 
that  the  only  obstacle  was  the  Indian  title,  and  to  ask  if  for  a  fair  compensa- 
tion to  the  Ind.  he  could  remove  that  obstacle.  On  its  face  there  was  noth- 
ing dishonorable  or  irregular  in  this  proposition;  but  Real  chose  to  consider 
himself  insulted  by  a  request  to  commit  the  '  b.ijcza  de  vender  los  intercses 
de  unos  inocentes,'  and  wrote  a  sharp  letter  to  Larkin  on  the  19th.  Original 
in  Savage,  Doc,  MS.,  ii.  57-8;  copy  in  Larhiri's  Doc,  v.  20.  The  padre  also 
went  so  far  as  to  publish  the  two  letters  in  the  Star  of  March  20tli.  In  reply, 
Larkin  published  his  reply  to  Real  of  Feb.  24th  in  the  Star  of  April  10th.  In 
this  reply  he  had  denied  having  authorized  Diaz  to  write  such  a  letter,  or 


606 


LOCAL  ANNALa  OF  THK  NORTH. 


military  developments  connected  with  the  change  of 
government  in  184G-7.  The  mission  orchard  was 
claimed  to  have  been  sold  for  $1,200  in  May  1846, 
but  the  purchasers  did  not  get  possession,  and  their 
title  was  afterwards  declared  invalid.  There  was  also 
nmch  controversy  between  the  priest  and  the  inmii- 


known  ita  purport,  expressed  indignation  at  Real's  insulting  tone,  and  re- 
minded iiini  that  in  I84(i  lio  was  very  willing  to  deliver  the  property  to  an- 
other party,  notwithstanding  the  rights  of  his  innocents.  lu  a  letter  to 
Forl)CH  of  Mar.  4th,  Larkin'n  Off.  Correap.,  MS.,  i.  114,  L.  speaks  of  tho  same 
matter,  and  of  Real's  disposition  to  exceed  his  powers  as  a  kind  of  sub-Indian 
agent.  Kearny's  order  that  the  property  remain  in  care  of  the  priest  was 
dated  Marcii  2'Jd.  In  tiio  Star  of  April  27th,  Diaz  published  an  explanation. 
May  1st,  Alcalde  Burton  gives  notice  to  all  persons  to  quit  tho  mission,  unless 
allowed  by  tho  pndro  to  remain.  .S'.  J.  Arch.,  MS.,  loose  pup.,  30.  Juno  14th, 
Real  to  gov.,  sends  a  list  of  effects  lost  by  the  forcible  oncupation  of  tiio  two 
mi  sious  by  immigrants  and  troops,  amounting  to  $4,007,  besides  damages  to 
buildings,  gardens,  etc.,  not  less  than  $15,575.  Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  'J.">4-7. 
June  24th,  gov.  orders  all  occupants  to  vacate  the  buildings  at  8ta  Clara  and 
S.  Jo8(5  immediately,  tho  alcalde  being  directed  to  enforce  tho  order.  C'ul.  <0 
..V.  ^fex.  JS50,  p.  S'M.  July  10th,  gov.  to  Capt.  Naglce,  ordering  him  to  go 
to  tho  mission  with  his  company  and  eject  the  immigrants,  using  force  if  they 
would  not  yield  to  persuasive  means.  /(/.,  340-1.  IJut  next  day,  at  a  jht- 
sonal  interview  between  Real  and  Gov.  Mason,  the  former  consented  to  jht- 
mit  tho  immigrants  to  remain  until  after  harvest,  and  later,  by  making  a 
special  arrangement  with  tho  priest  and  paying  rent  for  tho  benefit  of  tliu 
church.  Therefore,  Nagleo  was  ordered  simply  to  take  a  position  in  the  val- 
ley, and  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  sustain  tho  civil  authorities.  Id.,  334-5, 
343-5.  Oct.  14th,  Ileal  to  gov.,  protesting  against  tho  fraudulent  disposal  of 
the  orchards.  Larkin,  on  Sept.  IGth,  had  furnished  an  expediente  of  16  <loc. 
showing  his  title.  Hub.  Doc,  MS.,  275,  277.  Possession  was  not  given,  and, 
as  I  have  said,  tho  title  was  not  finally  confirmed.  In  the  Star  of  Oct. -Dec. 
was  advertised  for  sale  a  tannery  at  Sta  Clara,  as  part  of  tho  property  of  tho 
late  Mormon  concern  of  Brannan  &  Co.  Nov. ,  etc. ,  corrcsp.  on  tho  sales  of 
mission  lands  by  Real,  which  were  annulled  i)y  tho  gov.  This  vol.,  p.  504; 
I/cdkck's  Ilept.  129,  108;  Cal.  <fc  N.  Mex.  ISoO,  p.  420-30,  448,  452-3.  In 
Nov.,  Real  claimed  some  special  privileges  as  a  priest  in  personal  litigation, 
not  regarding  the  alcalde  a '  competent  judge '  in  his  ease;  but  the  gov.  refused 
to  take  such  a  view  of  tho  matter.  /(/. ,  435. 

S.  Jos(5  mission.  This  establishment,  with  Sta  Cla,"a,  was  under  the  care 
of  Padro  Real  as  parish  priest;  and  most  of  tho  corresp.  given  above  may  bo 
applied  to  this  miss'on  also.  Of  local  events,  nothing  whatever  appears  in 
tho  records.  May  5,  1840,  the  mission  estate  was  sold,  as  was  claimed  later, 
B.  Alvarado,  for  $12,000.  Deed  in  Jfartman's  Brief, 
lasers  wcro  not  put  in  possession,  and  it  was  later  de- 
Sta  Clara,  that  tho  deed  was  fraudulently  antedated, 
ason  reported  to  Kearny  having  visited  the  mission 
ts  in  possession,  they  having  broken  open  tho  doors 
Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  146.  Larkin  had  also  acquired  a 
;hi3  establishment,  and  on  Apr.  4,  1848,  complained 
.oglectcd,  demanding  possession,  or  that  Real  be  re- 
or  its  preservation.  Id. ,  276.  But  his  request  was 
not  heeded,  and  his  title  was  later  pronounced  invalid.  In  May  1847  ho 
seems  to  have  rented  tho  property  to  James  P.  Reed,  but  the  bargain  prob- 
ably had  no  cfifect.  LarMn's  Doc,  MS.,  v.  130. 


to  Andr(5s  Pico  and  J 
107-10.     But  the  pur 
cided,  as  in  the  case 
March  20,  1847,  Col. 
and  found  the  iinmigr. 
and  done  much  dama£ 
title  to  tho  orchard  o 
that  tho  property  was 
quired  to  give  security 


SONOMA  HISTORY. 


007 


j^rnnts  wlu>  Inul  tiikon  jxissession  of  the  mission  buiM- 
iiigs;  but  tlic  intriuluis  yitjldcd  to  the  j^overnor's 
throat  of  ojoctin*,'  them  by  f'ortv,  and  final'y  came  to 
terms  with  the  padre.  Tliore  was  also  a  pretended 
sale  of  San  Jose  mission,  winch  did  not  go  into  effect. 
Padre  Real  had  charge  of  this  establishment  as  well 
as  that  of  Santa  Clara. 


loc. 

niid, 

Dec. 

tho 

lea  of 

504; 

III 


10  re- 
was 
17  ho 
jrob- 


The  great  event  of  Sonoma  annals  for  the  period 
was  the  seizure  of  the  place  on  June  14,  184G,  by  tho 
American  filibusters,  whose  operations  under  the  J^eur 
flag  have  been  fully  n€T»'*-ated.  Other  occurrences  are 
somewhat  dwarfed  by  the  glory  of  this  great  outburst 
of  patriotic  folly;  and  from  the  downfall  of  Mexican 
l)o\ver  on  the  frontier  to  the  gold  fever  of  1848,  there 
was  hardly  a  ripple  of  excitement  in  the  little  town; 
Grigsby,  Kevere,  and  Brackett  were  the  successive; 
military  connnandants;  and  the  savages  were  for  tho 
most  part  easily  controlled  by  the  efforts  of  Vallejo  as 
sub-agent  of  Indian  affairs.  The  town  had  about  2G0 
inhabitants  in  1848.^     Municipal  affairs  were  directotl 

'Sonoma  and  northern  Ironticr  events.  1840.  Jan.,  nuarrcl  alx)ut  tlic 
alcaldcship,  to  be  noted  later  in  this  note.  May,  Prndon  chosen  delegate  to 
tlio  Sta  B.  consejo.  This  vol.,  p.  4.').  Juno,  Castro's  visit.  /(/.,  51,  105-0. 
Juno  14th,  capture  of  Sonoma  by  Bear-flag  men,  and  subsequent  happenings. 
ftl.,  109-21,  14.V08.  June-July,  Frdmont's  campaign.  /(?.,  1C9-1K).  July 
0th,  raising  of  U.  S.  flag.  /(/.,  '242-H,  Lieut  Ilevcro  put  in  command.  Id., 
•254.  Occurrences  from  Aug.  /(A,  290-8.  1847.  Feb. ,  public  meeting  on  tho 
governor's  council;  call  for  a  military  force.  l<l.,4'VA;  Unh.  Doc,  MS..  140. 
April,  three  stores,  town  growing  fa-st.  .S'.  F.  Calif.,  May  29th.  Co.  C,  N. 
Y.  vol.,  Capt  Brackett,  stationed  here.  This  vol.,  p.  514.  April,  et  seq.,  trou- 
bles with  Alcalde  Nash.  /(/.,  008-10.  Aug.,  trial  of  Armijo  ct  al.  for  out- 
rages on  Ind.  /(/.,  010.  Nov.,  visit  of  the  1st  steamer,  Sitkn,  at  the  landing. 
/</.,  578.  Andrew  Hoeppner's  medical  springs  near  Sonoma  advertised  in  S. 
F.  papers  from  May.  A  visit,  view  of  Vallejo's  house  and  tlic  church.  Warl't 
Diem/.  Sketch  of  tho  town  in  '47.  Napa  Jienistcr,  oun.  4,  0,  1877.  In  the 
5.  Jos^  Pioneer  oi  Sept.  15,  1847,  is  an  account  of  a  theatrical  performance, 
claimed  to  bo  the  firrt  in  Cal.,  in  1847,  by  members  of  the  garrison  and  others. 
1848.  Jan.,  45  houses  and  about  200  inhabitants.  Star,  Jan.  8th.  Corre- 
spondence of  tho  Cali/orniaii  of  March  22d,  on  tho  notable  improvement  of  tho 
town.  May,  decision  to  remoTC  garrison,  ami  consequent  fours  of  the  people. 
Cal.  «t  N.  Mex.  ISoO,  p.  550-8.  June,  Hrackctt's  co.  reduced  by  desertion. 
This  vol.,  p.  510.  Aug.,  Frisbie's  Co.  H  takes  tho  place  of  Co.  C,  and  all 
mustered  out.  /t/.,  515. 

Indian  affairs.  1840.  During  the  exciting  times  of  the  Bear  revolt  and 
U.  S.  occupation  nothing  is  heard  of  the  hostile  Indians;  but  in  1847  troubles 
recommenced,  though  not  reaching  very  serious  proportions.     April,  M.  G. 


1 


i 


LOCAL  /iTCI^ALS  OF  THE  NORTH 

under  Mexican  rule  by  Jose  de  los  Santos  Berreyesa 
as  juez  de  paz,  after  a  torrent  of  ink  had  been  shed 
in  controversy  about  the  office;  then  after  an  inter- 
regnum of  military  rule,  and  perhaps  a  short  rule 
of  Manuel  Mcintosh,  the  famous  John  H.  Nash 
became  alcalde,  ceding  the  place,  not  without  a  strug- 
gle, in  1847  to  Lilburn  W.  Boggs,  who  was  aided  by 
a  council  of  six  citizens,  and  continued  to  preside  over 

Vallcjo  appointed  Ind.  agent  for  the  district.  Tliis  vol.,  p.  568.  May,  skir- 
mish between  Fernando  F6lix  and  party  and  Ind.;  one  white  man  killed;  in- 
vestigation by  Vallcjo.  Savage,  Doc.,  MS.,  iii.  28-31.  May  26th,  V.  to  gov., 
the  Yucaya  chief  sent  in  a  party  with  articles  taken  in  war,  promising  to  use 
his  influence  for  peace.  The  Ind.  armed  to  resist  outrages,  which  must  be 
stopped,  i/'nft.  i>oc.,  MS.,  314-15.  July,  Brackett  to  gov.  announces  that  the 
Incl.  have  been  stealing  Salv.  Vallejo's  stock.  Id.,  301-2.  Investigation  of 
the  matter.  Savage,  Doc.,  MS.,  iii.  32-5.  Aug.,  gov.  to  Vallejo,  approving 
his  policy;  cannot  increase  the  garrison.  Cal.  &  N.  Ilex.  1850,  p.  380-1. 
1848.  Apr.,  V.  asks  to  be  relieved;  white  settlers  should  not  be  permitted 
to  settle  on  la  '  3  of  the  gentiles  until  some  arrangement  has  been  effected. 
Vallojo,  Doc,  I*iS.,  xii.  342.  May,  threatened  hostilities  in  consequence  of 
removal  of  Brackett's  company.  The  gov.  had  not  much  faith  in  the  danger, 
declared  it  impracticable  to  retain  the  garrison;  the  people  must  defend 
themselves,  and  V.  must  use  his  influence;  intruders  must  be  removed.  In 
an  emergency,  aid  will  be  sent  from  S.  F.,  also  ammunition.  But  the  garri- 
son was  finally  retained  till  Aug.  Id.,  xii.  346;  Cal.  tt  N.  Mex.  1850,  p. 
556-8,  613-14.  New  depredations  in  the  Clear  Lake  region  in  Dec.  Id.,  682. 
Kclsey  and  Stone  liad  settled  near  the  lake  and  were  grossly  ill-treating  the 
natives,  who  took  a  bloody  vengeance  in  1849. 

Municipal  oflicial  list.  ]84i().  Jueccs  de  paz,  appointed  by  prefect  in 
Dec,  and  approved  by  gov.  Jan.  22d,  Jos6  de  los  Santos  Berreyesa  and  Joa- 
quin Carrillo;  suplentes,  Damaso  A.  Rodriguez  and  Antonio  Valle.  The  pre- 
ceding juez,  Jos(S  de  la  Rosa,  had  a  quarrel  with  Berreyesa,  and  found  in  his 
actions  some  pretext  for  refusing  to  turn  over  the  office  until  Jan.  9th,  when 
he  put  B.  under  arrest  and  swore  in  Rodriguez  the  suplente  as  juez  1°,  and 
Carrillo  next  day  as  juez  2'.  There  was  no  end  of  corresp.  and  charges,  but 
the  details  are  not  worth  presenting.  Berreyesa  took  possession  on  March 
5th,  and  Rosa  was  fined  $50,  trying  to  avoid  payment  on  the  ground  that  he 
was  an  employee  of  the  com.  general.  Original  corresp.  in  Doc.  Hist.  Cal., 
MS.,  iii.  12,  14,  17-18,  20,  25-9,  30-1,  34-6,  41-5,  127,  129,  139-40.  By  the 
Bear-flag  men  in  June  there  was  a  pretence  of  keeping  Berreyesa  in  ofiice  for 
a  short  time;  but  for  several  months  under  the  insurgents  and  the  U.  S.  there 
was  only  military  rule.  It  vaguely  appears  that  Manuel  Mcintosh  acted  as 
alcalde  in  the  autumn  fdr  a  while;  but  later,  at  a  date  which  I  have  been  un- 
able to  find,  John  H.  Niish  was  elected  by  the  citizens.  1847.  Nash  alcalde 
imtil  April.  For  an  account  of  Nash's  refusal  to  give  up  the  oflSce,  see  this 
vol. ,  p.  608-10.  L.  W.  Boggs  was  appointed  by  Kearny  to  succeed  Nash  on 
April  10th,  taking  possession  of  the  office  in  June.  June  14th,  James  F. 
Reed  was  appointed  sheriff.  Oct.  28th,  Andrew  Hoeppner  appointed  2d  al- 
calde. Dec.  3d,  election  of  a  town  council,  consisting  of  Quin  Fine,  John  G. 
Ray,  John  Lewis  (or  Davis),  L.  P.  Lecsc,  Jesse  Beasly,  and  H.  A.  Green. 
Unb.  Doc,  MS.,  122;  S.  F.  ('ali/.,  Dec.  15th.  May,  alcalde  asks  gov.  for 
iuformation  about  the  '?":tent  of  his  jurisdiction;  whether,  as  Vallejo  says,  it 
extends  to  the  Sac,  Bodega,  S.  Rafael,  and  Napa.  There  is  no  jail,  and  the 
troops  are  tired  of  guarding  prisoners.  Unb.  Doc,  110-11.  Trial  of  Armijo 
et  af.  See  this  vol.,  p.  610.     Dec,  gov.  to  alcalde,  on  powers  of  the  council, 


SONOMA  AND  SAN  RAFAEL. 


local  government  in  1848.  Only  three  or  four  ranchos 
were  granted  on  the  northern  frontier  in  1846.  In 
the  disposal  of  town  lots,  Vallejo's  past  acts  as  direc- 
tor of  colonization  were  recognized  temporarily  by  the 
military  authorities ;  and  the  sale  of  lots  by  the  alcaldes 
continued  here  as  elsewhere.  The  only  reference  to 
ex-mission  affairs  was  in  connection  with  a  citizen's 
claim  under  General  Castro's  grant  for  one  of  the 
buildings,  which  was  sustained  against  the  alcalde's 
decision.  San  Rafael  in  1846—8  was  under  the  rule 
of  Ignacio  Pacheco  as  juez  de  paz,  and  later  of  Tim- 
othy Murphy  as  alcalde,  the  latter  being  still  in  charge 


on 
F. 
al- 
G. 
en. 
for 
it 
the 
lijo 


referring  hini  to  instructions  for  the  council  of  S.  F.,  aa  printed  in  the  Star 
and  Californian  iu  Oct.  Cal.  <t  X.  Mex.  1850,  p.  446.  1848.  Boggs  con- 
tinued to  serve  as  alcalde. 

Lands.  The  ranchos  granted  in  1846  were  Chimiles,  Napa,  4  1.,  to  Joad 
Ign.  Berreyesa,  Gordon  and  Coombs  cl. ;  German,  5  1.,  to  Ernest  Rufus,  C 
Mayer  cl.;  Rincon  de  Musulacon,  2  1.,  to  Francisco  Berreyesa,  J.  Horrel  et 
al.  cl.;  and  *Yucuy,  Lake,  8  1.,  to  .J.  J.  Berreyesa,  who  was  cl.  April,  Va- 
llejo  presents  to  gov.  his  authority,  under  Figueroa's  orders  of  1835,  for  hav- 
ing granted  lands  on  the  northern  frontier  and  town  lots  at  Sonoma,  .tathority 
which  he  had  exercised  down  to  Feb.,  but  which  he  now  surrenders.  V^aUejo, 
Doc,  MS.,  xii.  284-5;  St.  Pap.,  Mi.><s.  <t  Colon.,  MS.,  ii.  405-6.  The  gov. 
in  reply  assured  V.  that  he  hatl  no  doubt  that  his  acts  would  bo  recognized 
by  the  U.  S.  govt.  Cnl.  JL-  N.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  292-4.  May,  the  alcalde  thiuks 
the  old  powers  should  be  restored  to  Vallejo.  Unb.  Do)".,  MS.,  113.  Juno 
7th,  gov.  to  alcalde,  authorizes  him  to  carry  out  so  much  of  V. 'a  former  in- 
structions as  applied  to  the  sale  of  town  lots;  and  the  sales  by  Niish  must  bo 
considered  valid.  Cal.  «fc  N.  Mex.  1S50,  p.  321.  Lots  were  sold  by  the  al- 
caldes here  as  elsewhere,  and  the  titles  were  sustained  in  later  years.  Some 
of  tlie  charges  agaiiijit  Nasli,  a.s  against  Hyde  at  S.  F.,  were  to  the  effect  that 
lie  had  sold  lots  improperlj'^,  nud  tampered  with  the  map  and  records.  Sny- 
der and  Murphy,  as  wo  have  seen,  were  commissioned  to  investigate  these 
charges.  May  17,  1848,  gov.  to  alcalde,  denying  the  right  of  the  council,  or 
any  other  authority,  to  dispute  ii  title  given  by  Vallejo  to  Juan  Castaucda 
before  the  U,  S.  flag  w  s  raised.  Id.,  551. 

Mission.  Li  June  1840  (rcn.  Castro  gave  Victor  "rudon  one  of  the  ex-mis- 
eion  buildings  in  payment  of  amounts  due  him  from  the  govt.  In  March 
1847  Alcalde  Nash  (iecided  agaiiHt  I'l  udon  in  favor  of  the  church,  with  §420 
damages;  but  Gov.  Mason  overruled  this,  and  ortlered  that  P.  be  left  iu  pos- 
session. I^k  the  litigation  of  later  years,  however,  the  title  of  the  church  was 
confirmed.  Li  Sept.  1847  the  gov.  ordered  Capt.  Brackett  to  secure  all  records 
pcrtainuig  to  the  missior,  ami  send  them  to  Monterey.  Vallejo,  Corre>ip., 
-MS.,  12;  Cal.  «t  AT.  Mex.  IS.50,  p.  29:5-4,  396;  U^nfj.  Doc.,  MS.,  258. 

San  Rafael.  1846.  Jue(!C3  de  piiz,  Ignacio  Pacheco  and  Gregorio  Briones, 
appointed  by  the  prefect  and  approvetl  by  gov.  From  the  military  occupa- 
tion in  June  to  the  end  of  1847  I  lind  no  definite  record  of  any  civil  authori- 
ties, though  I  think  that  Pacheco  and  perhaps  Murphj*  may  have  served  as 
alcaldes.  June  Ist,  Gen.  Castro  to  Col  Vallejo,  orders  a  distribution  of  all 
remaining  mission  property  to  the  lad.,  resennng  only  a  few  horses  for  tho 
national  defence.  Vallejo,  Dot  ,  MS.,  xii.  218.  A  few  days  lattr  Castro 
Tisited  S.  Rafael  to  get  tho  horses,  which,  bcin;^  sent  under  care  of  Francisco 


670 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


of  the  ex-mission  property.  Tiie  estate  was  perhaps 
sold  in  June  1846  to  Sufiol  and  Pico  for  $8,000,  but 
the  purchasers  failed  to  secure  possession.  Two  other 
ranchos  in  Marin  County  were  granted  this  year. 
The  only  stirring  local  events  were  in  connection  with 
the  Bear  revolt,  or  the  operations  of  Torre,  Forci,  and 
Fremont,  including  the  tight  at  Olompali,  the  blood- 
less capture  of  the  mission,  and  the  murder  of  the 
Haro  brothers.  Bodega,  though  honored  by  a  formal 
raising  of  the  stars  and  stripes  in  July  1846,  and  the 
appointment  of  a  civil  magistrate,  had  no  history  dur- 
ing this  period,  except  as  a  rancho  and  the  site  of  a 
prosperous  saw-mill.  Napa  in  1848  was  surveyed  as 
a  town  site,  had  one  or  two  buildings,  and  was  hon- 
ored in  the  San  Francisco  press  with  the  title  of  Napa 
City.     Bcnicia  had   also  its  beginning   and  a  much 

Arcc,  served  as  a  pretext  to  the  Bears  for  opening  hostilities.  This  vol.,  p.  10 J 
et  Kcq.  It  was  at  the  same  date,  June  8th,  that  the  ex-mission  estate,  as 
was  claimed,  was  sold  by  Gov.  Pico  to  Antonio  Suiiol  and  Antonio  M.  Pico 
for  §8,000.  Deed  in  Jlartman's  Brief,  113-10.  The  purchasers  did  not  obtaui 
possession,  and  their  title  was  later  decided  to  be  invalid,  E.  A.  Breed  ct  al 
bcini;  the  claimants.  Other  ranchos  granted  in  1840  were  Baulines,  2  leagues, 
Orc;^orio  Briones,  to  whom  the  grant  was  confirmed;  and  •Buacocha,  2J  1.,  M. 
Tcodora  Peralta,  who  was  claimant,  rejected.  June-July,  fight  at  Olompali, 
Fiemont's  campaign,  Torre's  operations,  murder  of  the  Haros  and  Berreyesa. 
This  vol.,  p.  104-77.  1847.  April,  Kearny  to  Murphy,  asking  for  an  inven- 
tory of  mission  property  in  his  charge,  also  information  about  a  debt  to  Hart- 
nell.  Cdl.  S  iV.  ilex.  1S50,  p.  297-8,  302-3.  Sept.,  Capt.  Folsom  ordered 
to  obtain  the  mission  records  and  send  them  to  the  governor's  ofiico  for  safe- 
keeping. Id.,  397.  1848.  Tim.  Murphy,  alcalde.  Feb.,  inquiries  ordered 
by  gov.  about  mission  property  that  may  be  taken  for  use  of  the  Indians.  Id., 
472. 

Bodega.  This  place  had  no  beginning  as  a  town  in  1840-8;  but  the  U.  S. 
flag  ^^■a3  raised  hero  in  July.  This  vol.,  p.  232;  and  Stephen  Smith  was  ap- 
pointed (ivil  magistrate  for  the  region.  Monterey  Calif.,  Sept.  5th.  Subse- 
quently Bodega  was  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Sonoma  alcalde  in  1847 
-8.  For  nearly  a  year  the  operations  of  Smith's  saw-  mill  were  suspended  dur- 
ing the  war  by  the  flight  of  Indian  laborers  and  the  seizure  of  horses  by  the 
Americans;  but  in  1847-8,  on  account  of  the  active  demand  for  lumber  at  S. 
F.,  the  industry  became  very  profitable.  , 

Napa.  According  to  the  Napa  and  Lake  Co.  Hist.,  232  et  seq.,  the  town 
.site  of  Napa  was  surveyed  by  Nathan  Coomb.'j  early  in  1848,  the  adobe  rancho 
houses  of  Juarez  and  Higuera  being  the  only  buildings  standing  in  the  vicin- 
ity. The  first  building  was  a  saloon,  built  b}'  Harrison  Pierce — still  standing 
in  1881 — in  May,  completed  in  time  to  bo  deserted  for  the  mines  on  the  out- 
break of  the  gold  fever,  but  occupied  by  Pierce  in  the  autumn.  Yet  it  is  to 
be  noted  that  Wm  F.  Swascy  and  Clias  C.  Southward  advertised  in  the  Star 
of  April-Juno  a  store  at  Napa  City.  In  Aug.  the  election  of  a  subordinate 
alcalde  was  ordered.  Cal.  <b  N,  Mex.  1S50,  p.  595. 

Bcnicia.  At  tiie  end  of  1840  M.  G.  Vallejo  and  Robert  Semple  devised 
the  scheme  of  building  a  new  city  on  the  Strait  of  Carquines.     For  this  pur- 


BEGINNINGS  AT  BENICIA. 


671 


S. 


!in- 


icd 


more  ambitious  career,  of  which  full  details  from 
original  sources  are  given  in  my  note.  General 
Vailejo  gave  five  miles  of  land,  on  which  Robert 
Semple,  with  Larkin  as  a  partner,  undertook  to  build 
a  city  at  the  Carquines  Strait,  which  should  be  the 
Pacific  metropolis.     Two  hundred  lots  were  sold  and 

pose,  on  Dec.  22d  V.  deeded  to  S.  aa  undivided  half  of  a  tract  of  5  square 
miles  of  the  Soscol  ranclio,  the  deed  Ijeing  put  on  record  at  Sonoma  and  S. 
F.  The  town  was  to  bo  named  Francisca,  in  honor  of  Vallcjo's  wife,  Dona 
Fraucisca  Beiiicia  Carrillo.  V.'s  chief  motive  was  to  increase  the  value  of 
his  remaining  lands,  by  promoting  the  settlement  of  the  northern  frontier; 
and  he  was  willing  to  dispose  of  his  interest  in  the  proposed  town.  The  earliest 
original  record  that  I  have  found  is  a  letter  of  May  4,  1847,  in  which  Sample 
writes  of  Larkin's  desire  to  buy  the  general's  interest,  and  expresses  his  ap- 
proval if  the  change  suits  Vallcjo.  S.  is  closing  up  his  business,  and  will 
move  his  newspaper  to  Francisca  by  Aug.  at  latest.  Vailejo,  Doc. ,  MS. ,  xii. 
289.  Accordingly,  on  May  18th  at  .Sonoma,  Semple  deeded  back  his  half  of 
the  property  to  Vailejo.  Original  in  Ucar  Flag  Pap.,  MS.,  31.  Next  day, 
the  19th,  Vailejo  deeded  whole  property,  reserving  the  right  to  some  town 
lots,  to  Semple  and  Larkin  for  a  nominal  consideration  of  $100.  Vallrjo,  Doc. 
Hid.  Gal.,  MS.,  xii.  291;  San  Francisco  Callfoniian,  July  3d.  Semple 
transferred  his  paper  in  May,  not  to  Francisca  but  to  S.  F. ;  and  the  issues 
of  May  29th  and  June  5th  contained  notices  of  the  proposed  town,  sale  of 
lots,  establishment  of  a  ferry,  etc.  Meanwl'ile  Semple  had  gone  in  person 
ti)  Francisca  to  start  his  ferry  and  have  the  town  site  surveyed  by  Jasper 
O'FarrcU.  Douljtless  the  city  founders  had  counted  on  deriving  an  ad- 
vantage from  the  resemblance  of  the  name  Francisca  to  San  Francisco, 
against  Yerba  Buena,  a  name  little  known  in  the  outside  world.  But  tho 
dwellers  on  the  peninsula,  as  we  have  seen,  had  checkmated  them  by  refusing 
in  Jan.  to  permit  Yerba  Buena  to  supplant  officially  tlic  original  name.  Ac- 
cordingly tho  speculators  deemed  it  wise  to  yijld;  Semple  writes  on  June 
12th  from  'Benicia,'  and  after  a  parting  wail  in  tlio  Calijornian  oi  tho  12th, 
tho  change  to  Benicia  is  announced  in  the  issue  of  the  19th.  In  his  letter  of 
the  12th  to  Larkin,  Semple  says  the  plan  is  completed  and  tho  lots  are  num- 
bered; several  have  been  selected  by  men  who  propose  to  build;  two  men  are 
preparing  to  open  stores;  S.  will  have  three  frames  ready  for  putting  up  in 
July;  five  men  are  getting  out  lumber;  50,000  ft  could  bo  sold  in  3  weeks;  S. 
has  bought  1,000  varas  opposite  (Martinez)  for  a  ferry-house;  plenty  of  coal 
at  the  point  opposite  Marc  Island!  'Benicia  is  making  quite  a  stir  in  the 
great  city  of  S.  F. '  Larkin's  Doc. ,  MS. ,  v.  159.  On  Juno  2yth  articles  of  agree- 
ment were  signed  at  S.  F,  by  Semple  and  Larkin.  Lots  of  even  number  were 
to  belong  to  L.  and  oild  numbers  to  S. ;  wharves  and  all  privileges  equally 
divided;  each  to  sell  or  convey  his  interest  without  interference  by  the 
other;  each  donates  4  squares  for  public  uses;  each  gives  a  lot  for  ferries,  and 
4  lots  in  100  for  town  use.  Calif.,  July  25tli.  S.  returned  at  once  to  the 
strait;  and  in  July  Larkin  contracted  witli  H.  A.  Green  of  Sonoma  for  lumber, 
and  with  Samuel  Brown  to  build  2  two-story  wooden  houses  for  §000  and  2 
miles  of  land  at  tho  Cotato  rancho.  Larkin'-i  Doc,  MS.,  v.  177,  179, 181,  202, 
249.  In  Aug.,  as  appears  from  Semple's  letters,  tho  doctor  contracted  for 
50,000  feet  of  lumber  at  §40,  opened  a  small  store,  wrote  to  the  gov.  to  secure 
an  alcaldeship  (which  tho  gov.  declined,  after  consultation  with  Larkin,  on 
Aug.  23d.  Cal.  AN.  Mex.  JS-50,  p.  389);  Vailejo  sent  Indians  to  build  him 
a  house,  Charles  Ileath  was  employed  in  boat-building,  Stephen  Smith  agreed 
to  establish  a  lumber-yard  if  the  town  continued  to  prosper,  McGlurg  and 
Haight  agreed  for  16  lots  to  build  a  store  and  warehouse  in  which  to  keep  a 
good  supply  of  goods  and  lumber,  Maj.  Stephen  Cooper  decided  to  settle  at 


672 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OP  THE  NORTH. 


fifteen  or  twenty  buildings  erected  before  the  gold 
excitement,  which  latter  event  was  deemed  extremely 
favorable  to  the  prospects  of  the  town.  Francisca 
was  the  name  at  first  selected,  in  the  vain  hope  that 
the  name  of  San  Francisco  would  be  permanently 
changed  to  Yerba  Buena,  but  it  was  the  new  estab- 

Benicia,  a  ditch  was  dug,  and  a  brilliant  success  became  a  matter  of  certainty ! 
LarkMa  Doc,  MS.,  v.  L'OO,  204-5,  210,  227.  Meanwhile,  and  in  Sept.,  as  ap- 
pears from  original  corresp.,  there  was  a  fair  demand  for  lots  abroad.  V.  Ben- 
nett, John  H.  Brown,  J.  Hudspeth,  A.  J.  Grayson,  J.  W.  Eggleston,  David  W. 
Chandler,  John  Couzens,  Samuel  K.  Palmer,  IL  Smith,  \Vm  Gordon,  Josiah 
Belden,  C.  W.  Wooster,  Jolm  W.  H.  Drummond,  and  B.  R.  Buckelew  sig- 
nified their  willingness  to  take  the  lots  assigned  them.  One  of  them  writes 
that  he  has  credited  tlie  price,  as  a  matter  of  form,  '  merely  nominal  of  course. ' 
Id.,  238,  240,  254,  260,  270,  3IG.  Wm  I.  Tustin,  J?ecoll.,MS.,  5-8,  says  that 
ho  arrived  early  in  the  summer  with  his  wife  and  child,  just  as  O'Farrell  was 
departing,  and  while  Semple  was  absent  in  quest  of  lumber.  He  therefore 
claims  to  have  been  the  first  resident,  and  to  have  built  the  first  house.  The 
2d  was  built  by  Henry  Crouch  for  Semple;  the  3d  by  Wm  (or  Benj.)  McDon- 
ald, later  Pfistcr's  store;  and  the  4th  for  Cooper  as  a  hotel.  A  similiar  ac- 
count is  given  by  S.  C.  Gray  in  Solano  Co.  Ilkt.,  149  et  scq.  Cooper,  in  S. 
F.  Star,  Apr.  1,  1848,  tells  us  that  the  1st  house  was  begun  on  Aug.  27th. 
The  original  corresp.  shows  that  Tustin 's  house  and  several  others  were  occu- 
pied before  Sept.  7th.  In  a  letter  of  Nov.  1 1th,  Semple,  Bear  Flwj  Pap. ,  MS. , 
34-0,  writes  that  there  were  15  fine  houses  under  cover,  and  several  more  in 
process  of  construction.  On  the  20th  he  sent  a  more  detailed  I'cport,  showing, 
as  supplemented  by  earlier  allusions,  a  total  of  10  buildings,  as  follows:  Wm 
I.  Tustin's  adobe  40  x  18  ft,  Semplo's  adobe  store  40  x  18,  occupied  by  E.  H. 
Von  Pfister,  Semple's  wooden  house  30  x  25,  in  which  Stephen  Cooper  lives, 
Semple's  2-story  wooden  house  30  x  18,  Cooper's  2-story  adobo  hotel  30  x  18, 
Landy  .ilford's  house  18  x  10,  Nathan  Barbour's  house  18  x  10,  Briggs  &  Rus- 
sell's frame  house  28  x  20,  Forbagh's  (Benj.  Forbush  ?)  adobe  house  13  x  20, 
Wm  Bryant's  frame  house  24  x  12,  'elegantly  built,'  Henry  (or  ^Vm)  Russell's 
frame  house  24  x  12  (Bryant  and  Russell  wero  partners),  Charles  L.  Bene- 
dict's wooden  house  and  grocery  18  x  10,  Vallejo's  building  130x36,  intended 
to  bo  raised  to  2  stories  tlio  next  year,  blacksmith's  (Fine,  who  died  in  1848^ 
adobo  shop  18  x  17,  and  2  houses  23  x  19  and  18  x  10,  built  by  Barbour  for 
owners  not  named.  Some  of  these  were  not  quite  furnished,  even  when  occu- 
pied, and  there  were  half  a  dozen  other  frames  ready  for  shipment  or  erec- 
tion. The  foundations  for  Larkin's  two  houses  wero  ready,  but  Green  and 
Brown  wero  very  slow  about  going  on  with  the  building.  Meanwhile,  and  be- 
fore the  end  of  the  year,  Semple  had  a  canal  13  ft  wide  between  1st  and  2d 
streets,  and  had  made  much  progress  on  road  and  wharf;  he  had  found  plenty 
of  ciialk,  quicksilver,  and  coal  m  the  vicinity;  and  had  many  applica- 
tions for  lots,  the  price  of  which  was  raised  from  $20  to  $50.  John  S.  Will- 
iams had  selected  lots  and  prepared  to  build;  Henry  Smith  was  mentioned  as 
engaged  in  building;  and  Green  made  a  new  contract  to  put  up  Larkin's  houses. 
The  doctor  was  full  of  enthusiasm,  was  delighted  at  the  success  of  vessels  in 
reaching  his  port,  and  had  no  doubt  that  Benicia  was  to  bo  the  Pacific  metrop- 
olis in  spite  of  the  lies  told  at  the  villages  of  S.  F.  and  Sonoma.  His  great 
trouble  was  Larkin's  lukewarmness  in  the  cause.  It  required  the  most  per- 
sistent iirging  to  induce  L.  even  to  visit  the  place  late  in  tho  autumn.  That 
a  man  in  his  senses  should  look  out  for  a  few  dimes  at  Monterey  and  neglect 
interests  worth  millions  of  dollars  at  Benicia  seemed  to  Semple  inconiprelien- 
Bible.  Larkin's  Doc,  MS.,  v.  250,  258,  304,  315,  344,  351-2,  354.  Tho  doc- 
tor's marriage  about  Christmas  to  Maj.  Cooper's  daughter  did  not  dampen  his 


THE  CITY  ON  THE  STRAIT. 


673 


lishment  that  had  to  change  its  name.  Semple's  faitli 
and  industry,  hke  his  disgust  at  the  comparative  luko- 
warnmess  of  others,  were  unHmited.  It  is  still  be- 
lieved by  many  that  opportune  cooperation  with  a 
little  good  luck  in  1848-9  might  have  made  Benicia 
in  reality  a  formidable  rival  to  the  city  on  the  penin- 

zeal.  The  Solano  Co.  Hist,  names  as  present  at  the  festivities,  besides  some 
that  had  been  named  above,  David  A.  Davis,  Charles  S.  Hand,  Edward  Ilig- 
gins,  F.  S.  Holland,  Henry  Matthews,  George  Stevens,  and  Wm  Watson. 
At  the  end  of  Dec.,  28  citizens  petitioned  the  gov.  for  a  new  district  to  be  sot 
off  from  Sonoma  under  an  alcalde.  Unh.  Doc,  MS.,  127-8;  and  on  Jan.  3, 
1848,  the  gov.  granted  the  petition,  appointing  Stephen  Cooper  alcalde,  and 
on  the  same  day  ( !)  consulting  Alcalde  Boggs  at  Sonoma  as  to  the  desirability 
of  the  proposed  change.  Cal.  ds  N,  Mex.  1S50,  p.  452-3.  The  boundaries  of 
the  Benicia  district  were:  from  mouth  of  Napa  lliver  up  that  stream  to  head 
of  tide-water,  east  to  top  of  ridge  dividing  Napa  from  Sac.  vall«ys,  northwards 
along  that  ridge  to  nortliem  boundary  of  Sonoma  district,  east  to  Sac.  River, 
and  down  that  river  and  Suisun  Bay  to  point  of  beginning.  Early  in  1848, 
E.  H.  Von  Pfister  began  to  act  as  Larkin's  agent,  and  I  have  many  of  his 
original  letters,  as  well  as  Semple's.  There  was  much  corresp.  about  lumber, 
contracts,  and  projected  buildings;  Higgins  and  Hand  did  sonic  work  on  Lar- 
kin's foundations;  Pcrsifor  F.  Smith  applied  for  lots  foraresidence  and  store; 
Faust  dug  a  well;  Hand  did  some  work  on  a  school;  Green  was  always  on 
the  point  of  beginning  to  do  something  on  Larkin's  houses;  R.  L.  Kilbum 
of  Napa  wished  to  settle  here  and  make  contracts  for  buildings;  Cooper  fenced 
Larkin's  square  and  planted  it  with  locust  trees,  projecting  also  a  vineyard; 
Scrapie  predicted  that  tliere  would  be  100  houses  before  the  end  of  the  season, 
meanwhile  working  day  and  night  and  economizing  to  pay  his  debts,  also 
building  or  repairing  with  the  aid  of  Wood  a  launch  in  addition  to  his  old  ferry- 
scow  (Tustin  says  the  scow  was  built  in  Napa  Creek  by  Chas  Heath,  and  the 
sloop  at  Benicia,  being  painted  green  and  called  the  Greenhorn),  and  mean- 
while dreaming  of  a  horse-power  ferry-boat;  a  gale  blew  down  one  of  the 
doctor's  frames  and  part  of  Pflster's  store;  Fine,  the  blacksmith,  died;  E.  L. 
Stetson  tried  to  form  a  partnership  with  Ptister  or  start  a  store  of  bis  own; 
Russell  sold  his  house  and  left  town;  Davis  and  Fine  opened  a  store  at  the 
feiTy-house  on  the  contra  costa,  which  hurt  von  P.'s  business,  so  that  he 
thought  of  taking  James  Creighton  as  a  partner;  and  Mr  Brunt  is  named  as  a 
house-owner.  Larkin's  Doc,  MS.,  vi.  28,  33,  35,  46-9,  61,  68,  72,  93,  97.  In 
the  Star  of  April  1st  Maj.  Cooper  has  a  letter  of  March  22d,  in  which  he  says: 
'There  are  now  14  houses  of  adobes  and  frame,  the  smallest  18  ft  by  16,  and 
the  largest  60  by  20  ft,  2-story.  We  have  here  8  carpenters,  one  blacksmith, 
and  one  wagon-maker,  a  tavern,  and  two  stores.  There  has  been  upwards  of 
200  lots  sold,  averaging  about  $13  each,  60  or  70  of  them  sold  on  condition 
that  the  purchasers  shall  within  the  present  year  build  a  house  to  cover  600 
sq.  feet,  many  of  which  are  in  progress  of  erection.'  Ho  adds  that  the  ferry 
has  paid  $150  a  month,  wliich  has  been  donated,  with  lots,  for  the  benefit  of 
schools.  But  in  May  camo  the  gold  fever  to  interrupt  for  a  time  Benicia's 
progress  toward  greatness.  On  May  19th  Semple  wrote  that  in  three  days 
not  more  than  two  men  would  bo  left;  on  the  same  day  Von  Pfister  an- 
nounced that  in  two  months  his  trade  had  been  only  $50,  and  that  he  was 
going  to  the  Sacramento,  leaving  Larkin's  business  in  charge  of  Cooper;  and 
now  H.  A.  Green  came  at  last  to  work  on  Larkin's  lon^-delaycd  houses,  actu- 
ally completing  one  of  them  I  Scrapie  reraained,  for  ins  ferry  and  transporta- 
tion business  became  immensely  profitable.  Id.,  v.  121;  vi.  112,  116.  The 
doctor  promptly  realized  that  the  discovery  of  gold,  notwithstanding  its  tem- 
porary effects,  was  to  bo  the  making  of  Benicia  and  a  death-blow  to  its  rival, 
Hut.  Cal.,  Voi..  V.    43 


|!rl 


674 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


sula.  Stockton,  under  the  efforts  of  Charles  M.Weber, 
made  a  besjinninj;  as  a  town  and  achieved  a  consider- 
able  development  during  the  early  golden  times  as  a 
centre  of  trade  for  the  southern  mines.  New  Hope, 
on  the  Stanislaus,  was  cut  off  in  its  infancy  as  a  set- 
tlement by  the  resolution  of  the  Mormon  potentate  to 
lix  the  *new  hope'  of  his  people  in  the  far  interior. 

S.  Francisco.  All  that  was  needed  was  to  establish  a  wholesale  house, 
obtain  for  ships  tiie  privilege  of  discharging  their  cargoes,  if  not  of  paying 
duties,  at  the  strait,  and  induce  one  or  two  prominent  shippers  to  make  use 
of  the  privilege.  Scores  of  traders  came  to  B.  from  the  mines,  anxious  to  buy 
there  and  avoid  tlie  dangers  and  delays  of  a  trip  to  S.  F.  If  Larkin  woulil 
only  sue  his  opportunity !  But  the  Monterej'  capitalist  was  apathetic,  blind 
to  his  opportunities  as  his  partner  thought.  Exhortations,  entreaties,  and 
even  threats  seem  to  have  had  but  little  eflfcct  on  him.  Semple  from  July 
to  Dec.  tried  to  make  him  understand  that  he  was  years  behind  the  times, 
that  he  was  by  no  means  the  'live  go-ahead  Yankee'  for  whom  S.  thought  he 
had  exchanged  Vallejo,  that  he  must  wake  up.  On  July  31st  ho  threatened 
if  L.  did  not  come  and  go  to  work  by  Aug.  20th,  to  having  nothing  more  to 
do  witli  him.  In  Dee.  his  indignation  knew  no  bounds,  when  he  learned 
that  L.  was  thinking  of  erecting  a  row  of  buildings  in  Yerba  li;.  a!  This 
he  declared  the  hardest  blow  yet  aimed  at  Benicia,  worse  than  all  the  lies 
tliat  had  been  told,  since  it  showed  that  the  chief  owner  had  no  confidence  in 
tlie  lew  town.  '  For  God's  sake,  name  a  price  at  which  you  will  sell  out,'  ho 
writes,  and  oS'ered  $15,000  for  Larkin 's  interest.  /(/.,  150,  154,244.  Of  act- 
ual progress  in  the  last  half  of  1848  we  have  no  definite  information;  but 
Bethuel  Phelps  finally  became  a  partner  with  Semple  and  Larkin;  and  sev- 
eral years  elapsed,  as  we  shall  see,  before  Bcnicia's  dreams  of  metropolitan 
greatness  came  to  an  end.  Many  men  of  good  judgment  yet  believe  that 
could  a  beginning  of  wholesale  trade  have  been  made  in  1847-8,  Benicia  would 
have  been  the  great  city;  while  others  regard  Semple 's  project  as  the  baseless 
vision  of  an  enthusiast.  It  should  be  added  hero  that  V"'lejo's  original  title 
to  the  Soscol  rancho  was  finally,  and  most  unjustly,  rejected  by  the  U.  S. 
supreme  court;  which  caused  tlie  holders  under  Semple  and  Larkin  much 
trouble  until  they  were  relieved  by  an  act  of  congress.  At  Montezuma,  J. 
Laird  advertised  his  ferry  from  Feb.  1848  as  affording  tho  best  crossing  of  the 
Sacramento  for  travellei-s  from  Sonoma  and  San  Jos6  or  Sutter's  Fort.  Star, 
Californian.  Halo  Clieniuok  or  Chamo  was  the  name  of  a  new  town  on  tho 
river  in  the  same  region,  projected  byBidwell,  Reading,  and  Hoppe,  and  sev- 
eral cabms  were  built  before  the  gold  fever  began  to  rage.  Californian,  Aug. 
28,  1847.  Star  and  Calif.,  Dec.  9,  1848. 

Stockton.  In  1814^  C.  M.  Weber,  through  AVm  Gulnac,  had  obtained 
the  French  Camp  ranclio.  The  first  settlera,  living  in  tule  huts,  were  Thomas 
Lindsay,  killed  by  the  Indians,  and  David  Kclsey,  who  died  of  small-pox. 
In  1846  Weber  made  efforts  to  induce  immigrants  to  settle  on  his  grant,  but 
fear  of  Indians  and  the  outbreak  of  the  war  prevented  success.  In  Aug.  1847 
Weber  himself  moved  to  the  place  from  S.  Jos(5,  and  besides  attending  to 
his  business  as  a  ranchero,  laid  out  a  site  called  Tuleburg  as  the  nucleus  of  a 
town  of  tho  future.  Except  the  captain's  employees,  however,  the  place  can 
hardly  be  said  to  have  had  any  inhabitants  until  the  gold  fever  broke  out  in 
March-May.  Then  Tuleburg  Ijecame  the  headquarters  of  a  mining  company 
organized  by  Weber  to  ojierate  in  different  diggings.  This  company  being 
dissolved,  the  captain  gave  his  attention  from  Sept.  to  the  town,  resurveyed 
and  renamed  Stockton,  where  he  built  a  store.  Thus  the  town  dates  in  real- 
ity from  the  gold  excitement,  and  this  slight  mention  is  all  that  is  called  for 


AFFAIRS  AT  NEW  HELVETIA. 


675 


At  New  Helvetia,  or  Sutter's  Fort,  from  the  time  of 
the  settlers'  revolt  early  in  184G  to  the  discovery  of 
Sfold  at  the  bes^iiiniiiii:  of  1848,  there  was  nothin<x  in 
the  course  of  events  or  development  that  requires 


that 

would 

jaseless 

lal  title 

U.  8. 

much 

.una,  J. 

of  the 

Star, 

on  the 

nd  scv- 

Aug. 

jtained 
horaas 
U-pox. 
lit,  but 
1847 
ing  to 
3  of  a 
CO  can 
out  in 
mpany 
being 
veyed 
nreal- 
ed  for 


in  this  volume.  See  Gilbert's  account  in  S.  Joaqiiin  Co.  Hist.;  and  Tiidhnm'a 
Jllst.  Stockton.  'J'lic  Mormon  settlement  of  New  Hope,  on  the  Stanislaus, 
where  several  cabins  were  erected  and  otiier  improvements  made  in  1846-7, 
lias  been  mentioned  in  this  vol.,  p.  552-3.  In  April  1S47  a  letter  in  the  Star 
indicates  10  or  I'i  settlers,  and  3  or  4  houses  completed.  In  tlie  Star  from 
Oct.  is  advertised,  in  connection  with  tlie  dissolution  of  tlic  tirm  of  Brannan 
&  Co.,  the  sale  of  all  tlie  imi)rovements  at  New  Hope,  Robbins,  Stark,  and 
Glover  being  agents. 

New  Helvetia  events.  1846.  Jan. -April,  visitsof  Fn5mont  and  Gillespie. 
This  vol.,  p.  3,  2'2,  24,  29.  Jan.,  Mr  Trow  preitaring  stakes  to  lay  out  a  new 
town  on  the  Sacramento.  N.  J/clv.  Diary,  MS.,  32.  Survey  by  Hastings  and 
Bid  well  finished  Feb.  /</.,  34.  The  new  town  is  called  Sutterville  in  Yulo 
Co.  Hist.,  30,  and  Nueva  Helvetia  in  liryaul's  ]l'h<it  I Sair,  272.  June,  pre- 
liminaries of  tlio  settlers'  revolt.  Tliis  vol.,  p.  77  et  seq.  First  operations: 
Taking  of  Arce's  horses,  10th.  /(/.,  105  et  seq.  June  IGtii,  Vallejo  and  other 
prisoners  from  Sononui;  E.  M.  Kern  in  command  at  the  fort;  chronologic 
ullairs  to  July  lOtli.  Id.,  120-J),  170.  July,  return  of  Fremont  from  Sonoma, 
l»th;  missing  U.  S.  flag,  1 1th;  maroli  of  the  battalion  for  Monterey.  /(/.,  184- 
6,  24;?-4,  246-7.  Aug.-Oct.,  Kern  and  E.  J.  Sutter  in  command;  release  of 
Sonoma  prisoners;  ^Valla  Walla  Indian  scare.  Id.,  298-302.  Sept.,  John 
.Sinclair  elected  alcalde.  Uiih.  JJoc,  MS.,  296;  Mrhiiixtri/'s  Pap.,  MS.,  9. 
Oct.-Nov.,  enlistment  of  iunnigrauts  for  the  battalion,  also  an  Ind.  garrison 
for  tlie  fort.  This  vol.,  p.  359.  Arrival  of  immigrants.  Id.,  524  et  seq. 
Measures  for  relief  of  Douncr  party,  Oct. -Feb.  /(/. ,  337  et  seq.  1847.  Sin- 
clair still  acting  as  alcalde  for  the  district;  Geo.  McKinstry  sheriff.  June- 
July,  departure  of  Kearny,  Fr6mont,  and  Stockton  for  the  east.  /(/.,  452-4. 
June-Sepc,  25  N.  Y.  vol.  under  Lieut  Anderson  garrison  the  fort.  /(/.,  514. 
Aug. ,  Mormons  here  on  their  I'oturn  east.  /(/.,  493.  Arrival  of  immigrants. 
/(/.,  554-7.  Arrival  of  the  1st  steamer  in  Dec.  Id.,  578-9;  A^  Helv.  I/iar;/, 
M.S.,  143.  Dec.,  statistics  furnished  by  Sutter  to  govt:  white  pop.  289,  half- 
breed,  Hawaiian,  and  negro  16,  tauio  Ind.  or  ex-neophytea  479,  gentiles 
21,87.3  !  Si.xty  dwelling-houses  at  tlio  fort;  6  mills  in  tlio  district,  and  a  tan- 
nery; no  schools,  but  tiie  new  town  will  have  one  next  year;  14,000  fan. 
wheat  raised  this  season.  McKinstry''s  Pap.,  MS.,  2S;  Uiib.  />oc.,MS.,  91-2, 
296,  307.  1848.  Sinclair  alcalde  and  McKinstry  sheriff.  An  election  of  4 
.subordinate  alcaldes  was  ordered  in  Aug.,  and  in  Nov.  Sinclair  was  reap- 
l>ointed  by  the  gov.  The  discovery  of  gold  was  in  January.  Ind.  affairs  of 
1846-8  arc  brielly  mentioned  in  this  vol.,  p.  566  et  seq.,  and  except  numerous 
petty  details  too  bulky  for  reproduction,  nothing  beyond  this  brief  outline  is 
obtniuable. 

Kanchos  of  the  Sacramento  and  S.  Joaquin  valleys  granted  in  1846, 
most  of  the  titles  being  finally  pronounced  invalid,  were  as  follows:  Canada 
de  Capay,  Yolo  co.,  9  leagues,  Santiago  Nemesis  and  F.  Berreyesa,  Jasper 
O'Fan'cU  claimant;  *Moquelamo,  Calaveras,  11  1.,  Andres  Pico,  wiiowascl. ; 
*.Sacramcnto,  Colusa,  11  1.,  Manuel  Diaz,  who  was  cl, ;  ranclios  not  named, 
in  Butte  Co. ,  to  Dionisio  and  Maximo  Fernandez,  who  was  el. ;  1 1  1.  to  *lb  nry 
Cambuston,  who  was  cl. ;  in  S.  Joaquin  Co.,  8  1.  to  A.  B.  Thompson,  wlio  was 
cl.;  II  1.  to  *Josi5  Castro,  who  was  cl.;  11  1.  to  *Jos6  Castro,  B.  S.  Lippincott 
cl. ;  II  1.  at  junction  of  S.  Joaquin  and  Stanislaus  rivers  to  *John  Rowland, 
who  was  cl.  March  5,  1848,  Go\'.  Mason  I'cfuses  to  recognize  a  lease  of  lands 
to  Sutter  and  Marshall  by  the  Indians.  Cal,  A  X.  Mex.  ISiJO.  p.  490. 


C76 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


1 

4 

2 

5 

3 

6 

1 

3 

2 

4 

fuller  notice  than  is  given  in  the  appended  note. 
John  Sinclair  acted  as  alcalde  of  the  district  under 
the  American  rule,  and  the  population  at  the  end  of 
1847  was  estimated  at  nearly  300,  besides  Indians. 

I  append  a  plan  of  San  Francisco  in  1848,  as  prom- 
ised at  the  beginning  of  this  chapter,  with  a  long 
explanatory  note.* 

*  San  Francisco  and  its  buildings  before  the  outbreak  of  the  gold  fever  in 
May  1848.  In  these  notes  and  the  accompanying  plan  I  have  attempted  to 
fix  the  location  of  the  principal  buildings  of  the  town.  Including  shanties, 
there  were  standing  about  twice  as  many  structures  as  I  have  indicated,  but 
many  of  them  were  mere  out-buildings  connected  with  those  located,  and  re- 
specting the  sites  of  the  rrst  there  is  no  agreemeut 
among  witnesses.  I  have  also  indicated  the  original 
owners  of  the  lots  in  each  block.  The  blocks  con- 
tained six  or  four  50-vara  lots  each,  which  arc  re- 
ferred to  by  number  in  this  order.  The  numbers 
given  to  the  blocks  are  arbitrary,  for  my  own  con- 
venience and  that  of  the  reader.  Buildings  are 
referred  to  by  letters  on  the  plan.  My  special  autiioii- 
ties,  in  addition  to  the  many  cited  elsewhere  in  this 
and  earlier  local  chapters  on  >S.  Francisco,  are  the  following:  official  maps 
of  S.  F.,  showing  blocks  and  lots;  Wheeler's  Land  Titles,  showing  tho 
grantees  of  lots;  advertisements  and  items  in  the  Star  and  Cali/ornuin  of 
1847-8;  original  corresp.  of  Leidesdorff,  Ross,  Sherman,  and  others,  in  Lar- 
kin's  Doc;  Swasey'a  Vieto  of  S.  F.  in  1Sj^-7,  published  in  1884,  founded 
on  tho  recollections  of  Stevenson,  Hyde,  and  Vallejo,  besides  those  of  the 
author,  and  a  work  of  considerable  merit;  A.  D.  Piper's  recollections,  in  the 
Alta  of  Feb.  17,  1867;  J.  C.  Ward's  Diary,  in  the  Argonaut;  and  the  testi- 
mony of  the  following  men,  as  given  to  me  in  interviews  of  1885:  Wm  H. 
Davis,  Wm  S.  Clark,  Charles  V.  Gillespie,  Richard  M.  Sherman,  and  John 
H.  Brown.  Except  Juana  Briones'  house,  and  perhaps  one  or  two  more  in 
the  North-Beach  region,  there  were  probably  no  buildings  beyond  the  limits 
of  my  plan,  though  the  limits  of  Vallejo,  Powell,  and  Bush  streets  are  arbi- 
trarily chosen,  the  survey,  as  elsewhere  explained,  extending  considerably 
farther.  My  plan  shows  also  the  extent  of  water  subsequently  filled  in  and 
covered  by  the  growing  city.  In  no  respect  is  more  than  approximate  accu- 
racy claimed.  All  the  buildings  not  otherwise  removed,  except  two,  were 
destroyed  by  the  fires  of  1849-01. 

Block  1.  Lot-owners,  1  John  Travers  1847,  2  Josiah  Belden  (beach),  ■'} 
L.  Everhart  '48,  4  Henry  Huber  (beach).  Block  2.  Lot-owners,  all  in  1847, 
1  Roland  Gelston,  2  Wm  H.  Peterson,  3  J.  M.  Stanley,  4  Ed  Bryant,  5  Ed 
Burgess,  G  Laz.  Everhart. 

Block  3.  Lot-owners,  all  in  1847,  I  Jas.  F.  Reel,  2  Christian  Russ,  .1 
Adolph  Russ,  4  Robert  Semple,  5  McK.  Beverley,  G  Charles  Russ.  Ward 
tells  us  that  Semple  gave  his  lot  in  *48  to  J.  C.  Buchanan,  probably  to  show 
his  faith  in  Benicia.  Buildings:  a,  the  Russ  brothers  put  on  the  comer  lot  a 
ship's  caboose,  building  additions  as  required,  and  occupying  the  premises 
from  1847.  Until  after  tho  gold  fever  this  was  the  southern  frontier  of  set- 
tlement. It  was  separated  from  tho  next  buildings  north,  and  hidden  from 
view,  by  a  high  sand  bank  (not  shown  in  Swasey's  view)  lying  between  Pine 
and  Cal.  streets.  Tiie  lots  have  not  changed  owners,  and  are  still  in  188.5 
the  site  of  tho  Russ  House,  a  more  pretentious  structure  than  the  original. 
Block  4.  Lot-owners,  all  in  '47,  1  Benj.  Kilbum,  -  James  Barrett,  3 
Philip  Brown,  4  E.  P.  Jones,  5  Qeo.  McDoagall,  G  Charles  Docente.     The 


PLAN  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO. 


677 


POWELL  STREET 

—\\      I  1       ii^-ni      1 1 — |r  u^^  "n 

«     I    I      1«      !     !       ir      I  !       SX     I  !      8?     I    I      8»     I  I      88     I   ,       4^1 

•  I        !  :        ' '       1        !  I    n  '        ' '      „ 
II I  I jilL-iLiL-'i-i  L_!!ali II 'li 


(□«  / 


,'51' 


STOCKTON 


t.-l 


"4!S 


It 


San  Fuancisco  i\  1848. 


678 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THK  NORTH. 


mission  trail,  or  ro.id,  followed  approximately  tlio  lino  of  Kearny  aiul  Mi«- 
sion  streets  to  tlio  mission,  .'1  miles  south-westwanl.  Block  5.  Lot-o\\  iiors, 
all  in  '47,  I,  -,  4,  5  C.  L.  Ross,  3  J.  M.  Curtis,  (i  .lean  Kleinshroth.  liiook 
6.  Lot-owners,  1,  4  not  sold  till  '4'.),  2,  3,  5,  (i  K.  I',  .lones  in  '48.  IJloik  7. 
Be,icli-lots  sold  to  11,  S.  Lippincott  and  C,  L.  Ross. 

Block  8.  Lot-owners,  I  sold  in  '40,  '2  Wni  S.  Clark  47,  3  L.  W.  Hast- 
ings '47,  4  Dionisio  Garcia  '4(5,  5  John  Townsend  '47,  0  W.  A.  Lcidosdorir 
(heaeli).  Bnililings:  c,  J)r  Townsend,  late  in  '47,  erected  a  wooden  residence 
on  his  lot,  whero  ho  lived  with  his  family  and  had  his  physician's  otiicu  in 
'48  and  later.  His  alcalde's  ofliec  was  apparently  not  here.  At  n,  .Starkey, 
Janion  &  Co.,  merchants,  had  their  store,  with  a  separate  oflice,  on  the  Leiiles- 
<lor(i'  lot  in  '4i)-50.  It  was  probably  built  in  '48.  Tiiey  had  also  an  olUco 
in  '48  at  the  cor.  of  Clay  and  Kearny,  probably  in  tho  City  Hotel. 

Block  9.  Lot-owners  in  '47,  1  Charles  C.  Burr,  2  Charles  Heath,  3  Jos 
Hicks,  4  Basil  Hall,  5  Eliab  Grimes  '40,  6  Robert  Ridley  '44.  liuildinga:  d, 
adobe  house,  or  rather  a  mixed  structure  of  wood  and  nnul,  built  i)y  Ridley 
on  his  lot  in  '46.  K.  W.  Pell  lived  here  with  Ridley  for  a  time.  Early  in 
'47  it  was  bought  by  LeidesdorfF,  who  spent  tho  rest  of  his  life  there.  Leid«'s- 
dortFs  cottjvge  is  described  as  tho  only  house  in  town  which  had  a  garden,  l)e- 
ing  the  sontherinnost  house  luttil  Russ  built  one  over  tho  sand  hill  far  out  in 
tho  suburbs.  Ward  gives  a  view  of  the  cottage,  M'ilh  some  other  buildings  in 
the  distance  northward.  W.  D.  M.  Howard  lived  hero  after  L.'s  deatli  in 
'48-50.  Above  this  building,  at  c,  Swascy  has  an  unnamed  structure,  wliicli 
is  also  i-emembcred  by  others.  It  was  probably  a  shanty  erected  by  Grimes 
to  hold  the  lot.  Ross  menti<nis  a  house  and  lot  on  cor.  of  Pine  and  Kearny, 
oirered  to  him  in  '48  for  $.3.jO. 

Block  10.  Lot-owners  in  '47,  1  Howard  Oakley,  2  Geo.  McKinstry,  .'{ 
Geo.  I'anano,  4  Keari  I'alani,  '■>  J.  A.  Sutter,  fl  Jacob  Diipken.  Block  II, 
lot  1  E.  H.  Harrison  '48,  2  C.  L.  Ross  '47,  3  C.  W.  Woostcr  '47,  4  Rich. 
Knowles  '47,  ">  J.  B.  McClurg  '47,  (5  John  I'liilips  '47.  Block  12,  lots  1,  2,  .'J 
sold  in  '40,  4  James  Lick  '48,  5,  G  Win  S.  Clark  '48. 

Block  13.  Lot-owners,  '47,  1  John  R.  Robbins,  2  LeidesdorfF  (l>each),  3 
Wni  Pettet,  4  blank.  Buildings:  n,  Leidesdorffs  warehouse,  on  the  beach, 
at  what  was  later  Leidesdorff  and  Cal.  streets.  Built  by  L.  probably  in  '4-i 
or  '4,'),  and  used  by  him  till  his  <lcath  in  May  '48,  also  apparently  as  U.  S. 
quartermaster's  warehonse.  There  was  a  small  pier,  or  wharf,  at  the  landing 
near  the  building.  S.  H.  Williams  &  Co.  had  a  store  hero  in  '49,  and  prolja- 
bly  occupied  the  old  warehouse  before  the  end  oi  '48.  Wm  Pettet  iiad  a 
wooden  building  on  his  lot  at  c,  occupied  perhaps  at  first  by  himself  as  a 
painter.  In  Juno  '47  Gelston  &  (Jo.  occupied  the  store  with  tho  Whllo)i\t 
cargo  in  charge  of  C.  L.  Ross.  They  left  this  place  in  July  or  Aug.  for  tho 
cor.  of  Washington  and  Montgomery  (block  20),  after  having  occupied  for  a 
short  time  I^rkin's  store  on  the  beach  (block  18  or  23).  Wm  Foster  occupied 
the  building  next  as  a,  furniture  shop,  being  succeeded  in  April  '48  in  tho 
Siime  business  by  McLean  &  (3sburn,  as  appears  from  advertisements  in  tho 
Vali/orninii.  Before  the  end  of  '48  McL.  &  O.,  or  perhaps  Osburn  in  com- 
pany with  Brannan,  built  a  better  wooden  building  west  of  tho  othei',  near  tlio 
corner.  Tiiis  was  tho  lot  on  which  Donahue  &  Kelly's  bank  stood  later. 
Post  and  Cooke  are  named  as  early  owners. 

Block  14.  Lot-owners,  1,  2,  4,  .5  John  Fuller  1837  and  '47,  3  Francisco 
Sanchez  '4.5,  6  C.  W.  Fluggo  '44.  J)avis,  a  later  owner  of  3,  is  certain  tiiat  ho 
bought  of  Fliigge,  and  not  Sanchez,  tho  numbers  being  transposed  on  the  ofH- 
cial  map.  Near  the  middle  of  his  100-vara  lot,  at  e.  Fuller  in  39  put  up 
three  small  wooden  buildings,  in  which  ho  lived  with  his  family  from  tiiat 
time.  One  of  the  three,  that  on  tho  left,  or  south,  was  occupied  by  Leides- 
dorfF in  '45-7,  until  ho  moved  to  tho  Ridley  place  (block  9).  Dr  E.  T.  Bide'a 
family  lived  here  with  Fuller  in  '44-5.  In  March  '47  Fuller's  property  was 
advertised  to  bo  sold  by  the  sherifF,  but  his  occupation  seems  not  to  nave  been 
disturbed.  The  property  is  described  in  tho  adv.  as  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Howard  St  (Sacramento).     An  alley  in  this  block  still  bears  tho  name  of  Fuller 


SAN  FRANCISCO  BUILDINGS. 


679 


Place.  Lot  3,  on  which  stood  the  grnnito  building  so  long  occupied  )>y  Wells, 
Tnrgo  &  Co.,  was  bought  in  '45  by  Win  H.  Davis,  who  built  on  it  OkWooden 
siianty,  ft,  and  a  red- wood  fence.  Airs  Montgomery  occuiiied  the  house  for  u 
time  in  '45-0;  and  in  '49  J)avi8  put  up  a  brick  building,  leased  to  govt  for  n 
cuKtoni-house,  and  burned  ia  '51.  Lot  0  was  bought  by  Wm  M.  iSinitii,  who 
at  (•  built  in  '47  or  '48  a  house  occupied  by  his  partner,  Frank  Wanl,  till  '49. 

Jllock  15.  Lot-ownera,  1  J.  M.  Hudspeth  '47,  '2  (4eo.  McDougall  '47,  3 
Henry  D.  Fitch  '40,  4  James  K.  Berry  '44,  5  E.  T.  Bale  '44,  G  Wm  S.  Hinck- 
ley '44.  According  to  Swaaey,  Robert  Ridley  bod  a  house  at  a  in  '47,  whicii 
is  coniirmed  by  Brown;  but  others  do  not  remember  such  a  building,  or  tiiut 
Ridley  had  a  house  in  town  after  (juitting  his  house  in  block  9.  Block  1(1. 
Lot-owners,  '47,  1  Geo.  K.  Winner  {'!),  2  Christina  Head,  3  Asa  Stevens,  4  ,1. 
Handcrick,  5  Kcaniu  Cuani,  C  Wm  Johnson  '44.  Block  17.  Lot-owners,  '47, 
1  blank,  2  Robert  Roberts,  3  Mills  L.  Callender,  4  L.  C.  Gray,  5  G.  D.  Le- 
moine,  (J  Robert  Smith. 

Block  18,  beach-lots,  granted  in  '40  to  the  wife  of  James  A.  Forbes.  A 
portion  seems  to  have  been  owned  by  Larkin  in  '47,  though  tiiere  is  some  con- 
fusion in  the  matter.  Ross,  representing  Gclston  &  Co.  in  I'ettet's  stoic 
(block  13,  (•)>  tried  in  '47  to  buy  or  lease  Larkin's  lot,  'opposite,  on  the  cor- 
ner, in  a  lino  with  Ward.'  Larhii'n  Doc.  He  did  not  get  the  lot,  but  rented 
from  Larkin  his  'house  on  the  beach,  on  the  Forlies'  lot,'  at  §50,  occupying  it 
for  less  than  a  montli  as  a  store.  A  sick  man  occupied  it  in  Oct.  In  Fcl). 
'48  Larkin's  'little  white  house  under  the  hill' — apparently  the  same — was 
vacant,  and  Ross,  as  L.'s  agent,  had  a  chance,  by  improving  it  and  moving  it 
to  the  corner,  to  lease  it  for  §.'iOO  to  Mowry  and  wife  for  a  shoe-slioji  and 
coffee-saloon.  Tiiis  was  done — or  at  least  the  improvements  were  made. 
At  the  same  time,  Ross  desired  to  obtain  a  lease  of  the  Forbes'  lot  on  whicii 
to  build  a  warehouse  on  the  beach,  else  he  would  have  to  build  on  his  own 
lot,  next  to  Starkey  &  Janion  (block  8).  It  does  not  appear  that  he  siicceedcil 
before  the  end  of  '48.  All  this  appears  from  original  corresp.  in  Larkin''^  J)oi\ ; 
but  nobody  remembers  anything  about  the  matter,  and  it  is  complicated  by 
the  fact  that  L.  had  another  Forbes'  lot  in  block  23,  and  also  lots  with  soino 
buildings  in  block  21  on  the  hill.  Wm  H.  Davis  informs  us  that  the  Hud- 
son's Bay  Co.  l)uilt  a  kiml  of  warehouse  at  c  in  '42-3,  and  it  was  still  standing 
in  '47-8;  but  he  remembers  no  other  building  iu  the  block  except  a  shed  at  n,, 
built  by  himself  for  Paty  &  Co.  iu  '44,  which  was  removed  before  '48.  Davis 
thinks  the  wharf  ate,  foot  of  Commercial  St.,  later  known  as  Long  Wiiarf, 
was  begun  in  '48,  but  this  seems  doubtful.  On  the  Clay-St.  wharf  at  /,  as 
recorded  elsewhere  in  this  chapter,  considerable  work  was  done  before  tiio 
gold  excitement  in  '48,  but  nobody  remembers  that  the  result  was  of  any 
practical  use  at  that  time.  I  suppose  that  the  building  at  c  may  have  been 
identical  with  tlio  Larkin  building  alluded  to  above.  Tiio  dotted  line  cross- 
ing this  block  and  the  one  next  north  indicates  the  position  of  a  steep  bank 
rising  froni  the  beach.  Near  Clay  St.  it  was  about  10  feet  high,  but  dimin- 
ished in  both  directions,  and  disappeared  just  above  Washington  and  below 
Sacramento  streets.  In  '35  et  secj.  Capt.  Richardson's  Indians  are  said  to  havo 
had  a  temascal  near  the  foot  of  .Sacramento  St. 

Block  19.  Lot-owners  from  '40,  1,  2,  4,  5  Jean  Vioget,  3,  0  J.  P.  Lceso. 
At  a,  about  the  corner  of  the  later  Commercial  St.,  Leese  built  in  '38  a  largo 
wooden  store,  and  adjoining  it,  in  '39,  a  small  kitchen.  L.  lived  hero  till 
'41,  when  ho  sold  the  buildings  and  both  lots  to  the  H.  B.  Co.  Wm  G.  Rae, 
for  the  company,  built  an  additional  structure  south  of  the  kitchen  in  '42, 
used  at  first  for  a  stable,  and  later  as  a  warehouse;  advertised  as  a  warehouse 
at  cor.  Sac.  and  Montgom.  streets  in  '47.  The  main  building,  used  a.-i  a 
dwelling  and  store,  is  mentioned  by  every  visitor,  and  is  fully  described  in 
the  narrative  of  Mrs  Rae.  After  Rae's  death  in  '45,  Forbes  occupied  tho 
buildings  for  a  time,  until  in  '40  the  property  was  solil  to  Melius  &  Howard, 
who  lived  and  traded  here  in  '40-8,  Howard,  however,  moving  his  residence 
to  the  LeidesdorfT  cottage  (block  9,  «)  in  May  '48.  On  the  nortiiern  lot,  at  e, 
M.  &  H.  erected  late  in  '48  the  first  brick  building  iu  town.     Perhaps  John 


]l 


080 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


Fuller  had  a  shanty  horo  in  '38,  before  moving  to  his  house  in  block  14.  At 
c,  on  his  own  land,  Vioget  in  '40-1  erected  a  wooilcn  structure,  in  whicii  lie 
lived  aud  kept  a  drinking  and  billiard  saloon  till  about  '44.  Ho  was  sue- 
coeded  in  the  same  business — still  remaining  owner — by  Juan  N.  Padilla, 
liobcrt  Ridley,  and  (perhaps  later)  J.  H.  Urown,  down  to  Aug.  '47,  when  it 
was  refitted  and  kept  as  a  hotel  by  E.  P.  Jones,  to  the  gold  excitement, 
though  it  had  been  advertised  for  salo  by  Vioget  in  Oct.  '47.  The  name  had 
been  clianged  from  the  Vioget  House  to  Portsmoutli  House  iu  July  '40. 
Swasoy  has  a  separate  building  below  the  hotel  as  Jones'  residence,  which 
would  seem  an  error.  Piper  describes  the  hotel  aa  '  a  small  cluster  of  one- 
story  buildings. '  Late  in  '48  a  part  was  occupied  as  a  store  by  Finley,  John- 
son  &  Co.;  and  another  part,  tiie  '\  w.  cor.,  as  a  hardware  store  by  C,  E. 
Wotmore. 

Block  20.  Lot-owners,  '43,  1  Trinidad  Moya,  2  Vicente  Miramontes,  3 
3oa6  Benavidea  '46,  4  Juan  Costafleda,  5,  0  Loidesdorff.  The  City  Hotel,  at 
a,  was  a  largo  adobe  building  erected  by  Lcidesdorif  in  '46.  It  is  mentioned 
OS  a  new  building  in  the  Star  of  Feb.  '47,  and  was  kept  as  a  hotel  by  John 
H.  Brown — being  often  known  as  Brown's  Hotel — until  Oct.,  when  Mr  and 
Mrs  Skinner  took  charge.  The  rooms  fronting  on  the  streets  were  much 
used  in  '47-8  as  offices  and  stores.  Shelly  &  Norris,  Jasper  O'Farrell,  Alcalde 
Hyde,  A.  J.  Grayson  (book  and  variety  store),  McDonald,  auctioneer,  Wm 
S.  Clark,  C.  V.  Gillespie,  McDougall  &  Parker,  brokers,  and  Starkey,  Jan- 
ion  &  Co.,  seem  to  be  among  thoso  who  thus  used  the  rooms.  In  the  last 
lialf  of  '48  Brown  was  again  in  charge,  R.  A.  Parker  being  the  lessee  at 
02,000.  The  AnnaU,  346,  has  a  view  of  the  building,  and  quotes  an  account 
published  in  the  Alia  just  after  its  destruction  by  the  fire  of  '31.  In  '48-0 
the  City  Hotel  was  the  headquarters  of  the  gamblers;  and  was  from  '49 
leased  at  016,000,  and  sublet  for  stores  and  rooms  at  a  great  profit.  It  was 
a  low  building  with  a  veranda  in  front.  The  adobe  house  at  c  was  built  in 
'46  by  Vioget  on  the  Bonavides  lot,  V.'s  wife  being  a  Benavides,  and  occupied 
Viy  him  in  47-8.  At  e  on  the  same  lot,  according  to  Davis,  was  a  small  two- 
story  wooden  house  where  the  Grimescs  lived  in  '47-8,  and  where  Capt.  G.  died. 
D.  thinks  this  also  may  have  been  built  by  Vioget  in  '•*6.  Above  Grimes, 
at  t,  Vicente  Miramontes  built  on  his  own  lot  about  '44  a  wooden  house,  in 
which  he  lived  with  his  family  to  '48  and  later.  Swasey's  no.  21,  accredited 
to  Nod,  may  bo  intended  for  this  house.  At  m,  Wm  Pcttet  advertises,  in  April 
'48,  a  store  for  the  sale  of  glassware,  etc.,  '  opposite  the  school-house.'  Swa- 
scy  has  a  group  of  3  buildings  here,  oue  of  them  the  residence  of  Padilla. 
Dr  Fourgcaud  seems  also  to  have  had  an  office  in  this  vicinity. 

Block  21.  Lot-owners,  1  Wm  Kittleman  '47,  2,  3,  5,  C  J.  P.  Leeso  '36, 
4  Newell  BuUeii  '47.  At  a  Leeso  built  in  '36  the  first  house  in  town,  as  else- 
where recorded  (vol.  iii.  p.  709),  where  the  St  Francis  Hotel  stood  later.  It 
is  not  known  that  it  was  occupied  after  Leeso  left  it,  and  it  was  perhaps 
removed  about  '40.  Davis  is  positive  that  it  was  not  there  in  '46-8,  though 
Swasey  gives  a  small  building  not  named.  At  c,  or  at  Sac.  and  Dupont,  ac- 
cording to  the  Alia  of  Oct.  26,  i8.13>  thd  U.  S.  military  authorities  built  a 
kind  of  block-house  in  '4''  Nobody  remembers  such  a  structure,  though 
Gillespie  locates  the  jail  in  ihia  vicinity  in  '48.  The  lOO-vara  lot,  however, 
became  the  property  of  Larkin,  ari  in  '47  had  on  it  a  shed  that  had  been 
built  hy  Capt.  Hull  for  a  hr.spito.i,  doubtless  the  blockhouse  as  above.  A 
man  named  Antonio  occupied  it  forL.,  but  was  ejected  by  order  of  Shubrick. 
L.  had  a  cellar  dug  for  a  new  house,  and  there  are  several  communications 
on  the  subject.  Later  in  '47  L.  had  two  small  houses  rented  for  $3  and  $7; 
also — i^erhaps  the  same — two  sheds  rented  to  a  baker  for  $9.  Larklti'a  Doc. 
There  may  be  some  confusion  between  this  and  L.'s  other  lots  in  blocks  18, 
23,  q.  V.  Block  22.  Lot-owners,  '47,  1  Matthew  J.  Haan,  2  Robert  Fetch, 
3  Howard  Oakley,  4  Wm  Pettet,  5  Daniel  Clark,  6  John  Sirrine. 

Block  23.  I^t-owuers,  southern  lot  (beach)  Nathan  Spear  '49,  northern 
J.  A.  Forbes  '46,  perhaps  owned  later  by  Larkin.  See  note  on  block  18,  there 
being  some  confusion  about  these  Forbes-Larkin  lots.    At  a,  on  the  northern 


SAN  FRANCISCO  BUILDINGS. 


031 


'36, 

clse- 

It 

rhaps 

mgh 


$7; 
Doc. 

18, 
stch, 


half  of  the  Spear  lot.  Ward  &  Smith  had  their  largo  wooden  store  in  '47-8. 
It  waa  advertised  oa  '  No.  3  Montgomery  St.,'  thia  and  the  building  nearly 
opposite  being  the  only  ones  in  town  that  indulged  in  numbers.  Wells  & 
Ward  (J.  C),  according  to  Davis,  occupied  part  of  the  building  in  '48;  and  lu' 
also  states  thai  tlie  Star  and  Cal\forn%an  at  the  cud  of  that  year  was  pub- 
lished here.  In  April,  Ross  occupied  W.  &  S.'a  'warehouse,'  whicli  may  have 
been  the  same  building.  Larkin's  Doc.  About  the  same  time  Mowry  was  liv- 
ing in  W.  &  S.'s  yard,  but  soon  moved  to  Larkin's  house  near  by.  Id.  At  c, 
Davis  states  that  at  the  foot  of  the  bank  was  a  spring,  where  in  '38-0  Fuller, 
living  diagonally  opposite,  had  a  kind  of  wash-house  or  shed.  Late  in  '47 
R.  AT.  Sherman  bought  the  southern  half  of  the  lot,  and  employed  W.  II. 
Merrill  to  erect  a  wooden  store,  which  was  occupied  by  Sherman  &  Ruckul 
in  '48.  In  1885  Sherman  still  owns  the  property,  and  has  an  office  in  th<! 
Sherman  Building.  The  dotted  line,  as  before  explained,  shows  the  bank  ris- 
ing abruptly  from  the  beach.  8.  says  that  he  had  a  bridge  from  his  front 
door  to  the  bank,  which  prove.^  that  it  was  in  the  street  at  this  point;  others 
think  it  was  not  so  far  west.  C.  L.  Ross  seems  to  have  had  a  lumber-yard 
on  the  flat  either  in  this  block  or  the  one  next  north. 

Block  24.  Lot-owners,  1  Geo.  Allen  '42,  2  Nathan  Spear  '40, 3  Spear  and 
Mrs  Hiuckloy  '47-0,  4  Peter  Slu-n^back  '42,  3  Wm  S.  Hinckley  '39,  0  Juan 
A.  Vallejo  '40.  Lot  3  was  at  first  owned  by  Spear  &  Hinckley,  but  the  part- 
nership was  soon  dissolved  and  the  lot  divided.  At ",  in  '38,  Spear  put  a  snip's 
house  from  the  Kent  on  the  corner  of  his  lot  for  temporary  use  till  ho  could 
erect  another  building.  Later  he  used  it  as  r»  sleeping-room,  and  Kent  Hall 
seems  to  have  stood  here  till  after  '48.  At  c,  next  northward.  Spear  built  his 
wooden  store  in  '38-0,  just  north  of  Kent  Hall  and  farther  back  from  Mont- 
gomery St.  Hero  he  lived  and  traded  till  '46,  when  he  sold  out  to  Wm  H. 
Davis  the  building  and  his  half  of  the  lot.  Davis  lived  here  for  a  year,  as  did 
his  clerks  later,  and  kept  store  till  '40,  when  it  was  removed  to  make  room 
for  a  new  building  erected  by  the  lessees  Bleoker,  Van  Dyke,  and  Belden.  It 
was  advertised  as  'No.  2  Montgomery  St.'  The  firm  was  Davis  &  Carter 
in  '48.  C.  E.  Pickett  made  the  store  his  homo  in  '40-8.  Davis  owned  also 
lots  2  and  5.  At  e,  Capt.  Hinckley  built  an  adobe  house  in  '40  on  his  half  of 
the  lot,  where  ho  lived  with  his  family  till  his  death  in  '46,  and  his  widow 
later.  Alcalde  Bartlett  had  his  office  hero  for  a  time  in  '4(>-7.  In  April  '47 
the  house  was  leased  to  Ward  &  Smith  for  8  years,  and  was  occupied  as  a 
dwelling  by  Smith,  who  married  Mrs  Hinckley.  It  was  removed  in  '50.  Tlio 
site  corresponds  nearly  to  the  comer  of  the  later  Merchant  St.  Davis  tiiinka 
that  adjoining  it  on  the  north  a  small  wooden  ofiice  was  built  early  in  '4S,  aud 
used  by  Ward  &  Smith.  The  Vallejo  lot  next  north  was  purchased  by  Lar 
kin,  and  had  no  building  till  after  '48,  though  Swasoy  erroneously  puts  a 
building  on  it.  The  lot  was  for  sale  in  '47-8,  and  there  were  many  offers  for 
the  whole  or  part  by  Ross,  Boggs,  Hastings,  and  Holbrook,  from  $800  to 
$4,000.  Larkin's  Doc.  In  '48,  after  the  gold  fever  began,  it  was  sold  to  Bran- 
nan  for  $10,000.  At  i,  in  '39-40,  Spear  built  a  2-story  heavy  frame  building 
for  a  mill  run  by  mule  power.  Daniel  Sill  was  the  builder  and  miller.  It 
stood  about  K  ft  back  from  Clay  St.  Not  used  as  a  mill  after  '45,  being 
bought  by  Davis  in  '40,  and  used  as  a  storehou.se,  the  machinery  being  soM. 
In  '48  Davis  sold  the  building  to  Cross,  Hobson  &  Co.,  who  occupied  it  as 
store,  office,  and  dwelling.  At  vi,  Robert  A.  Parker  had  a  store  in  '48-9,  ad- 
vertised from  April  '43  as  a  'new  store  opposite  the  Portsmouth  House,' 
Parker  moving  there  from  his  old  'adobie  store.'  There  was  freegrug  on  the 
occasion  of  putting  up  the  sign  in  April.  Swasoy  and  Leighton  occupied  it 
in  '48,  succeeding  Parker.  Swasey  calls  it  the  Ross  buililirg.  Brown  do- 
cif-es  there  was  no  such  building  between  the  mill  and  the  adobe.  Davis  re- 
members it  as  a  wooden  store,  and  thinks  it  was  built  by  Gelston.  Holbrook 
brought  out  on  the  Sabine  a  store  all  ready  to  put  togetiier,  and  in  March  '43 
was  in  search  of  a  site.  I  think  this  may  have  been  the  .s.ame  building.  At 
71  was  Pity's  adobe,  probably  built  by  Benito  Diaz  about  '40,  and  sold  to  Capt. 
Paty  in  '47.     Davis  thinks  this  was  Parker's  adobe  store  in  '47-8.  but  the 


■if 


682 


LOCAL  AXNALS  OF  THE  NORTH. 


weight  of  cviilence  seems  to  be  ngaiiist  liim.  !McDonaUl  &  Buchanan,  auc- 
tioneers, seem  to  have  been  here  Jan. -May  '4.S,  though  their  place  is  adver- 
tised both  at  s.  E.  and  x.  e.  corner  of  the  pluza,  ar.d  Gillespie  thinks  lie  re- 
members ihem  at  the  latter.  Wm  Becro  had  a  cabinet-maker's  shop  in  the 
rear  of  this  building  in  '4S;  and  \\'m  HendricKS  a  barber-shop  in  tliis  or  that 
adjoining,  being  advertised  as  opposite  the  I'ortsmouth  House.  At  o,  on  his 
own  lot,  Peter  .'<herreljack  built  a  wooden  house  in  '4.3,  which  he  occupied 
through  '43.  John  Sullivan,  S.'s  brother-in-law,  lived  with  him  in  '44-t>. 
The  Hinckley  lot,  east  of  this,  had,  like  the  Vallejo  lot,  no  building?. 

Block  2j.  Lot-owners,  1  Jesus  No<5  '43,  4  Stephen  Smith  '4C,  '2,  3,  5,  6 
town  plaza  from  the  time  of  Vioget's  survey  in  '39.  On  the  plaza,  at  a,  the 
adobe  custom-house  with  tile  roof  was  l)uilt  in  '44-5,  as  recorded  in  vol.  iv.  p. 
6C9-70.  From  July  '40  it  was  the  U.  S.  military  barracks,  and  later  occu- 
pied by  the  alcalde  and  revenue  officers.  It  stood  till  the  lire  of  'ol.  A  view 
IS  given  in  the  ^1  nnal^,  S.'io.  Adjoining  the  custom-house,  at  c,  there  was  a  jail 
built  later.  Clark  remembers  the  jail,  and  it  is  on  Hwasey's  view.  Davis, 
Gillespie,  and  others  fail  to  remember  any  such  building.  At  e,  on  the  plaza, 
was  the  small  woovlcn  school-honsc  built  in  '47,  as  recorded  in  note  1  of  this 
chapter.  At  i,  on  his  own  lot,  Stephen  Smith  in  45-0  built  a  wooden  house, 
which  he  perhaps  occupied  for  a  short  time.  In  '46  he  leased  it  to  Brannan, 
who  lived  there  and  published  the  Star,  which  in  Feb.  '48  was  moved  up 
Washington  St.  to  the  next  block,  Brannun  being  succeeded  in  this  house  by 
Gillespie.  There  is  a  picture  of  Brannan's  house — possibly  the  one  farther 
up  the  street — in  the  AnncilK,  347.  In  the  other  corner,  at  m,  Jesus  "Scxi 
lived  in  a  woo«len  house  on  his  own  lot  in  '46-8.  Swasey's  location  of  No^'s 
house  is  inaccurate. 

Block  126.  Lot-owners,  1  Wm  Glover  '47,  4  Sam.  Brannan  '47,  2,  3,  5,  6 
Wm  A.  Richardson  '36  (though  in  Wheeler's  schedule  E  this  100-vara  lot  is 
left  blank).  At  a  was  the  adobe  'casa  grandc'  built  by  Richardson  in  '37  on 
the  site  of  his  tent  of  '35  (see  vol.  iv.  p.  008-1),  709).  It  was  one  of  the  largest 
buildings  in  town  in  '46-8.  R.  and  family  lived  here  till  '42,  his  house  being 
mentioned  by  all  the  early  visitors.  Its  site  was  nearly  that  of  the  later 
Adelphi  theatre.  James  McKinley  bought  it  at  the  end  of  '42,  and  Wm  H. 
Davis  occupied  it  as  agent  of  McK.  &  I'aty  in  '43-5,  Benito  Diaz  also  residing 
here  part  of  the  time.  Many  of  the  Mormons  wintered  hero  in  '46-7.  Davis 
thinks  the  building  was  unoccupied  from  the  time  he  left  it  except  for  misctl- 
laneous  occasional  uses;  but  Josiah  Belden  .states  that  he  (B.)  occupied  it  as 
a  store  for  I'aty  in  '46-7  (though  tliia  may  possibly  have  been  at  n  in  block 
24);  and  it  is  stated  by  Wm  S.  Clark,  A.  D.  Piper,  and  a,  writer  in  the  Altn 
of  Sept.  21,  1S51,  that  R.  A.  Parker  had  his  store  here.  I  think  this  must 
have  been  I'arker's  store  at  tlic  '  ad obic  house*  advertised  in  the  Star  from 
July  '47  to  March  '48,  when  he  moved  to  m  in  block  24.  David  Dring  was 
the  owner  in  '49-50.  Tliis  was  the  only  building  of  '47  still  standing  in  the 
region  of  the  plaza  in  Sept.  "51.  In  M.iy  '52  it  was  taken  down,  having  been 
■undermined  by  winter  rains.  Tliis  left  standing  only  one  building  ('»  in  block 
51)  tiiat  dated  back  liefore  the  di-scovery  of  gold.  Alfa,  Miiy  3,  '52.  The 
otlice  of  the  Star,  as  appears  from  an  advcrtiseniunt  of  Feb.  3,  '4S,  was  moved 
(from  i  block  25)  al>out  100  varas  up  Washington  St.,  'within  a  stone 's-throw 
of  the  old  windmill.'  I  suppose  that  Brannan  moved  tlie  office,  and  perhaps 
his  residence,  to  his  own  lot  at  r,  though  noliody  seems  to  remember  such  a 
change.  Swasoy  has  several  small  unnamed  buildings  in  this  vicinity.  Wm 
Glover  built  a  house  and  lived  on  his  lot  at  ('. 

Block  27.  Lot-owners,  1  Wm  Evans  '47,  2  John  Eagar  '47,  3  Wm  H. 
Montgomery  '46  (Ed.  Hudson  '47),  4  Daniel  Stark  '47,  5  Wm  J.  Powell  '46, 
6  Joim  ]$.  N.  Montgomery  '46.  Block  28,  l)each-lots  granted  to  Dionisio 
Garcia  in  '39.  Nolxnly  rememl>ers  aay  buildings  on  the  block.  In  Oct.-l)ec. 
'48,  Edmonson  it  .tVnderson's  centre  market  is  advertised  as  on  the  cor.  of 
Washington  anil  Montgomery  St.  'opiwsite  Ross'  N.  Y.  store,'  and  may  have 
been  here. 

Block  29.     Lot-owners,  1,  2, 4,  5  John  C.  Davis  '39,  3  Francisco  Guerrero 


BUILDIXCS  OF  SAX  FRANCISCO. 


GS3 


'■13,  (>  fircgorio  Brioncs  '4").  At  a,  John  C.  Davis  tmilt  liis  ^\oo^lcIl  house  with 
i.-arii(,'ntov  and  bhicksniith  shop  in  tiie  rear  alwut  '39.  As  blacksmith,  |).  was 
succcedcil  in  May  '47  l>y  K.  Waloott,  anil  in  Xov.  Ihivis  &  Co.  by  Rose  vt 
Reynolds,  with  1>.  as  their  agent.  John  Finch  was  also  connected  at  some 
time  with  this  business.  Davis  prol)ably  lived  here  olF  and  on  till  his  deatii. 
R.  M.  Shernnn  rented  the  house  from  the  widow  late  in  '4S.  On  the  (Juer- 
rero  lot  at  c,  perhaps  a,  little  nearer  Montgomery  .*»t,  C.  L.  Ross  built  his 
'Xcw  York  store,'  and  occupied  it  from  Oct.  '47,  a.s  jK-r  advertisement  in  the 
Sfnr.  AV,  remember  this  store,  still  occMpied  by  Ross  in  "49.  In  tlic  corner 
1k?1ow  Ross'  stoi-e,  Swasey  and  Rrown  put  Wni  Reynolds"  house,  which  others 
do  not  remember.  In  Jnly,  anew  building  at  the  cor.  of  \Vashir.:;ton  and 
Montgomery  was  used  for  preaching  on  one  ."Sunday,  and  was  immediately 
occupied  as  a  store  by  ticlston  &  Co.,  who  niovetl  from  their  old  'store  on 
the  btich,' about  the  site  of  which  there  is  some  uncertainty  (.sec  note  for 
blocks  13,  18).  This  appears  from  editorial  items  in  the  Star  of  July  •24th, 
.Slst,  but  (J.  &  Co.'s  adv.  still  continued  'Montgomery  St  on  the  beach.' 
Itoss'  adv.  begins  Oct.  IGth  and  (J.  &  Co. 's  disappears  Xov.  Cth,  R.'sadv. 
reading  both  '  Mont.  St  on  the  beach'  on  'Cor  Wash,  and  Mont.'  This  is 
somewhat  confusing,  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  Ross  and  (J.  &  Co.  occupied 
the  X^.  Y.  store  together  for  a  time,  R.  having  been  at  first  <  1.  &  Co.'s  agent, 
or  perhaps  a  partner.  I  think  this  was  the  only  building  near  the  corner. 
Ross  had  a  lumber-yard  somewhere  on  the  iK-acli,  and  at  one  time  he  occupieil 
Ward  &  Smith's  warehouse  (<i,  block  '2.'{).  Fi-om  July  '47,  l-iziirus  Kvcrhart 
advertised  his  tailor-shop  at  the  '  Laagggoonn.'  Clark  remembers  this  shop 
at  (  as  a  ship's  caboose,  wiiich  he  thinks  was  '  Ke;it  Hall'  (moved  here  from 
bl<K'k  '24,  a);  but  Davis  thinks  it  was  a  shanty  farther  N.  w.  at  Jack.son  St. 
From  April  '48,  Ceo.  Kgglcston  kefit  the  Washington  market,  apparently  at  j«, 
and  later  in  the  year  Karl  Schlottour  Iiad  a  bakery  in  the  rear  of  tiio  market. 
The  lagoon  at  A.  is  represented  on  the  city  map,  pnvMuiwbly  from  O'FarrcU'.s 
survey,  as  longest  from  n.  to  s.,  almost  reaching  Wa.-'hiugtou  .'<t;  but  nil  wit- 
nesses agree  that  it  was  longest  from  K.  t4>  w.,  and  that  it  did  not  touch  the 
Cuerrcro  lot.  At »",  Alcalde  Hinckley  is  said  to  have  built  a  sliglit  wooden 
bridge  in  '44.  The  '  valley  of  dry  bones,'  a  name  which  .^I'ems  to  have  origi- 
nated from  some  experience  of  the  X.  Y.  volunteers,  was  at  the  cor.  of 
Kearny  Jind  Jackson,  according  to  the  Sfnr  of  Jan.  1.1,  '4S. 

IJlock  30.  I.ot-owuers,  1,  i»,  4,  5  J.  15.  R.  Coopi-r,  3  Fran.  Haro  '43,  John 
Finch  "47,  0  ])omiiigo  Felix  '43.  From  p«--rhaps  as  early  as  '44-.">  Finch, 
known  as  Tinker,  lived  and  kept  a  saliH)n  and  Iwwling-alley  at  n.  Tiiompson 
was  his  partner  in  "47-8.  The  building  was  iiuite  a  large  frame.  From 
March  '4S,  Conway  &  Westcott  (though  W.  ran  away  presently)  advertised 
the  Colonnade  Hotel,  on  Kearny  a  few  doors  from  the  pla/a.  1  think  tliis 
may  have  been  the  Tinker  building,  but  ixwsibly  a  distinct  one.  ])t(rnte,  .i 
man  who  was  murdered  in  '47,  is  said  by  <'lark  ami  others  to  have  lived  on 
this  block  at  r.  On  the  Coo[)er  lot  at  •,  .T.ihn  Cooper,  a  cousin  vi  J.  ]{.  R., 
is  said  to  have  built  a  wooden  slianty  in  '40,  wh^.'-e  lie  kept  a  groggerv  for  a 
year  or  two,  after  which  Hiram  Teal  \-  od  it  as  a  8ti>re  to  "43.  Its  later  oc- 
cupants are  not  remembered.  D;i  rid  Riim.<ey"s  store  was  advertised  as  '  op])o- 
site  the  custom-house,'  perhaps  at  (',  h-nm  March  "4S:  and  the  Star  (tint  Cali- 
foriiHUi  oHice  as  on  Wasiiington  St  and  tiie  \>\:\2a  in  l>eo. 

Block  31.  Ijot-owners,  1  Foci  I'.  Dedmoml  '44.  '1,  3,  .'>,  G  Francisco  San- 
chez "37,  4  Wm  Richardson  '44,  .(.  C.  IJuchaiian  "47.  Capt.  I'aty  in  '44-."» 
1m lught  tiic  Sanchez  100-vara  lot,  fenced  it,  and  built  a  shanty  at  <i.  John 
Halls,  who  advertises  as  a  surveyor  in  '47-8,  is  l"X-ate<l  here  by«;illesi)ie.  At 
c  there  w.-xs  another  shanty,  saitl  to  have  been  occupied  by  a  Lascar  named 
Ja<-into  in  ".'JO^?. 

Block  ;'■'  Lot-owners,  1  Robei-t  Henry,  "2  .lohn  .S.  Misroon,  .'{  blank,  4 
James  I'ii  '  ,  A.  A.  .\ndrews,  G  blank.  .Andrews  built  a  wooden  house  at 
«— not  apparently  on  his  own  lot,  since  se--eral  rememl>er  clearly  that  it  was 
on  tiie  corner  -where  he  lived  from '4.">  to  X'mv.  '47.  Wm  H.  bUvi;  IfuiL'ht 
the  property  in  "40,  and  lived  there  from  Xov.  '47  to  M.     Ou  tiiis  lot  also 


'1 

V 


li 


684 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OP  THE  NORTH. 


aeems  to  have  stood  the  windmill  noted  by  several  as  a  prominent  landmark 
in  '46-7.     Piper  says  it  had  been  built  to  grind  wheat. 

Block  33.  6  beacli-lots,  owned  by  Pettet,  Jones,  Leidesdorff,  and  Joice. 
At  a,  seems  to  have  been  situated  B.  R.  Backelew's  watchmaker's  siiop,  ad- 
vertised from  April  '47,  tliough  B.  's  lot  was  in  tho  next  block.  This  region 
was  sometimes  known  as  BuckeLcw  Point.  It  would  seem  that  in  this  build- 
ing must !.  avo  been  the  oiBce  of  the  Ccdifornian;  at  least,  nobody  remembers 
it  elsewhere. 

Block  34.  Lot-owners,  1  Hoen  &  Dohling  '46,  2  beach-lots  owned  by 
Ellis,  Dixon  &  Hay,  and  Hood,  3  blank,  4  Leandro  Galindo  '46,  5  Mdximo 
Fernandez  '46,  6  Geo.  Denike  '47.  At  c,  on  his  own  lot,  Denike  from  '4G 
had  a  bakery,  saloon,  etc.  It  was  hero  that  Dorute  was  murdered  by  Bev- 
erly in  '47.  From  May  '48  D.  advertised  liis  new  hotel  on  the  same  site.  At 
«,  Dickson  &  Hay  built  the  'Beehive' store  in  '47,  which  they  advertised 
from  Jan.  '48  as  adjoining  Ellis'  and  opposite  Ross'  lumber-yard.  They 
moved  at  this  time  from  their  'old  premises  adjoining  Leidesdorffs' — possibly 
a  room  in  the  City  Hotel.  At  e  was  an  adobe  building  occupied  in  47-9  by 
A.  J.  Ellis  as  a  boarding-house  and  groggery.  Everybody  remembers  how  a 
bad  taste  in  E.'s  whiskey  led  to  the  discovery  of  a  drowned  Russian  sailor  in 
the  well.  It  was  on  Hoen's  lot,  and  Clark  tliinks  H.  lived  here  before  he 
moved  to  block  43;  Davis  says  the  house  was  built  by  Benito  Diaz  in  '44,  and 
by  him  sold  to  Ellis  in  '47.  In  Feb.  '48,  L.  W.  Perry,  a  painter,  had  a  shop 
at  the  cor.  of  Jackson  and  Montgomery,  perhaps  at  this  corner  adjoining 
Ellis. 

Block  35.     Lot-owners,  1  John  Martin  '43,  2  B.  Diaz  and  J.  B.  Mesa  '44, 

3  J.  M.  Santa  Maria  '46,  4  Gregorio  Escalanto  '43,  5  Bruno  Valencia  '43,  6 
Cdrlos  Glein  '44.  From  about  '45  Cdrlos  Gleiu  had  a  blacksmith-shop,  and 
perhaps  a  residence,  on  his  lot  at  a.  Near  at  hand,  perhaps  at  c,  Joiiii  EUick 
kept  a  grog-shop  in  '47-8,  being  part  of  the  time  in  partnership  with  Denike. 
Somewhere  in  this  vicinity  must  have  been  Prudon's  adobe  in  '39-43,  but  1 
cannot  locate  it,  unless  perhaps  it  may  have  been  at  wi,  where  Davis  remem- 
bers an  adobe  shanty,  occupied  in  '45-3  by  Escalante  and  Ramirez;  but  D. 
evidently  confounds  this  building  hi  some  respects  witli  that  of  Ciiceres  (block 
3G),  whom  he  calls  Valle.  At  e.  Piper  mentions  two  small  adobes,  one  of 
tlicm  unfinished,  in  '47.  They  were  evidently  on  the  Diaz-Mesa  lot.  Davis 
tliinks  one  was  begun  in  '43-4  by  Diaz  and  never  finished;  the  other  was  built 
by  John  Cooper  about  '44.  At «,  on  the  site  of  the  modern  Commercial  Hotel, 
Hood  &  Wilson  advertised  their  carpenter-shop  from  April  '48. 

Block  30.     Lot-owners,  1,  2,  4,  5  Francisco  Cdceres  38,  3  Juan  B '43, 

4  blank.  The  Bazaar,  a  market,  was  advertised  from  May  '48,  and  is  located 
by  Gillespie  at  a.  Swasey  puts  John  Sullivan's  residence  at  about  the  same 
spot,  but  others  do  not  remember  it.  On  his  own  lot  at  c,  Francisco  Ciicerts 
built  an  adobe  house  in  '38-9,  and  lived  there  with  his  family  till  '44,  and 
perhaps  later,  though  part  of  the  family  moved  to  S.  Rafael,  where  they  had 
a  land  grant.  On  the  map  of  '47,  Prudon  is  named  as  the  owner  of  the  lot, 
which  ho  obtained,  according  to  Davis,  by  marrying  Ciiceres'  daughter.  Be- 
tween the  Sullivan  and  Ciiceres  houses  on  Swasey's  view  are  two  buildings 
not  named,  and  which  I  cannot  identify. 

Block  37.  Lot-owners  '4'j,  1  Wm  P.  Reynolds,  2  Joiiii  Duncomb,  3  Juan 
Yvain,  4  Wm  M.  Smith,  5  Miguel  Pedroreua  '45,  0  Wm  Fisher  '45.  From 
March  48,  Henry  Ilartman  advertised  ii  tin -Hliop  on  Pacific  between  Dupont 
and  Stockton,  perhaps  at  a.  Block  33.  Lot-owners,  1  Julius  Martin  '47,  '- 
Rafael  Guirado  '47,  3  Ldzaro  Peiia  '45, 4  Lewis  Rogers  '47,  5  Martin  Murphy 
'47,  0  Wm  Pettet  '47.  Near  the  .s.  E.  cor.  of  Pacitic  and  Powell,  in  a  little  de- 
pression, Davis  remembers  that  Jos(5  Antonio  Ortega  had  a  little  shanty  house 
in  '3&-41,  perhaps  at  a.     Seo  also  block  41. 

Block  39,  beach-lots  not  sold  till  after  '43,  except  no.  3  (-  'r.  Broadway 
and  Sansome),  which  was  bought  by  B.  R.  Buckclew  in  '47.  But  B.'a  house 
was,  as  wo  havo  seen,  not  on  this  lot.  The  only  building  on  the  block  was 
A.  B.  Thompson's  hide-house  at  a,  at  the  head  of  a  little  cove,  and  accessible 


buildin:.3  of  sax  francisco. 


685 


'43, 

icateil 
saim- 
cores 
and 
liad 
lot, 
Bc- 


vvay 

0U80 

was 


to  boats  at  high  tide.     Davis  remembers  it  as  early  as  '3S-9,  and  Clark  in 
'46-8. 

Block  40.  Lot-owners,  1  S.  J.  Hensley  '46,  2  Manuel  1-:.  Mcintosh  '4G,  .•$ 
Jacob  Harmand  '47,  4  Thomas  Kittleman  '46,  5  Christian  Thomas  '47,  6  Jas- 

Eer  O'Farrell  '47.  At  a,  Hood  (of  H.  &  Wilson,  see  block  35)  had  a  sliauty 
ouse  in  '46-7,  according  to  Clark's  recollection.  In  Nov.  '48,  DeVVitt  &  Harri- 
son advertised  their  removal  to  their  new  store  'on  Sansonic  St.,  opposite  tlie 
govt  reserve, 'and  their  place  is  located  by  Clark  at  <".  Block  41.  Lot-owners, 
1  Bemal  '44,  2  E.  S.  Mai-sh  '47,  3  P.  B.  Reading  '46,  4  John  Connell  '47,  5 
Hugo  Reid  '47,  6  John  Allen  '47.  The  house  shown  by  Swasey  as  tliat  of 
Ortega  would  seem  to  have  been  in  this  block,  at  a,  but  I  find  nobody  who 
remembers  it.     See  block  38. 

Block  42.  Lot-owners,  1  Thomas  Smith  '45,  2  Vardeman  Bennett  '47,  3 
Eusebio  Soto  '45,  4  John  Couzens  '47,  5  Geo.  Wisner  '46,  0  V.  Bennett  '47. 
A*^^  a  waa  perhaps  Francis  A.  Hammond's  shoe-shop  advertised  from  April  '48 
as  on  Pacific  St.  near  Bennett's.  At  c,  Bennett  kept  a  groggery,  bowling-alley, 
and  sailor's  retreat  from  '45,  sometimes  with  Thompson  as  a  partner.  Accord- 
ing to  Hittell,  B.  refused  to  be  'swung'  out  of  his  original  lot  by  the  O'Far- 
rel  survey,  and  his  title  was  sustained  by  the  courts  in  '59.  Smith  also  kept 
a  saloon  and  bowling-alley  at  e  on  his  own  lot  in  '46-8,  with  Wm  Patterson  as 
a  partner  part  of  the  time.  His  adv.  appears  from  Oct.  '47.  Marston's  school 
of  '47,  according  to  the  Annals,  was  in  a  shanty  on  Dupont  bet.  Pacific  and 
Broadway,  say  at  /;  but  nobody  remembers  it.  On  his  own  lot  at  m,  Couzens 
probobly  had  a  house  besides  his  place  in  block  47. 

Block  43.  Lot-owners,  '40,  I  Aug.  Deck,  2  Elliot  Libbv,  3  Francis  Hoen, 
4  J.  C.  Frdmont  '47,  5  J.  H.  Watmough,  6  John  AUig  ( Kllick).  At  a  and  c, 
on  their  respective  lots,  Hoen  and  Kllick  are  remembered  by  Clark  and  Davis 
to  have  had  houses  in  '46-8.  At  e,  J.  Montgomery  &  Co.  advertised  the  Shades 
Tavein  and  bowling-alley,  with  a  store  next  door  eastward,  perhaps  all  in  one 
building,  in  the  last  months  of  '4S.  Very  likely  the  buildings  were  not 
erected  till  after  the  gold  excitement  in  May.  Block  44.  Lot-owners,  1 
Jamos  Murphy  '47,  2  Thos  Kerr  '47,  3  Wm  Reynolds  '44,  4  J.  E.  Montgomery 
'40,  A.  J.  Grayson  '47,  5  Daniel  Murphy,  0  John  Rose  '44.  I  think  lioso 
may  have  had  a  shanty  on  his  lot  at  a,  though  nobody  mentions  it. 

Block  45.  Lotov.iicra,  '47,  1,  2  Wm  S.  Clark,  3  Chas  Allien,  3  (beach) 
Clark,  Pettet,  and  Buckelew.  At  o,  on  the  lot  whicii  he  still  owns  in  '85, 
Wm  S.  Clark,  who  gave  the  name  to  Clark's  Point,  built  a  warehouse  in  '47 
-8.  The  'new  warehouse  at  foot  of  Broadway  at  the  stone  pier'  was  adver 
tised  CO  let  in  March  '48.  In  the  whai  f  at  c  the  first  piles  were  driven  by 
Clark,  ard  ci^usidcrablo  work  was  done  by  the  city,  as  recorded  in  note  1  of  this 
chapte-  TiK  battery,  or  Fort  Montgomery,  of  1840,  which  gave  a  name  to 
Battc;  y  Sf.,  was  in  the  next  block  north,  between  Battery  St  and  the  water, 
at  t;.'  t'ootc    the  hill. 

Bi'>rk  ■bi.  Lot-owners,  '47,  1  J.  H.  Ackerman,  2  Peter  Wimmer,  3  Alex, 
li.  Jei  i  Tr;  T.  Stubbing.  Lot  no.  3,  or  a,  was  designated  as  a  cemetery  at 
t«.i  jor.  '  *'  'bk'ut'  and  Vpllejo  streets  in  the  Bartlett  map,  and  several  bodies 
were  V-un  \  tb'-  o  m  '40-V,  but  none  after  '47,  the  burial-place  being  trans- 
ferred to  ..>vi:;i  Keach.  Block  47.  Lot-owners,  '47,  1  Pika  Paele, '2  Henry 
Harris  '40,  3  J.  D.  Hoppc,  4  Geo.  Pott.  5  John  B.  Faust,  0  Geo.  M.  Evans. 
An  advertisement  of  47  mentions  '  H.  Harris'  house  (a)  above  Couzens' 
slaughter-house  (c),  where  Geo.  Evans  also  lived.'  The  houses  are  also  re- 
membered by  Clark. 

Block  48.  Lot-owners,  '47,  1  Michael  Foley,  2  E.  P.  Jones,  3  Michael 
Morey  (or  Murrey),  4  Aug.  Tieroff,  5  F.  J.  Lippitt,  0  Aquila  Glover.  Block 
49.  Lot-owners,  '47,  1  Stephen  A.  Wright,  2  Kale  Puaani,  3  Robert  Whit- 
taker,  4  James  MeClary  (McClurg?)  '40,  5  blank,  6  James  (ircyson  (Gregson?). 

'Jlock  50.  Lot-owners,  1  E.  P.  Jones  '40,  2  John  Thompson  '47,  3  Enoch 
I .  ■'  .vett  '47,  4  Frank  AVard  '40,  5  Henry  Smith  '47,  0  John  D.  Harris  '47. 
\\  ';'  Merrill's  American  House,  a  kind  of  boarding  establishment,  was  built 
in  </".  '-  two-story  wooden  building.     Merrill  kept  the  place  through  '48.    It 


■if 

I'll! 


LOCAL  ANNALS  OJ    THE  NORTH. 


is  mentioned  in  the  Star  of  Nov.  27,  '47,  as  a  new  building,  where  tlie  festiv- 
ities attending  Wni  H.  Davis'  marriage  were  celebrated.  Davis  locates  it  at 
a;  some  others  think  it  was  not  in  this  block.  F.  J.  Lippitt  had  his  law- 
ollice  at  Merrill's  in  Dec.  '48.  It  seems  likely  enough  that  Jones  and  Ward 
put  some  slight  improvements  on  their  lots  granted  in  '40,  but  they  are  not 
remembered. 

IJIock  51.  Lot-owners,  '47,  1  Barton  Mowry,  2  Richard  Moffatt,  3  Wash. 
A.  Bartlctt,  4  Origin  Mowry,  5  R.  M.  Sherman,  (5  John  Joyce.  At  a  was 
built  in  '47  an  adobe  house  with  wooden  roof,  for  Mowry.  The  2d  floor  wa.s 
used  by  the  Mormons  for  tiicir  meetings.  This  was  one  of  the  two  old 
buildings  that  escaped  the  fires,  find  it  Wcos  the  only  one  left  after  '52.  It 
Was  ..till  standing  in  '07,  when  A.  D.  Piper,  who  helped  to  build  it,  wrote  bis 
recollections  for  the  Alta  of  Feb.  17th.  At  r,  Sherman  began  a  house  in  '4S, 
Merrill  being  the  builder,  which  was  sold  to  S.  A.  Wright  in  '49. 

Auditions. — After  the  preceding  pages  were  in  type,  Wm  Glover  of 
Fnrmington,  Utali,  a  member  of  the  Brooklyn  colony,  and  a  prominent  citizen 
of  S.  F.  in  '40-!S,  furnisiicd  me  a  supplementary  statement  on  the  subject, 
wliicii  includes  not  mly  his  own  recollections,  but  those  of  eight  others  of  the 
Mormon  colony,     'i    ■>  testimony  ia  of  value;  most  of  it  cnntirms  what  1  had 


blocks  are  as  follows:  Block  8,  n,  Wm  Stout. 
\irker.  IH,  c,  c,  John  and  Isaac  Bobbins.  l.">, 
ton's  carpenter-shop;  i,  Hiram  CJrimes  ("/).  1(5, 
i{obert  Smitli.  21,  c,  Joseph  Nichols;  ii  and  o, 
22,  u,  John  Sirrine;  r,  J{ol)ert  I'etch.  20,  a., 
Parker's  store;  r,  Branimn's  house,  and  Star  office  a  little  farther  cast;  o. 
Beers'  cal)inet-shop.  27,  n,  Julius  Austin  'M,  a,  ]')anicl  Clark.  42,  «,  A. 
liuckland.  44,  r,  A.  J.  Grayson.  50,  «,  Merrill's  place  in  next  block  north. 
51,  (',  John  Joyce. 


printed;  and  the  adu    i 
•»,  f.  John  Halls.     10,  > 
c,  .lames  Ferguson;  e,  (.',>  . 
«,   Cliristiua  J{ead.      17,  ", 
1'iuis  ami  Wm   Ivittlcniau. 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INT)EX. 
1542-184S 


CONCLUDED  ALPHABETICALLY  FKOM  VOLUME  IV. 

R.  ('II  Signer'),  1827,  sup.  of  the  Hiros.  iii.  129-30.  llaabes  (Claiulio), 
at  S.  Gabriel  '4G.  llabbens,  or  'Raben,'  1847,  inr  of  the  Mathililc  v.  i"!^. 
Kabbettoile  (Pierre),  1847,  Co.  F,  Sd  U.S.  artill.;  'Rabbittailc '  on  the  roll; 
living  in  '64.  Radford,  1847,  Heut  on  tlie  U.  S.  Warnn,  who  went  cast 
overland  with  Kearny,  v.  452.       I{adon(G. ),  1846,  mrof  tlic  A'^ttritYi/.  v.  570. 

Rae  (Wm  Glen^,  184!,  nat.  of  Scotland,  and  agent  of  the  H.  B.  Co.,  in 
charge  of  tlie  Cal.  establ.  ^'lnlcnt  of  the  co.  at  S.  F.  '41-5.  He  was  an  able 
man  of  business,  and  a  jol  y,  ^  ipular  bon-vivant.  In  '45  he  was  driven  by  a 
complication  of  (\auses,  arising  from  business,  political,  and  domestic  troubles 
aggravated  by  dissipation,  to  commit  suicide  at  the  age  of  31.  iv.  216-10, 
503-4,  665-8;  v.  67'-'.  Rac's  wife  was  Eloisc,  daughter  of  Dr  John  McLough- 
lin,  and  they  hail  a  sou  and  2  daughters.  Tlie  widow  became  Mr.s  Harvey, 
and  died  at  Portland,  Or.,  in  '84  at  the  age  of  68.  In  a  MS.  Life  o/'  ])r  Mc- 
Louf/hlin,  she  had  furnished  me  a  valuable  sketch  of  her  vxpcrience  in  S.F. 
Her  property  wa.s  left  to  her  son,  Joseph  McL.  Harvey,  but  the  will,  ace.  to 
the  newspapers,  is  contested  by  the  daughters  of  Rae,  Mrs  Wygant  and  Mrs 
Myrick.  Raeckman  (Israel),  1846,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358).  Rafter  (Wni),  1847, 
Co.  F,  3d  U.  S.  artill.  (v.  518);  still  in  the  service  '64.  v.  521.  Raggio 
(Luigi),  1847,  Ital.  from  Mex. ;  justice  of  the  peace  S.  Luis  Ob.  '51;  S.  Benito 
Co.  '67-81  with  family.       Ragsdale,  1837,  mr  of  the  True  Blue.  iv.  106. 

Rainey  (Dav.  P.),  1847,  Co.  15,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  Rainsford  (John), 
1829,  Irish  sailor  from  the  Islands,  kno^vn  as  '  Kanaka  .lack,'  and  as  Joaquin 
Soils  from  his  personal  resemblance  to  the  convict,  iii.  170.  He  worked 
as  a  lumberman;  joined  the  comp.  extranjera  in  '.S2.  iii.  221;  appears  on 
Larkin's  books  from  '34;  got  a  Mont,  lot  in  '35;  age  30  in  "36;  sold  out  in  '37; 
at  S.F.  in  '39-41,  acting  as  interpreter  and  mrof  a  launch  on  the  bay.  iv.  130. 
In  '42  he  lived  at  Sonoma,  getting  naturalization  papers,  and  perhaps  visiting 
the  Geysers;  grantee  of  a  Napa  rancho  by  the  Sonoma  alcalde  in  45.  Land 
Com.,  no.  804;  died  in  '46. 

Ramirez  (Agapito),  at  Los  Ang.  '45-6,  iv.  522,  541.  15.  (Angel),  1834, 
Mex.  cx-friar  and  ex-revolutionist,  in  charge  of  the  Mont,  custom-house  '34- 
6;  a  leading  supporter  of  Alvaradoat  firstand  later  a  conspirator  against  him; 
an  intriguing,  vicious  follow,  who  died  in  '40.  His  wife,  or  mistress,  in  '30  was 
Francisca  Gutierrez,  who  came  with  hin.  overland  from  Topic.  Biog.  iii.  587- 
8;  inent.  iii.  357-8,  261,  207,  370-3,  377,  452,  455,  460,  477,  487,  513,  523-5, 
569,  573,  670-2,  077,  683,  688;  iv.  06,  163.  R.  (Angeles),  at  Los  Ang.  '46. 
R.  (Aquilino),  killed  at  S.  Buen.  '38.  iii.  554.  R.  (Antonio),  at  Los  Ang.  '30, 
age  25.  R.  (BVancisco),  Chileiio  at  S.F.  '43-6;  a^'e40in  '45;  collector  in '46. 
v.  648.       R.  (Ignacio),  iirst  man  buried  at  Mont.  1770.  i.  175. 

Ramirez  (Jose),  1820,  Mex.  sub-lieut  of  artill.  '20-26,  when  he  rctunicd 
to  Mex.  ii.  263,  371,  381,  422^  470,  510,  537,  074;  iii.  25.  He  was  an  old  nian 
of  60,  and  soon  died,  leaving  a  widow,  Mari'a  de  Jesus  Ortega,  of  StaB,,  who 
returned  to  Cal.,  and  in  '75  was  still  living  at  Sta  Clara.  R.  (Jose),  resid. 
of  Branciforte  '28-30.  ii.  627;  wife  Margarita  Lorenzana,  child.  Riviano 
(Bibiano?),  Vicente,  Victor,  Andres,  Jos(5  Arcadio,  Luis,  Estefana,  Biirbara. 
R.  (Jo8»5  Ant.),  carpenter-instructor  1792-5;  at  Los  Ang.  '21.  i.  615;  ii.  351. 
R.  (Jos6  Guad.),  soldier  at  S.  Juan  B.  before  1800.  i.  558.      R.  (Jos(5  Maria), 

(087) 


''l^ 


.V 


•I 


688 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX 


182i5,  Mex.  alfdrez,  who  came  with  Gov.  Echeandia,  and  was  soon  attached 
to  the  S.  Diego  comp.  iii.  13-14,  1(5,  24,  78.  He  married  Dolores  Palomares, 
and  in  '.30  was  tried  and  acquitted  for  bigamy.  Took  part  in  the  revolt  of  '31, 
and  was  the  slayer  of  Vicente  Gomez,  iii.  204,  G73;  in  '33-4  comisionado  to 
secularize  S.  Diego  mission,  iii  32G,  620,  630;  in  '35-0  admin,  of  S.  Antonio 
(possibly  another  man),  iii.  354,  G87-S;  in  '30  at  Mont.;  also  comisionado  of 
Sta  Ines.  iii.  426,  403,  G63-4;  iv.  40.  Ho  was  involved  in  the  sectional  quar- 
rels of  '37-8,  being  more  than  once  arrested  in  the  south,  iii.  504,  555,  566; 
in  '40  was  grantee  of  laud  at  Los  Ang.  iii.  634;  iv.  635;  and  in  '44  is  mcnt. 
as  lieut,  being  also  instructor  and  adjutant  of  the  Los  Ang.  comp.  of  defen- 
sores,  iv.  407-8.  An  Alf.  Ramirez  was  wounded  at  the  S.  Gabriel  in  Jan.  '47. 
V.  390.  11.  (Jos6  Maria),  soldier  at  Mont.  '3G,  age  33,  nat.  of  Oajaca.  R. 
(Juan),  at  Los  Ang.  in  '36,  one  of  the  vigilantes,  iii.  432;  age  32  in  '39;  juez 
de  campo  '30,  '40,  '48.  iii.  636-7;  v.  626;  justice  of  the  peace  in  '50.  R. 
(Manuel),  1801,  Mex.  convict,  ii.  170.  R.  (Maria  Potenciana),  wife  of  Ma- 
cario  Castro  1777.  ii.  141,  R.  (Miguel),  sfndico  at  Branciforte  '36.  iii.  697; 
in  '45,  age  50,  nat.  of  Tepic,  w  ife  Margarita  Lorenzana,  son  Canute  b.  '26  at 
B.;  prob.  same  as  Jos6  above.  R.  (Ramon),  at  S.  Gabriel '46.  Ramon 
(Josd),  Ind.  grantee  of  Puri'sima,  Sta  Clara.  Ramos  (Jos^),  Mex.  convict 
settler  1798.  1.  606. 

Ramsay,  mr  of  the  Oood  Hope.  ii.  284.  Ramsdale  (Geo.),  1846,  corp. 
Co.  K,  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons.  Killed  at  S.  Pascual.  v.  346.  Ramsey  (Chas), 
1848,  settler  in  Solano  Co.,  still  in  Green  Valley  '78.  R.  (Dav.),  1847,  corp. 
Co.  H.  N.Y.Vol.  (V.  499);  kept  a  store  at  S.F.  '48.  v.  683.  11.  (John  W.), 
1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Rand,  or  Ran  (Caleb),  1847,  settler  in  Sta 
Clara  Val.  witii  wife  from  '46-7;  went  to  Or.  '72;  d.  '79.  R.  (Geo.),  1847, 
perhaps  of  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499),  under  another  name.  R.  (Joshua),  1847,  Co. 
C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  before  '82.  Randall  (Andrew),  1847,  gunner  on 
the  U.S.  Por  rmouth:  In  '50  called  a  doctor  and  scientist;  in  '53  apparently 
the  claimant  for  several  ranchos.  iii.  677,  712;  iv.  655,  670,  672.  R.  (Chan- 
dler G.),  1847,  said  to  have  been  orderly  sergt  in  N.Y.Vol.,  but  not  on  the 
rolls;  a  ctvrpenter  at  S.  Jose  from  '49  to  his  death  in  '58,  ago  36.  R.  (Charles 
G.),  1847,  Co.  B,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  S.  Josd  after  '50;  doubtless  same  as 
precedmg.  R.  (Eli),  1847,  at  Stockton.  Tinhham.  R.  (John),  1826,  mid. 
on  the  lilosxom  '26-7.  Randolph  (Isaac  N.),  1846,  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons 
(v.  336);  kept  a  hotel  at  Sonoma  '48;  in  Amador  Co.  from  '53  to  '63,  when  he 
committed  suicide.  R.  (J.  B.),  1847,  lieut  on  the  U.S.  Columhut.  Raney 
(McKee),  1848,  nat.  of  Va,  settler  of  S.  Joaq.,  apparently  living  in  '84;  also 
called  'Reany.'  Rancel  (Juan  Jos6),  1829,  Mex.  convict  set  at  liberty  '34. 
Ranguel  (Manuel),  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  Ransch  (Joseph  A.),  1847,  at  S.F. 
asking  for  land;  perhaps  'Rausch.' 

Ratignende  (Wm),  1828,  doubtful  name;  mr  of  the  Finix.  iii.  147. 
Rausch  (Nicholas  J.),  1847,  Co.  K,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  owner  of  S.F.  lot; 
later  a  prominent  German  citizen  of  S.F.  where  he  died  in  '63.  Rawson 
(Dan.  B.),  1847,  Co.  D,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  Ray  (Charles),  182.3,  mr  of 
the  Plowboy.  ii.  492.  R.  (David),  1848,  inimig.  from  Or.  with  wife  and  5 
children;  died  on  the  Yuba  the  same  year.  Burnett.  R.  (John  G.),  1846, 
memb.  of  the  Sonoma  council  '47.  v.  668;  Cal.  claim  of  $250  (v.  462);  in  '60 
kept  a  hotel  on  the  Geyser  road.  The  John  Ray  who  came  to  Rose  Bar  with 
his  family  in  '48,  Y%tha  Co.  IJist.,  83,  maybe  he  or  David.  Rayaty  (Julian), 
atLosx\ng.  '39,  age  26.  Raymond  (Almon  P.),  1847,  Co.  D,  Morm.  Bat. 
(V.  469).  R.  (Fred.),  1847,  nat.  of  Mass.,  who  died  at  S.F.  May  27th.  R. 
(Peter),  1846,  Co.  E,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358);  murderer  of  J.  R.  vonPfister  in  the 
mines  Oct.  '48,  but  escaped  from  jail.  I  think  he  may  possibly  be  the  Peter 
Rcmer  executed  at  Sta  B.  in  Dec.  for  the  Reed  murder,  v.  632.  Raymoro 
(Thos),  1832,  memb.  of  the  comp.  cxtranjera  at  Mont.  iii.  221.  Raynor 
(Wm),  1846,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  336). 

Read  (Christina),  1846,  of  the  Mormon  colony,  v.  546;  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot. 
V.  679.  R.  (Edward),  1844,  Amcr.  from  Mazatlan,  who  went  mad  oa  the 
voyage,  and  seems  to  have  died  at  S.  Pedro,  iv.  453.      R.  (Hannah  T.),  1846, 


READ- REAL. 


CS9 


147. 

lot; 
awson 
mr  of 
and  5 
1846, 
in 'CO 
with 
lian), 
Bat. 
R. 
n  the 
Peter 
more 
ynor 


of  the  Morn,  colony  with  a  child,  v.  54C;  perhaps  Mrs  Jiniison  later.  R. 
(John),  1820  (?),  Irish  sailor  said  to  have  come  from  Acapulco  this  year.  iii. 
176.  I  find  no  original  record  of  his  presence  before  '33  except  that  in  '34  sev- 
eral witnesses  testified  to  having  known  him  for  G  years,  or  since  '28.  Pre- 
vented by  Ind.  from  cultivating  the  Cotate  raiiclio,  and  serving  for  a  time  as 
majordomo  of  S.  Rafael,  ace.  to  current  sketches  he  came  to  Sauzalito  in  ';i2. 
Weeks  claims  to  have  visited  him  in  the  Sauzalito  cabin  iu  '31.  His  boat 
running  occasionally  to  Ycrba  Bucna,  may  be  regarded  as  the  1st  feny.  From 
'33  his  name  appears  on  Larkin's  books  and  in  various  records,  iii.  305;  iv. 
117.  He  was  naturalized  in  Sept.  '34,  and  in  Oct.  was  grantee  of  the  Corte  do 
Madera  del  Presidio  rancho.  iii.  711.  In  '35  ho  was  godfather  at  the  baptism 
of  Geo.  Yount,  and  in  '30  married  Hilaria,  daughter  of  Josii  Ant.  Sanchez, 
being  appointed  admin,  of  S.  Rafael,  and  perhaps  serving  as  alcalde  the  next 
year,  when  he  was  visited  by  Edwards,  iii.  718;  iv.  SO,  Henry  A.  Peirce  «le- 
scribes  a  visit  to  his  place  in  '41,  and  he  died  in  '43,  leaving  4  children.  The 
widow  was  still  living  in  '72  with  a  daughter  by  a  2d  husband.  The  son,  John 
J.,  b.  in  '37,  inherited  his  father's  estate  and  was  still  living  in  '80,  with  wife 
Carlota  Suarez  and  2  children.  Another  son  was  Richard,  b.  about  '39.  One 
daughter,  Inds,  Mrs  Defienbach,  lived  in  '80  in  the  adobe  house  built  by  her 
father;  the  other,  Hilaria,  married  J.  Boyle  of  S.F.  R.  (Rachel),  1£48, 
married  at  S.  F.  to  F.  Weaver.  R.  (Wm  B.),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.  S.  artill. 
(v.  518). 

Reading  (Pierson  B.),  1843,  nat.  of  N.J.  and  overl,  immig.  in  the  Chiles- 
Walker  party,  iv.  393-4,  400.  He  entered  Sutter's  '■ervice  as  clerk  and  chief 
of  trappers,  making  wide  explorations  in  '44-5,  commanding  at  the  fort  dur- 
ing Sutter's  absence  in  the  Micheltorena  campaign,  and  getting  in  '44  a  grant  of 
the  S.  Buenaventura  rancho.  iv.  483,  480,  073.  In  '40  he  was  active  from  the 
first  in  promoting  the  settlers'  revolt,  and  served  '4(5-7  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  as 
paymaster,  with  rank  of  major,  owning  a  lot  at  S.F.,  and  havinga  'Cal.  claim.' 
V.  127-8,  170,  179,  300,  404-5,  447,  074,  085.  After  his  discharge  he  settled 
on  his  Shasta  Co.  rancho,  but  in  '48-9  engaged  extensively  in  mining  opera- 
tions on  Trinity  River,  where  Reading  Bar  bore  his  name,  and  in  '49  had  a 
store  at  Sac.  in  company  with  Hensley  and  Snyder,  besides  taking  part  in 
political  aflfairs.  In  '50  he  went  east  to  settle  his  accounts  as  paymaster,  and 
to  pay  a  largo  debt  at  Vicksburg  resulting  from  a  business  failure  of  '37,  and 
returning  was  candidate  for  governor  in  '51,  barely  missing  election.  Subse- 
quently he  devoted  himself  to  agriculture  in  northern  Cal. ;  married  Fanny 
Washington  in  '50,  and  died  in  '08  at  the  age  of  52,  leaving  a  widow  and  5  chil- 
dren. Maj.  Reading  was  a  man  of  well-balanced  mind,  honorable,  energetic, 
and  courteous;  one  whoso  Californian  record  seems  never  to  have  furnished 
material  for  adverse  criticism. 

Real  (Antonio  Suarez  del),  1833,  Mex.  friar  of  the  Zacatecas  college,  who 
served  at  Sta  Cruz  '33-44,  and  retired  to  his  college  in  the  latter  year,  or  per- 
haps in  '45.  iii.  319,  693-5;  iv.  371,  057,  662,  075.  Padre  Real  was  a  dissolute 
man  addicted  to  more  than  one  vice,  and  even  accused  of  theft,  but  credited 
with  having  been  kind  and  indulgent  to  his  neophytes.  Sir  Gieo.  Simpson, 
Laplace  the  French  voyager,  and  Josiali  Belden  have  something  to  say  of  the 
friar's  character.  R.  (Jos6  Maria  del  Refugio  Sagrado  Suarez  del),  1833, 
brother  of  Antonio,  Mex.  friar  of  the  Zacatecanos,  missionary  at  S.  Cirlos  to 
'43,  and  priest  at  Sta  Clara,  with  charge  of  S.  Jos(5  and  S.  Carlos  from  '44.  iii. 
319,  079-80;  iv.  5,  427,  549,  638,  651,  657,  682.  In  '46-7  he  was  in  some  dif- 
ficulty about  sales  of  mission  lands  and  encroachments  of  immigrants,  v. 
564,  663,  065-7;  and  in  later  years  his  troubles  with  the  authorities  continued 
to  some  extent,  until  in  '51  the  guardian  called  on  P.  Gonziikz  to  suspend 
Real  if  he  could  not  be  induced  to  leave  Cal.  voluntarily.  He  went  in  '52;  in 
'53  writes  from  S.  Jos6  del  Cabo,  L.  Cal.;  and  in  '55  he  had  severed  his  con- 
nection with  the  college  and  was  serving  as  parish  priest  at  Mazatlan.  Padre 
Jos6  Maria  somewhat  resembled  his  brother  in  character,  though  an  abler  man, 
with  more  skill  in  concealing  his  irregularities.  It  was  most  unfortunate  for 
the  general  reputation  of  the  Cal.  padres— a  most  excellent  body  of  men,  as 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    H 


690 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


ia  fully  shown  in  these  volumes — that  the  Real  brothers,  Quijas,  Mcrcado, 
and  a  few  other  black  sheep  of  the  fold  wcio  the  friars  wliose  conduct  was 
best  known  to  the  foreign  iminig.,  and  on  whom  many  pioneers  have  founded 
their  estimate  of  the  missionaries.  Reamer  (\Vm  C.)  of  the  Mormon  col. 
of  '4G;  did  not  como  to  Cal.  Reausseau  (Charles),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol. 
(v.  499);  d.  inS.F.  '68. 

Recio  (Antonio  M.  Jimenez  del),  parish  priest  at  Los  Ang.  '47.  v.  625; 
prob.  camo  in  '45  or  earlier.  Rector  (Geo.  W.),  1847,  nat.  of  Ky;  resid.  of 
H.  Luis  Ob.  Co.  '08-83.  Rcddick,  1845,  one  of  FriSmont's  men  perhaps,  iv. 
f)83;  went  cast  with  Sublette  in  '46,  or  perhaps  to  Or.  v.  526.  Redmond 
(.John  B.),  1848  (?),  Irish  settler  of  Marin  Co.  '64-80.  Reed  (B.  F.),  1846, 
Cal.  claim  of  $300  (v.  462).  R.  (Edward),  1831,  mr  of  the  Harriet.  R. 
(Geo.),  1828,  mr  of  the  7?a>(C0ir,  iii.  148. 

Reed  (James  Frazier),  1846,  nat.  of  Ireland  and  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Donner  party  from  111. ,  accomp.  by  his  wife,  4  children,  and  his  wife's 
mother,  Mrs  Sarah  Keyes.  The  latter  died  in  May  at  the  age  of  90.  In  Oct., 
before  reaching  the  mts.  Reed,  in  a  quarrel,  killed  John  Snyder  and  was  ban- 
ished from  the  company.  With  one  companion  he  crossed  the  Sierra,  and 
after  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  recross  witli  relief,  served  as  lieut  in  the 
Sanchez  campaign,  and  in  Feb.  '47  went  back  to  the  lake  in  the  2d  relief. 
All  the  family  saved  their  lives  and  settled  at  S.  Jos6,  where  R.  became 
wealthy  and  held  local  olliccs,  dying  in  '74,  and  his  wife,  Margaret  W.,  in  '61. 
James  F.  Jr  was  living  at  S.  Jos(5  in  '80,  as  was  Thomas  K.,  also  Virginia 
K.,  wife  of  John  M.  Murphy,  with  0  children,  and  Martha  J.,  widow  of  Frank 
Lewis,  with  7  children.  Portraits  of  father,  mother,  and  the  daughters  in 
McGlashan's  work.  v.  .508,  530,  532,  534,  GG4,  066,  008,  076. 

Reed  (.John),  see  'Read.'  R.  (John),  1837  (?),  nat.  of  N.C.,  who  came 
from  N.  Mcx.;  often  accredited  to  the  Workman  party,  but  his  name  is  not 
ill  Rowland's  list,  and  Given  is  positive  he  was  not  of  the  party,  iv.  118,  278. 
Accredited  to  '37  by  the  Lou  Anrj.  Co.  Hint.,  but  perhaps  did  not  como  till 
after  '41.  Served  against  Michcltorena  in  '45.  iv.  495;  signed  the  declaration 
against  Castro  in  Juno  '46,  and  in  Stockton's  campaign  of  46-7  served  as 
scrgt  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  A  visit  to  Sutter's  fort  is  recorded  in  '47.  He  was  a  son- 
in-law  of  John  Rowland,  and  became  owner  of  La  Puento  rancho,  where  ho 
died  in  '74,  leaving  a  widow,  but  no  children.  R.  (John),  1846,  of  the 
Mormon  colony,  v.  546;  perhaps  should  be  'Read,'  or  the  others  'Reed.'  R. 
(John),  1846,  lieut  in  Marston's  force  Sta  Clara  campaign,  v.  350.  R.  (John), 
]  846,  sailmakcr  on  tho  Congress,  acting  capt.  in  Stockton's  Bat.  '46-7.  v.  385. 
K.  (Joseph),  1847,  accredited  to  N.Y.  Vol.,  but  not  on  roll;  in  St  Helena  '75. 
it.  (Martin),  18.30,  asked  permission  to  cut  timber  at  S.F.;  maybe  an  error 
for  'John  Head.'  R.  (P.  H.),  1847,  on  tho  Vandalia  at  S.F.  and  Mont.  R. 
(Rachel),  1846,  of  the  Mormon  colony,  v.  546;  perhaps  'Read.'  R.  (Rich- 
ard), 1845,  deserted  from  tlio  Ilopeicell  at  S.  Diego.  R.  (Thoa  B.),  1845, 
doubtful  name  of  an  ovcrl.  immig.  iv.  578.  R.  (Wm),  1826,  claimed  to  have 
lieen  with  Jed.  Smith,  iii.  l.")3.  R.  (Wm),  1837,  Engl,  sailor  and  lumber- 
man in  Mont,  district  '37-8;  being  also  named  as  pilot  and  mate  of  the  schr 
California  '.■)7-9.  iii.  532;  iv.  101.  He  mairicd  a  native  and  settled  near  S. 
Miguel  before  '46,  in  which  year,  with  Pctronilo  Rios,  he  got  a  grant  of  the 
mission  rancho.  v.  501,  637.  Returning  to  his  home  from  a  successful  trip  to 
tho-mines  ho  was  murdered  in  Dec.  '48,  Mith  wife,  children,  and  servants — 11 
persons  in  all — by  4  robbers,  some  of  them  discharged  N.  Y.  Volunteers.  One  of 
the  assassins  was  killed  in  the  pursuit,  and  the  others,  calling  themselves  Lynch, 
Remer,  and  Quinn,  were  executed  at  Sta  B.  Dec.  28th.  v.  592,  039-40.  R. 
(Wni),  1842,  trader  at  S.F.  from  N.  Orleans,  aged  32,  with  wife  and  3  chil- 
dren, John,  Maria,  and  Eliza,  the  last  born  or  S.B\  Padron  in  Dwinelle. 

Reer  (James),  1846,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  3r>8).  Reese  (Dav.),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d 
U.S.  artill.  (v.  518).  R.  (Geo.),  1847,  ditto.  R.  (James),  1840,  Co.  E. 
Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358).  Reeves  (S.  C),  1848,  Columbia  Ri\  r  pilot  who  came  to 
Cal.  on  the  news  of  gold,  in  a  long-boat  rigged  for  the  tn^  ■  returned  to  Or. 
as  mr  of  tho  Jdven  Quipuzcoana,  but  came  Sack  to  navigate  S.F.  bay  on  the 


REEVES— REQUEN  A. 


091 


Flora,  aud  was  drowned  in  '49.  Hist.  Or.,  i.  589,  808.  Reffo  (Winchester), 
1S47,  nat.  of  Ky  and  overl.  iininig. ;  a  farmer  near  Stockton  '49-50;  settler  in 
Lake  Co.  '(i5-S0;  wife  Lucy  Maxwell.  Ri-galado  (Pedro)  invAlido  corp.  of 
S.  F.  comp.  '39-40.  R.  (Victor),  1848,  nat.  of  Texas  who  came  from  Sonora 
to  the  mines;  later  at  Los  Ang.  Reicliart  (John),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S. 
artill.  (v.  518);  supposed  to  be  living  in  '07. 

Rcid  (Hugo  Perfecto),  1834,  nat.  of  Scotland,  who  had  been  0  years  in 
Mex.,  coming  to  S.  Diego  in  Aug.  '34  with  a  pass  from  Gefe  Pol.  Monterde  at 
La  Paz.  iii.  4I'2.  He  settled  at  Los  Ang.,  aged  23,  and  in  '35  was  accused  of 
complicity  in  the  Apaldtegui  revolt,  iii.  285;  iv.  117.  Ho  is  ment.  in  various 
records  from  this  time,  and  seems  to  have  been  engaged  in  trade  with  Leese 
and  Keith.  Ikcoming  naturalized  in  '39,  he  settled  on  the  Sta  Anita  rancho, 
granted  to  him  in  '41-5.  iv.  035.  I  have  several  of  his  letters  to  Hartnell, 
who  aided  him  in  getting  the  land  against  the  efforts  of  J.  A.  Carrillo  in  be- 
half of  the  LoiMsz  family.  In  '39  ho  had  a  wife,  Victoria,  and  3  children,  the 
wife  having  a  grant  of  the  Cuati  rancho  in  '38.  iii.  033.  Ho  is  named  as  mr  of 
the  Esmeraila  in  '42-3.  iv.  505;  in  '43,  '40,  encargado  de  justiciaat  S.  Gabriel, 
iv.  037,  of  which  establishment  ho  was  purchaser  with  Workman  in  '46.  v. 
501,  027-9.  In  '47  he  sold  Sta  Anita  to  Dalton.  v.  628;  was  owner  of  a  S.  F. 
lot.  V.  085;  is  named  as  sec.  of  a  meeting  at  S.F.  on  laud  matters;  visited  the 
mines  in  '48,  Ijeing  also  Pio  Pico's  agent  to  explain  the  motives  of  his  return, 
v.  588;  and  in  '49  was  a  member  oi  the  constit.  convention.  He  gave  much 
attention  to  Ind.  manners  and  customs,  on  which  subject  he  wrote  a  valuable 
series  of  papers,  published  in  the  Los  Ang.  Star,  i,  180.  His  death  was  in  '52. 
Felipe  and  Jos<5  Dolores  seem  to  have  been  his  sons,  iv.  119,  the  former  being 
at  S.  Juan  B.  in  '49.  R.  (Joseph),  1847,  Co.  H,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Napa 
'71-82.  R.  (Patrick),  1847,  corp.  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  v.  519;  supposed  to 
be  living '64.  R.  (\Vm),  1835,  Amcr.  physician  at  Los  Ang.,  accused  of 
complicity  in  the  revolt,  iii.  242-5,  285.  The  ayunt.  passed  complimentary 
resol.  on  his  medical  services;  prob.  confounded  with  'Keith,' q. v.  Rein- 
hart  (John),  1840,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358).  Reintrie  (Henry),  J 842,  sec.  of 
Com.  Jones,  iv.  310,  321;  a  nat.  of  Cuba  of  French  parentage,  who  was  sec. 
on  the  Independence  in  '47;  in  '03  vice-consul-general  at  Habana.  Reisch 
(Jacob),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499). 

Remer  (Peter),  1848,  one  of  the  murderers  of  the  Reed  family  at  S.  Mi- 
guel, executed  at  Sta  B.  in  Dec.  v.  0.32,  040.  I  think  he  was  Raymond  of  the 
N.V.Vol.,  '47,  who  killed  Pfister  in  Oct.  '48.  Remington  (Darius  C),  1847, 
Co.  K,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  m  Wash.  Ter.  '74.  Remon  (Jos6  Ant.),  1819,  at 
Los  Ang.  ii.  354.  Rcnard  (Wm),  1840,  mr  of  the  Francis  Henrietta;  letters 
of  introd. ;  perhaps  did  not  come.  Rendall  (John),  1820,  mid.  with  Boechey. 
iii.  121.  Reudon  (Guadalupe  and  Julian),  at  Los  Ang.  '40.  R.  (Ignacio), 
settler  at  Los  Ang.  '10-19.  ii.  349,  354.  Renom,  1817,  boatswain  on  Roque- 
feuil's  vessel,  d.  at  S.F.  ii.  288.  Renshaw  (Wm  B.),  1840;  lieut  U.S.N., 
acting  capt.  in  Stockton's  bat.  '40-7;  came  from  Mazatlan  with  despatches 
on  the  Malek  Adhel  Oct.  '40.  v.  290,  357-8,  380,  391-5.  Rcpeto  (James), 
1840,  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330).  RopoU  (Sam.  ¥.\,  1840,  killed  nt  S. 
Pasnual.  v.  340;  prob.  the  following.  Repose  (Sam.  T.),  1840,  Co.  C,  1st 
U.S.  dragoons  (v.  .S30). 

Requena  (Manuel),  1834,  nat.  of  Yucatan,  a  trader  who  came  by  sea  from 
Guaymas,  sold  his  vessel,  and  remained  in  Cal.  In  '35  ho  was  fiscal  at  the 
Apalategui  trial,  iii.  285;  alcalde  of  Los  Ang.  '36.  iii.  418-19,  431 ,  481,  030; 
took  a  prominent  part  '36-8  in  tlic  southern  opposition  to  Alvarado,  and  after 
the  affair  at  Las  Flores  retired  for  a  time  across  the  frontier,  iii.  491 ,  504,  518, 
548-9,  555,  558,  .561,  565.  In  '39-41  he  was  a  member  of  the  junta,  iii.  590, 
004;  iv.  193;  in  '44  alcalde,  iv.  411,  033;  an<l  h\  '45  miuistro  of  the  sup. 
tribunal  and  suplente  congressman,  iv.  532,  539-40;  v.  50.  In  the  troubles  of 
'46-7  he  seems  to  have  taken  but  slight  part;  but  in  '50-07  he  was  often 
meml)er  of  the  city  council.  He  died  in  '70,  at  tlio  ago  of  about  72,  having 
always  been  a  citizen  of  oxcellcnt  standing  and  much  local  influence.  His 
wife  was  Gertrudis  Guirado,  who  died  iu  '74.  His  daughter  married  Dav.  W. 


692 


I'lOXEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX, 


Alexander,  from  whom  I  obtained  copies  of  a  small  collection  of  Requena,  Dor. 
JIiHt.  Cat,  Retar  (Henry),  1840,  sailor  on  thoCali/onua.  Revell  (Andrew 
or  Joseph),  1848,  S.l\  letter  list. 

Revere  (Joseph  Warren),  184G,  nat.  of  Mass.,  and  lieut  on  thoCyaiifi.  He 
was  the  oflicer  sent  to  raise  the  U.S.  flag  at  Sonoma  in  July,  and  remained 
in  com.  of  tlio  northern  district  for  several  months,  making  a  tour  to  Clear 
Lake — the  1st  ever  described  in  print — and  visiting  Sutter's  fort  to  repel  the 
threatened  Walla  Walla  invasion,  v.  59-00,  128-9,  238,  242-3,  2.')4,  290-7, 
301,  433,  CC7.  In  '47  com.  of  the  prize  Admittance,  v.  570;  later  claimant  for 
a  Marin  Co.  rancho.  iv.  673.  His  Totir  of  Dutij,  published  in  '49,  contained 
an  interesting  narrative  of  his  adventures  and  observations  in  Cal.  Ho  re- 
signed in  '50  to  become  a  ranchero  in  Mex.,  soon  entering  the  govt  service, 
but  in  '61  reentering  that  of  the  U.S.  as  colonel  of  a  N.J.  regiment.  Ho  rose 
to  the  rank  of  brig. -gen.,  but  was  dismissed  from  the  army  by  court-martial 
in  '63  for  alleged  misconduct  at  Chancellorsville.  Ho  resided  at  Morristown, 
N.J. ;  published  another  book.  Keel  and  Saddle,  in  '72;  took  much  interest  in 
pioneer  Cal.  matters,  v,  148-9;  and  died  in  '80.  Re  villa  (Cristibal),  1775, 
mate  on  transports  '75-6.  i.  241,  287. 

Rey  (Chas),  1823,  mr  of  the  I'lowbo;/.  ii.  492.  R.  (Cristobal),  in  trouble 
1797.  i.  639.  iJ.  (Joseph),  1842,  French  lumberman  in  the  contra  costa. 
Reyes  (Antonio),  at  Los  Ang.  i.  '19-39;  ii.  355;  and  Ant.  Maria  '46-8,  perhaps 
the  same.  R.  (Dionisio),  in  Los  Ang.  revolt  '46.  v.  308.  R.  (Fecundo),  at 
Los  Ang.  '46.  R.  (Francisco),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1787;  alcalde  '93-5;  owner 
of  ranches;  d.  before  1810.  i.  461,  553,561-2,  612,  661-3;  ii.  172,  185,  349. 
R.  (Ignacio),  jucz  do  campoatLos  Ang.  '45.  iv.  034.  R.  (Inocencia),  ment. 
at  Los  Ang.  '46.  v.  318.  R.  (Isidro),  aux.  alcalde  at  Los  Ang.  '38.  iii.  630; 
age  20  in '39;  cl.  for  Boca  de  Sta  M6nica  '52.  iii.  633.  R.  (Jacinto),  settler 
atLos  Ang.  1804.  ii.  349.  R.  (Jos(5),  saddler-instructor  1792-,"j.  i.  615.  R. 
(Job6),  convict  settler  of  1798.  i.  006.  R.  (Josci),  corp.  of  S.F.  comp.  '20-8; 
perhaps  same  at  Los  Ang.  '40-8;  Sta.  B.  '50.  R.  (Manuel),  at  Los  Ang.  '46. 
11.  (Martin),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1790.  i.  401.  R.  (Saturuino  and  Seferino), 
at  Los  Ang.  '40-8. 

Reynolds,  1810,  mr  of  the  Sultan  '10-14.  ii.  282.  R.  (Ed.  D.),  1847, 
purser  on  the  U.  S.  Southampton.  R.  (Sam.),  1843,  visited  Cal.  from  Hon. 
R.  (Stephen),  1833  (?),  Mass.  trader  at  Honolulu,  often  named  in  Cal.  corresp. 
of  '30-44,  many  of  his  original  letters  being  in  my  collection.  I  think  he  vis- 
ited Cal.,  but  lind  no  positive  record.  Ho  died  insane  in  Mass,  about  '53, 
having  lost  his  property  in  a  sugar  plantation  at  the  Islands.  R.  (Wm), 
1847,  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409).  R.  (Wm),  1845,  named  at  S.  F.;  also  us 
alcalde  of  S.  Rafael,  and  later  claimant  for  part  of  Nicasio  rancho.  iv.  587, 
593,  672,  677.  There  may  be  some  confusion  between  him  and  the  following. 
R.  (Wm  John),  1839,  Engl,  sailor  and  carpenter  on  tlio  Index,  who  left  the 
ship  and  settled  at  S.F.  in  '43.  iv.  119.  In  '44,  being  25  years  old,  he  became 
a  Mex.  citizen,  owner  of  a  lot,  iv.  669,  and  corporal  in  the  defensores.  Ho 
worked  as  a  carpenter  with  Davis  and  Rose,  spending  much  of  the  time,  '45-6, 
in  Napa  Valley,  where  he  seems  to  have  worked  on  a  mill,  and  where  he 
built  a  small  vessel,  the  Londresa.  His  visits  at  N.  Hclv.  are  recorded  in  the 
Diary  oi  '45-7;  and  hois  said  to  have  been  married  in  '46(?)  by  Alcalde 
Boggs.  There  is  no  reliable  record  of  the  part  he  took  in  the  revolt  of  '4(5, 
though  some  vague  and  inaccurate  reminiscences  are  recorded  in  the  Napa 
Reginter  of  '72.  He  was  familiarly  known  as  Chino  Reynolds,  was  rarely  cle- 
tected  in  telling  the  truth  abont  early  events,  and  died  in  '76  at  Sonoma. 
R.  (Wm  P.),  1845,  son  of  Stephen,  b.  in  Manila,  mate  on  the  Fama.  iv.  505; 
worked  for  Davis  &  Grimes;  served  in  Fauntleroy's  dragoons  (v.  232,  247); 
owner  of  S.F.  lot.  v.  684;  in  '49-52  was  in  charge  of  Lugo's  rancho,  Los 
Ang.,  and  later  a  trader;  still  at  Los  Ang.  '58.  Rezilnof  (Nikolai  Petro- 
vich),  1806,  Russ.  chamberlain,  who  visited  S.F.  to  establish  commercial  re- 
lations bet  Alaska  and  Cal.  ii.  38,  67-80,  182,  219. 

Rhea  (John),  1831,  Amer.  trapper  from  N.  Mex.  in  the  Wolfskill  party, 
who  settled  at  Los  Aug.,  where  he  kept  a  saloon,  with  a  billiard- table,  from 


RHEA-RICHARDS. 


693 


'34  to  '36,  but  is  thought  to  liavo  gone  east  about  '37.  iii.  387,  405.  Rhctt, 
1845,  ijerhaps  one  of  Fremont's  party,  iv.  583.  Rheusaw  (Hiram),  1845, 
oveil.  immig.  of  the  Swascy-Todu  party,  v.  570,  587.  He  is  nient.  at  Sutter's 
fort  early  in  '4(j;  and  went  south  with  Frdniont  in  Aug.,  remaining  there 
with  Gillespie,  and  ranking  as  licut  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  during  the  iinul  cam- 
paign. V.  300,  386,  435;  Cat.  claim  of  $15  (v.  402).  I  liave  no  record  of  him 
after  his  discharge  from  the  service  in  April  '47.  Rhinehart  (Josepli),  1846, 
German  mcinb.  of  the  Donner  party,  who  perished  in  tiie  snow,  lie  had  no 
family,  v.  531,5,33. 

Rhoada  (Daniel),  1846,  son  of  Thomas,  nat.  of  111.,  andovcrl.  immig.  with 
wife  and  liLs  father's  family.  Ho  worked  for  Sinclair  on  the  Grimes'  rancho, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  1st  Donner  relief,  y.  538,  of  which  he  has  furnished 
for  my  use  a  valuable  nnrrativc  in  MS.  Working  in  the  mines  '48-9,  after  u 
visit  east  ho  settled  in  '51  on  a  rancho  near  Gilroy,  moving  in  '."t7  to  the  Kings 
River  country,  and  living  in  '83  at  tho  age  of  6"2  near  Lemoore,  Kern  Co.  Ho 
had  at  that  date  a  son  and  three  daughters.  Portrait  in  Kern  Co.  Hist.,  168. 
R.  (Henry  C),  18-16,  son  of  Tliomaa,  in  Fresno  Co.  '72.  R.  (II.),  1847,  visited 
Cal.  on  the  Qen.  Kearny.  R.  (.John  B.),  1846,  oldest  son  of  Thomas;  mem- 
ber and  perhaps  capt.  of  the  1st  Donner  relief,  and  also  memb.  of  tho  4th;  on 
the  jury  in  tho  Keseberg  trial,  v.  5.38,  .541.  He  settled  in  tho  Sac.  V.allcy, 
was  a  memb  of  tho  legislature  '03,  and  died  in  '66.  R.  (Thomas),  1846,  nat. 
of  Ky,  a  Mormon,  and  overl.  immig.  with  wife  and  12  sons  and  daughters. 
Ho  settled  on  the  Cosumnes,  and  tlie  visits  of  different  members  of  the  family 
are  often  recorded  at  Sutter's  tort  in  '47.  In  that  year  Mrs  R.  died  on 
Sutter's  launch  while  being  carried  to  S.F.  for  medical  aid,  and  was  buried  at 
Benicia.  R.  subsequently  went  to  Utah,  where  he  died  in  '69  at  the  age  of  77. 
Tho  sons,  Daniel,  Henry,  John,  Thomas,  and  Wm  B.,  are  named  in  this  regis- 
ter. Of  tho  daughters,  Elizabeth  married  Sebastian  Keyser  in  '46,  and  in 
'72,  aa  Mrs  Pierce,  lived  at  Kingston,  Fresno  Co. ;  Sarah  married  Wm  Daylor  in 
'47,  in  '51  became  tho  wife  of  Wm  R.  Grimshaw,  and  in  '72  lived  at  the  Day- 
lor rancho  with  7  children.  Grimshaw's  narrative  has  been  my  chief  source  of 
information  about  the  Rhoads  family.  A  3d  daughter  married  Jared  Sheldon 
in  '47,  and  in  '72  lived  at  Daylor  rancho  with  2  children.  The  youngest  daugh- 
ter went  to  Utah  and  married  John  Clawson.  Tho  wife  of  T.  Elder  is  also 
named  as  a  daughter  of  R.  R.  (Thomas  Jr),  1846,  son  of  Thomas;  prob.  tho 
T.  Rhoads  who  served  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  .358);  drowned  while  crossing  the 
plains  in  '52.  R.  (Wm  B.),  1846,  son  of  Thomas;  in  Fresno  Co.  '72, 
Rhodes  (Jonas  B.),  1848,  at  S.  F.  from  Valparaiso.  R.  (Stephen  C),  1846, 
sailor  on  tho  U.S.  Dale;  came  back  to  Cal.  in  '49,  and  died  at  S.F.  '50  at  the 
age  of  40. 

Rice  (Daniel),  1832,  Amer.  carpenter  from  S.  Bias.  iii.  408;  at  Los  Ang. 
'40,  age  30;  married  a  Romero  about  '35.  R.  (Geo.  Joseph),  1826,  nat.  of 
Mass.,  who  eamo  from  Hon.  on  the  Rover,  iii.  176;  ii.  558;  and  settled  at  Los 
Ang.  In  '28  he  made  a  trip  to  Hon.  on  the  llcroa  for  his  health,  returning  by 
L.  Cal.  and  S.  Diego,  obtaining  naturalization  and  a  license  to  marry  in  '29. 
His  wife  was  a  Lopez,  and  ho  was  for  a  time  associated  in  business  with  John 
Temple,  tho  partnership  being  dissolved  in  '32.  I  have  several  of  his  letters 
of  '31-4.  In  tho  later  years  he  kept  a  billiard-saloon,  which  he  sold  to  Fran. 
Figueroa  about  '35;  and  he  is  said  to  have  left  Cal.  for  the  east  about  the  .  ar 
time.  R.  (John),  1830,  Amer.  shoemaker  from  N.  Mcx.  iii.  180;  .-  i  i^' 
Ang.  '36,  age  25.  R.  (Joseph  M.),  184G(?),  Soc.  Cal.  Pion.  R.  (Ihos), 
1825,  mate  on  the  Rover.  R.  (Wm  II.),  1840,  died  in  Alameda  Co.  '07;  said 
to  have  oeen  a  sailor  in  the  navy  '46.  R.  (Wm),  1826,  mr  of  the  Warren 
'26,  '29(?).  iii.  149. 

Rich  (Wm),  1841,  botanist  in  U.S.  ex.  ex.  iv.  241,  24.3.  R.  (Wm),  1847, 
maj.  U.S.A.,  and  paymaster  '47-8;  came  on  the  Preble,  v.  517,  640.  Rich- 
ards (Henry),  1842,  sentenced  at  Los  Ang.  to  10  years  of  presidio  in  Jalisco 
for  murder;  nothing  known  of  the  case.  iv.  290,  342,  633.  R.  (James),  1847, 
Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol,  (v.  499).  R.  (Q.),  1847,  Co.  E,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  R. 
(Nathaniel),  1833,  mr  of  the  N.  America,  iii.  383.      R.  (Pierre),  1844,  French- 


I 

■in  \ 


ill 


694 


riONKKIl  HKGISTKIl  AND  IXDKX. 


man  in  Mont,  district;  fined  for  buying  smuggled  gooila;  had  a  claim 
damages  done  by  FrOniont.  iv.  iit',],  5ti(J;  v.  (UT).       R.  (I'cterF.),  1847,  Co.  h, 
Morm.  Hat.  (v.  4(10);  icriil.       R.  (\Vm),  182!>,  Britisli  subject  who  got  a  cartii. 

Ricliaidson  (A.),  1840,  nir  of  the  lirooklyn,  which  brought  tlio  Mormi)U 
colony.  V.  545,  570;  d.  in  N.Y.  '84  at  tlic  n^c  of  80,  ami  his  wife  the  same  day 
aged  77.  R.  (Arteuiaa  W.),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  490);  county  sur- 
veyor in  Tuolumne;  d.  at  Sonora '54,  R.  (Bcnj.),  1848  (?),  a  capitalist  of  IS.  F. 
and  N.Y,  whoso  arrival  is  doubtfully  accredited  to  this  year  in  newspaper 
sketches  of  '84.  R.  (Charles),  1847,  scrgt  Co.  B,  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  504;  d.  at 
sea  '55,  R.  (Henry),  1844,  clerk  on  the  SterliiKj;  d.  in  Cal.  iv.  453,  ]!. 
(Henry  P.),  1847,  trader  on  the  coast  '47-8;  owner  of  S.F.  lot  and  of  property 
at  Benicia.  R.  (I'aul),  1840(''),  a  noted  trapper  and  mountaineer,  who  several 
times  crossed  the  continent  to  Or.,  and  may  have  entered  Cal.  before  '48, 
as  ho  did  in  '49.  iv.  120, 

Richardson  (\Vm  Antonio),  1822,  Engl,  mate  on  the  whaler  Orion  who 
'left'  his  vessel  at  S.F.,  was  permitted  by  Gov.  Sola  to  remain  on  condition  of 
teaching  his  arts  of  navigation  and  carpentry,  and  in  '23  was  baptized  at  the 
mission  by  P,  Estdnega,  receiving  at  that  time  the  name  of  Antonio,  and  br- 
ing 27  years  old,  ii.  478,  49.1-0,  691.  I  have  his  autograph  letter  of  '23  in 
Spanish,  and  many  of  later  date.  In  '24  ho  was  in  trouble  about  debts,  ii. 
526;  and  this  was  uy  no  means  the  last  occurrence  of  such  difficulties;  but  in 
'25  ho  married  Maria  Antonia,  daugliter  of  Comandanto  Ignacio  Martinez. 
ii,  592;  iii.  20;  and  in  '27-9  ho  applied  for  naturalization — obtained  in  '30 — 
calling  liimself  a  piloto,  with  some  ideas  of  ship-building,  speaking  Spanish, 
and  having  a  capital  of  about  §3,000,  besides  some  live-stock,  and  producing 
a  certificate  from  P.  Altimira  of  great  usefulness  to  the  mission  by  carpenter- 
work,  and  teaching  calking  to  the  Ind.  Ho  had  a  boat  that  traders  could 
hire,  served  as  pilot  on  tho  bay,  as  in  the  case  of  Dnhaut-Cilly.  ii.  590;  was 
more  than  suspected  of  smuggling  with  the  support  of  his  father-in-law,  and 
in  '29  was  employed  to  vaccinate  Ind.  at  difl'erent  missions,  iii,  108,  w)  j 
his  later  title  of  doctor.  At  the  end  of  '29  he  moved  with  his  famil 
Gabriel,  where  ho  made  his  home  till  '35,  though  making  trading  trips 
down  tho  coast  in  difl'erent  vessels,  ii.  558;  iii.  143,  285,  382,  In  '.35,  reiu.n- 
ing  north,  after  aiding  in  founding  Sonoma,  lie  erected  the  1st  structure  in  S.F., 
a  kind  of  tent,  or  slianty,  replaced  in  '.SO  witli  a  largo  adobe  building;  became 
tho  owner  of  town  lots;  declined  the  oflice  of  alcalde  in  '37;  and  from  the  1st 
day  of  '37  served  as  capt.  of  tho  port  by  Vallcjo's  appointment,  iii.  295,  512, 
700,  705,  709;  iv.  97-8,  110,  153,  601-2;  v.  082.  His  private  busines.-i  was  tho 
collection  of  country  produce  by  a  launch  running  on  tho  bay.  In  '30  he  became 
owner  of  the  Sauzalito  ranclio,  granted  to  Galindo  in  '.35;  and  in  '41  iio  M'cnt 
there  to  live,  though  still  holding  his  office  of  capt.  of  tho  poit  of  S.F.  till 
Nov,  '44,  with  no  little  trouble  arising  from  his  interested  leniency  to  whalers 
who  insisted  on  going  to  Sauzalito  '  for  wood  and  water.'  iv.  245,  314,  370, 
430,  CC5-0,  009-70,  083.  In  '40  ho  affijrdcd  some  slight  aid  to  tl- .  Californians 
against  the  Bears,  v.  170;  but  under  Stockton's  appointment  served  again  as 
capt.  of  the  port  and  collector  in  '40-7.  v,  572,  059,  433,  539.  Had  a  Cal. 
claim  of  §0,083  (v.  402);  was  claimant  for  Sauzalito,  where  ho  spent  tho  rest 
of  his  life,  and  his  wife  for  Pinole,  iii.  713;  iv.  072;  was  a  witness  in  the 
Limautour  and  other  land  cases;  and  died  in  '50,  leaving  a  widow,  still  liv- 
ing in  '80,  a  son,  and  2  daughters.  Capt.  R.  was  a  skilful  sailor  and  an 
energetic  man  of  business;  and  though  somewhat  too  often  involved  in  busi- 
ness difficulties,  and  severely  criticised — as  who  was  not  ? — in  land  litigations, 
is  still  given  a  good  name  Ijy  men  of  all  classes  who  knew  him  in  tho  early 
days,  A  biog,  sketch  is  given  in  the  Mann  Co.  Hist.,  380,  the  very  inac- 
curate nature  of  whicli  would  not  be  noticed  hero  but  for  i,he  statement  that 
it  is  founded  on  an  original  diary,  R.  (Wm  B.),  1832,  Amer,  tailor  said  to 
have  come  on  the  Espia,  though  I  find  no  other  record  of  such  a  vessel,  iii. 
408.  Named  in  Larkin's  books  from  '33;  and  in  '40  at  Mont.,  age  30,  and  mar- 
ried. In  '40  he  served  in  Co,  B,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358),  and  was  still  living  in  Mont. 
Co.  '50.   Called  also  Rochcrson  and  Rickerson.  Sometimes  a  Wm  R.  appears 


RICHARDSON— RIDLEY. 


MS 


in  the  records,  at  Sonoma  nnd  clsnwlinro,  who  cannot  be  identified  with  Wm 
A.  or  Wm  L*.,  so  that  thero  may  liave  been  a  third  of  tito  naino  Kiclier,  aco 
'Nicf.' 

Richie  (Benj.),  1847,  Co.  C.  Monn.  Bat.  (v.  460).  Richmond  (Wm), 
1847,  Co.  D,  ditto.  Richter  (Carl),  18;j*2  (?),  writes  to  Hartwell,  in  Russian, 
from  Sitka,  and  seems  to  have  Hpcnt  some  time  in  Cal.,  being  a  friend  of  tliu 
padro  prefecto.  Rickninn  (Robert),  1841,  overl.  inunig.  of  the  Ikirtlesoii 
party;  visited  Mont,  in  Jan.  %'2  with  letters  from  Sutter,  but  went  east  tho 
same  year.  iv.  '207,  270,  'J7<'>,  342.  Rico  (Francisco),  nat.  of  Mont.  b.  about; 
'20;  in  '42-4  clerk  and  cclador  of  tho  Mont,  cnstom-liouse,  being  also  grantee 
in  '42-3  of  S.  Lorenzo  and  Ranchcrfa  del  Rio  Estanisko  ranciios.  iv.  'M9,  H77, 
431,655,  072.  In  tho  revolution  against  Miciicltorcna  '44-5,  Rico  took  a 
prominent  part  from  beginning  to  end.  iv.  460, 462,  487,  501, 505,  588.  In  hi« 
Jiotes  of  '45  Larkin  describes  him  as  an  honorable,  straightforward  man  of 
good  standing  but  littlo  property.  In  '46-7  as  capt.  of  det'eiisorea  ho  was  an 
active  supporter  of  the  Flores  movement,  being  2d  in  com.  in  tho  Natividad 
campaign,  chief  of  a  sub-revolt  against  Flores,  and  (inally  commissioner  sent 
to  treat  with  FrCmont.  v.  4.'>,  307,  310-18,  321,  .'m,  362,  365,  368,  372,  404. 
As  lato  as  Feb.  '48  he  was  required  to  give  bonds  to  commit  no  hostilities 
against  tho  U.  S.  v.  585-6.  In  later  years  ho  was  a  ranchcro  in  Mont.  Co., 
being  apparently  supervisor  in  '50.  In  '77  ho  gave  mo  his  MemoriitK,  a  narra- 
tive confined  exclusively  to  tho  events  of  '44-7  which  fell  under  his  personal 
observation,  tho  general  accuracy  of  his  statements  being  well  attested  by 
original  documentary  records.  In  '85  I  have  not  heard  of  his  death.  R. 
(Martin  Gonzalez),  appointed  in  Mex.  district  judge  for  Cal.  in  '29,  but  never 
came,  R.  (Vicente),  sergt  at  Sta  B. '29-30.  iii.  78,  114.  Ricord  (John), 
1847,  N.  Y.  lawyer  who  had  been  attorney-gen.  of  tho  king  of  tho  Sandwich 
Isl.  An  unfavoroblo  letter  from  Com.  Biddio  to  Uov.  Mason  respecting  hiH 
record  at  Hon.  and  in  tho  U.S.  preceded  him  in  Cal.,  and  lie  was  unable 
with  all  his  arts  to  secure  a  high  govt  position.  Ho  opened  a  law  oilice  at 
Mont.,  and  in  '48  was  a  speculator  in  quicksilver  mines. 

Riddcll  (D.  A.),  1834,  mr  of  tho  Wvi  Ly^.  iii.  384.  R.  (Timothy  W.), 
1834,  mr  of  tho  Martha,  iii.  383.  Ridington  (Thomas),  18.'J3,  Amer.  sailor, 
who  landed  from  tho  Ayacuchn  and  settled  ut  S.  Diego  as  a  nhoemaker,  ago 
33.  iii.  400.  In  '35  ho  applied  for  naturalization,  and  in  '38  got  provisional 
papers  from  Ciirlos  Carrillo  as  gov.  His  arrest  was  ordered  in  '40,  iv.  15,  but 
no  was  not  exiled;  and  in  '44  and  '47  he  served  as  justice  of  tho  peace,  iv. 
618-20.  I  find  no  record  of  him  after  '48.  His  wife  was  Juana  Machado, 
widow  of  Diimaso  Alipds,  who  still  lived  at  S.  Diego  in  '78,  with  4  mnrrietl 
daughters,  giving  mo  a  narrative  of  Tiempoa  Paxadon.  Ridley  (Robert), 
1840,  Engl,  sailor  and  clerk,  who  appears  on  Larkin's  books  from  Jan.,  being 
in  com.  of  Sutter's  launch,  and  for  a  time  in  charge  of  Ross  '41,  acting  al^o 
as  clerk  for  Spear  and  Rae  at  S.F.  iv.  117,  120,  129,  138,  180,  23.S,  068-!). 
678-9.  In  '44  ho  was  naturalized,  owner  of  a  lot,  corporal  of  tho  militia,  and 
married  to  Juana  Brioncs  of  North  Beach,  all  at  the  age  of  25.  He  was  a  pro- 
nounced cockney,  a  fine-looking  fellow,  prone  to  gossip  and  big  stories,  capa- 
ble of  drinking  prodigious  quantities  of  brandy,  and  popular  with  all  classc». 
In '45  he  got  a  grant  of  Sonoma  ranclio.  iv.  671;  and  tliis  year  or  tho  next 
built  a  house  in  town — the  LeidesdorfT  cottage,  at  the  corner  of  Montgomery 
and  California  streets.  Ho  was  capt.  of  the  port  in  '40,  and  for  a  time  2il  al- 
calde; but  having  a  fight  with  LeidesdorfT— whose  letters  arc  full  of  denun- 
ciation of  this  'greatest  blaggard  in  town' — lie  was  removed  from  tho  office. 
V.  648-9.  In  July,  as  a  Mexican  official,  ho  was  arrested  by  the  Bears  and  cast 
into  prison  at  Sutter's  fort,  but  released  in  time  to  get  some  votes  for  alcalde 
in  Sept.  V.  126,  129,  136, 178,  239,  295,  644-5,  059.  In  '47  keeping  a  saloon  at 
S.F.;  he  went  on  a  voyage  of  search  for  tho  Wnrreii's  launch,  v.  384,  080; 
later  appears  at  Mont,  for  a  time;  but  in  48  wa3  appointed  alcalde  at  S.F. 
mission,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  51.  His  heirs  were  un- 
Buccessful  claimants  for  tho  Visitacion  rancho.  v.  671.  His  name  was  prob. 
Robert  T.,  though  the  2d  initial  is  written  also  J.  and  F.,  and  he  is  also 
called  Riciiard  and  Joseph. 


i  "■  !  : 


696 


PIOXEFR  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Riely,  1*47,  of  Lee  *.  R.  at  Mont.  Rielson  (Geo.),  1846,  at  Bernal'a 
rancho  near  S.  Leandro.  Rifle  (Wm),  1846,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  3-8);  prob.  same 
as  'Rcffe.'  Rigby  (Geo.  F.),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  at  S.  Joa6  '50. 
Riley  (James),  184iO,  with  Kearny  from  N.  Mex.  as  asst  in  the  engineer  dcpt. 
V.  337.  R.  (James).  1847,  Co.  1).  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  owner  of  S.F.  lot  '48. 
Ringgold  (.J.),  1841,  lieut  U.S.N.,  com.  of  tho  Porpoise  in  U.S.  ex.  ex.  iv. 
2.'?2,  '2S5,  568.  Rins  (I^uis),  1840,  refused  grant  of  Sta  Catalina  Isl.  as  a 
foreigner;  donJjtful  name.  Rioboo  (Juan  Antonio  Garcia),  1783,  Span,  friar 
who  served  aa  supernumerary  at  S.  F.  and  S.  Diego,  retiring  in  '86.  Biog. 
1.  455-7;  ment.  i.  379,  388,  404,  422,  459. 

Rios  (A.),  land-ownirat  S.  J  nan  Cap.  '43.  iv.  621.  E.  (Cayetano),  soldier 
of  S.  F.,  drowned  '17-18.  v.  202,  382.  R.  (Gregorio),  at  Los  Ang.  '46. 
C.  (Joaquin),  sub-majordomo  at  S.  Juan  B.  '35;  land-owner  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  '41. 
iii.  692;  iv.  626.  R.  (Petronilo),  Mex.  scrgt  of  artill.  at  S.F.  '27-40.  v.  592; 
iii.  71,  584,  672,  702;  prob.  came  in  '24-5.  In  '36  named  in  Mont,  padron  aa 
30  years  old,  wife  Catarina  Avi'ii,  child.  Jos6  Camilo  b.  '34,  Maria  Lina  '35, 
Jos6  Simon  '.36.  In  '42  grantee  of  S.  Bcarnabd  rancho,  Mont.  iv.  655;  in 
'46  grantee  with  Reed  of  the  S.  Miguel  estate,  v.  375,  561,  637,  639-40;  and 
in  '52  claimant  for  Paso  ue  Robles.  iv.  055.  lie  still  lived  in  S.  Luis  Ob.  Co. 
'60;  and  in  '77  his  widow,  living  at  Sta  Clara,  gave  me  her  Becuerdos  of  the 
Reed  murders  at  S.  Migu  1  in  '48.  R.  (Santiago),  juez  de  pazat  San  Joan 
Cap.  '42-3,  where  he  was  also  grantee  of  land.  iv.  627.  R.  (Severixmo), 
settler  at  8.  Juan  Cap.  '41.  iv.  626.  R.  (Silverio),  at  S.  Diego  '31.  iii.  201; 
in  '39  at  Sta  Ana  rancho.  I^s  Aiig.;  in  '46  at  S.  Juan  Cap.,  age  45,  wife 
Francisca,  child.  Salvador  b.  '39,  Jos6  Dolores  '41,  Jos6  Santos  '45.  R. 
(Silverio),  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  '46,  age  32,  wife  Primitiva  (?),  child  Margarita  b. 
'39,  Manuel  '42. 

Riper  (Abraham  van),  1847,  sergt  Cc.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  504.  Ripley 
(Francis  L.),  1833  (?),  nat.  of  Ga>  who  in  newspaper  sketches  ia  oaid  to  have 
visited  Moiit.  thiit  year  as  mate  on  a  whaler,  iii.  409.  In  '48,  being  wn^'^ked 
on  the  L.  Cal.  coast  he  came  up  to  Mont,  on  tho  Ohio,  and,  except  a  short  tiine 
in  the  mines,  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  in  Mont.  Co.,  being  city  recorder  and 
county  surveyor  for  several  terms.  Ho  died  at  Sta  Rita  79.  Ripoll  (An 
tonio),  1812,  Span,  friar  who  served  at  Purfsima  and  Sta  B.,  and  tied  f''om 
Cal.  ill  '28;  a  very  enthusiastic  missionary.  Biog.  578;  ment.  ii.  235,  2G4, 
354,  364,  366,  394, 416.  423,  530-2,  534-5,  055;  iii.  92-4.  Rippstein  (Jacob,, 
1840,  oveil.  immig.  with  Iloppe  and  Buckelew;  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358); 
owner  of  S.F.  lot  '47;  in  Yuba  Co.  '85,  a  farmer.  Riser  (John  J.),  1847,  Co.  < ', 
M>  ^.  Bat.  (v.  469);  rcenl.;  settled  in  Cal.  on  discharge,  visiting  Utah  '4S-50, 
II nd '51-82  in  Alameda  Co.  with  Mifc  uud  6  children,  Catharine,  Geo.  C. 
Clias  W.,  May  B.,  Fr.nnklin  A.,  and  Helen  R. 

Ritchie  (.Archibald  A. ),  1848,  a  sea-captain  who  bought  land  in  Solano  Co. ; 
later  successful  cl.  for  several  ranches,  iv.  671,  674;  of  tho  S.F.  firm  R., 
Osgood,  &  Co.;  d.  in  '56,  leaving  a  family.  R.  (M.  D.),  1846,  nat.  of  Pa, 
known  as  'colon:!'  for  services  in  tho  Blackfoot  war,  overl.  immig.  with 
family,  v.  528-9.  Working  a  while  for  Sutter  and  being  one  of  the  first  Don- 
iier  relief,  v.  538-9;  he  settled  at  Napa  in  "47,  working  on  the  ranchos  of 
Boggs  and  Bale,  and  renting  a  mill  of  Vallcjo  in  '48.  He  died  at  Napa  in  74, 
having  lost  his  wife  in  '73,  leaving  0  married  '.laughters— Mrs  Stark  and  Ponl- 
son  of  Lake,  Mrs  Pond,  Cooper,  and  Hecox  of  Napa,  and  Mrs  Ho  vard  of  So- 
lano—with  32  grandchildren.  Ritcr (Henry),  1847,  Co.  B,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499). 
R.  (Levi),  1848,  Mormon  who  went  to  Salt  Lake  '49.  Glover.  Rithcv 
(Wm  M.),  1846,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  3."8);  at  Sutter's  fort  '47.  Ritschard 
(.Tohn),  1848,  resid.  of  Sac.  '48-52;  d.  in  Switzerland  77.  Rittenhouse 
(J.  B.),  1844,  purser  on  the  U.S.  Levant.  Rilter  (Henry),  1839,  deserter  from 
the  Bchr.  Cafl/omia  at  S.F.  R.  (John),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469); 
loenl. 

Rivas  (Juan),  at  Lob  Ang.  '46-8,  Rivcll  (Andrew),  1848,  in  S.F.  letter 
list.  Rivera  (Antonio)  Mex.  sold,  in  the  Hidalgo  piqucto  at  Mont.  '.36,  ago 
27.     R.  (Francisco),  Alvanulo's  comisionado  to  Mex.  '42.  iv.  283;  grantee  of 


RIVERA— ROBERTS. 


697 


74. 

onl- 

So- 
199). 


ittcr 
age 
.f 


S.  Luis  (Jonzaga,  Mariposa,  '43.  iv.  673.  R.  (.Joaquin),  mason-instnictor 
1792-5.  i.  615.  R.  (Pascual)  corp.  at  the  Col.  Riv.  pueblos,  killed  by  Ind. 
i.  "59,  302.  R.  (Salvador),  mason-instructor,  1792.  L  615,  684.  Rivera  y 
Moncada  (Fernando  Javier),  1769,  capt.  in  com.  of  the  Loreto  garrison  from 
17'"!G  or  earlier,  and  in  '69  in  com.  of  the  1st  exped.  by  land  to  Cal.,  accompany- 
ing PortolA  also  on  the  1st  exped.  from  S.  Diego  to  ilont.  and  S.F.  i.  115-25, 
132-6,  140-1,  150-5;  returned  to  L.  Cal.  70-1.  i.  165.  167,  171-2,  175,  178, 
182.  In  '74,  by  appointment  of  Aug.  17,  '73,  he  came  back  to  Cal.  to  succeed 
Fages  as  mil.  com.  of  the  province  from  M  y  25th.  i.  216-18,  220,  225-0,  231 
2.S8.  486,  608.  His  rule  lasted  until  the  arrival  of  Gov.  Neve  Feb.  3,  '77,  and 
then  he  wont  to  Loreto  to  act  as  lient-gov.  of  L.  CaL  For  events  of  Lis  rule, 
including  his  troubles  with  Anza  and  Serra  in  '76,  see  i.  230,  232-5,  "^44-5. 
24S-9,  255-7,  204-73,  276,  279-80,  286-8,  292,  2JM-5,  298-309,  683.  In  '78-0 
he  was  commissioned  to  raise  colonists  for  Cal.,  and  at  the  Ci)lorado  River  on 
his  way  was  killed  by  the  Indians  July  17.  '81,  i.  319,  339-44,  361-3,  487;  ii. 
44.  On  his  character  and  family,  see  i.  363-4.  Riviere  (P.),  1847,  doubtful 
name  in  N.  I/clv.  Diary  '47-8. 

Roach  (Chas  T.),  1848,  in  S.F.  letter  list.  R.  (John),  1830,  Amer.  from 
N.  Mex.  iii.  180;  in  the  comp.  extranjera  at  Mont.  '32.  iiL  221;  also  named 
in  a  list  of  '36.  R.  (Thomas),  1846,  gunner  in  Stockton's  Bat.,  campaign  of 
'46-7,  according  to  a  newspaper  sketch.  R.  (Thomas  J.),  1847,  lieut  Co.  C, 
N.Y.  Vol.  V.  504,  511 ;  deputy  collector  of  the  port  of  S.F.,  where  he  engage*! 
in  trade  after  a  tour  in  the  mmes.  In  '50  he  settled  at  Trinity  bay,  and  in  62, 
being  county  judge  elect  of  Klamath,  was  drowned  in  trying  to  cross  a  moun- 
tain stream,  at  the  ago  of  28.  His  brother,  Philip  A.  Roach,  is  a  well-known 
citizen  and  official  of  S.F.  R.  (Wm),  1S47.  sergt  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  504); 
county  sheriff  of  Mont,  for  several  terms;  in  .Sept.  '00  his  body  was  found  i: 
a  well  near  Watsonville.  Roan  (Francis),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill. 
(V.  618).  Roane  (Archibald),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  at  George- 
town, D.C.,  '79.       R.  (John),  1847,  musician  of  N.Y.Vol. 

Robb  (James  B.),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Robbina,  1842,  men- 
tioned as  a  licut.  with  Com.  Jones,  iv.  ,{08.  R.  (Isaac  It.).  184(i,  one  of  the 
Mormon  colony  with  wife  and  2  children,  v.  rA6;  a  councillor  of  tlic  church 
in  Utah  '84.  R.  (John),  1833,  at  Mont.  R.  (John  R.),  1816,  one  of  the 
Mormon  colony,  v.  546,  with  wifo  and  2  children,  2  childrrn  also  having  died 
outho  voyage;  agent  to  settle  affairs  oi  lirannan  &  Co.  47;  owner  of  a  S.F. 
lot.  V.  678;  in  Utah  '84.  R.  (Thomas  M),  1S23,  nat.  of  Mass.  and  mate  on 
the  Jiover  '23-5.  ii.  495;  mate  of  the  Waveifi/  "26-8.  iii.  147,  14;>.  154.  About 
'30  ho  settled  at  Sta  B.,  where  lie  opened  a  store,  commanded  tlio  .SVu 
Barbara  schooner,  and  in  '34  niinied  Encarnacion,  daughter  of  Carlos 
Carrillo.  ii.  573;  iii.  140,  384;  iv.  117.  He  is  named  in  the  p;idron  of  '36  ns 
an  Amer.  trader,  ago  35,  a  catholic  with  wife  and  child.  In  '37-9  Capt.  U. 
commanded  the  govt  sclir  California  in  the  service  of  Alvarado  and  Vullcjo, 
\»  inning  an  honorary  commission  as  capt.  in  the  Mex.  navy.  iii.  531;  iv.  101- 
2,  552,  509,  580;  v.  317.  His  name  docs  not  api>ear  cxctpt  in  private  conuncr- 
cial  records  in  40-4,  though  I  have  a  copy  of  his  MS.  jjiary  of  weatlier  ami 
movements  of  vessels  at  Sta  B.  for  the  1st  quarter  of  '43.  In  '40  he  was  gran- 
tee of  La  Calerarancho  and  Sta  Catalina  Isl.  iv.  642;  v.  028;  being  also  in 
some  slight  trouble  with  the  Floies  govt.  v.  330,  304;  Cal.  claim  of  §14:{ 
(v.  462).  Ho  was  claimant  for  1a  Calcra  in  '52,  and  died  in  '57,  his  widow 
living  until '76.  Capt.  Robbiiis  i.s  lemcmliered  as  a  hospitable,  good-natured 
old  salt,  whose  store  was  a  general  rcndeTvous  for  seafaring  men  and  traders, 
who  wore  always  welcome  at  his  table. 

Ri'xjrts  (Mrs),  1847,  lirst  pereon  buried  at  Beuieui,  drawn  to  tlic  grave  by 
an  ox-teani.  Tiintiii;  pcrliaps  'Rlioads,'  q.v.  R.  (Geo.).  ls;S6,  nat.  of  Ga,  at 
Sonoma  and  Ross;  baptized  at  S.  Rafael  ';'>S  as  J'>rL'e  Mari'a.  iv.  118.  ll. 
(J.),  1840,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358);  j)erhap8  same  as  preceding.  R.  (James),  1840, 
atS.  Diego.  R.  (L),  1817,  Co.  E,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469):  in  '82  a  farmer  rt 
Kaysvillc,  Utah.  R.  (Robert),  1847,  owner  of  r  S,  F.  lot  v.  670.  R. 
(Sam.),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  chief  of  the  Hounds  at  S.F.  '50,  sen- 


' 


.1 
\ 
( 

m 


: 

f  I 
I 


e08  PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 

tenced  to  10  years  in  theperitentiarj'.  Pop.  Trib.,i.  90,  99-100.  R.  (A^'m), 
1847,  Or.  missionary  at  S.  F.  v.  6o7.  R.  (Wm),  1848,  Amer.  sailor  at  the 
mines.  Robertson,  1848,  kept  a  gambling  and  grog  shop  at  Sta  B.  R. 
(John),  1848,  Engl,  from  Chile  on  the  Cow/^rferocton/  kept  a  bakery  and  saloon 
at  Mont.,  going  soon  to  tlic  mines.  Settled  in  Salinas  Val.,  and  died  there  in 
'70  at  the  ago  of  55.  R.  (Robert),  1840,  at  S.  Diego  '40-8.  iv.  15,  120. 
Robeson  (Thomas),  1846,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  326). 

Robidoux  (Antoine),  1846,  nat.  of  St  Louis,  Mo.,  who  had  lived  15  years 
in  Mexican  provinces  and  married  a  Mex.  wife.  Ho  canio  with  Kearny  as 
guide  from  N.  Mex.,  and  was  severely  wounded  at  S.  Pascual.  v.  ,337,  346-7. 
Going  cast  in  '47  ho  came  back  after  '49  to  remain  until  '54.  From  about  '56 
he  lived  at  St  Joseph,  Mo. — founded  by  his  brother — where  ho  died  in  '60  at 
the  ago  of  66.  The  name  is  variously  written,  but  I  follow  his  autograpli. 
R.  (Louis),  1844,  brother  of  Antoine,  who  came  from  N.  Mex.  in  '44,  having 
possibly  visited  the  conntry  before,  iv.  205,  453.  He  purciased  tiie  Jurupa 
rancho,  where  he  settled  with  his  family,  a  man  of  considerable  wealth.  In 
the  troubles  of  '46-7,  being  juez  de  paz  at  S.  Bernardino,  v.  025-6,  ho  favored 
the  Americans,  was  ono  of  the  chino  prisoners  (v.  31 1),  and  served  in  the  Cal. 
Bat.  He  was  cl.  for  Jurupa  an<l  S.  Jacinto,  iv.  621,  633;  was  a  prosperous 
ranchero  down  to  about  '02;  and  died  in  '68  at  the  age  of  77.  Robinson, 
1838,  mate  of  tho  Llama,  iv.  91.  Robinson,  1841,  storekeeper  at  S.  Diego, 
iv.  619;  perhaps  '  Robeson.'  R.,  1847,  cf  the  firm  R.  &  Townsend  at  Mont. 
'47-8. 

Robinson  (Alfred),  1829,  nat.  of  Mass.,  who  at  the  age  of  23  came  on  the 
Brooktine  as  clerk,  and  remained  in  Cal.  as  agent  of  Bryant  &  Sturgis  of  lios- 
ton.  He  was  baptized  as  Jos6  Maria  Alfredo  before  '33,  travelling  up  and 
down  the  coast  from  S.  Diego  to  S.  F.  to  bargain  for  the  purchase  of  hides  and 
tlie  sale  of  goods,  often  mentioned  in  commercial  records,  and  many  of  his 
original  letters — gcncr.iUy  signed  'Alfredo*  or  'Robinson' — being  in  my  col- 
lection, iii.  1.37,  146,  170,  258,  374;  iv.  116;  v.  590-1,  019-20.  Early  in  '36— 
obtaining  in  his  haste  a  dispensation  of  two  bans  with  a  hint  from  Padro 
Duran  to  contribute  §20  to  tho  churcli — he  married  Ana  Maria,  tlaughter  of 
Capt.  Jo3<5  do  la  Gucrra  y  Noriega;  and  in  '37  with  his  wife  sailed  for  Boston 
via  Honolulu,  iv.  101.  He  cume  back  on  tho  Alert  in  '40  to  resume  his  former 
agency,  remaining  till  '42,  when  he  again  went  cast  via  Mazatlan,  carrying 
despatciies  from  Com.  Jones  to  the  govt,  and  also  gold  to  the  Phil,  mint  from  tho 
Los  Ang.  placers,  iv.  297,  320,  403,  502,  640.  While  prevented  by  a  certain 
personal  reserve  and  dignity  from  achieving  the  'hail  fellow  well  met'  popu- 
larity of  some  of  hia  contemporaries,  Robinson  always  inspired  respect  by  hia 
straightforward  dealings;  and  his  alliance  with  the  leading  familj'  of  southern 
Cal.  naturally  did  much  to  give  him  a  good  standing  among  Californians.  In 
'46  ho  published  anonymously  hia  Lije  in  Cali/oriiia,  a  standard  work,  fol- 
lowed by  most  writers  on  tho  annals  of  '30-42,  and  worthy  of  much  praise, 
though  showing  here  and  there  tho  personal  and  political  prejudices  of  tlio 
author  and  his  father-in-law.  For  notice  of  the  Imok,  with  citations  on  vari- 
ous topics  and  a  sketch  of  tiie  author,  see  iv.  343-5;  ii.  170,  503,  020-5;  iv. 
2-3,  0,  20,  .35-(;,  332-5;  v.  98.  In  '49  he  came  back  to  Cal.  as  agent,  of  the 
Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Co.,  in  later  years  becoming  agent  for  the  sale  and 
management  of  several  largo  estates  in  th^s  soutli;  and  in  '85  still  lives  at  S.F. 
— tho  oldest  surviving  pioneer  so  far  as  my  records  show.  In  '80  ho  furnished  a 
brief  Statement,  which  has  been  found  useful  in  connection  with  his  book  and 
his  original  correspondence.  His  wife,  after  living  in  the  east  I  think  from  '37 
to  "50  c*  later,  died  at  Sta  B.  in  'ih).  There  were  8  children,  2  of  them  b.  be- 
fore '40,  James  (who  died  at  West  Point  at  the  age  of  17),  Alfredo,  Miguel, 
James  '2d,  Elena,  Maria,  Antonia,  and  Paulina.  Ono  of  the  Bons  lives  at  L.F. 
'85,  his  wife  being  a  daughter  of  Iloraoo  llawes. 

Robinson  (Christopher  F.)  1847,  at  Mont,  from  Hon.  '47-8.  R.  (Edward 
R. ),  1830  (?),  Amer.  sailor,  said  to  have  touched  at  Mont.  iii.  180;  then  'coasted 
off  and  on'  for  10  years,  and  settled  in  the  Sue.  V^al.  Mentioned  45-8  in  the  N. 
Ilelv.  Diary;  in  '47  married  MrsChiistina  Patterson  and  lived  on  Dry  Creek, 


ROBINSON— ROCHE, 


890 


S.  Joaq.  Co. ;  but  went  to  the  mines  in  '48;  testified  in  a  land  case  '60; 
near  Gilroy  '72;  and  in  S.  Joaq.  Co.  '78.  R.  (Geo.),  1839,  mate  on  the  Cal- 
ifornia schr,  who  seema  to  have  died  before  '42,  iii.  532;  iv.  101, 119.  R. 
(Geo.),  1842,  officer  of  marines  on  the  United  States.  Maxwell.  R.  (Geo.), 
1846,  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  336).  R.  (Geo.),  1847,  sergt  Co.  G,  N.  Y. 
Vol.  V.  504.  R.  (James),  1841,  nat.  of  the  Bermudas,  sailor  disch.  from 
the  Julia  Ann;  still  at  Mont.  42.  R.  (J.  F.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  R. 
(L.),  1846,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358).  R.  (Robert),  1835,  Scotch  sailor,  in 
trade  at  S.  Diego  to  '50.  iii.  423.  R.  (T.),  1847,  gunner  on  the  Columbut. 
R.  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  D,  Monn.  Bat,  (v.  409).  R.  (VVm),  1847.  Co.  I),  N.Y, 
Vol.  (v.  499),  R.  (Wm),  1848  (?),  sup.  of  a  N.Y.  vessel  wrecked  in  S.  Amcr., 
said  to  have  arrived  this  year;  at  Benicia  '49;  later  county  judge  of  Shasta, 
and  finally  a  filibuster  in  Peru.  R.  (Wm  D.),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.  Vol.;  (v. 
499);  owner  of  S.F.  lot;  watchman  at  Mont,  '48;  still  at  Mont.  '72-82.  R. 
(Wm  M,),  1847,  nat,  of  Va;  member  of  S.  Joaq.  Pion.  Soc. 

Robles  (Avelino),  soldier  S.F.  comp.  '27-30;  killed  at  Branc i forte '3'J,  iii. 
588.  R.  (Antonio),  nat.  of  Zacatccas;  at  Brancifortc  '28,  wife  Rosalia  Mer- 
lopes,  child.  Jos6  Raimundo,  Teodoro,  Secundino,  Guadalupe,  Nicoliis, 
Fulgencio,  and  Estefana.  In  the  padron  of  '45  ho  appears  as  Jos6  Antonio,  ago 
70,  wife  Gertrudis  Mcrlopes  age  50.  He  had  settled  at  B,  in  1797.  i.  509; 
regidor  1805;  comisionado  '17;  secretary  '27;  and  alcalde  '33.  ii,  156,  390, 
605,  627.  iii.  096-7.  Ho  died  in  '42  and  his  widow  in  '49.  R.  (Fulgencio), 
son  of  Antonio,  a  rough  character,  killed  in  '42.  iv.  66.3.  R.  (Juan  Jos6), 
1769,  soldier  of  the  1st  exped.;  from  '76  sergt  of  the  S,  Diego  comp,;  killod 
on  the  Colorado  '81  by  Ind.  i.  342-3,  362,  452,  R.  (Manuel),  soldier  at  S. 
Diego  '71-2.  R.  (Miguel),  alcalde  at  S.  Luis  1781.  R.  (Nicoliis),  son  of 
Antonio,  in  trouble  at  Branciforte  '39.  iii.  588;  named  in  '43.  R.  (Rafael), 
Bohlier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '19-30.  R,  (Ramon),  at  Mont,  '.30,  age  27;  nat.  of 
Branciforte;  wife  Perfecta  Castro,  cliild  Felipe  h.  '33.  R.  (Secundino),  son 
of  Antonio,  b.  '13;  maj.  of  Sta  Oiara  mission  from  '41.  He  claims  to  have 
been  one  of  the  discoverers  of  the  N.  Almadcn  quicksilver  mine  about  '2S; 
and  respecting  aflFairs  of  the  mine,  and  on  the  Sanchez  campaign  of  '46-7;  in 
'77  at  his  rancho  of  Sta  Rita,  Sta  Clara  Co. ,  he  gave  m;>  a  Itelacion.  Ho  wa.s 
also  one  of  the  claimants  of  Riacon  do  S.  Francisquito.  iv.  672.  His  wife  was 
Antonia  Garcia,  and  they  had  29  children.  Still  living  in  '81.  R.  (Teodoro), 
brother  of  Secundino,  and  with  him  cl.  for  S.  Francisquiti).  iv.  072.  Rob- 
redo  (Jos(S),  1791,  lieut  in  Malaspina'a  exped.  i,  498. 

Rooa  (Jos(5),  1796,  Mex,  surgt  of  artill.,  son-in-law  of  lieut  Sal.;  men- 
tioned to  1802,  and  after  an  absence  came  back  in  1805.  i.  540-1,  048,  070; 
ii.  30-1,  144,  147.  R,  (Ramon),  appointed  capt  of  the  S,  Diego  comp.  '17, 
but  never  came  to  Cal.  Rocha  (Antonio  Josu),  1815,  Portuguese  who  caruo 
on  the  Columbia,  ii.  273,  393;  naturalized  '31;  in  '36  living  at  Sta  B.  with  iii« 
wife,  Josefa  Alvarado,  and  5  children,  age  45;  perhaps  the  grantee  of  La  Br<:t 
•28.  ii.  350,  565,  633.  An  Antonio  R,  was  assessor  at  Los  Ang,  '69-70,  R, 
(Cornclio),  1798,  Mex,  convict  settler,  i,  606,  R.  (Juan  Estdvan),  corp.  at 
S.  Diego,  17T5.  i.  ?"0-l.  R.  (Juan  Jose"-),  1825,  Mex,  brevet  alftrez  who 
came  witlj  licheandia  un<ler  sentence  of  banislnncnt  for  2  years,  iii.  13-14, 
Ho  was  put  in  com,  of  the  Mont,  detachment  of  the  S.  Bias  comp.,  and  is 
often  named  in  the  records  of  later  years,  being  comisionado  for  the  seculariza- 
tion of  S,  Juan  Cap.  in  '33-4,  in  charge  of  S,  Gabriel  '.30-7,  and  acting  com. 
of  the  southern  force  in  the  sectional  war  of  '37.  ii.  549;  iii.  13-14,  36,  01-'-*, 
69,  73,  99,  204,  326,  346,  481-2,  488,  491,  495,  504.  520,  626,  644-5,  648.  Ho 
died  at  S.  Diego,  at  a  date  not  recorded.  His  wife  was  Elena  Dominguc/; 
and  a  son  Manuel  died  at  S.  Diego  in '54.  R.  (Ramon),  soldier  at  Sta  B. 
before  '37  Roche  (Eugene  de  la),  1815,  came  from  Hon.  to  S.F.  this  year 
or  the  next  ace.  to  his  testimony  and  that  of  others  in  the  Santillan  case. 
Rochin  (Francisco),  soldier  of  the  S.F.  comp,  '27-37;  at  S.  Josd  '41,  ago  30, 
wifo  Maria  Archuleta,  child  Francisco  b.  '40;  still  at  S.  Jos6  '47.  R.  (Igna- 
cio),  soldier  at  Sta  B.  executed  for  murder  1795.  i.  0,38,  069,  His  wifo  was 
Ana  Maria  Bojorques.      R.  (Leandro),  regidor  at  S,  JosiS  '35,  iii.  730;  in  '41 


«! 


( 


700 


PIONEEIR  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


named  in  the  padron  as  .32  years  old,  wife  Marfa  Fran.  Romero,  child.  Jos^ 
Ant,  b.  '30,  I'ctra  '27,  Concepcion  '28,  Efigenia  '29.  R.  (Liicaa),  soldier  of 
Mont.  comp.  '3G,  age  15.  R.  (Miguel),  killed  by  his  wife  '33.  R.  (Vicente), 
drummer  in  the  Hidalgo  piquete  at  Mont.  ',36,  age  11.  Rochon  (Z.),  1S4(J, 
came  to  Sta  Clara  Co. ,  where  he  still  lived  in  '82, 

Rock  (Geo.),  18,3(3,  first  appears  at  Sonoma  as  a  witness  against  a  horsc- 
thicf,  iv,  118;  seems  to  have  had  a  rancho  near  Sonoma,  and  in  '37  was  nomi- 
n.-\l  grantee  of  S.  Julian,  Sta  B.,  iii.  Coo-G,  being  in  '.37  grantee  of  Guenoc, 
Lake  Co,  iv.  671,  According  to  the  Lake  Co.  J  Hat,  ho  lived  at  Guenoc  from 
about '48,  as  agent  for  Jacob  P.  Lccse.  R.  (J.ames),  1841,  Amer.  deserter 
from  the  U.S,  ex.  ex.  iv,  279;  though  there  is  a  record  that  seems  to  show 
the  banishment  of  a  woman  for  trato  ilicito  with  Santiago  Rock  in  '40.  He 
settled  at  S.  Jos6,  where  in  '45  he  signed  the  call  to  foreigners,  iv,  599.  In 
'40  he  served  as  lieut  of  Co.  G,  Cal.  Bat.,  but  was  cashiered  by  court-martial 
in  Jan.  '47.  v.  3G1,  360,  434;  and  was  killed  by  lud.  in  S.  Joaq.  Val.,  acconl- 
ing  to  the  S.F.  Star  of  July  24,  '47.  Rockwell  (Orrin  P.),  1848,  guide  to 
the  Mormons  on  tho  journey  cast,  Tyler.  'Rocky  Mountain  Jack,'  1820, 
claims  to  have  been  one  of  Jed.  Smith's  party,  iii.  153. 

Roderick  (John),  1841,  Engl,  mate  of  tho  schr  California  '41-2;  mr  of  the 
Bolivar  '44-5.  iv.  279,  563.  Rodford  (Wm),  1845,  lieut  on  tho  U.S.  War- 
ren, iv.  587.  Rodgcra,  1838,  mroi  the  Flibberti/fjibbet.  iv,  103.  R.(1843),ut 
Mont,  mr  of  a  vessel,  Peterson.  R,  (Geo,),  1845  (?),  lumberman  before '40. 
IV,  587,  Brown.  It,  (James),  1842,  nat.  of  Md,  deserter  from  the  U,  S. 
Cyane,  and  captured  by  Salv,  Vallejo  March  '43.  Rodman  (Geo,),  1845, 
coxswain  of  the  Warren's  launch,  lost  in  S.F.  Iwiy  '46,  iv,  587;  v,  384.  R. 
(Robert  C),  1847,  sailm.nkcron  the  U.S,  Columbus.  Rodrian  (Clias),  1847, 
Co.  K,  N.Y.Vol,  (V,  499);  owner  of  S.F,  lot, 

Rodriguez,  at  S.F.  '44,  ago  20.  R.,  corp,  at  Sta  Cruz '24,  ii,  619,  522. 
R. ,  sailor  sirviente  at  Sta  Cruz  1795.  i,  490.  R,  (Alejandro),  alcalde  of  Bran- 
ciforto  '35,  iii.  696-7;  in  '36  at  the  Trinidad  rancho,  Mont.,  ago  44,  wife 
Concepcion  Martinez,  child.  Manuel  b,  'IS,  Jos6  '23,  Maria  del  Sacramento 
'20,  and  Juan  Buenaventura  '32;  at  Branciforte  '45,  age  50  (?),  with  tho  same 
family  less  Manuel;  died  in  '48,  R.  (Antonio),  1829,  Mex,  convict,  liber- 
ated 33.  R.  (Antonio),  drummer  in  tho  Hidalgo  piquete  *36,  at  Mont,,  age 
13.  R.  (Antonio),  soldier  at  Sta  B.  '32;  wife  Mariana  Arellanes;  com- 
mended for  valor  '24.  ii.  552;  jucz  or  alcalde  at  Sta  B.  '39-40,  '44,  iii,  654-5; 
iv,  642;  arrested  in  '45,  served  under  Flores  '46,  suspected  of  hostile  inten 
tions  '48,  iv,  542;  v.  330,  580;  justice  of  the  peace  '51-2,  R,  (Antonio), 
mentioned  as  103  years  old  at  Los  Aug.  '73,  11.  (Antonio),  alcalde  of  Bran- 
ciforte '37,  anil  grantee  of  S.  Vicente  rancho  '39,  iii,  678,  695,  697;  also  of 
Bolsa  del  Piijaro  '30,  On  the  Branciforte  padron  of  '45  he  is  named  as  46 
years  old,  nat.  of  Cal.,  wife  Dolores  Galindo,  child.  Guadalupe  b,  *22,  Magin 
.11.  Vcnancio  '34,  Miguel  '37,  Jos6  Marfa  '43,  Balvaneda  '.35,  Adelaida  '38, 
and  Maria  Ant.  '41.  R.  (Antonio),  regidor  at  S.  Joa6  '37.  iii,  729-30.  R. 
(Antonio  Catarino),  1809,  Span,  friar,  who  served  chiefly  at  S,  Luis  Ob.  and 
Purisima,  dying  in  '24.  Biog.  ii.  580;  ment,  ii.  155,  159-60, 236,  292,  309,  384, 
387,  .394,  52"9,  5.32-3,  581,  018,  055, 

Rodriguez  (D.^n)aao  Antonio),  corn,  of  Mont,  comp.,  transf.  to  Sta B.  comp. 
ill  '18;  sergt  '21-30,  ii.  ,572,  being  a  leader  of  insurgents  in  '29,  iii.  78,  and 
alfdrcz  from  '.31.  From  '33  he  was  alft5rez  of  tho  S.F.  comp.,  sometimes  com. 
of  the  {lost,  iii.  .390,  573,  701-2,  being  an  invdlido  at  Sonoma  on  full  pay  from 
'.37.  In  '44  ho  was  instructor  of  the  Sonoma  defensores,  grantee  of  Lac 
rancho,  and  perhaps  2d  alcalde  of  S,  Rafael,  iv,  407-8,  071,  677.  In  '40 
named  as  supl.  jucz,  and  as  in  tlieOlompali  fight  with  the  Bears,  which  took 
place  on  his  land.  v.  lOS,  088;  had  a  Cal.  claim  of  ?2,075  (v.  462).  He  died  soon 
after  '46,  R.  (Feciindo),  at  Mont.  '36,  nat,  of  Cal.,  ago  22,  wife  Oi!r.ilaIupe 
Koblos,  child.  Itaf.acla  b.  '.33,  Concepcion  '36.  R.  (Felipe),  at  Sui  B.  before 
'.37,  wife  Rafaela  Soto;  soldier  of  S.  F.  comp.  '44;  prob.  2  men.  R.  (Fran- 
cisco), Sta  Cruz  poet  of  '18.  ii.  245;  in  '28  at  Branciforte,  wiio  Rafaela  Castro, 
child.  Jesus,  EscoUstica,  Benita,  and  Antonia;  alcahle  in '30.  ii.  027;  grantee 


RODRIGUEZ. 


701 


of  Arroyo  del  Roilco  '34.  iii.  677;  still  living  in  '53.  R.  (Fran.),  at  Los 
Ang.  '43-6;  justice  at  Alamitos  'oG.  R.  (Giacundo),  at  Sta  Cruz  '43.  R. 
(Ignacio),  grantee  of  Couejo  rancho  1802  et  seq.  ii.  ll'J,  172,  516,  064. 

Rodriguez  (Jacinto),  nat.  of  Cal.,  first  mentioned  in  public  records  as  licut 
of  militia  and  employed  l)y  Alvarado  in  '36.  iii.  491.  From  '39  ho  was  alftSrez 
of  the  Mont.  conn).  aidiiitf  in  the  arrest  of  tlio  foreigners  in  '40.  iii.  071;  iv. 
23,  282,  652.  Celador  of"  tho  Mont,  and  S.  F.  euatom-liouse  '4.V46,  being 
grantee  of  the  Jacinto  rancho,  Colusa,  in  '44.  iv.  377,  431,  403,  557, 570,  071. 

Named  in  the  Branciforte  padron  of  '45  as  31  years  old,  wife  Guadalupe , 

child.  Rafaela  b.  '32,  Conccpcion  '35,  Guadalupe  '30,  antl  Josefa  '39.  Alcalde 
at  Mont,  in  '49  and. member  of  the  constit.  convention,  tho  reasons  for  such 
a  choice  by  the  Montereyans  not  being  very  apparent.  He  still  lived  in  Mont. 
Co.  '74  and  later,  a  man  of  some  property.  I  obtained  from  liini  a  brief  Nar- 
racion  of  his  recollections  of  early  events.  His  oldest  son,  Porfirio,  died  at 
Mont.  '77.  R.  (JosC),  sirviento  at  S.F.  1777.  i.  297-  R.  (Jos<5),  soldier  at 
Sta  B.  1832,  wife  Bernard*  Rosas.  R.  (Jos<5),  prisoner  at  Mont.  '47;  aliaa 
•Letra.'  R.  (Jo86),  sindico  at  S.  F.  '38.  iii.  705;  at  S.  F.  '42,  age  35,  wife 
Romana  Miramoutes,  child.  Maria  b.  '38,  Marfa  '40,  Josd  and  Francisco  '37; 
perhaps  the  same  who  had  a  Cal.  claim  of  $40  (v.  462),  and  was  at  S.  Joad 
50.  R.  (Jos6),  at  Branciforte  '45,  age  21.  R.  (Jose),  soldier,  carpenter, 
and  teacher  at  Mont.  1796-1800.  i.  643.  R.  (Jos6  Antonio),  soldier  at  S. 
Antonio  '93  and  earlier;  corp.  of  the  escolta  at  S.  Miguel  '97.  i.  560;  invAl. 
at  Branciforte  from  '99,  being  comisionado  of  the  villa  for  some  years  to  1810. 
His  wife  was  Maria  Viccnta  de  Leon,  and  (>  of  his  sons  were  soldiers  of  tho 
Mont.  comp.  after  1800.  i.  571;  ii.  156,  171,  390.  Ho  died  in  '37.  R.  (Jos6 
Ant.),  at  Trinidad  rancho,  Mont.,  '36,  age  26,  wife  Maria  Elena  Castro;  juez 
at  S.  Juan  B.  '44.  iv.  601;  perha^js  was  drowned  in  attempting  to  save  goods 
from  the  Star  of  the  West  in  '45.  R.  (Jos6  Brigido),  son  of  Jos6  Ant.,  b.  at 
S.  Antonio  1793;  soldic  of  tiio  Mont.  comp.  1811-30;  a  tailor  by  trade. 
From  '34  lie  was  a  ranchero  in  Sta  Cruz  Co.,  and  in  '77,  at  tho  age  of  84,  resid- 
ing near  Soqucl,  he  gave  me  his  Jiecuerdos  IJistdricos.  He  died  in  '80,  leaving 
only  one  surviving  member  of  his  family,  an  aged  sister. 

Rodriguez  (Jos6  Maria),  at  Sta  B.  before  '37  with  wife  Cdrmen  Domingucz 
and  5  children;  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  R.  (Juan),  resid.  of  S.  Diego  '30.  ii.  540. 
R.  (Luis),  at  Sta  B.  before  '37  with  wife  Maria  ArrcUanes  and  3  children. 
R.  (Manuel),  Mex.  soldier  of  the  Mont.  comp.  at  Soledad  1791-1800.  i.  499; 
in  1819  comisionado  of  Branciforte.  ii.  390;  being  an  invAl.  corporal;  sindico 
in  '39  and  alcalde  '44.  iii.  097;  iv,  408,  004;  in  '45  on  tho  padron  as  68  years 
old,  nat.  of  Sinaloa,  with  a  daugliter  Josefa  b.  '11.;  memb.  of  town  council 
'48.  V.  642;  though  tliis  may  have  l)een  the  following.  R.  (Manuel),  at 
Branciforte  '45,  age  28,  wife  Maria  Gonzalez,  ciiild.  Jos6  b.  '42,  Santa  '44. 
R.  (Manuel),  1795,  Mex.  cadet  and  alfi5rez  of  the  S.F.  comp.  though  serving 
in  the  S.  Diego  comp.,  of  which  ho  became  lieut  and  comandante.  In  1800  ho 
was  made  capt.  of  the  S.F.  comp.  and  sent  to  Mex.  as  habilitado  general,  dy- 
ing in  '10.  Biog.  ii.  98-9;  i.  046-7;  ment.  ii.  11-15,  39,  106,  109,  125,  188-9, 
370,  421  R.  (Maria  Engracia),  at  Sta  Cruz  '47.  v.  041.  R.  (Matias), 
soldier  at  8.  Juan  B.  before  1800.  i.  558.  R.  (Ncmesio),  soldierof  S.F.  comp. 
'41-2.       R.  (Norbcrto),  soldier  at  Sta  B.  before  '37. 

Rodriguez  (Pablo),  Ind.  settler  at  Los.  Ang.  1781-6.  i.  346,  348.  R. 
(Pedro),  at  Trinidad  rancho,  Mont.,  '.'50,  ago  25,  wife  Gertrudis  Espinosa, 
child.  Juan  do  Parma  b.  '32,  Josu  '35.  R.  (Ramon),  grantee  of  Agua  Puerca 
'43  and  Caiiada  do  S.  Miguel  '40.  iv.  655;  v.  0;{2;  killed  '4S  in  attempting  to 
arrest  the  murderers  of  Reed  in  Sta.  15.  Co.  v.  632,  648.  R.  (Ramon),  in 
Branciforte  '28,  wife  Teresa  Soto,  eliild  Jos6  do  la  Cruz.  ii.  627;  in  '45,  ago 
40,  wife  Marfa  Ignacia  Alviso.  R.  (Sebastian),  sergt  of  tiio  Mont.  comp. 
'28-30,  and  comisionado  of  Sta  Cruz  '31.  ii.  609;  iii.  307;  in  30  at  the  Trini- 
dad rancho,  Mont.,  nat.  of  Cal.,  age  50,  wife  Maria  Pcrfecta  Pacheco,  child. 
Jos<5  b.  '12,  Jacinto  '13,  Francisco  '17,  Teresa  '22,  Desiderio  '23,  Bernab6  '26, 
Maria  Ant.  '28,  Cdrmen  '30,  Ramona  '32.  iii.  679.  Grantee  of  Bolsa  del 
Pdjaro  in  '37,  iii.  077,  for  which  ho  was  cl. — as  also  for  Rincon  de  la  Ballena, 


I 
I 


7M 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Marin,  liL  07S— and  about  which  there  was  much  litigation  between  his  liein 
and  tiioac  of  his  brother  Alexander.  Uo  or  another  of  the  name  is  named  as  a 
retired  soldier  with  the  rank  of  alfiirez  in  '44-5.  iv.  408.  He  died  in  '54  or  '55. 
K.  (Tomaso  A.),  gi-antee  of  Llajome  raucho,  Napa.  iv.  C71. 

lloc  (Chas),  1^32,  one  of  the  comp.  cxtranjcraat  Mont.  iii.  221.  Roeder 
(Louis),  1847,  Co.  O,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Roethcr  (Chas),  1845,  German 
inimi}?.  prob.  of  Grigsby-Ido  party,  iv.  579,  587.  His  name  often  appears  in 
the  JV.  Jlelv.  Diary  45-7;  settled  at  'Charley's  rancho'  in  Butte  Co.,  moving 
ill  '58  to  Feather  River  in  Yuba,  where  he  died  in  'G8,  leaving  a  widow  and  3 
children.  Rogcnade  (Jacob),  1848,  uat  of  Poland,  who  came  with  the  U.S. 
dragoons  (v.  522);  murdered  at  Los  Ang.  '54. 

Rogers,  1847,  teamster  in  Sutter's  employ.  R.  (James),  1834;  Engl,  mr 
of  the  Iot..ni  '.35;  on  Larkin's  books  '34-43;  arrested  in  '40  but  not  exiled, 
iii.  .'J182,  412;  iv.  17,  23.  R.  (John  P.),  1848,  from  Or.  to  the  mines;  brother- 
in-law  of  Gov.  Burnett.  R.  (Lewis),  1847,  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot.  v.  684. 
R.  (M.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  R.  (Sam.  H.),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat. 
(v.  409);  in  Ariz.  'SI.      R.  (Scth).  1827,  mr  of  the  Andea  '27-9.       R.  (Win.), 

1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artiU.  (v.  518).  R.  (Wm  H.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.  Vol. 
(v.  499);  at  Brooklyn,  N.Y.,  '74-84.  R.  (Win  J.),  1843,  mr  of  ihe  John  Jay. 
iv.  500.     Rogct  (Dr),  1S48,  intending  to  settle  at  Benicia. 

Rohlman  (John),  1843,  Gcr.  settler  in  Sta  Clara  '70;  carta  '44,  then  in  Sac. 
Val. ;  perhaps  the  name  should  be  'Rohlan.'  iv.  400.  Rojas,  at  Los  Ang.  '37. 
iii.  504.  R.  (Feliciano),  at  Corralitos  rancho,  Mont.,  '30,  age  10,  nat.  of 
Mcx.;  in  '41  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  iv.  020.  R.  (Justiniano),  Ind.  said  to  have 
been  baptized  at  Sta  Cmz  in  1791  at  the  supposed  ago  of  40;  d.  Sta  Cruz 
1875,  a  famous  centenarian.  Rojo  (Joso  Maria),  at  Sta  B.  before  '37  with 
wife  Altagracia  Garcia,  juez  de  paz  in  '39.  iii.  057-5;  grantee  of  Cuvama  in 
•43.  iv.  042. 

Roland  (Fred.  C),  1828,  Engl,  sailor,  ago  23,  who  landed  at  S.  Pedro, 
went  to  Los  Ang.,  and  sailed  from  S.  Diego  '29  on  the  Maria  Enter;  yet  ap- 
parently at  Los  Ang.  '.*}0.  ii.  5.>8.  R.  (John),  1841,  ovcrl.  immig.  of  the 
Bartleson  party,  who  seems  to  have  returned  east  in  '42.  iv.  270,  275.  R. 
(John),  1840,  grantee  of  Los  Huccos,  Sta  Clara,  and  of  land  on  the  S.  Joaq., 
for  which  ranclios  he  was  cl.  in  '52.  v.  005.  At  N.  Helv.  '48.  I  do  not  know  if 
this  was  the  same  man  as  the  preceding,  Rohlman  or  Rohlan,  John  Rowland 
of  the  soutli,  or  distinct  from  all.  Roldan  (Mariano),  aux.  alcalde  in  Los 
Ang.  dist  '30.  iii.  036;  grantee  of  La  Habra  '39,  iii.  033,  when  ho  was  39 
years  old;  juczdecampo'40.  iii.  037;  atS.  Gabrier40-7.  v.  020,  028.  Hesnems 
to  have  been  a  Mcx.  who  came  about  '.SO  and  went  back  after  '47.  Rolfe 
(Tallman  H.),  1847  (?).  nat.  of  Mc,  who  came  from  Or,  '47  or  '48,  salesman 
for  Brannaii  &  Co.  at  .Sutter's  fort  '48,  and  later  alcalde  in  Yuba  Co.,  but  was 
a  printer  by  trade,  perhaps  working  on  the  S,  F.  Star,  and  later  connected 
with  tiiaiiy  papers  in  Cal.  and  Nov.,  being  long  the  editor  of  the  Atistin 
Reveille  and  Ntvada  City  Gazette.  He  died  at  S.  Bern,  in  '72.  Some  sketches 
represent  him  as  having  come  in  '40  and  served  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  RoIIin, 
17S0,  surgeon  of  La  I'orousc's  cxpcd.  i.  4.'{5.  Rollins  (Henry),  1840,  ac- 
cording to  Glover  one  of  the  Mormon  colony  (v.  540),  with  son  Isaac  and  a 
daughter;  prob.  'Itobbins,' q.  v.  R.  (John),  1843,  at  Mont.;  perhaps  'Rob- 
bins.'  R.  (John),  1S47,  Co.  D,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409);  in  Springvillc,  Utah, 
'82.       R.  (John),  1S47,  Co.  E,  ditto. 

Romaldo,  neopii.  grantee  of  land,  S.  Luis  Ob.  '42.  Roman,  tailor  of 
1798.  i.  598.       R.,  neoph.  accused  of  murder '27-8.  iii.  193.       R.  (Richard), 

1848,  doubtful  date;  at  Vallcjo  '51;  state  treasurer  '49.  Roinana  (Miguel), 
1841,  sup.  of  the  Jdi-en  Carolina,  iv.  500.  Romero,  a  discov.  of  silver  near 
Mont.  '25.  ii.  007.  R.,  soldier  ment.  '.$4,  '37.  iii.  257,  0.38.  R.  (Abelino), 
at  S.  Jos6  '41,  age  52,  nat.  of  Cal.,  wife  Juana  Rubio,  child.  Matilde  b.  '24, 
Pedro  Ant.  '29,  Victoria  '31,  Jos6  Ant.  '34,  Francisco  '37,  Rosario  '39.  R. 
(Antonio),  two  sirvientes  of  the  name  at  Sta  Clara  1777.  i.  306;  one  grantee 
of  S.  Job6  land  178.3.  i.  .350;  rcgidor  '85.  i.  478;  alcalde  '90.  i.  478;  in  '05-7 
owner  of  a  rancho  near  Mont.  i.  083,  716.      R.  (Antonio),  perhaps  son  of  the 


ROMERO— ROPER. 


708 


•7 


preceding,  regidor  at  Mont.  '33-4;  grantee  of  rancho  '40.  lU.  673,  C79.  R. 
(Antonio),  soldier  at  Sta  B.  before  '37;  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1807.  ii.  350. 
R.  (Balbino),  gunner  at  the  Mont,  revolution  of '36.  ii.  461.  R.  (Domingo), '2d 
alcalde  at  Los  Ang.  '35;  in  trouble  '40.  iii.  635,  639.  R.  (Felipe),  olack- 
BDiith  at  S.  Diego  1775.  i.  250;  wife  in  '78  Rosario  Marqucz,  several  children 
bom  before  '83.  R.  (Domingo),  soldier  at  Sta  B.  before  '37;  at  Los  Ang.  '39, 
age  47.  R.  (Florencio),  at  S.  Jos(5  '41,  age  36,  wife  Encamacion  Miranda, 
child.  Jos4  b.  '35,  Patricio  '37,  Jos6  Ant.  '39.  R.  (Gabriel),  soldier  at  the 
Colorado  pueblos,  killed  by  Ind.  1781.  1.  359,  362.  R  (Guadalupe),  at  Los 
Ang.  '46;  named  in  '58  as  a  centenarian.  R.  (Ignacio),  soldier  of  the  S.F. 
comp.  "28-31.  R.  (Inocencio),  soldier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '23-33;  in  '37  alf.  of 
militia  at  S.  Jos6.  iii.  732;  in  '44  grantee  of  a  Contra  Costa  rancho.  iv.  671. 
R.  (Javier),  tanner  at  S.  Jos6  '41,  age  '38,  nat.  of  L.  Cal.  R.  (Joaquin), 
at  Los  Ang.  '46. 

Romero  (Jos(^),  1823,  Mex.  capt.  who  made  an  exploring  cxped.  from  So- 
nora  to  Cal.  '23-5.  ii.  507-9,  542,  568;  iii.  14.  R.  (Jos<5),  soldier  of  tlie  S.F. 
comp.  '19-22,  '30;  in  '41  at  S.  J036,  nat.  of  Cal.,  age  42,  wife  Maria  Garcfa, 
child.  Tcodosia  b.  '30,  Estefana  '31,  Garcia  '33,  Jos6  '32,  Lovribano  (?)  '35, 
and  Poliarno  (?)  '38.  R.  (Jos6),  at  S.  Isidro  rancho,  Mont.,  '.30,  ago  48,  nat. 
of  Cal.,  wife  Paula  Cfintua,  child.  Jos(5  b.  '29,  Aguilinc  '32,  Maria  '31,  Fran- 
cisco '34,  and  Juan  '.35.  R.  (Josd),  Mex.  at  Branciforte  '45,  ago  48,  child. 
Jos<J  b.  '37,  Dolores  '40.  R.  (Joaii),  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  R.  (JosiS  Antonio), 
settler  at  the  Colorado  pueblos,  killed  by  Ind.  1781.  i.  359,  362.  R.  (Josd 
Antonio),  soldier  and  settler  at  S.  Joa<5 1777.  i.  212.  R.  (Josd  Ant.),  teacher 
atS.  JosiS  '23.  ii.  603;  at  Mont.  '26.  ii.  612;  maj.  and  alcalde  S.  Cdrlos  '35. 
iii.  354,  674.  680;  being  also  grantee  of  Caiiada  de  Laureles.  iii.  677.  R. 
(J086  Ant.),  at  Sta  B.  '37,  wife  Dorotca  Alanis,  5  children.  R.  (JosiS  Marfa), 
soldier  of  artill.  militia  1801-10.  ii.  190.  Uu  was  a  son  of  Juan  Maria,  b. 
about  1788.  In  '77,  living  at  Los  Nietos,  he  gave  me  some  vague  Memorias  of 
the  olden  times,  ii.  237-8. 

Romero  (Jos6  Mariano),  1834,  Mex.  teacher  who  came  with  tlie  II.  &.  P. 
colony  (iii.  259),  and  established  what  he  called  a  normal  school  at  Mont., 
writing  also  a  Cdtecixmo  de.  Ortologia,  printed  at  Mont,  in  '30.  Ho  opposed 
the  Cal.  revolutionists,  and  left  the  country  with  Gutierrez  in  '36.  iii.  403. 
R.  (Juan  Maria),  corp.  of  the  Sta  B.  comp.  17SS;  his  wife  was  Lugarda  Sal- 
gado.  R.  (Juan  Marfa),  1816,  Irish  interpreter  in  the  Lydia  case  at  Mont. 
ii.  276.  R.  (Manuel),  at  Los  Ang.  '39-48.  R.  (Maria),  miner  of  Carmclo 
Vol.  '25.  ii.  667.  R.  (Mariano),  soldier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '22-33.  R.  (Mar- 
tin), 1818,  Paraguayan  of  Bouchard's  insurgents,  ii, 237.  R.  (Miguel  Ant.), 
soldier  at  the  Colorado  pueblos  1780-1.  i.  359.  R.  (Pedro),  settler  at  ^S. 
Jos6  1791.  i.  716;  wife  Guadalupe  Garcfa,  child  Maria  Guad.,  in '93.  R. 
(Pedro),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1790.  i.  401.  R.  (Pedro),  at  Los  Ang.  '45-0.  i\ . 
541;  V.  30S,  628.  R.  (Pierre),  1831,  Fr.  laborer  at  Los  Aug.,  .igc  53,  from 
N.  Mex.  iii.  387,  405.  R.  (Rafael),  Span,  locksmith  at  Mont.  '20-8.  iii.  51. 
11.  (Teodoro),  grantee  of  Potrero  tie  Felipe  Lugo  '45.  iv.  635.  R.  (Tomiis), 
soldier  at  Sta  B.  '32,  wife  Felipa  Lugo;  sergt  '3.').  iii.  6.j0;  alf.5rez  '39.  iii.  583. 
R.  (Vicente),  soldier  on  the  southern  frontier  from  '25;  in  later  years  at  S. 
Diego.  His  Notes  of  the  Paxt  were  dictated  to  Bcnj.  Hayes. 

Romeu  (Josd  Antonio),  1791,  Span,  lieut-col  and  gov.  of  Cal.  from  April 
16,  '91,  to  his  death  on  April  [),  '92.  He  was  an  ofliccr  from  whom  much  was 
expected,  especially  in  financial  reforms;  but  though  iiresumably  a  competent 
man,  and  certainly  a  conservative  and  amiable  one,  he  was  prcvmitcd  by  ill 
health  from  attending  to  any  but  routine  duties  during  his  brief  term.  Rule 
and  biog.  i.  481-500;  mi-nt.  i.  .370,  389,  393,  441,  471,  474.  479,  501-2,  530. 
Romeu's  body  was  buried  at  S.  (Alrlos,  .and  has  been  multiplied  in  current 
newspaper  sketches  into  the  remains  of  dozens  of  governors.  Romie  (Ernest), 
1841,  doubtful  name  of  a  German  at  Mont.  T'oomes;  at  S.F. '84.  Swan,  R. 
(John  P.),  1843,  tailor  at  Mont.  '4.3-8;  also  visiting  Sutter's  fort;  had  a  son 
at  school  '46.  iv.  400.  Roody  (John  L.),  1846,  farrier  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dra- 
goona  (v.  336).      Book,  1848,  from  Hon.  on  the  Sagadahoc,      Roper  (Jolin), 


704 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


1832,  one  of  the  comp.  cxtranjera  at  Mont  iii.  2*21.  Ropiani,  181G,  Ha- 
waiian sailor  on  the. 4 /ftaO-os*.  ii. 'J75.  Koquefeuil  (Camille),  1817,  inr  of  tlio 
Bordflais  '17-18,  and  author  of  a  nairative  of  the  Voyaije.  ii.  'J87-yi,  222,  251 , 
331,  373,  419. 

Roaa,  jnent.  at  Mont.  1798.  i.  G91.  R.  (Cdrlos),  at  S.  Diego  1803.  ii.  13. 
R.  (Jos6  do  la),  1834,  Mex.  printer  who  came  witli  tlio  H.  &  P.  colony,  iii. 
263,  289;  going  to  Sonoma  and  becoming  a  kind  of  protegd  of  Gen.  Vallcjo; 
had  some  skill  aa  a  musician,  and  also  worked  at  inendiiig  clothes  and  tin- 
ware. In  '45  ho  was  alcalde  at  Sonoma,  being  also  the  gianteo  of  Ulpinoa 
rancho,  for  which  ho  was  the  unsuccessful  claimant  in  '54.  iv.  074,  678-9.  In 
'46  ho  was  tbo  messenger  sent  to  Capt.  Montgomery  with  news  of  the  Bear 
revolt,  also  having  a  quarrel  with  lierreyesa.  v.  129-30,  068.  In  1875  Don 
Pepo  was  still  living  at  or  near  Martinez.  Rosalcs  (Bernardo),  settler  of 
1779-83.  i.  330,  005.  R.  (Cornclio),  soldier  at  S.  Joco  mission  1797-1800.  i. 
556.  R.  (Jos6  Ant.),  at  S.  Jos<S'30.  R.  (Juan),  at  8.  Francisquito rancho, 
Mont.,  '36,  nat.  of  Muzatlan,  ago  48,  wife  Isidora  Garcia,  child.  Jos6  b.  '33, 
Maria  '36;  in  later  years  juez  do  pai..  iii.  678,  080;  iv.  053;  v.  637.  Rosalcf* 
Pacheco  (Josd  Maria),  1843,  Mex.  priest  who  served  as  curate  at  S.  Buen.  till 
'48,  and  in  '49  at  S.  Antonio;  also  as  cbax>lain  of  Flores'  army  '4G-7.  Ho  was 
sent  away  by  his  superior  in '49-50  for  some  ecclesiastical  offence,  iv.  371, 
422,  044-5;  v.  400,  032,  035.  Rosalio  (Eugenio),  owner  of  Mont,  rancho 
1795.  i.  G83.  Rosamel  (J.  do),  1840,  com.  of  the  Fr.  corvette  Dandide.  iv. 
35-6,  10.3.  Rosas  (Alejandro),  Ind.  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1781-0.  i.  345,  348. 
R.  (Basilio),  ditto,  i.  345-6,  348-9,  460.  R.  (Feliciano),  at  Los  Ang.  '46. 
R.  (Jos(5),  convict  settler  of  1798.  i.  606.  R.  (Jost!),  maj.  at  Soledad  '36.  iii. 
091.  R.  (Jos6  Ant.),  uat.  of  Los  Ang.  and  soldier,  shot  and  his  body  burned 
at  Sta  B.  1801  for  a  crimen  nej'ando.  i.  039-40;  ii.  1 19.  R.  (Juan),  settler 
at  S.  Jos(5  1791-1800.  i.  716.  R.  (Manuel),  lifer  of  S.F.  comp.  '39-42.  R. 
(Ramon),  at  Los  Aug.  '40.      R.  (Sinforoso),  at  Los  Ang.  '46. 

Rose  (Jolin),  1818,  Scotchman  of  Bouchard's  insurgents  captured  at  Mont., 
age  27;  in  '21  at  Purisima,  his  spiritual  welfare  being  the  object  of  mucli 
anxiety  to  the  authorities,  ii.  232,  241,  248, 292,  393,  412,  444.  Rose  (John), 
1841,  Scotch  carpenter  and  sailor  registered  at  S.  Bias  since  '39,  who  touched 
at  Cal.  ports  in  '41-2,  and  landed  permanently  at  Mont,  fronitho  Clarissa  in 
Nov.  '43,  settling  at  S.F.  and  going  into  partnership  with  Davis  and  Reynolds 
as  carpenters  and  builders,  iv.  279.  In  '44,  being  36  years  of  ago,  ho  obtained 
a  town  lot,  was  naturalized,  and  served  as  corporal  in  the  dcfcusorea.  iv.  069, 
593.  In  '46-7  ho  was  town  treasurer,  v.  295,  648;  served  as  lieut  in  the  San- 
chez campaign,  v.  381;  was  a  member  of  the  council,  v.  048.  In  '46  his  firm 
built  a  schooner  in  Napa  Creek,  and  in  '47-8  a  mill  for  Salv.  Vallejo,  going 
to  the  mines  in  '48.  Roso  g.ive  his  name  to  Rose  bar  on  the  Yuba,  and  was 
the  first  settler  of  Nevada  Co. ,  where  he  had  a  trading  post  from  '49.  Still  living 
at  Sinartsville  in  'SO  and  prob.  in  '85.  R.  (John  M.),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol. 
(v.  499).  R.  (Thomas).  1847,  employed  by  Larkin  to  carry  despatches.  R. 
(Wm),  1843,  Engl,  naturalized;  prob.  an  error.  Rosecrans  (Geo.  W.),  1847, 
lieut  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  v.  477.  Rosencrantz  (Andrew),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U. 
S.  artill.  (v.  518).  Lanceij;  not  on  the  roll.  Rosenberg  (N.),  1833,  mr  of  tho 
Polifcmia  '3.3-5.  iii.  383.  Rosentiel  (Anton),  1847,  musician  N.  Y.  Vol. 
(v.  499);  d.  S.F.  '55.  Rosete  (Marcos),  soldier  of  tho  Hidalgo  piquete. 
Rosistof,  1838,  mr  of  tho  Sitka,  iv.  100. 

Robs,  1840,  came  to  Sta  Clara  Val.  Hall;  went  to  the  mines  '48.  R. 
(Chas  L.),  1847,  nat.  of  N.J.  who  came  on  the  Whiton  with  a  cargo  of  gooils 
for  sale,  member  of  the  firm  (}clstun  &  Co.,  a  prominent  merchant  and  land- 
owner of  S,F.  '47-9,  also  taking  part  in  public  affairs,  and  serving  as  school 
trustee,  v.  050-1,  050-7,  078-9,  081,  083.  He  lived  in  S.F.  for  some  years 
after  '50;  kept  a  hotel  in  Calistoga  ^(M;  returned  to  S.F.;  and  shortly  before 
'85  went  to  tl;  3  Sandwich  Isl.  In  '80  he  furnished  me  a  statement  of  Expe- 
riences of  '47.  R.  (Geo.  W.),  1842  (?),  in  S.F.  almsliouso  '81,  eaid  to  havo 
come  in  '42.  iv.  341.  Chronicle.  R.  (Henry),  1831,  sailor  on  the  Catalina; 
at  S.  Diego  again  '34  with  Hugo  Reid.      R.  (John),  see  'Rose.'      R.  (J.). 


ROSS-ROYAL. 


705 


18T6,  Co.  F.  Cal.  Bat. ;  later  Co.  B,  artill.  (v.  358).  R.  (Sam.  H.  P.),  1848, 
nat.  of  La,  who  came  on  the  Major  Tompkinn,  and  went  to  the  mines,  age 
18.  Afterward  trader,  county  surveyor,  aaaoc.  judge,  and  superintendent  of 
schools  in  Merced  Co. ;  d.  at  llopcton  73.  11.  ( Wm),  18'28,  mr  of  the  7'im<s. 
iii.  149.  Kossen  (Joseph),  1848,  an  Or.  pioneer  of  '43  who  came  to  Cal.  '48; 
at  Weaverviilc  '73.  liossignon,  1848,  Fr.  trader  in  the  mines  witli  Ama- 
ador  and  Siiflol,  who  ran  away  to  Peru  with  the  profits  of  all  three.  I'rob. 
•  Roussillon,'  q.  v. 

Rotchcf  (Alex.),  1830,  Russian  manager  at  Ross  '36-41.  iv.  117-18,  1'29, 
153.  IW,  171-6,  179-86;  iv.  233.  Rotetn  (Antonio  V.),  18-25,  naval  officer 
on  the  Asia.  iii.  25-C.  Roth  (John),  1848,  German  sailor  in  the  navy,  discli. 
in  '48;  in  the  mines  '48-51;  trader  at  Mont.  '52-73;  d.  at  Castrovillo  '79,  leav- 
ing a  wife.  Roudon  (Guadalupe),  at  S.  Bern.  '46,  age  35.  Rouelle  (Jean 
B.),  1841  (?),  Canadian  trapper  from  N.  Mex,  iv.  278-9.  Nothing  is  known  of 
his  coming,  but  ho  is  named  as  tho  discoverer  of  gold  in  '42  in  the  S.  Fernando 
region,  iv.  63 1.  A  few  years  later  he  moved  with  his  family  to  the  Sac.  V'al., 
and  was  there  during  tho  mining  excitement,  being  named  in  tho  N.  Ildo. 
Diary.  Finally  settled  on  Feather  River.  Rouissillon,  1802,  Polish  count 
who  sailed  with  Cleveland  and  Shaler.  ii.  11,  22.  Roulam  (Henry),  1840, 
of  the  Mormon  colony.  Sec  'Rowland.'  Rouleau  (Francois),  1836,  Fr.  labon-r 
at  Los  Verjeles  ranclio,  Mont.,  age  30.  Roulette  (Wm  R. ),  1845,  over!, 
immig.  of  the  Grigsby-ldo  party;  lived  in  Capay  Valley  '45-6;  prob.  went  to 
Or.  '40.  iv.  570-80;  V.  520.  Round  (Joseph),  1845,  mr  of  the  Paci^e.  Rous- 
seau, 1846,  with  Gillespie  when  he  met  Gen.  Kearny.  Roussillon  (Charles), 
1843  (?),  Fr.  trader  who  1st  appears  at  Los  Ang.  this  year,  but  is  said  to  h.avo 
come  in  '37,  or  even  in  '33.  iv.  400.  From  '44  ho  was  in  tho  Mont,  district, 
chiefly  at  Sta  Crnz,  where  ho  hod  a  mill  and  dealt  in  lumber,  building  i\ 
schooner  in  '46,  v.  041,  and  in  '47-S  being  a  jiartner  of  Sainsevain.  The  Itt 
jury  trial  in  Cal.  was  that  of  Graham  vs  R.  in  '46.  v.  289.  I  have  some  of 
his  business  corresp.,  but  no  record  after '48.  Perhaps  bo  went  to  S.  Amti. 
See  'Rossignon;'  age  31  in  '45. 

Rowan,  1842,  doubtful  name  of  a  trapper  at  Los  Ang. ;  came  again  to  Cal. 
•50.  V.  341.  R.  (H.),  1847,  lieut  on  tho  U.  S.  Cyane.  R.  (James),  1799,  mr 
of  the  £7i2rt.  i.  545,  700;  and  of  tho  Jfazard  1802-4.  ii.  11,  17-18,  24-5,  lO.S, 
119,  122,  130.  R.  (James),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  in  '«8  teamstir 
for  Brannan  &  Co.  atSac.  R.  (Stephen  C),  1840,  lieut  U.  S.  N.,  and  acting 
maj.  of  Stockton's  Bat.;  wounded  at  the  Mesa  Jan.  '47.  v.  .385,  Hd'C",  in  later 
years  vice-admiral.  Rowc,  1848,  at  Sonoma,  called  one  of  the  N.  Y.\'ol.  R. 
1848,  went  to  Hon.  on  tho  Currency  Lass.  R.  (James),  1816,  sai'or  on  tiio 
Lydia.  ii.  275.  Rowland  (Henry),  1846,  of  tho  Mormon  colony  wth  his  eon 
Isaac  and  perhaps  a  daughter,  v.  540.  They  were  generally  calkd  'Rollins' 
by  tlie  Mormons.  Henry  R.  died  in  the  faith  before  '80.  R.  (Jol-i),  1841, 
nat.  of  Pa  and  leader  of  tho  Workman-R.  immig.  party  from  N.  Mex.,  wiicro 
he  liad  lived  18  years,  amassing  considerable  wealth  and  marrying  a  native 
wife.  iv.  276-9,  037.  He  M-as  suspected  of  complicity  in  certain  revolutionary 
or  filibustering  schemes  in  connection  with  the  Tcxans,  and  this  was  a  lead- 
ing motive  of  his  emigration;  indeed,  warnings  were  sent  to  Cal.,  but  they  did 
not  prevent  his  getting  in  '42  a  grant  of  La  Pucnto  rancho  in  company  witli 
Workman,  iv.  331,  C.'lo.  Then  lie  Mcnt  to  N.  Mex.  and  brought  his  family, 
spending  tho  rest  of  his  life  on  his  r.ancho.  iv.  343.  In  '45  he  joined  the  otlit  r 
southern  foreigners  in  their  opposition  to  Micheltorcna.  iv.  495,  508;  and  \v,in 
one  of  the  Chino  prisoners  in  '40,  v.  314,  having  a  Cal.  claim  of  about  §I,">(I0 
(v,  402);  but  as  a  rule  took  no  part  in  public  all'airs,  being  noted  for  his  retir- 
ing disposition  and  fondness  for  home  life.  Ho  died  in  '73  at  the  ago  of  altout 
80.  His  son  Wm  R.  was  sheriff  in  '73,  and  ho  or  another  son  married  a 
daughter  of  Bernardo  Yorba.  Roy  (C),  1822,  mr  of  tl»o  w'.  aler  .(4/ert.  ii. 
474.  R.  (Chas),  1823,  mr  of  the  Plowboy.  ii.  432;  perhaps  Ray.  R. 
(Pierre),  1782,  Fr.  sirv'ento  at  S.  Buen.  i.  377.  Royabc  (Claudio),  at  Los 
Ang.  '40.  Royal  (B.),  1845,  at  Sutter's  fort  '45-€;  perhaps  one  of  Sub- 
lette's men. 

Bira,  Cain,  Vo....  V.   49 


706 


riONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Rub  (Geo.),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Rul)i  (Mariano),  1790, 
Span,  friar  whoso  missionary  service  was  at  8.  Antonio  iintl  8oledad.  He 
retired  in  '93,  and  was  prob.  cxpdled  from  the  college  for  immorality.  Biog. 
i.  499;  ment.  i.  388,  4!)2,  57fi,  597.  Rubio  (Casimiro),  at  Loa  Ang.  '4:i-5.  iv. 
641.  6;W;  fatally  wounded  at  S.  I'asciial  '40.  v.  ,347.  R.  (Francisco),  soldier 
of  the  S.F.  coinp.  ''J4-31;  executed  in  '31  for  crime  committed  in  ''2H.  His  waa 
one  of  the  causos  cdlebres  of  Cal.  ii.  592,  .')94;  iii.  191-3,  699.  R.  (Francisco), 
at  Los  Ang.  '40;  killed  at  the  S.  Gabriel  light  Jan.  '47.  v.  .S9«.  R.  (Josd 
A!,  de  J.  Gonzalez),  see  'Gonzalez.'  iii.  318,  724.  R.  (Joso),  at  Los  Ang.  '40-8. 
K.  (Manuel),  at  Los  Ang.  '40.  B.(Matco),  nat.  of  Flanders,  soldier  of  the  8. 
Diego  comp.  in  1779  and  earlier,  and  a  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1794-1819.  i.  454; 
ii.  349,  354.  His  wife  was  Ursula  Dominguez,  and  the  birth  of  4  children  is 
noted  before  1790,  one  of  them  being  Francisco  Ramon.  R.  (Nalwr),  Mex. 
at  Mont.  '30,  ago  40.  R.  (Rafael),  soldier  of  the  8.F.  comp.  '24-0.  R. 
(.Santiago),  at  Loa  Ang.  '19.  ii.  355.  K.  (Tomds),  at  San  Juan  Cap.  '40,  age 
30,  child  Candelaria;  at  Loa  Ang.  '48. 

Ruckel  (Joseph  L.),  1847,  a  prominent  trader  at  S.F.,  8.  Josd,  and  Mont. 
'47-8,  of  the  firms  Sherman  &  R.  and  R.  &  Cooke,  v.  003.  About  '55  he  went 
to  Or.,  where  ho  became  a  stuamlK>atman  and  pres.  of  the  0.  S.  N.  Co.,  still 
there  in  '74-5.  Ruckcr  (Dan.  H.),  18*48,  capt.  of  dragoons  in  Graham's  bat- 
talion. V.  522.  R.  (H.  A.).  1848,  at  S.F.  and  Mont.  Riulacof,  1840,  Russ. 
naval  lieut  on  the  Baikal  at  S.F.  Rndd  (John),  1848,  came  from  Callao  on 
the  Laily  Adams  and  took  com.  of  tho  U.S.  Dak.  v.  577.  Rudenstein 
(John),  1840,  aast  surgeon  on  the  1^.8.  hale,  d.  '09.  Rudierkof,  1846,  Russ. 
lieut;  prob.  same  as  'Rudacof.'  v.  570. 

Rufus  (Ernest),  1844,  nat.  of  Germany,  about  the  manner  of  whoso  coming, 
perhaps  earlier,  nothing  appears,  iv.  453.  Ho  waa  naturalized  in  March  '44, 
appointed  in  July  a  lieut  in  Sutter's  army,  fighting  for  Miciieltorcna,  and  in 
Dec.  got  a  grant  of  tho  Cazadores  rancho  in  Sac.  Val.  iv.  479,  485,  071,  080. 
In  '45,  in  partnership  with  Wm  Benitz,  he  leased  the  Ross  property  from  Sut- 
ter; and  in  '40  was  grantee  of  tho  Rancho  do  German,  north  of  Ross.  iv.  079; 
V.  069.  He  sold  tho  rancho,  or  parts  of  it,  to  Glein  and  Jliigler  in  '47,  but 
seems  still  to  have  resided  in  Sonoma  Co.  as  late  as  '79.  Ruggka  (John), 
1847,  Co.  K,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  4<)9):  at  Sac.  in  '82. 

Ruiz,  mentioned  in  1798.  i.  070.  R.  (Agaton),  wounded  at  the  Olompali 
light,  v.  100-8.  R.  (Anselmo),  at  Los  Ang.  ':«)-4G,  age  25  in  '34.  R. 
(Ciirlos),  at  Sta  B.  before  '37,  wife  Maria  Ant,  Verdugo,  4  children.  R. 
(Catarina),  widow  of  M.  Nieto,  grantee  of  Las  Bolsas  '34.  R.  (Efigonio), 
settler  at  Los  Ang.  1790.  i.  401.  R.  (Eustaquio),  killed  at  Pauma  '40.  v. 
617.  R.  (Francisco),  com.  do  policfa  at  S.  Diego  '30,  rcgidor '37.  iii.  610. 
R.  (Francisco),  at  Los  Ang.  '39-4^.  R.  (Francisco  Maria),  nat.  of  L.  Cal. 
and  sergt  of  tlio  Sta  B.  comp.  from  1795,  alfdrcz  1801,  lieut  180.5,  and  from 
1806  comandante  at  S.  Diego,  being  promoted  to  capt.  in  '20  and  rotire(l 
from  active  service  in  '27-  He  received  a  grant  of  tho  Peiiasquitos  rancho,  and 
died  in '39  at  tho  ago  of  about  85.  Ho  never  married.  Biog.  ii.  5,  .30-41;  ment. 
i.  030,  005;  ii.  50,  8.5,  99-101,  109,  117,  191,  240,  245,  .340-1,  34.1,  451,  4.-)7, 
640-8,  651-2,  571,  003;  iii.  7-8,  012.  R.  (Fructuoso),  settler  at  Loa.  Ang. 
1799;  regidor  1802.  ii.  110,  349.  R.  (Ger6nimo),  zanjero  at  Carpcnterfa '48. 
V.  031.  R.  (Guadalupe),  at  S.  Gabriel  '40.  R.  (Hilario),  soldier  at  Sta  B. 
before  '37.  R.  (Joaquin),  grantee  of  Bolsa  Cliica,  Los  Aug.,  '41,  being  also 
claimant  '52;  at  Loa  Ang.  13,  '39,  '40;  ago  47  in  '39.  ii.  350;  iii.  039.  R. 
(.Jos(5),  inviilido  settler  at  Los  Ang.  '15.  ii.  349.  R.  (Jost5),  soldier  at  Sta  B. 
'32,  wife  Isabel  Uribc.  R.  (Joa6),  at  Sta  1$.  '32,  wife  Maria  Igii.  Lugo,  child. 
Deogracia,  Geronimo,  I^ltazar,  Hilarion,  and  Gabriel;  in  45  a  ranchero. 
R.  (Jos(S  Manuel),  brother  of  Francisco  M.,  lieut  in  L.  Cal.,  appointed  to  Cal. 
in  '24  but  did  not  come;  he  became  gov.  of  L.  Cal.  ii.  515.  840.  R.  (Jos6 
Pedro),  grantee  of  Calleguas  rancho  Sta  B.  '47,  hia  heira  Gabriel  et  al.  el.  iii. 
655.  R.  (Josd  Maria),  settler  at  S.  Jos(S  1791-1800.  i.  710.  R.  (Juan),  set- 
tler at  Loa  Ang.  '12.  ii.  ,350;  at  Sta  B.  '50.  R.  (Juan  Maria),  mentioned 
in  1801.  ii.  171.      B.  (Leon),  1842,  Mex.  sublieut  of  the  batalloa  fijo  '42-S. 


RUIZ-RUSSKLL. 


707 


iv.  289.  R.  (Manuel  D.),  mason-iiistnictor  1792-;'.  i.  015.  R.  (Manuel 
Uarciu),  n>a<le  alf>-ri>z  1789,  but  tlid  nut  euiiic  to  Cal.  i.  .'UO.  R.  (Murinno), 
at  Lo3  Ang.  '.'10,  ago  2'>.  R.  (Martin),  suttlur  at  8ta  U.  '32,  wifu  Catalina 
Lizalde;  atLosAn^.  '4U.  R.  (Nicolusl.  at  Mtali.  '.'17,  wife  Kncarnacion  Fico, 
and  5  cliilUren.  R.  (Santiago),  mason-instructor  1792-.''».  1.015,084-5.  R. 
(Toril)iu),  ditto,  i.  015.       Ruiz  do  la  Mota,  sec  'Mota.' 

Rule  (John  II.),  1847,  >ScotcJi  tcauhcr  at  Mont.,  from  Callao  on  tiic  Guipuz- 
coaiia.  Ruinvillc  (Geo.  \V,),  1839,  at  Mont.,  as  per  Larkin's  books.  Rum- 
schiittcl  (Richard),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.V.Vol.  (v.  499);  hospital  steward  at  Sac; 
at  Vallujo '71-4;  drowned  at  Stockton  '74.  Runyan  (Levi),  1847,  Co.  D, 
Morm.  Rat.  (v.  409).  Rape  (Henry),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518); 
supposed  to  bo  living  in '04.  Ruschcnberger  (W.  S.  W. ),  1830,  surgeon  on  tlio 
U.S.  Peacock,  and  author  of  a  Aarrutive  of  tlie  voyage,  iv,  140-2;  iii.  080. 
Rush  (Madison),  1847,  acting  lieut  on  tiio  U.S.  Columbus. 

Russ  (Adolph  CusUiv),  1847,  son  of  J.  C.  C,  born  in  Germany  '26;  of  Co. 
C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot;  in  the  mines  '48.  He  settled  in 
tS.F.,  wlicro  ho  still  lived  in  '82,  having  been  a  member  of  tiio  legislature  in 
'07.  His  JJiofirnph}/ mid  litmcmbnincts  in  my  col.  of  MSS.aro  brief  sketches  of 
the  family  and  of  S.F.  ull'airs  in  early  times.  He  married  Frances  Simon  in 
'51,  and  had  5  cliildren  surviving  in  '79,  R.  (August),  1847,  brother  of  A.  G., 
b.  N.V.,  drummer  of  Co.  F,  N.Y.Vol.;  still  living  in  S.F.  '82.  R.  (Chas 
Christian  Kd.),  1847,  brother  of  A.  G.,  b.  in  Germany  '28;  lifer  of  N.Y.Vol.; 
owner  of  a  S.F.  lot.  v.  070.  After  ins  disch.  at  Sta  B.  he  went  to  tho  mines  in 
'48,  making  many  later  mining  tours  down  to  that  of  Frazer  River  in  '58. 
The  intervals  wore  filled  in  with  business  enterprises  at  S.F.  Ho  married 
in  '52,  and  was  tho  father  of  7  cliildren.  Still  a  rich  and  r.ominent  citizen  of 
S.F.  in '82;  life  and  portrait  in  (-'oH/rm/j. /i/oi;.  R.  (Henry  B.),  1847,  brother 
of  A.  G.,  who  came,  as  a  boy,  with  the  family;  in  later  years  supervisor  of  S.F. , 
where  he  still  lives  in  '85.  R.  iJacob),  1840,  overl.  immig.  of  Young's  party. 
v.  529.  R.  (J.  C.  Christian),  1S47,  (Jcrman  of  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Ho 
had  made  a  fortune  as  a  jeweller  in  N.  V.,  and  lost  it  by  burglarly  ono  night 
when  ho  closed  his  shop  and  went  to  see  a  procession  in  honor  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son. He  enlisted  with  3  sons,  and  was  accomp.  by  his  wife  and  other  children. 
Opening  a  jeweller's  shop  at  S.F.,  he  obtained,  as  did  his  sims,  building  lots, 
V.  070,  and  rapidly  regained  hia  fortune  during  tiic  flush  times.  Ho  bccamo 
the  owner  of  much  real  estate,  besides  the  original  lot  on  wiiich  ho  built  the 
hotel  still  owned  by  the  family  ami  called  tho  Russ  House.  His  house  on  this 
lot  was  in  '47-8  the  southern  limit  of  settlement,  being  separated  from  tho 
town  by  a  sand  hill.  He  also  built  a  residence  on  Harrison  St  in  the  far-otr 
wilderness,  and  tho  liuss  Garden  near  by  was  from  '57  a  popular  place  of 
suburban  resort.  Ho  died  in  '57,  and  his  widow,  Christina,  in  '80.  The  sons  aro 
named  in  this  Jtegiskr;  a  daugliter,  Mrs  Mebiua.  died  in  Dresden  '85. 

Russell,  1840,"  mr  of  the  San  h  I'arkci:  v.  580.  R.  (Chas).  1840,  of  tho 
Mormon  colony,  but  prob.  did  not  come  to  Cal.  v.  547.  R.  (Eugene),  1845, 
one  of  FrtSmont's  men,  and  of  the  Sta  B.  garrison  '40.  iv.  583;  v.  310;  later 
in  Co.  A,  Cal.  liiit.  (v.  358).  Ho  applied  for  land  in  tho  S.  Josd  district  '40. 
R.  (tteo.  W.),  1847,  sailor  on  the  Independence;  applied  to  Larkin  for  a  clerk- 
ship, E.  (Henry  or  Wm),  1847,  carpenter  and  builder  at  Benicia,  a  partner 
of  Bryant  and  of  Briggs.  v.  072.  IJ.  (John),  1845,  sailor  on  tho  Benj.  Mar- 
<jan.  R.  (J.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  R.  (Robert  K.),  1840,  of  Cal.  Bat, 
(v,  358);  Cal.  claim  $40  (v.  4021;  witness  at  Wash,  '48;  at  S.  Jos(5  '50,  I'tr- 
haps  same  as  Eugene.  R.  (Thomas),  18;r>,  Amer.  sailor  picked  up  by  tho  Pit- 
f/rim  at  Sta  B.  and  landed  at  S.  Diego  in  '35.  iii.  412.  He  became  a  permanent 
resident  of  S.  D,,  and  is  named  l)y  l):uia  in  his  Two  Yi'nr.-i.  In  '30,  with  one 
Weldon,  he  made  an  cxped,  in  search  of  Imried  treasure  at  tho  Colorado  River 
missions,  the  affair  causing  more  excitement  than  increast;  of  wealth,  iii.  013. 
The  same  year  he  was  in  trouble  through  si'iuling  a  challenge  to  Lumsden  for 
a  duel.  iii.  018.  In  '40  ho  worked  as  a  carpenter,  being  married  to  a  native, 
37  years  old,  and  a  naturalized  citizen.  Next  heard  of  in  '47,  when  he  was  in 
trouble  for  refusing  obedience  to  the  alcalde,  or  perhaps  for  an  attempt  to 


70S 


riONKKR  RIXJISTKU  AND  INDKX. 


commit  murder,  v.  (118;  and  in '48  niont.  by  BnfTiim  ir.  tlio  mines  nt  Wchrr 
Crock.  A  man  of  tiiu  uuniu  nunio  wna  cl.  for  land  in  NtA  (Jruz  Co.  ''>'2.  K. 
(\Vm),  1845,  Anicr.  iitMont. ;  jiorhupa  theowni-r  nf  aiS.K.  lot  '47;  or  one  nnnii-il 
ill  Nat>a  Val.  '47-8;  or  an  prcBcnt  at  Dr  Scmplo's  marriage  at  lienicia'47.  v. 
ti7'J;  or  Bomo  ot  tlioso  may  l>o  the  following.  K.  (VVm),  1847,  Co.  U,  N.V. 
Vol.  (v.  4'.)1». 

ItusscU  ( \Vm  II),  1840,  nat.  of  Ky  who  had  been  lomewliat  prominent  in 
local  nolitica,  memb.  of  tho  legislature,  U.S.  marshal,  etc.;  also  serving  in  the 
Florida  war.  IIu  came  to  Cal.  overland  witli  Bryant  and  Jacobs,  v.  528;  made 
a  flowery  oration  at  tho  S.K.  reception  of  Com.  Stockton  in  Oct.  v.  203-0; 
served  as  ordnance  otliccr  with  rank  of  major  in  the  Cul.  Bat.  v.  IGO,  300; 
and  was  one  of  tho  commissioners  to  make  the  treaty  of  Cahuenga,  v.  404-5, 
Iteing  somewhat  active  in  tho  Fr<5mont-Keamy  controversy,  and  see.  of  state 
at  Loa  Ang.  during  Fremont's  rule  na  gov.  v.  423-4,  4.32-3.  In  March  '47  ho 
was  sent  east  with  deapatchcs,  iiia  chief  mission  being  to  secure  F.'a  appoint- 
ment as  gov.  v.  445,  454;  and  he  wus  one  of  F.'s  principal  witnesses  at  tho 
court-martial,  v.  420,  423,  45(5.  Ho  came  back  to  Col.  in  '40,  and  practised 
law  at  S.  JostJ,  Sac,  and  S.R  to  '."»4  or  later;  about  '01-2  wos  IT.S.  consul  at 
Trinidad  du  Cuba,  but  resigned  and  returned  to  Ky,  where  ho  died.  A  dauglitcr 
married  a  grandson  of  llenry  Claj'.  A  second  wife  was  married  about  '(t'J. 
lUissell  wusu  boastful  man  of  many  words,  and  a  hard  drinker,  but  honorab'.f, 
intelligunt,  and  popular,  with  much  ability.  1!.  (Wni  W.),  1847,  lieut  of 
murines  on  tho  U.S.  ImlepemlvHCf.  I'ussnm  (Thos),  1840,  Engl,  mr  of  the 
Juiphcmia  and  Alary  Ann  40-7.  v.  57S-tl;  heard  of  in  England  in  later  years, 
llutli  (John).  1847,  Co.  (},  N.  Y.Vol.  (v.  400).  Rutledgo  (John),  1847,  actini; 
lieuton  the  U.S.  Erie.  Kutter  (Henry),  1841,  employed  on  Leeae's  launch 
at  S.F.       R.  (John),  1820,  mr  of  tiio  PIniict.  iii.  148. 

Ryan  (Edward),  1847,  Co.  B,  N. Y.Vol.  (v.  400);  d.  S.F.  'GO.  B.  (Geo. 
F.),  1843,  Irishman  who  got  a  pass  in  Dec.  R.  (Geo.  V. ),  1847,  went  to  Hon. 
on  tho  Gen.  Kmrnij.  R.  (I'.  H.  W.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N. Y.Vol.  (v.  40D).  R. 
(Q.),  1847,  blacksmith  at  Alont.  R.  'Win),  1845,  sailmaker  on  the  U.S. 
Savannah.  R.  (Wm  Redmond),  1847,  C  j.  D,  N.  Y.Vol.  (v.  400).  Ho  returned 
east  by  ranamii,  and  wrote  his  l'er>ion(il  Adventuren  in  Upper  and  Lower  Cal., 
1848-0,  published  in  London  '50.  Died  atN.  Orleans  '52.  Ryder  (Geo.  W.), 
1847,  arr.  Oct.,  according  to  Soc.  Cal.  I'ion.  roll;  died  S.F.  '08,  age  40. 

Saavedra  (R;imon  A.),  1700,  Span.  com.  of  transport  and  exploring  vessels 
on  tho  coast  1700-7.  i.  500,  523-4,  .542,  700,  728;  ii.  184.  See  also  Iliat.  A\  »'. 
Coast,  through  index.  Sabici  (Matias),  18.'?4,  Ital.  sailor  who  canio  from 
Mcx.  with  tho  II.  &  P.  colony,  and  settled  at  Mont,  afttr  working  for  a  while 
at  tho  Palo  Colorado  as  u  sawyer,  iii.  412.  He  is  mentioned  at  Los  Ang.  in 
'47,  and  seems  to  have  marrictl  a  daughter  of  Wm  Wolf.skill.  Sabas,  (Jos(?), 
at  Los  Ang.  '48.  Saenz  (Ignacio),  Mcx.  convict  of  1701.  i.  000.  S.  (Juan), 
soldier  of  tiio  S.F.  eomp.  '10-30.  S.  (Luis),  ''itto  '42.  S.  (Macario),  of  S.F. 
militia '37.  S.  (Manuel),  soldier  of  S.F.  comp.  '32-3;  militia '.■}7;  at  Sonoma 
'44,  ago  30.  S.  (Pablo  Pedro),  of  S.F.  militia  'HI,  exiled  in  '.'tO.  iii.  580;  per- 
haps i'ablo  and  Pedro.  S. ,  sec  also  '  Sais, '  '  Sacz. '  S.  do  Lucio,  see  '  Lucio. ' 
Saez  (Jos(5,  Justo,  and  Miguel),  settlers  at  S.  ,Tos(}  1707.  i.  717.  S.  (Na- 
3ario),  settler  at  S.  Jos(5  780.  i.  477;  wife  Micaela  Sotelo,  child,  in  '03,  Miguel, 
Juan,  Bcnedicta,  and  Felipa.  Saizarra  (Ednardo),  Peruvian  shot  for  stealing 
at  Mont.  '31.  iii.  101,  GOO,  073,  070.  S.  (Mateo),  1818,  of  Bouchard's  in- 
surgents, capture*!  at  Mont.  ii.  232,       Sahr  (Albert),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot. 

Sainsevain  (Pierre),  1830,  French  carpenter,  ago  20,  who  arrived  at  Sta 
B.  on  tho  Ayacucho.  iv.  117,  110.  His  passport  was  dated  Bordeaux,  Nov. 
'38.  He  was  a  nephew  of  Louis  Vigncs,  whom  he  joined  for  a  time  in  the 
manufacture  of  wine  at  Los  Angeles.  In  '43  he  was  grantee  of  tho  Cafladadel 
Rincon  rancbo,  iv.  055,  and  from  '44  owned  a  saw-mill  at  Sta  Cruz,  being  from 
'46  in  partnership  with  Roussillon,  building  a  schooner  in  '40,  v.  641,  and 
also  from  '46  having  a  Hour-null  at  S.  3oB<i,  which  gave  rise  to  some  local 
troubles,  iv.  085;  v.  600.  He  went  to  tho  mines  iii  '48,  Sainsevain  Bar  being 


SAINSFA'AIN-SALMOX. 


700 


named  for  him;  and  in  '40  was  a  member  of  the  constit.  convention.  In  later 
yuara  lio  becumo  oiio  of  the  must  prominent  vinoyurdist*  and  wine-maitura  in 
tiio  state.  His  wife,  married  in  '45,  was  a  duu^liter  of  Antonio  Suftol.  8t 
Clair  (Trouett),  1W43  ('/),  tinpiK  r  wiio  prob.  cu mo  from  N.  Mcx.  almut  thia 
year.  iv.  400;  mcnt.  by  Scliulltnbirgcr  und  in  tlio  X,  J/elr.  iJian/  '44-5;  still 
living  in  StA  Cruz  Co.  as  Into  as  '7W.  St  Germain  (BoptiHtr),  IM.'U,  Fr.  from 
Is'.  Mex.;  prob.  with  Wolfekill.  iii.  387.  tSt  Jolin  (Aiiguntua  A.),  1847,  Co. 
11,  N. Y. Vol.  (V.  409).  .St  J.  (Henrj  \  1843  (?),  Kngl.  sailor,  nnd  later  sugar- 
jilautcr  in  the  Saiidw.  Isl.,  said  to  lur.e  come  to  Cat.  tliis  year.  iv.  400.  He 
Mas  later  a  miner  and  cattle-dealer,  who  attempted  suicido  at  8.F.  '8.3.  St 
J.  (J.),  1848,  i)assi)ort  from  Hon.  St  J.  (Stcplien  M.),  1847,  Co.  K,  Morm. 
Itat.  (v.  4C9).  St  Quintin  (.Joseph),  1847,  Co.  C.  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  400).  Saia 
(Domingo),  soldier  of  tho  S.F.  conip.  ''JG-33;  of  S.F.  militia  '37;  grantee  of 
( 'anada  do  Herrcra,  Marin, '30.  iii.  711.  Ho  had  been  elector  and  regidor  of 
S.  F.  '37-0.  iii.  705;  and  his  ago  was  '30  in  '44.  His  name  is  written  also 
'Saenz'  and  'Saez,'  which  aro  perhaps  more  correct  forms;  at  least,  it  ia  im- 
])08siblc  to  distinguish  between  them  in  Cal.  8.  (Miguel),  settled  at  Los 
Ang.  1S06.  ii.  350.  Saizar  <lo  Vitoria,  see  'Vitoria.'  Sajat  (I^ewis  T.), 
1847,  owner  of  8.F.  lots. 

8al  (Hcrmcnegildo),  177(),  Span,  soldier  who  came  with  Anza;  guardo- 
alinaccn  ot  ."■•  F.  '78-S'J;  alf(5rez  '82;  licut  '05.  Ho  served  at  Mont.  1782-1800 
(except  '01-4  at  S.F.);  much  oC  the  time  as  hnbilitado  and  comandante.  In 
1800,  being  retired  as  capt.,  ho  died  at  Mont.  Though  a  quick-tempered  man, 
ho  was  a  faithful  officer,  strict  disciplinarian,  and  excellent  accountant.  Biog. 
and  fam.  i.  678-80;  ment.  i.  297.  3.35,  300-7,  441,  463, 467-8,  490,  493-6,  501, 
C09-11,  514,  516-18,  520,  537,  547.  551-2,  569,  572-3,  688-94,  634,  680,  69a- 
707,  718;  ii.  14,3,  191;  iii.  11.  Salamanca  (Secundino),  1791,  S|mn.  lieut  la 
Malaspina's  cxped.  i.  490.  Salazar,  171)6,  com.  of  the  Concepcion  and 
Activo  '06-7.  i.  540,  544.  8.  (Alonso  Isidro),  1791,  Span,  friar,  who  was  a 
founder  of  Sta  Cruz,  where  ho  served  until  his  retirement  in  '95,  writing  in 
Mcx.  an  important  report  on  the  Condkion  Actual  de  Cal.  Biog.  i.  497-9;  ment. 
j.  494,  566,  576,  579-SO,  603-4,  618,  626,  661.  8.  (Antonio),  at  Los  Ang. 
'46;  juez  de  campo  '48.  v.  626.  8.  (Canuto),  fifer  of  tho  S.F.  comp,  '39-42; 
in  '54-5  at  8.F.,  age  28;  witness  in  the  Santillan  case.  8.  (Dionisio),  at 
liranciforte  '45,  age  28,  wife  Pcrfccta  Castro,  child.  Kncamacion  b.  '40,  and 
Juan '41.  S.  (I ulgencio),  soldier  of  tho  S.F.  comp.  '38-42.  S.  (Ignacio 
nnd  Jesus),  at  8.  Bern.  '46.  S.  (Isidro),  teamster  at  Mont.  '47.  8.  (Jorge), 
soldier  at  Mont.  '36,  ago  25.  8.  (Josti),  convict  settler  1798.  i.  6()6.  8. 
(.lo8(5),  soldier  of  S.F.  comp.  '38-43.  iv.  667;  Cal.  claim  (v.  462).  8.  (Jos« 
Antonio),  N.  Mexican  trader  and  settler  from  '39.  iv.  81,  278,  .387;  in  '46 
Hupl.  juez  at  S.  Feliciano  rancho.  v.  625;  in  '47  alcalde  at  Los  Ang.  v.  626; 
Ktill  there  in  '48.  8.  (Josd  Maria),  regidor  at  Branciforte  '.34.  iii.  696,  588; 
in  '45  on  the  padron  aa  a  nat.  of  Cal.,  age  60.  wife  llernienogilda  Rios, 
child.  Isidro  b.  '\5,  Jorgo  '19,  Juan  '25,  Maria  Refugio  '.30,  Refugio  '33.  8. 
(Juan),  com.  of  tiie  guard  at  8.  Fern.  '2,3.  ii.  .')70;  in  '27-30  acting  habilitado 
at  Sta  B.  and  8.  Diego,  ii.  54.3,  572;  iii.  114.  In  '31-4  ho  was  promoted  from 
Bcrgt  to  alff^rez,  and  was  once  a  prisoner  during  the  sectional  wars  in  '.37.  Ho 
was  acting  com.  of  8.  Diego,  and  ia  ment.  as  late  as  '40.  iii.  482,  503-4.  .'■>41, 
(iOS-10;  iv.  617;  v.  ,5(56.  S.  (Miguel),  sohlier  at  S.  Jos<5  mission  1707.  i.  556. 
S.  (Ramon),  at  Los  Ang.  '40. 

Sales  (Alex.),  1833,  Amer.  hunter  from  X.  Mtx.,  at  Los  Ang.  '.36,  age  29. 
I'rob.  Cyrus  'Alexander,'  q.  v. ;  also  mcnt.  in  the  campaign  of  '45.  iv.  495.  8. 
(Francisco),  grantee  of  land  at  S.  Gabriel  '45.  iv.  (i37.  Salgndo  (Augustin), 
at  Los  Ang.  '46.  S.  (Francisco),  ditto;  in  8.  Luis  Ob.  50-8.  8.  (Touiils), 
juez  aux.  Mont,  dist  '44.  iv.  053.  Salines,  1842,  Frenchman  in  Sutter's  em- 
ploy, iv.  341;  prob.  tho  Salinas  named  in  X.  I/ili'.  JJitiri/ '4!>-8.  Sallalla 
(Faustino),  soldier  at  tho  Colorado  Hiv.  pueblos  1780-1,  killed  by  Ind.  i.  .359, 
362.  Sallcman,  1847,  doubtful  name  of  a  Frenchman  at  S.  Jo8<5.  Sallee, 
1846,  of  West's  overl.  party,  killed  on  the  Humboldt,  v.  .')28.  Salmon 
<Alejo),  colegial  at  Sta  IntJs  '44.  iv.  426.       S.  (James),  1846,  Delaware  Ind. 


I 


710 


nOXEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


in  the  fight  at  Natividad.  v.  .167;  at  Sutter's  fort  '47.  Salvador,  Cal.  Ind. 
sent  by  Sutter  tu  relief  of  the  Donner  |)arty  '46.  He  refused  to  eat  human 
flesh,  but  was  himself  shot  and  eaten,  v.  .').31-2,  5^^.  537.  Saly,  IS4.'>.  at 
Sta  B.  Sarelyn  Ultnry),  IS47,  Co.  F.  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358).  Samop  <.Jaiine>. 
Ind.  alcalde  at  S.  ]>ie);o  17S>i).  i.  Coo.  Sam  Tetoy,  Ind.  chief,  later  catletl 
'Solano,' q.v.  ii.  3'J9.       Sampson  (Z.),  1848,  imssp.  from  Hon. 

Sanchez  (.Antonio),  soldier  at  Sta  11.  before  '37.  S.  (E8t«5van),  soldier  at 
Sta  B.  '32,  wife  I'omana  Lopez.  S.  (Fruncisco),  son  of  Jose  Ant.;  soldier  of 
the  S.F.  comp.  *i4-5;  in  '27-8  elector  and  sec.  at  S.F.  and  S.  Jo«^.  ii.  .M>2, 
60>'>;  in  '35  bcc.  iii.  704;  in  '37  sec,  cnpt.  of  the  militia,  elector,  and  grantee 
of  town  loU.  iii.  fiOii,  oil,  701,  705;  v,  (i83;  in  '38-9  acting-com.  at  S.F.  and 
grantee  of  S.  I'cdro  rancho,  S.  Mateo  -o.  iii.  563,  701,  713.  He  served  as  jncz 
dc  paz  in  '43.  iv.  G65;  in  '42  is  named  on  the  juidron  as  a  nat.  of  S.  Ju«^, 
age  35,  wife  Tco<lora  Ui^ucra,  child.  Luisa  b.  '34,  Luis  '36,  Dolo"-es  TW,  and 
Pedro;  in  '44  capt.  of  defonsoics.  iv.  407,  40S,  667;  in  '45  capt.  of  the  po«t, 
and  grantee  of  town  lot.  iv.  (ki<>,  669;  v.  678.  In  '46  was  acting  com.  at  ."<.  F. . 
tbongh  .-.Ijseiit  at  the  capture  by  the  U.S.  v.  4,  17,  61,  239--4I,  6.'>9;  ami  in 
'4(>  7.  provokctl  by  the  depredations  of  the  Americans,  he  headed  a  kind  of 
revolt,  with  a  view  to  obtain  guaranties,  taking  captive  Alcalde  Bartlett  an«l 
his  guard,  who  wore  making  a  nhuidcring  tour.  v.  .■{79-8.3.  Don  Fran<-is<r»j 
still  lived  at  S.F.  mission  in  '55.  Ho  is  rememltered  as  a  hospitable  man. 
though  somewhat  hostile  to  Amer. ,  and  always  regarded  by  them  with  sus- 
picion. 

Sanchez  (Francisco  de  .Icsus),  1842  (?),  Mcx.  friar  of  the  Zacatccanoc,  who 
was  apjtarently  left  l>eliind  in  L.  Cul.  when  the  others  came  in  "JiH.  iii.  319. 
He  was  minister  at  S.  Buenaventura  '42-3  and  '52-3;  at  Sta  In^-s  '44-50,  lin- 
ing vice-rector  of  the  seminary,  iv.  425-6,  644-5;  v.  635.  He  i.s  name<I  oeca- 
sionallj'  at  S.  Cabriel  and  Sta  B.  to  '58,  but  I  have  found  no  later  record  of 
him.  S.  (Francisco  Migiul),  1774,  Span,  friar  who  served  j.t  .*<.  (Jabriel.  and 
teni|H>rarily  at  other  mission.'*,  till  his  death  in  180.'{.  Bio<^.  ii.  M3-14;  nirnt. 
i.  299,  38S,  45l,4."i9,  49.V6,  511,  576,  664,  711.  S.  ((Jil),  regidor  at  .M-.nt. 
'3(5.  tithe  col.  at  Brancifortc  '39,  grantee  of  Arroyo  de  la  Lnguna  "40,  kille>l 
Kobles  "12,  ageute  de  piil.  '45.  iii.  675,  676,  i'»97;  iv.  653,  (i63.  S.  (Hilario). 
grantee  nf  Tamal[Kiis  '45.  iv.  674.  S.  (Isiifro),  son  of  JosiS  Ant.,  of  S.  F. 
militia  '.S7,  age  23  in  '42,  wife  Teodora  Alvino,  child.  Dolores  b.  KV7,  I^liel 
'40,  and  Narcisa  '41 ;  involved  in  the  assault  on  Capt.  Libby  '45.  .S.  (.facf>lio». 
in  revolt  at  Los  Ang.  '45.  iv.  .').18-9.  S.  (Joaquin),  sirvientc  at  Sta  Clara 
1776.  i.  308.  S.  (Joaquin),  1801,  sergt  sent  from  Mex.  to  superintend  i-ulti- 
vation  of  liinip.  i.  620-1;  ii.  178,  181.  S.  (Joaquin),  soldier  of  the  S.  F. 
eomp.  '23.       S.  (JosOi,  1791,  ])iloto  in  Malaspinu's  cxped.  i.  490. 

Sanchez  (Jo86  .Vntonio),  nat.  of  Sinaloa,  sohlier  of  the  S.  F.  comp.  fmm 
1791,  Corp.  from  l!S05,  sergt  from  1806,  brevet  alfcrez  from  '20,  an<l  plfi-re/ 
from  '27,  or,  as  sonu»  records  indicate,  from  *.'J2.  Ho  was  for  some  years  rorp. 
of  the  Sta  Cruz  i-sj-olta.  i.  49<i,  526,  5;i5;  was  later  engaged  in  over  20  Ind. 
campaigns  and  exploring  expe<l.,  especially  in  '17-26,  being  famous  for  his 
skill  and  courage  as  an  Ind.  lighter,  ii.  91-2,  126,  2.32,  322,  .329,  Xi5,  3.3«».  .171. 
445,  497-9,  5.38,  .584;  iii.  111-12,  12.3.  In '27-35  ho  was  the  grentec  of  Bnri- 
buri  ranirbo,  S.F.  ii.  ."t9l-5,  6(>4;  iii.  711;  in  '29-33  com.  atS.F.,  though  in- 
volved in  the  revolt  of  '29.  iii.  75,  96,  223-4,  .33.3,  .36.">,  701 ;  but  in  ';«-4  ap. 
parently  attache«l  nominally  to  the  .Mont.  comp.  iii.  671.  In  ',36  he  was  retiml 
frooi active  service,  living  on  his  rancho  or  at  the  mission;  is  iiametl  on  the 
|iadron  of  '42  as  67  years  of  age;  and  died  in  '43,  Iwing  denied  the  ctmiforts  of 
religion  on  >iis  4leath-l*ed,  and  for  a  time  Christian  b.irial,  through  M>tne 
quarrel  with  the  friars,  to  whom  ho  M'as  always  hostile,  iv.  373.  He  «as.« 
gootl  man,  of  known  honesty  and  valor,  but  very  ignorant  and  jnfit  for  pro- 
motion. His  sons  were  Jose  de  la  Crnz.  Francisco,  Manuel,  and  Isidni.  His 
daughters  married  Fran,  de  Haro,  two  V'alencias,  and  John  Bead.  S.  (Joa4 
Ant),  settler  at  S.  J<w.i  1791-1800.  i.  716. 

Sanchez  (Jo8«*  Bernardo),  1S04,  S|)an.  friar  who  served  chiefly  nt  S.  Diego 
and  S.  (tabriel  till  his  dee      in  '33.   A  \'ery  prominent  iniMionary  and  preai- 


.     i  ^ 


SAXCH  EZ-SAXDERS. 


711 


dent  of  the  Femandiiios  in  "27-30.  Biog.  iii.  641-2;  nicnt.  ii.  47, 99,  l(k>-7,  1 10, 
159,  344,  300,  394,  442,  487,  5«0,  oW,  Ml,  509,  580,  055,  057;  iii.  87,  91-2,  94, 
90,  102,  108,  142-4,  155,  301>-I0,  3lo-l«,  337-8,  347,  :iol.  S.  (Jmd  ile  la 
t'liiz),  son  of  Joaj  Ant.,  elector  at  S.F.  ':15,  regidor  ';<0-7.  iii.  704-5;  grantee 
of  8.  Mateo  runcbo  '30-41,  and  admin,  of  .S.  F.  missioa  '30-40.  iii.  713,  715; 
DaniL'd  in  tho  imdron  of  '42  as  40  3'c-are  old,  wife  Maria  Josefa  Merido  (':), 
child.  Soledad  b.  '23,  C  >ncepcion  '.'JO,  Jos^  Maria  '34,  Hicardo  '37,  and  Fran- 
cisco. IIn  wu«  supl.  juez  do  paz  '43,  »<irr;gt  of  dtfensorca  '44,  2d  alcalde  '45,  and 
2d  juez  do  paz  in  '40.  iv.  005,  000-7;  v.  048.  Ue  continued  to  live  at  tlio 
mission  till  his  death  in  '78.  iS.  (.IomS  Joaquin),  at  Los  Ang.  '25.  ii.  559. 
S.  (JosO  Maria),  1824,  Mex.  who  in  '35  was  grantee  of  Llano  de  Teciuesquite 
rancho.  iii.  077;  ago  30  in  '30;  juez  at  S.  Juan  IS.  '37.  iii.  092;  his  rancho 
aackcd  by  Ind.  '38.  iii.  09:*;  iv.  75;  C*L  claim  '46-7  (v.  462);  alcalde  at  S. 
Juan  15,  '47-8.  v.  6-13.  Ho  was  cl.  for  l.as  Animas,  '~ta  Clara,  '52 

iSanchez  (Juan),  sirviente  at  S.F.  1777.  i.  297.  S>.  (Juan),  grantee  of  Sta 
Clara  rancho,  tjta  B.,  '37  iii.  056;  wife  lues  Guevara  and  4  cliildrcn  before 
'37;  atill  ii>  Sta  B.  Co.  'H.  S.  (J nana  Mana  L.),  2d  baptism  ac  S.F.  1770.  i. 
2Jl.  S,  ^  ilixcario),  at.  S.  Jo8«5  1800.  .S.  (Manu*;!),  prob.  son  of  Jos<5  Ant., 
elector  at  .i.  F.  '35  an*l  p  stitioner  for  <.'ailada  dc  <  iuatlalupe  ranclio.  iii.  704,  711; 
alf.  of  militia  '37.  iii.  701 ;  in  '42  age  30,  wife  Francisca  Solis,  cliild.  Manuel 
b.  '31,  Itosario  '37,  Dolores  "*H,  Juan  Francisco  "41.  S.  (Maria  Joscfa),  Cal. 
claim  for  §9,030  (v.  402)  S.  (Miguel).  Is29.  Mex.  convict  lilKjrated  in  ';«. 
S.  (llafael),  Iiul.  cxecuteU  at  Mont.  '4."».  iv.  054.  S.  (Itafael),  1842,  Mex. 
Bub-licut  of  the  batidion  lijo  '42-.'>,  acting  also  as  Micheltorcna's  sec.  lie 
remained  in  Cal.  a.:  ''u.stom-housc  othctT  in  '45;  is  mentioned  in  tlie  annals  of 
*4C,  serving  on  tho  Ist  jUiy  and  getting  a  craut  of  S.  Lorenzo  rancho.  iv.  289, 
513,  557;  v.  35,  41,  45,  01,  289,  (j.*{7.  sr  (Itamoii),  1820,  Mex.  sup.  of  tho 
tSta  Ajioloiiia,  and  mr  of  tho  Mitij'lnlfii'i,  27-8.  iii.  147-8.  S.  (liitniona  iir 
Komana),  grantee  of  IJutano,  Sta  Cruz,  44.  ii.  591.  S.  (Teodoro),  juez  do 
canip'  at  l^guna  Seca '3.">.  iii.  074. 

S  nchcz(Tomus),  at  Los  Coyotes  rancho.  Ijos  .\ng.,  '39,  age  37;  collector  of 
taxes  at  Los  Ang.  '43.  iv.  IKW.  After  "49  he  was  somewhat  prominent  .".s 
Bherill';  (till  livnig  in  '77.  S.  (Tomito*.  at  S.  I'ascual  '40.  v.  352;  perhaps 
same  as  Tomtis.  S.  (Url>ano>,  jwner  of  the  St»  Ajiolonia  '20.  iii.  i4H,  082; 
prob.  not  in  Cal.  S.  (Vicente),  Kcttlcr  at  Los  Ang.  '14-19.  ii.  349.  34; 
uncstcd  ami  sent  to  Sta  B.  in  in>ns  "22.  ii.  559;  elector  and  prob.  alcalde 
'20-7.  ii.  500;  iii.  ,33;  incmlxr  of  the  dip.  "28.  iii.  41-2.  In  "29-32  he  as  dipu- 
tado,  alcalde,  and  citizen  was  involved  in  a  cc>mplicatcd  series  of  troublcK, 
being  deposed  and  imprisoned,  and  in  turn  imprisoning  others.  The  details 
cannot  bo  presented,  even  if  anyUHly  ever  nndenit<KKl  them.  He  Miia  a 
vicious,  gambling,  quatreboine  fellow,  though  of  some  intelligence  and 
wealth;  und  political tjuairels  lx.-tw<>en  Kcheaudiaand  Victoria  ha<l  something 
to  do  with  his  troubles,  aliout  which  suits  were  i>en<ling  as  late  as  '44.  ii.  501 ; 
iii.  187-8,  195-0,  200,  2t»5,  212,  2:{0,  6:10,  «:«.  In  '.'W-O  he  iiad  Bomething  to 
do  with  tho  vigilance  i^om.,  and  with  the  sectional  quarrel  on  lH>th  sides,  iii. 
417,  432,  491,  504,  505,  030.  In  '42-4  his  name  apiK-ars.  being  the  grantee  of 
CiiMicga  or  Paso  do  la  Tijcra,  and  al.-«o  ci».nis.  de  zanja^i.  iv.  295,  029,  03;{-4; 
and  in  '45  he  was  again  alcalde,  not  free  from  |Kipulai'  complaints,  iv.  497, 
523,  033.  I  have  no  later  record  of  him.  Sancho  (.'uau  iiuuti.'^ta),  1804, 
Span,  friar  w  ho  served  at  S.  Antonio  till  his  death  in  '30,  Biog.  ii.  621 ;  ment, 
ii.  152,  .385,  388,  0.')5. 

Sandeau,  1840,  a  mountaineer  with  Kearny  from  X.  Mex.  Lniirri/.  San- 
dels  (G.  M.  W.),  1842,  Swedish  .ncientist  who  came  from  Mex.  on  the  solir  ♦  'ali- 
j'ontid,  and  went  to  Hon.  on  tlie  hiamouU  in  '4.'{.  He  w  tote  an  account  of 
liis  observations  under  the  name  of  '  king's  Oq>lian. "  iv.  34.VO,  'M'.i,  .">('»5,  (i40, 
650, 065.       Sanders  (Allen),  J 845,  Amer.  blacksmith  fn)m  Or.  in  the  .Mc.Mahou 

garty,  working  for  Sutter  Jul. -LKjc.  In  the  spring  of  '40  ho  visiitd  Napa  and 
onoma,  married  Miss  Honney,  nnd  in  .March  went  with  the  Bonneys  to  Or., 
where  he  is  said  to  have  been  living  in  "i^i.  iv.  ."i72:  v.  .'»2(i.  S.  (Horace), 
1845,  overl.  imniig.  of  the  Oiigsbylde  party,  iv.  57'.»,  5<v7.  He  was  iniliapsa 


il 


* 


i 


712 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Bear  Flag  man.  v.  110;  and  served  as  scrgt  Co.  E,  Cal.  Bat.  v.  361;  having  a 
Cal.  claim  of  §20  (v.  40*2).  Thoa  Knight  states  that  in '70-1,  S.  was  living  near 
Carson,  Ncv.  S.  (Richard  T.),  1847,  Co.  E,  Momi.  Bat.  (v.  409).  Sander- 
8on  (Geo.  B.),  1847,  asst  surg.  U.S.A.,  surg.  of  the  Morm.  IJat.,  and  an  object 
of  the  most  intense  dislike  on  the  part  of  the  Mormons.  Ho  went  cast  with 
<Jcn.  Kearny,  v.  446,  452,  477,  480-2,  Sandoval  (Josefa),  1791,  wife  of  Gov. 
Komeu.  i.  48S,  490.  S.  (Luciano),  1842.  cornet  of  the  batallon  fijo  '42-5.  ir. 
289.      S.  (Pinfilo),  1828,  Alex,  convict  liberated  '34. 

San  Est('van  (Antonio),  1831,  chief  of  a  N.  Mex.  caravan,  iii.  396.  Sands 
(J.  li.),  1847,  mr  of  the  Jienj.  Tucker.  Sanford,  1843,  at  Sutter's  fort  *45, 
and  jwrhttpn  an  overl.  immig.  of  the  Chiles  party,  iv.  393,  578.  S.  (Sam.), 
1847,  Co.  b,  N.Y.Vol,  (v.  499).  Sanger  (John),  1844,  mr  of  the  Newton;  d. 
at  S.  Diego,  iv.  567;  perhaps  'Sawyer.'  Sangrador  (Miguel),  tanner-in- 
structor 1792-3.  i.  615,  728^ 

Santa  Ana,  soldier  at  Sta  B.  '24.  ii.  533.  Santa  Cruz  (Jos^  Antonio), 
com.  de  policiaat  Mont.  '.33,  '36,  juez  de  campo  '35.  iii.  673-5;  age  43  in  '36, 
nat.  of  Mex.,  wife  Gertradis  Villavicencio,  child  Juan  Jos^.  Santa  Marfa, 
181.),  teacher  who  came  with  Gov.  Sola.  ii.  426.  StaM.,  Ind.  sirv.  at  S. 
Luis  Ob.,  shot  by  Fr6mont.  v.  374.  Sta  M.  (Jo86  Mario),  clerk  of  the  court 
at  Mont.  '42;  owner  of  S.F.  lot  '46.  v.  684.  Sta  M.  (Vicente),  1776,  Span, 
friar  who  served  chiefly  at  S.  Buen.,  where  he  died  in  1806.  Biog.  ii.  121-2; 
meut.  i.  240-1,  246,  287,  300,  302,  376,  382,  385,  388,  399,  466,  522,  553,  576, 
074;  ii.  159-60,  490.  Santiago  (Juan  Jo8t5  Norberto),  1786,  Span,  friar,  wLo 
served  at  S.  Juan  Cap,  and  retired  in  1810.  Biog.  ii.  110;  ment.  i.  388,  423, 
458-9,  474,  56.3,  576,  657;  ii.  114,  159-00,  197.  Santillan  (Jo86  Prudencio), 
1841,  Mex.  novice  of  Ind.  parentage  who  came  with  the  bishop  and  soon  be- 
came a  priest,  iv.  195.  Ho  was  parish  priest  at  S.F.  mission  in  46-50,  though 
much  of  the  time  absent;  and  went  to  Mex.  in  '50.  His  chief  and  onlv  fame 
rests  on  his  claim  of  '50  to  the  misssion  lands  under  a  grant  of  Gov.  t'ico  in 
I  '40,  a  grant  which  after  a  long  and  famous  litij^ation,  though  approved  by  the 
laiid  com.  and  district  court,  was  finally  declared  invalid  by  the  U.S.  sup. 
court,  being  doubtless  fraudulently  antedated,  v.  558,  659-00.  Santillan  be- 
came asst  curate  at  Mazatlan  before  '56,  and  my  last  record  of  him  is  thot  in 
'59  he  was  arrested  for  refusal  to  celebrate  the  return  of  peace  at  the  order  of 
Gov.  Pesqueira;  yet  in  78  tlie  iiolders  of  the  land  claims  professed  to  be  able 
to  produce  him  as  a  witness.  Santos,  sirv.  at  Solec'.ad  1791-1800.  i.  499. 
S.,  neoph.  grantee  of  I!incon  del  Alisal,  Sta  Clara,  '44.  iv,  672.  S.  (Guada- 
lupe), at  Mont.  '36,  age  26. 

Sargent  (Constantine),  1846,  purser's  clerk  on  the  U.S.  Congress,  committed 
suicide  at  Alont.  Dec.  S.  (Henry  8.),  1848,  nat.  of  Conn,  recently  from  Or. ; 
il.  at  S.F.  Oct.  S.  (James  K.),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Sarmiento 
(Jo8(3  M.),  1842,  Mex.  lie'jt  of  the  batallon  fijo;  died  on  the  voy.  to  Cal.  iv. 
289.  Sarrfa  (Vicente  Francisco).  1800,  Span,  friar  whose  missionary  service 
was  at  S.  CArlos  and  Soledad  until  his  ikatli  in  '35.  He  was  prefect  in  '13-10, 
'2.3-.30,  and  ])r  sidcnt  '23-5;  one  of  the  ablest,  b'jst,  and  most  prominent  of 
tlie  Fernandinoa.  Biog.  iii.  088-9;  nunt.  i.  list  of  auth. ;  ii.  88.  148,  159-60, 
217-18,  240,  3.>7-30,  364,  3S3,  .38(5,  .31)4,  .3!)(M09,  451-3,  461,  491,  501-5.  512- 
1.3,  517-18,  521,  525-0,  535,  (i22-3,  055,  0.->7,  O.TO,  602;  iii.  7,  16-19,  87,  89-91, 
128,  191,  .3.36,  3.38,  ?')0-l.  Sotto  (Juan  Jose),  1827,  Moorish  servantfrom  S. 
Bias  on  an  Engl.  8l.,p;  at  S.  Jo.s«5  '29,  age  42. 

Sauerweid  (Alex.  A.),  184S,  Russian,  in  S.  Jonq.  Co.  '78.  Saunders 
(John),  18.38,  Amor,  or  Irish  Bailor  at  Mont,  and  SU  Cruz  '.38,  '43;  at  S.F.  '44, 
age  30.  iv.  119.  He  went  to  se.a  ag.nin  in  '47-8,  but  returned  in  '52-3,  soon 
i^liipping  again.  S.  (Theodore  R.).  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  in  N.Y. 
city  '82.  S.  (\Vm  L.),  18.33,  trapner  named  in  Mont,  lists  of  '34.  In  '.34  ho 
writes  Capt.  Jos.  Walker  a  severe  letter  denying  any  indebtedness  and  claim- 
ing to  hold  a  receipt  from  Bonneville.  Ho  may  therefore  have  come  in  '.33 
with  Walker  (iii.  389),  or  in  '32  with  Dye,  wlio  mentions  a  Saunders  in  his 
party. 

Savage  (Chas),  1345.  at  Sut',er's  fort.  iv.  57S;  went  to  Or.  '40.  v.  520;  and 


SAVAGE— SCHWEITZER. 


713 


was  at  Jacksonville  '81.  S.  (Eliza),  1846,  of  the  Mormon  colony,  v.  '>i6;  in 
Utah  '84.  S.  (James  D.),  184C,  overl.  iminig.  who  served  in  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat. 
V.  374  (.^oS) ;  nutncd  in  the  N.  Jlelv,  Diary,  47-8.  Ho  had  be«n  a  trapper  and 
mountaineer,  having  great  inflnenco  among  the  Ind.,  by  wliose  aid  ho  is  suid 
to  have  acquired  much  wealth  in  the  gold  mines.  In  '48-9  he  had  trading 
posts  on  the  Mariix)sa  and  Fresno;  and  in  later  times  rendered  great  service 
to  govt  and  to  settlers  as  interpreter,  commissioner,  nnd  major  in  com.  of  a 
volunteer  battalion.  Ho  was  probably  the  di'  a  'ercr  of  the  Yosemite  Valley. 
In  '52  he  was  killed  at  the  Kings  Kivek  ix.  ation  in  a  quarrel  with  Maj. 
Harvey,  the  county  judge.  An  ignorant  man  of  much  natural  shrewdness,  he 
made  many  warm  friends  and  bitter  foes.  It  is  related  of  him  that  he  made  it  a 
point  to  marry  a  chief's  daughter  in  every  tribe;  exchanged  hardware  and 
whiskey  by  weight,  ounce  for  ounce,  with  the  Ind.,  for  gold-dust;  and  I>et  his 
weight  in  gold  on  the  turn  of  a  card  in  a  S.F.  gambling-house.  S.  (Levi), 
i5'7,  Co.  D,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469);  at  Lorqueville,  Utah,  '82. 

Sawis  (Nathaniel),  1816,  doubtful  name  of  a  deserter  from  the  Albatroxx. 
ii.  275,  Sawyer  (John),  1844,  mr  of  tiie  Kewlov;  d.  at  S.  Diego  '45.  iv.  453, 
507.  S.  (Joseph),  1828,  Scotchman  at  S.  Diego  '28-9.  Saxton  (Chas),  1847. 
Co.  G,  N.Y.  Vol.  (V.  499).  Schafifer  (J.  Ii.),  1848,  nat.  of  Va;  at  Hon.  from 
S.r?.  on  the  Tepic;  dist  attorney  of  S.  Joaq.  Co.;  d.  in  '75,  perhaps  in  Idaho. 

Schalleubergcr  (Moses),  1844,  nat.  of  Ohio,  and  overl.  immig.  as  a  boy  in 
the  Stevens  party.  His  remarkable  adventures  at  Donner  Lake,  where  ho  was 
left  by  the  party  and  passed  the  winter  alone,  arc  noted  in  iv.  445-7,  45.'J-4, 
as  related  in  his  MS.,  Oierland  in  '44-  He  appears  in  various  records  of  '46-8 
as  clerk  and  trader  at  Sutter's  fort,  8.  Jos6,  Mont.,  and  Sta  Cruz;  but  linally 
settled  at  S.  Josi^,  where  he  acquired  considerable  property,  and  was  still  liv- 
ing in  '85.  I  have  been  unable  to  obtain  information  about  his  career  in  lato 
ye.irs  or  his  family.  His  sister  was  the  wife  of  Dr  Townsend  of  the  Stevens 
party,  and  his  daughter  Maggie  in  '84-5  was  a  teacher,  who  from  lier  fatiier's 
notes  wrote  the  MS.  narrative  of  the  overland  trip.       Sclienck  (James  F. ), 

1846,  lieut  on  the  U.S.  CoiKjrcua,  serving  in  Stockton's  Bat.  '40-7;  nat.  of 
Ohio;  rear-admirar79.  v.  208,  281.  S.  (WoodhuUS.),  1845,  lieutonthe  U.S. 
Portmouth.  Schiller  (Ed.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  Texas  '81. 
Schimer  (Earnest),  1847,  Co.  (},  ditto.  Schlottour  (Karl),  1847,  Co.  F,  ditto; 
biker  at  S.F.  '48.  v.  68;j;  at  Itough-nnd-Ready  '82. 

Schmidt  (Geo.  W.),  1848,  German  who  died  at  S.  Diego '73;  an  early 
steamboat  man.  S.  (Jacob),  1847,  cooper  at  N.  Helv.  S.  (Karl),  1821, 
Russian  manager  ut  Ross,  succeeding  Kuskof  '21-0.  ii.  464-5,  500-7,  042, 
048.  iii.  140.  Schnuilder  (B.),  1840  (?),  author  of  the  JS'curr  HVf/«('(>r,  who 
styles  himself  in  June  '47  as  Capt.  'from  Cal.'  Ho  sought  to  organize  a  (jlcrman 
colony.  Schneider  (Johann),  1840,  Co.  B,  Cal.  liat.  (v.  358).  Schoa  (Juan), 
atLosAng.  '46.  Schoolcraft  (Henry  A.),  1847,  sergt  Co.  II,  N.Y.  Vol.  v. 
604;  Sutter's  agent,  recorder,  and  alcalde  at  Sac.  '48-9.  Ho  went  east,  and 
while  returning  with  an  appointment  as  collector  of  Sac.  died  nt  Re.a  near 
Acapulco'53.  Schoonmakcr  (Jacob  J.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  4!)!t); 
at  Vineland,  N.J.,  '82.  S.  (Milton  C),  1847,  ditto;  d.  nt  Stockton  '50. 
Sdireador  (Geo.),  1847,  Co.  D,  ditto;  d.  Napa  Co.  '82.  Schreiber  (Chas), 
1840,  Cal.  Bat.  v.  358;  one  of  the  Sta  B.  garrison.       Schroeder  (Martin), 

1847,  Engl,  mr  of  a  vessel,  married  nt  Mazatlan,  who  brought  his  family  in 
'49  via  Hon.;  d.  at  S.  Jusii  '81,  Icaviiii;  5  children.  Schroth  (Chas),  1848, 
on  roll  of  the  Soc.  Cal.  I'ion. ;  living  in  S.F.  'iSI. 

Schulwrt  (IVter),  1842.  l):ine  naturali/cfl  in  Feb.;  also  called  'Serbia.*  iv. 
■S41.  Schultz  (Ernest),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  Schultzo  (Fred.),  1847,  Co. 
F,  N.Y.  Vol.  (V.  499).  Scliulz,  184S,  c()o|.cr  ut  Sutter's  fort.  Schumacher 
(.lolm),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  49<.t);  at  Los  Am,'.  'S2.  Schwartz  (.lolm 
L.),  1841,  Dutch  innnig.  of  the  I'.artlcsoii  party.  270,  27.->,  279.  In  '41-5  ho 
obtained  a  grant  of  Nucva  Flandria  on  the  Sue.  l!iv.,  iv.  072,  wlicre  he  estab- 
lished a  fishing  station  and  built  i>  '>oiit.  ilu  and  his  ))l!.'je  arc  described  by 
Bryant  in '40  and  Butruin  in  '4S;  :aso  mcntioiu-d  in  X.  Ifrli:  J>l<iri/,  '45-7. 
Ho  died  in '51  or '52,  and  his  brother  (reorgo  was  unsiicccsuful  cl.  for  the 
rauchoiu  '53.      Schweitzer  (I'hilip),  1S47,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  olS). 


1> 


714 


riOXEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Scollan  (John),  1847,  Co.  A,  X.Y.  Vol.  (v.  490);  at  Sto  B.  "82.  Scott 
(Andrew),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  S.  (Antonio  J. ),  1840,  grantee  of 
S.  Luis  Rcy  and  Tula.  S.  (Chas  G.),  1847,  sergt  Co.  B,  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499); 
treasurer  of  lli.  K. ;  <1.  in  Nicaragua  '56.  S.  (Felix),  1845,  nat.  of  Va  and  prob. 
ovcrl.  ininiig.  iv.  57t^9.  One  of  his  daughters  died  at  Sutter's  fort  Jan.  '46. 
In  March  he  Mrent  to  Or.,  v.  5'J6,  where  ho  hecanic  a  proniincnt  settler,  visit- 
ing Cal.  agoia  about  '51-3,  and  being  kille<l  by  Ind.  in  '58.  See  Hint.  Or.,  i. 
750.  S.  (Gabriel),  1840.  had  a  'Cal.  claim'  (v.  46-').  S.  (G.  J.),  1848,  had 
a  cabin  on  the  Capay  rancho,  Yolo  Co. 

Scott  (James),  18'J6,  nut.  of  Scotland,  who  first  visited  Cal.  as  sup.  of  the 
Olive  Branch  uinl  Wuvcrly,  being  niruf  the  lliiaxcarm  '27-8.  iii.  170,  154,  147. 
From  '30  he  seems  to  have  considered  Sia  B.  his  iiome,  tliough  constantly  on 
the  move,  as  shown  by  his  business  corrcsp.  in  my  collection,  ii.  673;  iii.  409; 
iv.  117;  sup.  and  mr  of  various  vessels;  also  otter-hunter,  iv.  144,  209,  iJOO; 
V.  578.  From  '39,  or  earlier,  to  '47  a  partner  of  Capt.  John  Wilson;  nient.  in 
mission  accounts  '40.  iii.  057,  600;  in  '45  purchaser  of  S.  Luis  Ob.  and  grantee 
of  Canada  do  Cliorro  runcho.  iv.  553,  558,  655,  658-9.  Not  friendly  to  Amer. 
in '4()-7,  but  not  much  heard  of  in  those  years.  He  died  at  Sta  B.  in '51. 
S.  (James),  \KV,\,  Kngi.  sailor  on  the  Calalina.  iii.  400;  in  Mont.  dist.  '34-5; 
in  trouble  on  the  schr  Call/nriiiu  '39.  S.  (James),  1846,  of  the  Mormon 
colony,  excommunicated  at  S.F.  v.  .'VIO;  owner  of  S.F.  lots '47.  S.  (James 
R.),  1847,  Co.  E,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469). 

Scott  (.lolin),  1831,  sup.  of  the  Ai/aciicho  '31-5.  iii.  .381;  perhaps  James. 
S.  (John),  1845,  possibly  of  Fri'mont's  party,  but  prob.  the  following,  iv.  583, 
587,  453.  S.  (.John),  1845,  ovcrl.  immig.  of  the  (!rigsby-Ide  party,  iv.  570, 
587.  Ace.  to  the  Yolo  Co.  11  iM.  he  lived  as  a  hunter  in  Capay  Val.  to  June 
'40;  he  was  prob.  one  of  the  Bear-s.  v.  110;  and  served  as  a  lieut  in  the  Cal. 
Bat.  V.  435.  Swan  nmcndjcis  a  Jack  Scott  in  the  mines  from  Sta  Cruz  '4.S. 
S.  (Leonard  M.),  1847,  Co.  E,  Morni.  Bat.  (v.  469).  S.  (Sum.),  1847,  nat.  of 
Ky  and  overl.  inimig. ;  a  trn<ler  at  Sta  Clara,  successful  miner  who  built  the 
first  house  at  l'lacervill'>,  and  finally  a  settler  near  Snelling,  where  he  died  in 
'81,  leaving  one  son,  Moses.  S.  (Wm),  1S46,  marine  on  tiie  Porlnmoiith, 
wounded  at  tlie  Sun  Gabriel  in  '47.  v.  395.  S.  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y. 
Vol.  (v.  490);  ownerof  S.F.  lot;  county  treasurer  of  S.F. ;  killed  in  Nicaragua. 

Scott  (Wm  W.),  1845,  brother  of  John  and  overl.  immig.  of  the  (Jrigsby- 
Ide  party,  iv.  570,  587.  lie  cume  from  St  Louis  mainly  for  his  healtJi,  and 
took  part  in  the  Ikar  revolt,  being  also,  it  is  said,  the  man  who  in  Jtdy  '4(i 
carried  the  U.S.  Hag  from  Sonoma  to  Sac.  v.  110,  148,  244.  In  "46-8  he  kept 
a  store  at  Sonoma,  Iteing,  I  suppose,  of  the  firm  S.  &  Boggs  often  named,  and 
sometimes  visiting  .*^uc.  with  goods  for  sale.  In  '47  he  married  Mary  Ann 
Smitii;  in  .Ian.  '48  ho  killed  a  man  named  McRice;  and  1  imve  his  autograph 
letter  of  Fcl).,  in  wliich  he  attributes  his  bad  conduct  to  the  use  of  liquor,  an<l 
solemnly  'swears  oil"'  forever.  Later  in  the  year  he  appears  as  a  carjuMiter  in 
Sutter's  eniploy,  and  is  suiil  to  iiavc  been  at  the  (.'olonia  mill  when  gold  was 
found.  A  man  of  the  fame  name  settled  in  Scott  ^'allcy,  liakc  Co.,  in  '4S,  and 
was  still  living  in  '.■>4.  The  jireccdiiig  items  may  refer  to  more  than  one  man. 
Scriver(Chas),  sec  'Schreilnr.'  v.  310.  Scullen  (.lohn).  1847,  Lishman  of  Sta 
B.,  said  to  have  been  killed  by  Ind.  in  Ariz.  "66;  prob.  'Seollan,   ((.v. 

Seaerim  (Thos),  18.'t0,  sailor  on  tiie  schr  d'alif'oniiti.  Seaman  (Stephen), 
1846,  acting  sailmuker  on  the  U.S.  Jkile.  Siarles  (<!eo.),  SS47.  Co.  D,  N.Y. 
Vol.  (v.  409).  Searls  (Susan  A.),  1840,  of  the  Mormon  colony,  prob.  not  com- 
ing to  Cal.  v.  .'>47.  Sears  (Franklin),  1S45,  nat.  of  Mo.  who  crossed  the 
jtlains  to  Or.  in  '44,  and  came  to  Cul.  in  the  .Mc.Mahon  party.  572-4,  587,  gain- 
ing an  unenviable  reputation  asan  Lulian-killer.  He  is  named  in  the  X.  J/i-lv. 
Diary  '45-6,  and  in  March  '4(5  was  nearly  killed  liy  a  fall  from  his  iiorsc  at 
Sutter's  fort.  Recovering,  he  joined  Fr»5mont  and  Meiit  south,  serving  at  S. 
Pascual  under  (Jillespie  and  in  Stockton's  ctimpaign.  An  account  of  S.  I'as- 
cual  by  ]k)ggB  in  the  Wipa  li(<)i»tr.  May  II,  '72,  seems  to  l»c  founded  on  his 
statements."  In  '48-9  ho  took  out  large  i|uantities  of  gold  near  Bidwell's  l$ur; 
and  in  '51  settled  r.t  Sonoma,  w  here  he  was  living  in  \S0  at  the  age  of  03.   His 


SEARS— SEX  AN. 


716 


ppt 


I 


III- 
ho 
II- 
r. 
(it 
S. 
s- 
lin 
II  r; 
lis 


wife  was  Margaret  Swift,  nii  I  tiiore  were  2  cliildrcn  surviving  in  '80,  one  of 
tlieni,  liaclicl,  lieiiig  the  widow  of  J.  K.  Snyiler.  S.  (John),  184"),  broth.er 
of  Franklin,  and  overl.  iiuniig.  of  the  Cirignby-Ide  party,  iv.  !>~9,  587,  with 
his  wife.  He  wa.s  a  blneksniith  and  settled  at  Simonia,  where  he  was  proh.  a 
Bear  Flag  man — indeed,  Mrs  S.  is  credited  with  liaving  furni.shed  flannel  for 
the  famous  flag.  v.  1 10,  147-8.  He  was  eapt.  of  Co.  D,  Cal.  15at.  v.  859,  301 ; 
had  ft  Cal.  claim  (v.  46'2);  and  was  in  the  Feather  River  mines  '48.  He  seems 
either  to  have  left  Cal.  or  died  soon  after  this  date. 

Sebastian,  Ind.  who  died  at  Nicasia  '80,  said  to  be  about  100  years  old. 
S.,  1773,  Ind.  who  was  the  Ist  Christian  to  make  the  trip  by  land  from  Cal. 
to  Sonora.  i.  '221.  S.  (Narcisco),  1844,  Canadian  at  Sta  ]{osa,  having  left 
Ridley's  service.  Seeondi,  or  Sagondyno  (.Tames),  1845,  Delaware  Ind.  of 
Fr{?mont'8  party,  iv.  583;  still  in  F.'s  employ  *53.  Seely,  1845,  in  N.Y.  '84, 
claiming  to  have  been  one  of  Frt'^mont's  party;  also  declared  by  a  newspaper 
eorrcsp.  to  be  the  original  of  Bret  Harte's  '  Yuba  T?ill.'  Seguiulo  (Angel), 
sirviente  at  S.F.  1777.  i.  2ft7.  Segura  (.Jos6  Maria),  1842,  Mex.  eapt.  of  the 
batallon  lijo,  who  remained  in  Cal.  after  Micheltorena's  departure,  acted  as 
com.  at  Los  Aug.  for  a  time  in  '40,  and  seems  to  have  departed  with  Flores  in 
'47.  iv.  28'.»,  304,  4!>2,  513;  v.  408.  Seiljert,  1847,  in  Sutter's  employ  '47-8. 
Seider  (Goo.  F.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499).  'Seis  Cuartillaa*  (Theo- 
dore), 1834,  French  carpenter  at  Mont.  Sel,  see  'Sells.'  Seidell  (Eil.  A.), 
184(!,  mid.  on  the  U.S.  Columhu»,  act.  lieut  in  com.  of  the  prize  ./(//'"a '4(»-7. 
V.  3.".8,  378.  Selfridge  (Tlion  ().),  1847,  eapt  U.S.N.,  com.  of  the  ('olnnihift 
and  later  of  the  iJalf.  Sellers  (.lacksnn),  1847,  sergt  Co.  K,  N.Y. Vol.  v.  504. 
.*>el]s  (Joseph),  1840,  at  Sutter's  fort  '47-8;  also  called  Selly  and  Sel;  member 
of  the  Doiiner  relief  parties,  v.  5.'i8,  541. 

Semple  (Kobert),  1845,  nat.  of  Ky  and  overl.  iininig.  of  the  Hastings  party, 
iv.  580-7;  a  printer  and  dentist  by  trade.  Iri  '45-(i  he  was  engaged  in  farming 
with  .i\;!'nsoii  and  Keyser,  first  beccmiing  prominent  in  the  Jlear  revolt,  v.  79. 
10<>-7,  1 10,  1 14-19,  298,  044.  Though  a  pronounced  filibuster  and  consjiirator, 
he  tloubtless  exerted  his  inHiieiice  with  much  success  to  restrain  the  lawless 
vagabonds  of  his  party  from  the  commission  of  outrages.  In  July  he  went  ti) 
Mont.,  served  for  a  time  in  Fauntleioy's  dragoons  (v.  '2',\'2,  247),  and  then  with 
Walter  Colton  published  at  Mont,  the  1st  Cal.  newspaper,  the  ManlerriiCaH- 
foriiiav.  V.  291-3,  058.  Early  in '47  the  jiaper  was  transferred  toS.F.  ,and 
i^emple,  obtaining  from  Vallejo  a  large  tract  of  land  on  Carcjuines  Strait,  de- 
voted his  energies,  in  company  Mitli  l.iU'kin,  to  the  building  of  a  great  city  at 
Menicia,  as  fully  recorded  in  v.  (i70  4,  at  the  s.inie  time  taking  ai.  interest  in 
various  political  matters,  delivering  a  4th  of  July  oration  at  S.  F..  anJ  owning 
a  S.F.  lot,  whicii  lie  patriotically  gave  away  to  show  his  faith  in  Benicia  as 
tlie  metropolis,  v.  433,  455,  04(»,  (»7(>.  His  great  speculation  of  city-bnilding 
was  r.ot  very  successful,  but  lu^  made  a  large  amount  of  money  in '48-,50  by 
running  a  ferry-boat  across  the  strait.  In  '49  he  «  as  a  mendier  and  presi- 
<leiit  ol  the  eoiistit.  eonveiitioii;  but  tloes  not  appear  later  in  pid)lic  life. 
He  niiived  to  Colusa  (Jo.,  where  he  dieil  in  ',54  at  the  age  of  48,  his  death  being 
the  result  of  a  fall  from  his  horse.  Hr  S.  was  a  good-iiatureil,  popular,  and 
honorable  man,  of  much  intelligence  and  natural  ingenuity,  of  some  education, 
a  good  speaker — indeed,  there  were  few  tliin;;s  lit;  could  not  do  fairly  well, 
though  noted  for  (ibstinatc  faith  in  his  May  of  doing  things  as  always  the  best. 
His  height  was  about  0  ft.  H  in.,  giving  rise  to  no  did  of  amusing  stories,  true 
and  false,  respecting  such  achievements  as  wading  the  strait  of  Carf|uiiies,  lii 
"47,  being  a  widoM'cr,  he  nianied  Frances,  daugiitcr  of  Stephen  Cooper,  by 
whom  ho  had  a  daughter,  Mary  Benicia.  His  widow  is  living  in  '85  as  Airs  \'aii 
Winkle.  A  son,  John  W.,  came  to  ( 'al.  in  '49,  dying  in  '.50;  and  also  a  brother, 
C.  1).,  who  was  claimant  for  the  Coins  ranclio.  v.  071.  Senan  (Jos<^  Fran- 
cisco lie  I'aula),  1787,  Span,  friar  \\  hoserved  at  S.  Ciirlosaiul  S.  Buenaventura 
until  his  ileatli  in  1823.  A  iiiorld  missionar\ .  who  was  president  in  1812-15, 
and  '20-3,  lieing  also  prefect  in  '2:i.  Biog.  ii.  490  1;  nent.  i.  .3SS,  409,  ,572, 
570-7.  5!)8,  (J04  .5.  074,  085;  ii.  121-2;  l.V.)  '.){»,  240,  2.58,  270,  317,  320-7,  :VX\, 
:m,  .35)4,  31H5,  398,  405,  410-11,  451-3,  4',\t,  487,  493,  497,  499-.502,  .509,  571, 


716 


PIONEER  REOISTj.iC  AND  INPKX. 


578,  580,  G55,  6o7.       Scnar  (Francisco),  1828,  donbtfn  'imnie  of  nn  Irish  Bailor 
at  Mont.  ''28-9.       Scptcin  (Henry),  18l«,  sailor  of  the  Alltalrofut.  ii.  275. 

Sepulvcda  (Diego),  one  of  tho  grantees  of  8.  Bernardino  lani'lio  '42;  some- 
what  prominent  in  the  Flores  revolt  lit  Ix)8  Ang.  '40-7.  v.  312,  320,  407-8. 
8.  (Dolores),  son  of  Jnnn  Jos^,  b.  S.  Diegu  1703,  settler  ut  Los  Ang.  1812, 
still  living  there  '40-8,  having  been  accidentally  wounded  in  W).  ii.  349,  ,'•05, 
f>93.  S.  (Dolores),  killed  by  Ind.  nt  rurisim'a  '24.  ii.  520.  S.  (Dolores), 
soldier  of  tho  S.F  coinp.  '.37.  S.  (Kncaniacion),  grante<j  of  Ojo  do  Agiia '40. 
iv.  0.33.  S.  (Enrique),  prisoner  at  S.  Hiien.  '38;  grantee  of  S.  Pascual  '40. 
iii.  .^54-5,  034.  S.  (Fernando),  son  of  Francisco,  at  I.os  Ang.  '.30- '40;  nient. 
ill  '40-3.  iii.  0.32-.3,  0.39.  S.  (Francisco),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  '15.  ii.  .349;  in 
'2.'>  rcgidor  and  acting  alcaldu  ii.  559;  iii.  11:  in  '-31  in  the  operations  against 
A'ictoria,  by  whom  he  Moa  imprisoned,  iii.  190,  208;  in  '30-7  coniisionado  of 
S.  Juan  Cap.  iii.  020-7;  49  years  ohl  in  '.39,  when  ho  was  grantco  of  S.  Vi- 
cente and  SU  Monica,  iii.  0.34;  nient.  in  '40-3;  iii.  039;  iv.  029.  In  '52  he 
was  cl.  for  the  rancho.       S.  (Ignacio),  killed  at  tlio  S.  Gabriel  '47.  v.  390. 

Sepiilvcda  (Ignacio),  son  of  Josi'',  b.  before  '48,  educated  in  the  east  as  a 
lawyer.  In  later  years  ho  liccanio  a  very  prominent  lawyer  of  I.iOS  Angeles, 
and  one  of  tho  foremost  of  all  the  native  Californians  in  respect  of  l>otli  abil- 
ity and  character.  He  was  a  member  of  tho  legislature  in  '04;  served  in  Mcx. 
under  Maximilian;  was  county  judge  in  '70-3,  district  judgi  from  '74,  and 
superior  judge  from  'SO,  resigning  his  position  in  '83  to  accept  a  responsible 
position  as  representative  of  Wells,  Fargo,  &  Co.  in  Mcx.,  wliereho  has  since 
resided  to  '85.  His  JiMorical  Mfmorandn,  i.  044,  is  a  valuable  contribution 
to  my  collection  of  original  MS. ;  and  ho  has  otherwise  aided  me  in  my 
work.  Ilia  wife,  who  died  before  '77,  was  an  American,  and  there  was  a 
daughter.  8.  (Isabel),  ntS.  l^afael  '42.  iv.  2.37.  S.  (Jo86),  rcgidor  at  Los 
Ang.  '33-4.  iii.  0,35;  in  '30-8,  active  among  the  vigilantes,  alcalde,  grantee  of 
S..foanuin  kanclio,  and  somewhat  prominent  on  both  sides  in  tho  sectional 
(piarrcis  between  north  and  south,  iii.  432,  485,  495-9,  509-10,  518-19,  505, 
(i.33,  030.  His  age  was  37  ace.  to  tho  padron  of  '39,  when  ho  was  rcgidor  and 
took  mrt  in  a  tumulto.  iii.  589,  030;  iv.  033;  sub-prefect  in  '45.  iv.  032-3.  He 
uns  cI.  for  8.  Joaquin  in  '52,  and  died  in  Sonora  '75.  His  wife  Avas  a  sister  of 
Jnnn  Avila.  8.  (Jose),  two  of  the  name  at  Los  Ang.  '.39,  a  shoemaker  and 
farmer.  S.  (Josf^),  juez  de  campo  at  S.  Josd  '4.3.  iv.  085;  still  there  in  '.")5. 
S.  (Jofd  dil  C.Amien),  at  Los  Ang.  '40-S.  S.  (JoaiJ  L.),  juez  do  paz  at  Los 
Ang.  '42.  iv.  032;  2d  alcalde  '40,  '48.  v.  02.5-0;  grantee  of  I'alos  Colorados 
*40.  V,  027:  nominated  for  prefect  '45;  ntcmb.  of  the  council  '50.  I  ani  not 
sure  that  he  was  not  the  same  man  as  Jotsc  aliove.  S.  (.Tosii  Manrico  and 
JostS  Miguel),  at  Los  Ang.  '40.  S.  (Juan),  soldier  of  tho  S.F.  eomp.  '20-7: 
nt  S.  Josii  '41.  age  41,  wife  Francisca  Pacheco,  child.  Deniesio  b.  '29,  Silveria 
'31,  Lucia  '.3.3.  Slarfa  Ant.  '.35,  Selmsti.-in  '.38,  IJartolom^ '.39.  8.  (Juan),  juez 
do  campo  at  Pabs  Verdes  '40.  iii.  0.37;  2d  alcalde  at  Ix>s  Ang.  '45,  taking 
some  part  in  i><>litic8.  iv,  497,  539,  0.33;  age  27  in  '39;  alcalde  in  '49;  super- 
visor '.">4;  cojmty  assessor  '57--S.  8.  (Juan  Maria),  at  Los  Ang.  '40;  justiceof 
tl:e  iwacc  '50.  S.  (Manuel),  at  Ix«  Ang.  '40-8.  S.  (Patricio),  soldier  at 
StaB.  before  '37.  8.  (Rafael),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1789.  i.  401.  8.  (Vi- 
cente), grantee  of  Ia  8icrra,  Los  Ang.,  '40.  v.  028. 

Serbia  (Pedro),  IM2,  Danish  rcsid.  of  S.F.,  ago  20;  same  as  'Schubert,' 
q.v.,  and  probably  intended  for  '.Shcrrel)cck,'(|.  v.  Sercr  (Domingo)  corporal 
at  Mont.  '.30,  aije  20.  Serna  (Manuel),  rcputetl  cpntcnan,in  of  8.  Diego  '79. 
S.  (I'atrii'io),  Mcx.  soldier  of  the  Hidalgo  comp.  at  Mont.  '.30,  ago  .33.  Serra 
(Junipero).  1709,  Span,  friar,  Ist  president  of  the  mis.sionaries,  and  founder  of 
many  missioiis,  who  died  at  8.  Cirlos  Aug.  28,  1784.  Biog.  i.  409-10;  mcnt. 
i  110-2.3,  12t>.  1:M-5.  1:J7-8,  l(V4-8,  170,  I7.V7,  181,  18;M,  187-94,  l!)9-22l, 
224,  227,  229-31,  23.S-9,  244,  240,  24H-9,  2.m,  2.-)7,  208,  270-1,  280,  287,  297- 
.304,  .309,  320-8,  :«(V-1,  jm,  3.-.I,  .37.3,  .370.  378,  382,  380,  3S8-400,  414-1.'», 
422,  455,  4.",  4.M),  409,  47.3-4,  47<),  480,  07 1 ,  087.  Serrano  ( Florcncio),  1 8.34, 
Mex.  of  the  Hijar  &  Padri^s  colony,  iii.  203,  208;  who  served  in  '.35  as  clerk  of 
the  admin,  at  8.  Antonio,  and  aa  teacher,  iii.  087;  and  from  '30  u  clerk  of 


SKRUAXO—SHAW. 


ri7 


difiTcrcnt offices  at  Mont,  taking  part  in  the  revolt  against  Alvarado  in  '37,  iin<l 
being  Bco.  of  the  ayuiit.  in  "M.  iii.  5'J4-u,  07j.  In  '44  lie  wjia  'Jtl  alcalde,  iv. 
G."i3,  l>.")0,  404,  411;  nml  in  '45-0  sinUico  and  sec.  of  the  jnefeutuie,  serving  on 
the  Ist  jury  in  '4(i.  iv.  (;.V2-3;  v.  '289,  G3(i.  In  '48-0  he  succeeded  C'oltou  as 
alcalde  of  Mont.  v.  ti37-ti;  being  l>cforo  and  later  engaged  in  trade.  His  u  it'u 
was  Rita,  bisUr  of  Joai|iiin  do  la  Torre,  and  there  were  several  sons  who  huji- 
portcd  Don  Florenci*)  in  his  old  age,  jjoverty,  and  blindness.  Ho  died  in  '77 
at  the  ago  of  03.  Ho  was  of  Span,  parentage,  of  fair  education  and  good  re- 
pute. Shortly  before  hi.s  death  he  dictated  for  me  his  A/.tnili  s,  a  full  stateuicnt 
of  Ilia  life  and  recollections  of  Cal.  aflfairs,  which  throws  light  on  many  tojjics. 
S.  (Francisco),  alcalde  at  Los  Aug.  171)1).  i.  001.  S.  (Ignaeio),  at  Los  Aug. 
'40.  y.  (.lose),  juez  do  campo,  Loi  Aug.  "35.  iii.  O.'Jo;  grantee  of  Canada  do 
los  Alisos  '4'2-0,  iv.  031,  being  also  el.  in  o'J.  S.  (.Jose  Antonio),  son  of  Le- 
aiulro,  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  '41.  iv.  Ol'O;  grantee  of  Tauina  '44.  iv.  0-M;  in  the 
fight  at  S.  Pascual  '40.  v.  352;  still  living  at  S.  Diego  '7.'>,  age  01.  His  wife 
was  a  daughter  of  llosario  Aguilar.  .S.  (.Jo8(5  S.),  at  I^s  Ang.  '40.  S.  (Le- 
andro),  bou  of  a  soldier  of  the  1st  e.xped.,  b.  at  >S.  Diego;  for  many  years 
majordomo  of  I'ala  for  the  mission  S.  Luis  Iteg. ;  in  '"JS  maj.  at  S.  Juan  Cap., 
and  grantee  of  Temeseal,  ii.  547,  003;  iii.  012,  where  he  8|ient  the  rest  oi  his 
life,  dying  in  '52.  His  wife  was  I'rcsentiicion  Vorbaand  later  Josefa  Montullja. 
S.  (.Manuel),  killed  by  Ind.  at  Pauina  '40.  v.  017.  S.  (Kafacla),  at  S.  Diego 
•21,  '41.  ii.  540;  iv.  Oil).  S.  (Tomds),  juczde  campo  at  Los  Ang.  '48.  v.  020. 
Scrvin  (Ignaciu),  1842,  Mex.  sub-lieut  in  the  batallon  iijo  '42-5.  iv.  289,  513; 
still  ip.  Cal.  '40.  v.  41. 

.Sessions  (Wni  11.),   1847,  Co.  A,  Morni.   Jiat.  (v.  409).       Sessor  (Peter), 

1847,  Co.  F,  N.V.  Vol.  (v.  499);  in  S.F.  '82.  Settle  (Josiah),  1840  (?),  nat. 
of  Ohio  said  to  have  crossed  tho  plains  to  Cal.  this  year;  ]irob.  an  error, 
though  ho  may  havo  come  from  N.  Mex.  iv.  120.  Went  to  Or.  '52,  to  Wash. 
Tcr.  '00,  and  died  nt  Seattle  '70.  Sevy  (Thomas),  see  'Levy.'  Sexton 
(Daniel),  1841,  nat.  of  La  ami  overl.  immig.  of  the  Workman  jiarty.  iv.  278-9. 
Ho  worked  as  a  carpenter  in  tho  Los  .\ng.  region,  and  tinally  settled  at  S, 
Bern.;  claims  to  have  raised  tho  U.S.  Uag  at  his  camp  '40.  i\ .  342;  served  in 
the  campaign  against  M'cheltorena  '45.  iv.  495;  carried  a  niessago  from  Stock- 
ton to  Fremont  '47.  v.  402;  married  an  Ind.  woman;  cl.  for  land  in  Los  Ang. 
'52;  still  living  in  '84.  S.  (Ceo.  S.),  IS47,  Co.  A,  Monn.  IJat.  (v.  409); 
Co.  reenl.       S.  (Loiin),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).       Seyman  (Jamcst, 

1848,  at  Sutter's  fort.  Seymour  (Chas  H.),  1848,  on  roll  of  Soc.  Cal.  Pion. ; 
d.  S.F.  after  '81;  an  cmployiS  in  tho  nunt.  S.  (Sir  Ceo.  F.),  1840,  admiral 
in  com.  of  tho  iiritisli  I'ae.  sipiadron  at  .Mont,  on  tho  t'oUiinjwood,  July.  v. 
199-214,  232,  577. 

Shaddcn  (Tlios  J.),  1843,  Amer.  immig.  of  tho  Hastings  mrty  from  Or. 
accomp.  by  his  family,  iv.  390,  400.  In  '44  he  obtained  a  land  grant  in  Yolo 
Co.  iv.  074;  is  named  in  '45-0  as  visiting  Sutter's  fort  from  S.  Jos(5,  Sta  (.'ru/, 
and  other  points;  and  had  a  'Cal.  claim'  of  l$S37  (v.  402).  A  son  is  said  to 
havo  been  born  in  '47.  Shaddcn  settled  on  the  Cosumnes,  where  ho  lived  in  a 
cabin  of  tulcs  in  '40,  having  been  before  tiiat  date  a,  miner  and  trader  in  mules. 
Ho  went  to  Or.  about  '51.  Shaler  (Wm).  1803,  mr  of  tiie  Li-lin  liijrd  180.3-4, 
ami  author  of  a  Journal  pub,  in  I80,S,  wliicli  was  jirob.  the  1st  extended  ac- 
count of  Cal.  published  in  the  U.S.  ii.  10-14,21-4,  lO-J-3,  1(19,  119,  I'J'i,  143  I, 
183.  Siuinnon  (John),  v.  021;  see  '('JKirlMinneau.'  S.  (Wm  E.),  1S47, 
capt.  Co.  I,  N.Y.  Vol.,  in  com.  at  S.  Diego  'M-^,  being  also  collector,  v.  501, 
f>l4,  017,  019.  In  '49  a  trader,  of  lirni  S.  k  Cady,  at  Column,  also  alcaldi', 
member  of  tho  constit.  convention,  and  district  juilge.  Fioni  Dee.  '49a  law- 
yer at  Sac.,  where  ho  died  in  '50  of  cholera.  Sharkey  (I'rank  \,.),  1847,  <  ''>. 
1,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  490);  atNorwich,  Conn.,  '82.  Simmon  (b.hn),  1847,  alcalde 
at  S.  Diego;  prob.  'Charboiimau,'  (j.  v.  Sharp  (Matthew  W.  or  A.),  1847, 
Co.  I,  ditto;  at  8.  Diego  '48;  died  near  Coloma  '50.  Shattuck,  184*2,  lieut 
U.S.N,  with  Com.  Jones  at  Mont.  iv.  308. 

Shaw,  1840,  overl.  immig.  who  died  on  the  Calaveras  in  '49.  S.  (Charles), 
1840,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330).       S.  (James),  1848,  guide  to  return- 


•18 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


ing  Mormons.  S.  (Jamea  B.),  1840,  nnt.  of  Australia;  rcsid.  of  Sonoma  Co. 
'51-77.  Soil.  Co.  lI'iHt.  S.  (Thomas),  1«'24(?),  nat.  of  Mass.  I  have  his  auto- 
graph letter,  api>aix'ntly  written  at  S.  Petlio  (Jet.  28,  1824,  but  tlierc  may  be 
an  error,  ii.  520.  In  '20-8  he  was  clerk  and  sup.  on  the  Coitrirr  antl  Wavfrly. 
iii.  154;  in  'M-\  on  the  I'orahoiitas,  making  a  contract  to  carry  away  Gov. 
Victoria,  iii.  148,  210,  383;  in  '33-5  sup.  and  sometimes  mr  of  the  Volunteer, 
llnrriet  Blaiirhard,  and  Lmjoda.  iii.  382,  384,  410.  He  was  in  Boston  '36, 
not  expecting  to  revisit  Cal. ;  but  in  '39-40  he  came  back  as  sup.  of  tbo  Mon- 
noon,  his  name  often  appearing  in  commercial  corresp.  and  mission  o. counts, 
iii.  iv.  105;  iii.  023,  727.  He  is  said  to  have  died  in  Itoston  about  '06. 

Shea  ( Wm),  1840,  one  of  the  exiled  foreigners  not  known  to  have  returned, 
iv.  18.  Shearman,  1844,  mr  of  the  Menhir,  iv.  507.  Shehey,  1847,  died 
at  Sutter's  fort  Oct.  Sheldon  (Geo.),  1848,  passn.  from  Hon.  S.  (Henry 
B.),  1848,  editor  and  part  owner  of  the  S.F.  Val'i/oriikvi.  v.  058;  sec.  of  tho 
guards;  owner  of  a  lot  at  S.  Josi^.  Went  to  the  Sandw.  Isl.  about  '05.  S. 
(Jared),  1840,  nat.  of  Vt,  who  came  from  N.  Mcx.  or  Sonora  with  a  pass 
dated  March  0,  '40.  iv.  117,  120.  Possibly  ho  had  visited  Cal.  before,  as  his 
arrival  is  often  credited  to  '34  or  '32.  He  was  naturalized  in  '43,  then  describ- 
ing himself  as  a  carpenter  w  ho  had  arrived  in  '40,  being  in  '44  grantee  of  tho 
Omochumnc  rancho  on  the  (,'osumne8.  iv.  072;  where  he  was  a  partner  of  Wni 
Daylor,  and  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  but  for  his  service  in  the  Mi- 
cheltorcna  campaign,  iv.  480,  501,  and  a  brief  experience  in  the  mines.  In  '51 
ho  was  killed  in  a  dilliculty  with  miners  f 'out  a  dam.  His  wife,  married  in 
'47,  W'as  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Ilhoads.  ami  survived  him  with  3  childrei^, 
Wm  b.  '48,  Sarah  '49,  and  Catherine  '51  (drowncil  in  '52).  Shelikof  (Paul), 
1825,  Russian  manager  of  Ross  '2.V9,  succeeding  Schmidt,  ii.  048,050-1;  iii. 
213.  Shelly  (Pearson  B. ),  1847,  mr  of  the  Gen.  Kearny,  v.  518;  and  trader 
at  S.F.  '47-8,  of  firm  S.  &  Norris.  v.  080;  ai.so  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  Shclton, 
1842,  at  S.F. ;  prob.  'Shcl<lon,'  o.v.  S.  (Sebert  C),  1847,  Q.M.  sergt  Morm. 
Bat.,  but  reduced  to  ran  ■>  Co.  1>.  v.  477.  Shepherd  (Edmund),  1840,  mid. 
U.S.N.,  acting  lieut  in  Stockton's  Bjit.  '40-7.  v.  38.5.  S.  (Lafayette),  1847, 
Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409).  Sherman  (Heran  V.  S.),  1847,  Co.  H,  N.Y. 
Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  before  '82.       S.  (J.).  1837,  named  in  Larkin's  accounts. 

Shemian  (Richard  M.),  1840,  nat.  of  R.I.,  who  jiassed  his  boyhood  on  a 
farm,  and  then  went  to  sea  for  5  or  0  yeara,  coming  to  Cal.  from  Honolulu  as 
clerk  on  tho  Eiiphemia,  leaving  the  vessel  ut  S.F.,  where  ho  worked  as  book- 
keeper for  Paty  &  Davis,  and  in  '47-8  made  a  trip  to  tho  Isl.  as  sup.  of  tho 
Etij)lieniia.  He  became  the  owner  of  a  town  lot,  on  which  he  built  a  store  in 
wiiich  tiie  firm  of  S.  &  Ruckel  did  business  in  '4S-,">0.  v.  081,  OSO.  In  '51  ho 
went  cast,  but  returned  on  a  business  visit  in  '.")5-0.  He  resided  in  M.iss.  and 
at  Providence,  R.I.,  till  '84,  when  he  returned  to  S.F.  to  take  charge  of  his 
real  estate  interests,  including  the  •Sherman  building,'  on  the  lot  purchased 
by  him  in  '47,  in  whicii  he  has  an  ottice  in  '85,  at  the  age  of  72.  In  an  inter- 
view, and  also  in  a  letter  from  R.I.,  ho  gave  nii-  some  information  about  early 
S.F.  and  his  own  life.  His  1st  wife,  married  in  '54,  was  Sally  S.  Mauran,  who 
died  in  '05;  the  2d,  of  '09-70,  was  Emma  F.  Mitchell;  and  the  :?d,  '7S-85, 
Kate  Field.  Five  chihlren  survived  in  'STy,  Harry  M.,  Elizabeth  M.,  Adelino 
M.,  Ethel,  and  Richanl  M.  Jr. 

Sherman  ( Wm  Tecumseh),  1847,  nat.  of  Ohio,  graduate  of  West  Point,  who 
came  to  Cnl.  as  lieut  Co.  F,  3d  l^S.  artill.,  and  in  '47-.")0  serveil  most  of  the 
time  as  adj. -gen.  under  the  military  governors,  v.  444,  4,")0,  492,  518,  520, 
009,  030,  040;  also  of  the  firm  Warner,  Sherman,  &  Bestor  at  Coloma  '48-9. 
He  went  east  with  desiwtciies  in  '50;  but,  having  resigned  his  army  commis- 
sion, came  back  in  '."t3  to  conduct  as  jwrtner  the  banking  business  of  Lucas, 
Turner,  &  Co.  until  '.">7.  His  Californian  experience  of  '47-57  is  fully  narrated 
in  the  c.irly  chapters  of  his  Memnirn,  a  most  interesting  and  accurate  record, 
except  in  a  few  conijiaratively  unimix)rtant  details.  Sherman  was  later  super- 
intendent of  a  La  military  academy  and  president  of  a  St  Louis  street  railroad 
until  in  '61  he  reentered  the  military  srrvice  as  colonel.  His  subsequent  career 
in  the  war  of  '01-5  anil  since  is  a  prominent  i>art  of  I'.S.  history,  whicli  I 


SHERMAX-SIGLKR. 


719 


no 

ill 

lie 

<l 

d 


Ml 


make  no  attempt  to  summarize.  He  reac'.icil  alii>;lici'  jwaition  tlian  any  other 
pioneer  named  in  this  regittter;  un<i  in  \S5  is  still  living  us  retired  general  of 
the  army.  His  wife,  married  in  'oO,  is  the  daughter  of  Hon.  Thomas  Kwing. 
The  general  has  often  rovisitod  (.'al.,  taking  n  deep  interest  in  pioneer  matters. 

Sheneback  (I'oter),  1840,  nat.  of  Denmark,  who  came  by  sea  and  settled 
at  8. F.  as  a  trader,  iv.  117,  I'JO.  Ho  was  baptized  and  naturalizeil  in '41-2; 
sindico  '43.  iv.  (HM;  agentc  do  policia  '44.  iv.  (J(iU:  Wing  married  the  same 
year  or  the  next  to  Mary,  sister  of  John  >Sullivan.  In  '45  ho  was  owner  of  8. 
F.  lands,  and  aided  .Sutter  in  support  of  Miclieltorena.  iv.  48G,  0G9,  (573;  v. 
681-2.  He  was  collector  in  '40-7.  v.  21)5,  648;  and  meinb.  of  the  council  '47. 
V.  678.  He  still  live<l  at  S.F.  in  '55  and  later,  but  I  find  no  mention  of  his 
death.  His  widow  was  still  living  in  '00.  The  original  name  was  prolmbly 
'Scherrebach.'but  it  in  written  in  a  great  variety  of  ways.  .Sherwootl  (Jere- 
miah), 1847,  lieut  Co.  CJ.  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  504,  517.  In  '48-9  clerk  for  Brannan  & 
Co.  at  Sac. ;  later  member  of  X.Y.  legislature;  d.  N.Y.  City  'S3.  Scheuer 
(I'ierre),  1834,  Fr.  mason  at  Mont.,  age  27,  married  to  Maria  J.  tJarci'a.  Per- 
haps same  as  'Cheorcttc,'  q.v. 

Shields  (H.L.),  1847,  lieut  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  on  muster-roll;  but  did 
not  come  to  Cal.  (v.  518).  S.  (Sum.),  1831,  Amer.  from  N.  Mex.  in  the 
Wolfskin  iwrtv.  iii.  387,  405;  d.  at  Los  Ang.  a  few  years  later.  S.  (W.F.), 
1847,  capt.  in  'com.  of  U.S.  Prebh.  Shipley  (Otto).  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S. 
artill.  (v.  518).  Shipp  (VVm),  1847,  ditto.  Shirland  (E.D,),  1H47,  Co.  O, 
N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499);  nat.  of  N.Y.  and  settler  in  Placer  Co.  from  '.">0;  capt.  in 
war  of  '61-5;  county  clerk  and  recorder  of  Sac;  at  Aubuni  '82.  Shirley 
(Paul),  1846,  on  the  roll  of  the  Soc.  Cul.  Pion.;  d.  in  Ohio  '70.  Shislylind 
(GustafT),  1847,  musician  Co.  (i,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499). 

SluK'kley,  1846,  mr  of  the  Homan.  Shoemaker  (Sam.),  1840,  one  of  the 
Donncr  party  from  Ohio;  died  in  the  Sierra,  v.  .'>3I,533.  .Shoetzof,  1803, 
in  charge  of  a  i)arty  of  Aleut,  hunters,  ii.  25,  63,  perhaps  Shvetzof.  Shoive, 
1847-8,  mr  of  the  Anila.  v.  576.  Shooks(\Viii),  1841,  doubtful  name  at  ."^. 
Diego.  Tooiufx.  Shooter  (Chas),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.X'ol.  (v.  499).  Short 
(.J.O.  B.),  1846,  nat.  of  Ky,  and  ovcrl.  immig.  with  his  motlier— later  Mrs 
SlciTincr — who  settled  at  S.  liafael,  where  he  still  lived  in  "80  w  ith  wife,  Mary 
Miller,  and  5  children.  S.  (.Jacob),  1840,  brother  of  J.  0. 15.,  and  his  partner 
in  '80.  S.  (Patrick),  1832,  Irish  priest  who  eunic  in  exile  from  Honolulu 
V  ith  P.  liachelot;  in  '34-0  an  as.sociatc  of  Hartnell  in  hi.s  school  near  Mont. ; 
left  Cal.  in  '37,  and  went  to  Valiiaraiso,  where  ho  still  lived  in  '70.  iii.  317- 
18,  3(U,  3S4,  408,  070,  077-8;  iv.  102.  Shotwcll  (CJeo.),  1841,  ovcrl.  immig. 
of  the  liartleson  jmrty,  accidentally  killed  on  the  journey,  iv.  209.  Slireve, 
1S4S,  mr  ('f  a  vessel  at  S  F.  Siirive.*,  1848,  nir  of  tho.l/M7«.  Shrives 
(Dan  15.).  1847,  Co.  F,  N. Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Shroter  (Chas),  1847,  Co.  0,  ditto; 
at  .S.F.  '82.  .Siiubric'k  (\Vm  Bransford),  184(»,  comm<)<lore  U.S.N.,  in  com. 
of  Pacific  s(|Uudron  '40-7,  on  the  Indrpfuiicncf.  v.  428  9,  4.'57,  030.  .Sliulters 
(.John),  1847,  Co.  II,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  41K)).  Shult/  (Kinst),  1847,  owner  of  S. 
F.  lot.  ."^humway  (Aurora),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  409);  reenl. 
Shurts  (Wat.son),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499). 

Sibrian  see  'Cibrian.'  Sibs  (Sum.),  18.'$(>,  doubtful  name  of  a  witness  at 
Sonoma.  Sicard  (Pierre  Tht'-odorc).  1833,  Fr.  sailor  and  carpenter  who  on 
applying  for  naturalization  in  '40  claimcfl  a  rcsid.  of  7  yonr.s.  iii.  409.  Ho  was 
in  the  Mont,  dist  '34  and  at  the  S.  Pal)lo  ranclio  "40.  In  '42  4  ho  worked  for 
.Sutter  at  Hock  Farm;  and  in  '44  got  a  grant  f)f  the  Noni.slias  ranclio  on  Bear 
River  adjoining  Johnson'»<.  iv.  072,  wlieie  he  settled  in  '45.  His  visits  from 
15ear  River  to  Sutter's  fort  in  '45-8  are  often  recorded  in  the  X.lhlr.  hiary; 
in  48-9  ft  nuncr  anil  tra<K'r  mi  tiio  Yuba,  where  a  flat  and  bar  took  his  name. 
Though  deemed  lich  in  those  days,  ho  became  poor;  was  living  with  Claude 
Chana  in  '71,  and  died  l>efi>rc  '79.  Sickels  (J.  F.),  1847,  surgeon  on  the  U.S. 
Iiidepetnlfnre.  Siddons  (Win  M.),  1848,  on  the  roll  of  the  Soc.  Cal.  Pion. 
Siet  ra  (Benito  de  la),  1775,  S[Mt\.  friar  who  visited  Cal.  as  chaplain  on  tho 
Sanliatjo  and  S.  Antonio,  and  died  at  S.  Bias  '77.  Ho  had  served  in  L.  Cal. 
'69-73.  i.  240-1,  287,  310.      Siglcr  (\Vm),  1845,  at  Sutter's  fort  Nov.;  prob. 


720 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


an  overl,  iminig.  In  the  Bering  of  '40  lie  carried  dcspatclics  np  the  valley  to 
Frdmont.  IIo  v/aa  murdered  at  ^loon's  rancho  Tihania  Co.  in  '40  or  '50.  iv. 
578,  583;  v.  24. 

Sill  (Daniel),  1832,  nat.  of  Conn.,  trapper  ond  carpenter  who  came  fro  n 
N.  Mex.  iu  the  winter  of  '32-3,  settling  ut  Stft  B.,  where  he  hunted  otl  r 
under  Capt.  Duna'a  liuensu,  and  waa  partner  in  a  bakery  in  '34.  iii.  388,  40.S. 
In  '35  ho  came  to  Mont,  and  pot  a  carta;  and  from  '39  or  earlier  lived  at  S.F., 
building  a,  mill  for  Spear  in  '3l'-40.  v.  0^1 ;  named  by  Farnham  as  ono  of  the 
foreigueia  arrested  in  '40.  iv.  17.  From  '44  ho  spent  most  of  his  time  in  the 
Sac.  Valley,  working  as  a  blaousmith  for  Sutter  part  of  the  time.  In  '46  ho 
bought  u  runciio  of  Lassen  wlicro  ho  had  a  cabin,  v.  .301 ;  and  in  '49  wiih 
ioincil  by  his  son  Daniel  and  daughter  Harriet — later  Mrs  Mahew.  H^  died 
in  T.2,  at  the  iige  of  CO.  Sillei.' (D.  S.),  1840,  Cal.  Hat.  (v.  X>8).  Siltzer 
(Henry),  1847,  Co.  «,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Silva,  family  at  S.  Dieguito  ran- 
uho '31.  iii.  012.  S.  (Antonio),  1840  (?),  Portuguese  deserter  from  a  whaler, 
employed  for  several  years  at  I'etaluma  by  Gen.  Vallejo.  iv.  120.  S.  (Ma- 
riano), 1840,  Mex.  cai)t.  of  artill  .it  Mont.  '40-0;  went  to  Mazatlan  '47  or '48. 
iv.  31,  198,  293,  307-8,  311,  :«7,  052;  v.  41,  230,  232-3.  S.  (Mariano),  at 
Los  Ang.  '39;  in  '40  at  S.  Juan  Cop.,  age  37,  wife  Francisca  I'erez.  S.  (Ma- 
riano), nat.  of  Chile,  patron  of  tho  custom-house  boat  at  Mont.  '45.  Silvaa 
(Antonio  M.),  at  Los  Ang.  '.'19,  ago  ,37.  S.  (Ciirlos),  owner  of  land  at  S.  Juan 
Cap.,  41.  iv.  020.  S.  (Clara),  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  '40,  ago  40,  child.  Ger6nimo 
1).  '29,  Guadalupe  '32,  Lugarda  '37,  and  Fernando  '38.  S.  (Diego),  at  S. 
Bern.  '40.  ngo  24.  S.  (Jos^),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1789.  i.  401.  8.  (Juan), 
at  Mont.  '.'iO.  iii.  017.  S.  (Mariano),  at  Los  Ang.  '40,  ago  .35.  S.  (Ramon), 
owner  of  land  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  '41.  iv.  020.  S.  (Tcodoro),  at  Los  Ang.  '10- 
10;  ii.  110,  350.  Silverio,  neophyte  who  killed  his  wife  at  Mont.  1798.  i. 
091. 

Sime,  184S,  in  tho  legislaturo  '55;  John  L.  in  S.F.  guard  '49.  Simentul 
(Josw  C),  1800,  sentenced  to  0  jy'cara  in  Cal.  as  a  settler,  i.  C(Xi.  Simeon, 
Ind.,  grantee  of  lot  at  S.  Gabriel  '40.  v.  027.  Simmouds  (Stephen),  1835  (?), 
nat.  of  N.Y.,  landing  at  Sta  B.  from  the  whaler  Liverpool  Packet,  and  be- 
coming an  otter-hunter  with  Nit'cver  for  several  years.  Named  in  '39-40  at 
Sta  B.  and  Mont.  Making  voyagea  in  diOerent  vessels;  he  waa  in  '44  sick  in 
care  of  the  consulate,  and  is  said  to  have  died  at  Branch's  rancho  about  '45. 
iii.  413.  Simmons.  1848,  lieut  on  tho  U.S.  Ohio.  S.  (Alex.  R.),  1840,  mid. 
on  tho  U.S.  Columbia.  '40-7.  S.  (Bezer),  1843,  nat  of  Vt,  mr  of  tho  J/a-/- 
tiolia  '43-0.  iv.  400,  507;  v.  579.  Later  of  tho  S.F.  firm  S.,  Hutchinson,  & 
Co. ;  member  of  tho  council  '49;  d.  in  '50  at  the  ago  of  40.  His  assignees  were 
cl.  for  tho  Xovato  rancho.  iii.  712.  His  wife  was  a  sister  of  Frederick  liil- 
lings,  and  died  in  '49.  S.  (Charles),  1847  (?),  miner  and  later  traderat  Reno, 
Nev.,  where  ho  died  '79;  accredited  by  the  ncwsjiapers  to  N.Y.  Vol.  Left  a 
daugiiterat  Livermore,  Cal.  S.  (Wm),  1846,  clerk  in  tho  navy,  acting  lieut 
in  Stockton's  Bat.  '40-7.  v.  380.  S.  (VVni  A.),  1847,  Co.  li,  Morm.  Bat.  (v. 
469).  Simon  (Lem.),  1828,  Amer.  sailor  of  the  (7e?i.  Lwcrc  left  at  S.  Diego 
drunk.  S.  (Luis),  1828,  Engl,  arrested  for  having  no  pass;  prob.  same  as 
preceding.       Simons  (.Maurice),  1846,  passed  mid.  on  tho  U.S.  ComjresK. 

Simpson,  1827,  mr  of  the  Cadboro.  iii.  140.  S.,  1845,  doubtful  name  of 
an  overl.  imniig.  iv.  .'578.  S.,  1846,  ditto;  may  have  gone  to  Or.  v.  529. 
S.  (Geo.),  1841,  at  S.F.  on  the  Vowlilz.  S.  (Sir  Geo.)  1841,  chief  of  tho  IT. 
B.  Co.,  visiting  Cal.  on  his  trip  round  the  world,  and  author  of  a  Xarralive 
which  contains  much  valuable  information  on  the  country,  ii.  77-8;  iv.  191, 
209,  218-21,  2.35-0,  250-3,  259-01,  3.33,  343,  504,  039-10,  05O-1,  005,  678. 
S.  (Henry  I.),  1848,  author  of  Three  Wteka  in  the  Gold  Mine»,  in  the  form  of 
a  letter  written  at  Mont,  in  Sept.  He  claims  to  be  of  the  N.Y.Vol.,  but  per- 
haps writes  under  an  assumed  name;  (»r  still  more  likely  the  letter  is  a  fraud 
concocted  in  N.Y.  S.  (VVm),  1844,  Engl,  who  got  a  passport.  S.  (Wm), 
1828,  witness  against  Capt.  Bradshaw.  iii.  1.33.  Sims  (Jack),  1846,  aided  in 
building  tho  Sta  L'rtiz  sclir.  A\  J.  Patriot.  S.  (.Joseph),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y. 
Vol.  (v.  499);  Engl,  settler  in  Sac.  Co.  '79-80,  with  wife  Mary  L.  Moor,  and 
3  children. 


SIN  AUD— SLAG  UE. 


791 


(Mlt 
(V. 


re 
II, 


Sinard  ('Major'),  1847,  visitor  at  Sutter's  fort.  Sinclair  (Archiltald), 
1847,  Co.  I),  N.  V.Vol.  (v.  4yy).  S.  (John),  18:«»,  Scotclimmi  for  sonio  years 
in  fiiiploy  of  tliu  ll.lt.  (Jo.  in  (Jr.,  later  editor  of  n  ])ap<'r  nt  lionolnlii,  who 
ill  Dec.  ",i9  was  at  Mont,  asking  for  it  carta,  und  in  '40  at  Sutter's  fort.  iv. 
117,  IM),  1>')0.  In  '41  liu  wussent  Ixick  to  the  Isl.  Iiy  Sutter  to  niakc  urranj.'e- 
nieiit  for  uonsignmenta  of  gcMxIa,  going  on  the  Llama  and  returning  on  tho 
Julia  Ann.  His  ncrotiations  for  .Sutter  were  not  very  succcsitfiil,  hut  he  inndo 
a  hargain  with  (iriines,  hy  virtue  of  whicii  on  his  return  in  IX-c.  '41  lie  ohtuined 
naturalization,  uml  in  '4'J  took  ))o88ession  of  the  Kl  I'aso  rancho,  north  of  N. 
1  lel v.,  ua  the  representative  of  Grimes,  to  whom  it  wns  granted  in '41.  iv. 
l."^y,  •4137,  WUJ.  lie  was  visited  in  '4'i-;i  hy  Sundels  and  Yates,  who  tleacrilio 
him  as  a  very  intelligent  man  fond  of  grog;  also  hy  Fr<:;ni<)nt  in  '41,  iv.  4:iM, 
when  he  was  an  oiBcer  in  the  N.  Hclv.  militia,  iv.  471>,  (>•'<<'  Ho  was  Sutter's 
aide  in  the  Micheltorena  campaign,  iv.  4S.'i-(i;  is  often  n  I'd  from  '4r>  in  the 
A'.  Ilflv.  hiary;  and  in  '4ti-!>  ho  was  alcalde  of  the  N,ic.  district,  v.  (i7.'i, 
having  a  Cal.  claim  of  94.')0  (v.  4(i'J),  taking  {tart  in  relief  nieasiiri.'S  for  the 
Donner  party,  v.  5:{8,  541,  and  finally  dying  in  '4!)  on  his  passage  by  steamer 
to  the  SUtcs.  S.  (\Vm).  1H45,  clerk  for  lUe  at  S.F.  iv.  tA)X  S.  (Wni  H.), 
18'J8,  Ainer.  carpenter,  age  '.!.">,  who  left  liia  vessel  at  Sta  11.,  escaping  with  :{ 
others  in  a  boat  to  Sta  Catalina  Isl.  Singleton  (A.  W.),  1848,  passp.  from 
Hon.  iSinova  (Jost^t  F.),  settler  at  Ix>s  Ang.  l78.'>-(>;  '2il  alcalde  in  '89.  i.  34(>, 
.'148,401.  Sinton  (Rich.  H.),  1848,  a  wellknown  citizen  of  S.  F.  down  to 
'8.'),  whoso  arrival  is  accredited,  erroneously  I  suppose,  in  various  publications 
to  '47  or  '48. 

Sipolc  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  F.  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  .'>18);  <l.  l)efore'04.  Sipp,  1840, 
Amcr.  ship-cariienter  from  Or.  in  the  Mc^iahon  party,  who  prob.  w  ent  buck 
to  Or.  in  '10.  iv.  "rl;  v.  rc»C.  Siptler  (J.),  1840,  in  Cal.  Ilat.  (v.  .i:i8).  Si- 
raldo  (Mariano),  at  Sonoma  '44,  age  27;  perhafts  'Jjizalde.'  Sirey  (.lames), 
1847,  Co.  D,  N.  Y.Vol.  (v.  490);  settled  ut  Stockton  '48;  at  S.F".  '71-4;  Stock- 
ton '75;  d.  before  '82.  Sirrine  ((ieo.  W.),  1840,  of  tho  Mormon  colony,  v. 
540;  of  Stout,  S.,  &  Meder,  lumlier  dealers  at  Stu  Cruz  '47;  memb.  of  the 
town  council  '48.  v.  042.  In  Ariz.,  still  in  the  faith,  '85.  S  (.John  .1.),  184(i, 
ditto,  with  wife  and  child,  v.  540;  in  '47  candidate  for  the  council  and  owner 
of  a  S.  F.  lot.  V.  050,  080;  an  elder  and  school  trustee  '48.  v.  0.'>0;  jiresid.  of 
the  council  '48;  in  Ariz.  '85.  Sisk  (Tlios  J.),  1848(?),  survivor  of  the  Texan- 
Mier  mass.icrc;  died  at  (irass  Valley  '09.  Sisson  (Reuben),  1847,  Co.  K, 
N. Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  S.  Rafael  '49.  Sitjar  (Antonio,  or  Huenaventura), 
1771.  Sjian.  friar  who  served  atS.  Antonio — being  also  founder  of  S.  Miguel  — 
until  his  death  in  1808.  Hiog.  ii.  151-2;  ment.  i.  173,  170,  190,  298,  ."188,  411, 
4(i»,  498,  5.-.2,  500,  570,  587,  088-9;  ii.  147,  159-00.  Swarthout  (Nathan), 
1847,  Co.  D,  Morni.  Bat.  v.  409. 

Skcckett  (Job),  1845,  Delaware  Ind.  in  Fr«5mont's  party  '45-7  (i v.  581). 
Skee  (Ale.x.),  1827,  mr  of  the  Iliuwir  '27-8.  iii.  147.  Skein  (Joseph),  1847, 
Co.  E,  Morm.  Lot.  (v.  4t>9).  Skene  (Wnil,  1840,  one  of  the  chino  prisoners, 
wounded,  v.  313-14.  Skillingtoii  (11.),  1848,  at  Hon.  from  Mont.  Skin- 
ner (Eugene  F.),  184."»,  overl.  imiiii^'.  from  \.  V.  in  tho  (Jrigsby-Ide  party,  with 
a  family.  Working  for  Sutter  and  vi.sitiug  S.F.  an<l  S.  Jo8<5,  he  went  in  '40 
to  Or.,  where  he  fojindcd  and  named  Eugene  City,  dying  there  in  '(i4,  and 
leaving  a  widow  and  3  children,  iv.  .-.79-80;  v.  520.  S.  (A.  A.),  1848,  Or. 
pioneer  of  '45,  judge  of  the  Or.  sup.  court,  brother  of  Ivigi-nc,  said  to  have 
made  a  trip  to  the  gold  mines;  d.  at  Stii  (^luz  '77.  S.  (Horace  A.),  1840,  of 
Mormon  colony,  with  wife  and  cliihi.  v.  .-)4(i;  in  '47-8  ho  kept  the  City  Hotel 
at  S.F.  v.  080;  in  Utjih  '84.  S.  (John),  1847,  Co.  A,  N. Y.Vol.  (v.  iw.));  at 
S.  JostS  ',50;  at  (.'ampo  Seco  '71-4. 

Slocum  (VVm  A.),  1837,  l^S.  commissioner  on  the  Lnriot,  and  author  of 
tL  lirport.  iv.  140-7,  105.  Sladc  (Philip  O.I,  I8:{2,  nat.  of  N.  H.  who  came 
by  sea.  iii.  408;  in  Mont.  dist.  '33-5;  naturalized  '39.  being  a  sawyer  at  S. 
Rafael;  last  appears  at  S.F.  '40.  S.  (Thompson),  1840,  Co.  F,  Cal.  IJat.  (v. 
358.  S.  (Wm  D.),  1847,  Co.  H,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  497).  A  printer  who  was  city 
marshal  at  Yreka;  d.  before  82,  prob.  in  '03.  Slague  (John),  1830.  Fr.  sailor 
9i8T.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.   4ii 


Iii 


m 


PIOXKKR  REdlSTKU  AND  IN'DKX. 


oil  the  Atfnnirho,  ago  Ift.  Slater  (Riclianl),  1847,  ('".  K,  Morin.  Rat.  (v. 
4tii>);  iiuiil-cunicr  for  Itruiinnii  '4.S.  Slaiisuiii,  IN.'U,  Kiig.  Hiiilor,  n>;u  4(1,  iit 
Mimt.  Sluifjlit  (I'fter),  1N47,  Co.  K,  N.Y.  Vi>l  (v.  4»»)-  ^^I'l'*'  (.Ktoiii«). 
Ik:<4,  Kii^'.  liittttT  ill  n  iMont.  lixt,  ugn  *.>7.  Slout  (.lulin  I>.),  IH4(I.  iiat.  of 
N.V.  ill  cum.  of  tlio  I'ai'ilic  ii(|iia(li'oii,  ruiNlii^  tlio  U.S.  IIiik  in  Ciil.  July.  v. 
.■{7,  11>.'>-'JI.">,  •J"J4-."»4,  411-lv;,  TifM).  Colli.  Sloat  was  a  tiiiiiil,  irrruolnto  inaii; 
)>iit  after  ill'  ileiMilcii  to  talio  ]MmNvtiMioii  of  tin;  ( 'al.  iMirtH  IiIm  policy  wati entirely 
liraiHcWurtiiy  as  coiii)Mki'iil  witli  that  of  Stockton,  liis  Hii<'CUHNor.  liiug.  iioto  v. 
'J.VI.  .S.  (|.,(>\viM  W. ),  I.s4tl,  son  of  .loiiii  I>. ,  anil  hisMcc.  on  tlie  Sftrnniinh.  v. 
'J'J.'i.  Ilu  caiiic  iMick  to  Cal.  alioiit '•')(  anil  wat  a  notary  ]uilili<;  at  S.  P.  for 
Hi'vcral  ycar.s.  iSlulMxIchikof,  IfWN'.  chief  hunter  on  the  coast  from  AhiHka. 
ii.  40;  ill  '|;»-I4  clerk  of  Kuskof  at  liims,  viHiting  S.F.  ii.  '-'04,  'MY2,  3()4,  :I7.'». 
Mluciiiii,  IM4,  niatuof  the  A'''(/'/u».  .Slovur  ( Isaac),  lHi'8,  Kcntiickian  triipper 
ot  I'ttttie'H  party  who  went  hack  to  .Sonora  with  a  pass  in  Nov.  iii.  hVA,  UMi  7, 
I7H.  lie  came  hack  with  a  X.  Mex.  colony  ahoiit  '41  .'(,  Mcttling  at  S.  Iti-rnar- 
iliiio,  where  he  waH  killeil  hy  a  hear  in  '.'>4,  at  tliu  a>;e  of  ahout  HO.  .Slnver  Mt 
Htill  hears  his  naiiie.  .Slusser  (Levi  S.  It.  |,  IS47,  iiat.  of  I'a;  in  Sonoma 
Co.  '4H-77.  Sly  (Janus  ('.),  1H47,  Co.  M.  Morni.  !5«t.  (v.  -UiJ));  a  miller  in 
•Slitter's  empliiy,  also  in  tlio  miiios  '4M,  explnring  a  now  route  and  .Salt  Ijtku 
Val.       S.  (.Ii.iin).  lS4«i,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  XiH). 

Smith,  iiatinally  many  of  the  name  cannot  he  iilentitieil.  S.,  ]H'M,  sailor 
(Irowneil  at  Sta  l(.  iii.  405.  S.,  I8:tl,  alKiiit  to  leave  Hon.  for  (.'a I.  S., 
I.S44,  othcer  on  the  Moitintf.  iS.,  I84.">,  KiikI.  who  got  a  pass  for  iSonora. 
.S.,  1840,  from  Hon.  on  the  h'n/thi'inld.  S.,  In47,  hail  a  project  of  estiihlisli- 
ing  u  colony  on  the  MiNjiieliimne,  traiisferriii^'  his  claim  to  McKinstry  in  '4S. 
S.  Jitm/.  Cii.  //int.  S.,  IS47,  mill,  on  the  I'.S.  Indi  jirmli  im-.  S.,  1H47, 
owner  of  a  saw-niiil  near  S.F.  .S.,  IK48,  at  .Sutter's  fort  from  Sta  (^lara; 
lately  from  Or.       S.,  IS48,  iiir  of  the  llnnUlo. 

Smith  (.A.  |{.),  1SH7(?),  committed  siiiciileatS.  l»icgo '(17,  said  tohavelK-cn 
a  resid.  for  ;U)  ("JO?)  year.'':  ment.  at  S.j).  '4(1.  iv.  118;  v.  «•_•<».  S.  (Alheit), 
1847,  .sei'gt  Co.  H,  .Morin.  I>;it.  v.  477:  also  (,»..M.  sergt  at  Maiiti,  I'tah.  '81. 
.S.  (.\h'x.),  184)1,  nu'iit.  hy  Michael  White  as  in  tlie  Los.Viij:.  reuimi,  known  as 
'.Stuttering  Alec'  .S.  (.Andrew  .1.),  1847,  capt.  in  the  Ist  C.S.  di'ai;(M>n!<, 
uhooanio  with  the  >iorm.  Hat.,  of  wliicii  he  was  acting  com.  foru  time  in  the 
east.  V.  477,  47!>-8;<.  Ho  was  theolliccr  who  mnstereiloiit  the  Monii.  I5;it.  and 
part  of  the  N.Y. Vol.,  8nh.sei|ueiitly  taking  com.  of  the  dragoons,  v.  4!Mt,  .'il."), 
(i.'U.  lie  went  east  with  .Sherman  in  '."K);  and  in  the  war  of  '(il-."»  hecanic  a 
general.  .S.  (.Azariaii),  1847,  Co.  15,  .Morm.  IJiit.  (v.  4(»!();  auHior  of  a  sons; 
for  the  hat.;  at  the  Coloina  mill  ■,'{8  when  gold  was  discovered.  .S.  (Chas), 
I8'J4,  named  in  an  archive  n-conl  as  an  otter-hunter,  ii.  ,VJ7;  iieihaps  Kail 
'Schmidt.'  S.  (Chas),  I8*J8,  Kiiyl.  desertiT  from  a  Fr.  whaler  at  'I'odos 
Siintos;  at  S.  Diego  '•_'8-!».  .S.  (Chas),  I84)i,  powilerlmv  on  \\\v  Dale,  S. 
(Chas),  I84ti,  Co.  (i.  Cal.  Hat.  (v.  :C>8).  S.  (Chas),  l847."Co.  I,  N'.V.Vol.  (v. 
4!l!>).  .S.  (Chas),  1847,  with  Hrannan  on  trip  to  Salt  l.aki'.  v.  .'i.lU;  )>crliaps 
C.C.  S.  (Chas  F.),  1847.  Co.  I,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  4iti»):  d.  l.efore  ■8-_».  S.  (Chas 
11.),  IS'J.'iC;),  said  to  have  heen  at  .St.v  H.  in  charge  of  Dana's  store.  S.LnixOh. 
Co.  I/ht.;  in  '■,'(•  writi's  from  Hon..  and  had  visited  Cal.  hefore;  in  ",i\  camo 
on  the  /.ui//Vt  as  Hup. ;  in  '.Sl2  joined  the  comp.  extranicra.  iii.  'J-l;  ment.  in 
I^iJirkin'succts ';«].  .S.  (C.C),  1847,  trailer  at  Sutter's  fort  '47-8,  a  partner 
of  Hrannan;  made  a  trip  to  Hon.  on  i'-.e  Tii'ie  '48,  S.  (C.  S.),  1848,  itassp. 
from  Hon. 

Smith  (D.),  1847,  Co.  H,  artill.  Cul.  Hat.  (v.  .^Vl).  S.  (D.),  1848,  ot  Hon. 
from  Mont.  .S.  (David),  1847,  ("o.  K,  Morm.  I?at.  (v.  4()1));  d.  in  April  at 
S.  Luis  Itey.  v.  481.  S.  (D.  W.).  1846,  Co.  ii,  C.il.  Hat,  (v.  3,-)8).  .S,  (Ed- 
ward), 1848,  overl.  iminig.  from  Mo.,  with  wife,  so.i,  and  .">  daughters;  post- 
master at  S.  Juan  It.;  died  alniut  \'u.  Une  of  his  daughters  married  .Tohn 
IJreenin  '5'2.  S.  (Elijah  M.),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Aurora, 
Mono  Co.,  '82  S.  (Elislia),  1847,  Co.  E,  Morm.  Itat.  (v.  4ti9).  S.  (Ezckiah), 
1847,  at  Sutter's  fort;  proh.  Azariah.  S.  (F.).  1840,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  XA). 
8.  (Frances  11.),  1840,  married  to  \V.  W.  Scott  at  Sonoma,  June.      S.  (Frazer), 


SMITH. 


7SI 


1814,  mr  of  tho  iMtar  T,hIiI.  ii.  271-2.  S.  (Frnl.).  1H4H,  O.rrnnn  fariiur  at 
S.  .loii<5  '50- 7*1.  S.  (Fml  C),  l84r>  (?),  Mtid  l.y  Imh  son,  liiidd  S.-^U.S.  i-oii- 
Hui  ut  8.  llluM— to  liuvo  comv  us  iiir  of  tlio  burk  JItlvelia,  luit  I  liuvo  no  other 
reconl  uf  nufli  a  vt'aitel  thin  yvuv.  iv.  i\H7. 

Siiiitli  (if.  .M.),  lN4ri,  at  Sutter's  fort,  n|ipari-iitly  nii  oyrrl.  iininig. ;  uIho 
tlie  Hiiiiiu  or  uiiother  ut  Soiioiiia '4,'hO;  |H.-rliaps  tlio  fiithcr  of  Frnnces  R.  iv. 
A7»  S(»,  520.  S.  ^(JCo. ),  l«25,  "m-  of  tho  .s7»y  V>-7.  iii.  140.  S.  (( Joo. ),  1816, 
Co.  (',  iNt  U.S.  .lni>{o.)iiB  (V.  XW}).  S.  (Ofo.),  1840,  Co.  V,  Cal.  Ikit.  (v.  ;(.'i,s); 
had  u  li^lit  witli  Liuiit  liink,  uiid  wuh  Mintciii'id  l>y  coiirt-innrtinl  to 22  iiioiitim 
of  hurd  luljor.  v.  4U4.  «.  (IJonird  l>.),  18-t7,  Co.  C,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  4JM>).  N. 
(H.),  1848,  poHsp.  from  Hon.  S.  (Henry),  1840,  at  iSutter'H  fort;  iiiterewtcd 
ut  Ucnicia.  '47-8.  v.  072;  perliiipx  Henry  (,'.  H.  (Henry),  1840  ("/),  kei'iKM-  of  u 
Huilor's  l)ourdin){-iioUHU  ut  S.K.,  owner  of  lot,  constahie,  and  jailkeeper  '47. 
V.  048,  085;  perhaps  minio  us  tho  following.  S.  (Henry),  1817,  < 'o.  I,  N'.  Y. 
Vol.  (v.  41K»);  drcrtned  in  Fuatlicr  River '4!».  .S.  (Henry  C),  |H4.">.  nut.  of 
Ohio,  and  oveii.  ininiig.  with  tiio  Huatingit  ]>arty.  iv.  .')84i-7.  Ho  Ht-rv<'d,  per- 
Un\ni,  in  the  Cal.  IJat.  (v.  .'158);  had  a  'Cal.  ehiin*'  for!j<25(v.  40-');  wuhh  mend), 
of  tlio  legittluture  from  Sta  Clara  Co.  '52;  el.  for  land.  iv.  (>7<'<;  supervinor  of 
Washington,  Alameda  C'o.,  '55;  in  Nov.  '(il-4;  in  Alanicdn  Co.  from  'ti.')  to 
iiiti  death  at  l.ivermoro  in  '75,  at  tho  ago  of  51.  His  wife  was  .Mniy  van  (ior- 
4lon.  married  in  '40,  and  hia  Hnrviving  ehildren  were  Julia  A.  (.Mrit  Hurgrave), 
Kniniii  L.,  Franklin  I'.,  and  Cliurles.  S.  (Henry  J.),  1847,  <'o.  F,  N.Y.  Vol. 
(V.  4!M)).  S.  (Hiram),  IS40,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Ikt.  (v.  H58).  .S.  (I.),  184.").  at 
.Sutter's  fort  Apr.  '40.  S.  (Iwiac  l'.),  1840,  Co.  F,  <Jal.  llat.  (v.  :\:>H);  at  Sut- 
ter's fort  '47.  S.  (Israel),  1848,  present  at  thu  discov.  of  gold  ace.  to  tliu 
county  histories.  .S.  (I.  '1'.),  l!S40  (?),  nut.  of  luand  overl.  imniig.;  a  netti  t 
in  Sonoma  Co.  from  '51  to  hia  duatii  in  '7U,  leaving  a  wito  and  two  children; 
culled  al.so  I.  1*. 

Smith  (J.),  1840,  Cal.  Bat.,  Co.  11,  artill.  (v.  .S."»S).  S.  (.T.  J.),  1840,  C... 
F,  Cul.  llat.  (v.  '.WtH).  S.  (.Fuck),  1840,  «t  Sutter's  fort  from  up  uud  down 
the  vuUey '4t»-8.  S.  (Jueoh),  1810,  pilot  of  tlio  Af/f/iVe.  ii.  275.  S.  (James I, 
1827,  capt.  of  a  Teasel  at  ,S.  F.  S.  (James),  1S41,  nut.  of  Kngl.,  naturalized 
in  '44,  when  ho  hud  Ijcuu  .'{  years  in  Cul.,  being  then  a  fumuT  in  tho  Sac.  ^'lll. 
iv.  27!)  Often  named  in  tiie  X.  Ihlv.  I)iary  from  '4.').  In  Jan.  '40  ho  married 
the  willow  MurshuU,  and  died  in  '48.  liiilwell  thinks  tho  widow  married 
Cregson,  und  wus  living  in  >Sonoma  Co.  '04,  having  a  sou  named  Marshall; 
but  there  may  be  some  confusion  here;  see  'tiregson.'  S.  (Junicsl,  1844,  mr 
of  the  Hilii'nuii  '44-5,  iv.  .500,  587,  W'lio  in  later  years  established  a  line  of 
packets  between  S.F.  and  Honolulu,  being  well  known  usi.'apt.  'Jim'  Smith. 
Ho  died  at  New  London,  Conn.,  in  '08,  at  the  uijo  of  "05,  leaving  no  family, 
as  1  am  informed  by  Capt.  H.  H.  Watson.  .S.  (.lanu's),  1840,  of  the  Donner 
]>arty  from  III.,  dying  in  the  mountiiins.  v.  .5.30,  tilVA.  S.  (James),  1848, 
Ita.ssp.  from  Hon.  S.  (•rnmca  (i.),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  490);  drowned 
ill  Aiuer.  lliv.  '40.       S.  (James  M.),  1847,  (.'o.  K,  ditto. 

Smith  (.ledediah),  1820,  Amer.  trapper  chief  who  came  from  ,Salt  Lake  via 
<  'olorutlo  Riv.  and  Mojavo  to  S.  Cabriel.  In  '27  ho  went  to  .Salt  l^ke  from 
tilt!  S.  Joa<piiu  Vul.  and  returned,  being  the  Ist  to  cross  the  .Sierra.  From 
Cal.  he  went  to  Or.,  and  in  ';jl  was  killed  by  tho  Ind.  in  N.  Mex.  See  record 
of  his  visit,  iii.  152-00;  mont.  ii.  551,  50!»,  (KM>:  iv.  20:i.  S.  (John),  I8:J4, 
Kngl.  carpenter,  ago  28,  in  .Spear's  service  at  Mont.  iii.  412;  also  a  'tailor' 
Smith  the  same  year.  Named  in  l.arkin's  accounts  '.10-40;  arrested  in  '40  but 
escaped  exile,  iv.  17.  There  may  be  some  contusion  lM;tween  this  man  and 
the  tollowing.  S.  (.Fohn),  18.'{7,  nat.  of  Nova  Scotia,  who  came  by  sea;  asked 
for  naturalization  in  '42,  being  a  carpenter  in  the  Sac.  Val.  and  5  years  a  res- 
ident, iv.  118.  Sutter  says  S.  obtained  land  from  him  near  Marysville;  nut- 
urali/cd  in  '44,  und  got  a  grant  of  laud  in  Yolo  Co.  iv.  074;  living  im  his 
ranclio  '45-8,  ment.  in  tho  iV.  llt-lv.  iJinry,  a  partner  and  neighbor  of  Michael 
Nye.  S.  (John),  1845,  Amer.  sailor  on  tho  Morea  in  trouble  at  S.F.  S. 
(John),  1840,  Fuuntleroy's  dragoons  (v.  2.12,  247).  S.  (John),  1840,  Co.  C, 
1st  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  33f3);  sentenced  by  coart-niortial  to  imprisonment  at 


724 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX, 


Lo«  Aug.  '47.  S.  (.loliii),  1847,  Co.  E,  Monn.  Bat.  (v.  469);  in  UuU  >2. 
8.  (John).  \641,  Cu.  F.  .'<<!  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518);  living  '64.  8.  (John>.  IM». 
iMup.  from  iluu.  8.  (Joiiii  F. ),  ISltS,  Fr.  uarnentor  from  the  Saoilw.  I«l.at 
nta  b.  iii.  44)0:  where  he  hiiilt  the  lat  wuodi'ii  house,  and  died  in  '66.  Ilmtr. 
8.  (John(i.),  1847.  pcrhajiH  of  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  4tMI|,  under  another  name.  H. 
(.lohn  H.I,  1848,  naasp.  from  Hon.  8.  (Jolm  M.),  1847,  Co.  E,  X.  V.Vol.  (t. 
41)0).       S.  (JoiM-ph),  184.'),  douhtful  numo  of  an  overl.  immig.  iv.  578. 

.Smith  (L  H.).  1S4(],  mr  of  the  lirtij.  Jliu>h.  v.  r>70.  8.  (Lewis).  1»«7. 
Co.  »,  N.Y.Vol.  (V.  4'M)  S.  (Ix>t),  1847,  Co.  K,  Morm.  llat.  (v.  460):  re- 
cnl. ;  in  Ariz.  '8>'2.  .S.  (Napoleon  li. ),  184.'>,  nut.  uf  Ohio,  and  overl.  imniij;. 
in  the  HaHtin^s  party  with  ids  brutlier  Henry  <-.  i^-  •'>'<6-7.  He  worke<l  » 
wlide  for  8uttcr,  and  then  became  a  lunibernian  in  tli<-  .S.  .Antonio  rttdwotHb^ 
but  p4-rhap«  t(M>k  some  part  in  the  revolt  and  war  of  '4<l-7.  In  '48-  K  he  went  to 
the  mines,  .ind  kept  a  Ht«ire  at  MiMsionS.  JoslS  I)eing  sub- prefect  for  a  time  in '49. 
l^ter  he  became  a  trader  nt  Martinez,  being  county  assessor,  and  memb.  of 
the  legislature  in  '.V2.  In  '.'>7-8.~>  he  livi'd  on  a  rancho  in  Contra  Costa  Co.  Hi* 
wife  was  Margclina  dau^ditcr  of  Klam  Brown,  and  ho  has  S  children:  Frank 
(b.  .I.in.  '48,  the  Im  in  Contra  Costu).  Liiwrenco  M.,  Sarah  C,  Louis  X..  Ellen 
J.,  Klam,  Timothy  .S.,  and  Warren  ('.  I  have  a  fiUl  Jiioij.  Slrt-h  of  '  Booy  ' 
Smith  written  in  7-'>.  8.  (Oliver},  1848,  doubtful  name  at  Benicia.  Jk 
(')rrin),  1846,  of  the  Mormon  eohiiiy,  with  wife  and  U  children,  excommoni- 
cated  on  the  vov..  and  |M'rhiipi<  left  lor  a  tinir  iit  Hon.  His  daughter  Amclui 
was  in  Utah  M.  v.  546,  .'»»!>.  S.  (O.  K.t,  IS48,  nat.  of  N.Y.,  and  over L 
iu>nd)u'. ;  memb.  of  tin-  lij:isl  61,  lieing  a  farmer  at  Visalia,  ace  '39.  8. 
(IVrsifer  F. ),  IS48.  Gov.  Swiitii  «Ud  not  arrive  till  '4!t,  nevertheless  by  a  slip 
of  his  jK-n  he  writes  at  S.'f'.  in  Miirch  '48,  inquiring  fm-  IW-nicia  li>tj?.  r.  6T.>. 

Stuith  iH  ),  \Ki:\,  mr  of  the  t'ldijn.  iii.  382.  S.  (Rol»erti,  ;.S.|6,  of  the 
.Mormon  ••<.|..iiv,  \i  ith  wife  and  'J  children;  tencher  of  tactics  on  the  lirookltfi*: 
nwner  of  S.F.'  lot  '47;  <lied  in  the  laitii  about  '40.  v.  646,  650.  679.  .S. 
(KolH-rt),  |H47.  ut  .Smoma  iiud  X.  liclv. ;  known  as  '  (irowling '  Smith.  ;kn<l 
aiicstt'd  for  oiitrau't-ii  nn  IimI.  v.  oil!),  lilU.  Ho  may  liavo  licen  the  *BA<l;;>r' 
■Sinithof  the  IVeitritin '46.  v.  167.  S.  (Simi.)  I. S.'i7,  named  in  L.-trkin's accounts. 
S.  (Sam.),  \>>\'t  (?i,  at  Souom.i  and  X.  Ilelv.  '4.')-8;  iv.  .'i,s7;  seems  to  have  ha«l 
ii  rancho  in  the  .S:ic.  Val.  '17,  uImo  working  forI.arkin.  Sam.  8.  of  roltimore  is 
nnmoi  Im  the  A.'/  Dorado  I'o.  Hist,  an  having  como  in  '4.'t  and  kept  the  Ut 
Btore  a'.  Kciney.  At  .S.F.  ax  a  witncBM  '47  antl  owner  of  a  town  lot.  Ace.  ti>  the 
Marin  Co.  Ili*t.,  a  Sam.  S.  lived  in  the  I't  Keyes  region  in  '46.  S.  (Sime<9a 
1'.),  1VI7,  in  S.F.  letJ.r  list. 

Smith  (Stephen),  |N4I,  rial  of  Md.,  who  I. ad  Hpcnt  some  time  in  Tern,  and 
who  viiiited  C'al.,  i>rob.  on  the  i^orMtir,  \\\  '41.  iv,  270.  I  have  iiist  letter  •>( 
Jidy  urittcn  at  ('alhio  after  his  return  from  Cat.  Un  thi.s  1st  vinit  he  ma,ie 
arrangementu  with  l.ov.  A I  v.. -ado  to  intro<luce  a  steam-mill;  and  in  '43  be 
canu!  l>ack  from  ItaUiniorc  \«ith  the  engine — the  Int  in  Cat. —and  mill  ma- 
chii'try  on  the  <!t  .r<i<-  llinrij.  iv.  .'ly.')-*!,  .'jlx)-6.  y\8  noon  as  he  could  Iw  naS- 
nralizeil  he  irot  a  grunt  in  '44  of  l'..»'ega,  where  he  hatl  8rt  up  his  mill,  ai„i 
where  ho  live«l  .for  the  most  part  irom  that  time.  iv.  bSli,  ,'102,  670,  670.  In  '4.'V, 
v'ltiting  8.  Bio/,,  .^mith  was  arr<  nted  on  a  <-hargu  of  l*eing  er.gagcd  in  tild>us- 
tering  xchemes  for  the  l,'..S.,  bu'  hooii  rcleahcd,  ait  there  was  no  proof,  iv.  COi. 
As  he  later  told  Li'Ut  .Sherman  that  he  came  to  Cal.  on  the  ai<!*urancc  of  Web- 
xler  that  the  U.S.  would  Nurely  have  the  country,  it  is  iMv^sihli'  th.it  io  the 
earlier  years  In-  talked  iinliiicrcctly.  \\\  'l.'»-6  he  owned  '.ots  in  .S.F.,an»l 
liiiilt  a  house  at  the  or.  of  I'lipont  and  Waiihington  slree'.s.  iv.  I'ttiO.  673:  v. 
6<S2.  In  '46  hu  raitied  the  U.S.  Hag  \\\.  Bodegn,  ami  in  46-8  served  at  civil 
Miagiiitrati'.  v.  242,  67<).  In  t'le  tlush  times  Ids  mill  was  a  vry  valuable 
iirti|i<>rty,  and  he  wascl.  for  not  itnly  liodegit,  but  the  Blucher  rau'ho.  iv.  67^- 
lie  liieii  ;it  SK.  in  '.'i.'t  at  the  ace  of  60.  His  wife  was  a  I'cruvi.m.  a  ■>■  cr 
of  .Manuel  Torres;  vtho  married  Tyler  Curtis  in  '56;  and  hi<  K'ft  three  chil'UA, 
.NIaniiela,  .Stephen,  and  •lames  It.,  all  of  whom  eoetn  to  have  been  living '*;>  *7.>. 
The  daughter,  born  at  IkMle;.;a  '4ti,  nutrricd  John  M.  Knghtdi,  and  live<'  .a  Oiik> 
land  '81. 


SMITH— SXOOK. 


7-25 


Smith  (Thcclorc),  1847,  Co.  F.  X.Y.  Vol.  (v.  490),  S.  (Thomns),  1841,  at 
S.  Jo8^.  iv.  27i);  nuturulizetl  '44,  when  he  claimed  to  havo  been  a  resid.  since 
'4'2;  owner  of  S.  F.  lot  4o,  M-boro  he  Icpt  a  saloon  '4(>-rtO,  a  stout  and  stut- 
tering Englishman,  iv.  <i09;  V.  OS'A  •>*♦»•  •'*.  (Thomas),  I84.">,  overl.  iinmig. 
of  tlio  Swttsoy-TiHld,  or  pousibly  the  McMahon.  party,  iv.  570-7,  r»7.1;  appur- 
eutiy  at  Siittcr'a  furt  '4i>-7.  S.  (Thus),  llUti,  sailor  in  Stockton's  liiit., 
futally  wounded  at  the  8.  Cabriel,  Jan.  '47.  v.  .lU'i.  S.  ( Thos),  on  th<- 
roll  of  the  Society  of  Calltomia  I'ioneerH  as  having  arr.  in  Sept.  S. 
(ThosJ.),  1S45,  ditto, arrived  S.F.  IX-c.  iv.  .'iS7;  perhnpsthccl.  of  S.F.  Mission 
lots  in  '.">•.»;  at  (jiold  Hill.  Nov.,  '81.  .s.  (TIk«  L.).  Is-_>9  (?),  Kontuokian  trap- 
iKT  and  inountnineer,  known  a.t  *IVp-log*  Smith  from  hia  wooden  leg. 
I'lic  chronology  of  liis  wild  career  i**  confusing;  but  he  may  have  stolen  horses 
in  Cal.  in  ''JU  and  nevcral  times  later,  as  he  wa."  fon<l  of  boasting  in  late 
years,  iii.  17-,  179.  In  *4I  '  Kl  (,'oj«  .Sniit '  waf  r^  f.  Tted  to  lie  in  com.  of  a 
party  of  vaualmnds  from  N.  Mex.  iv.  308,  *7,8,  :^!..•.  After  '49  he  lived  in 
Cal.,  an<l  died  at,  S.F.  in  'tiO. 

Smith  (\V.).  1 8 Hi,  Cal.  Hat.,  Co.  K.  artill.  (v.  358),  enlisting  at  Mont. 
Oct.  S.  (Willard).  hVl7.  musician  Co.  1>,  Monn.  lliit.  (v.  4t;9);  in '8L»  at 
l^ittlcton,  Utai.,  stake  president  and  prolate  judge.  Smith  (Wm),  18()(), 
tnato  of  tilt)  Jfriznrd,  perhaps  visiting  the  c<ia*t  ceveral  tinu's  before  1808.  ii. 
17,  -4-.'>,  Or»-ri.  In  l.SlO-11,  as  mate  of  the  Aifj  ilrogn,  he  w;..s  engaged  in  fur- 
hunting  on  th<: ':i>aHt,  eHpeciallv  in  tnking  H-als  at  the  l-'aralloneH.  ii.  9,i.  In 
'III  ho  came  buck  from  China  in  com.  of  t.'ie  A/ltntron",  and  was  arrested  fo'- 
eniuggling  at  Sta  H.,  tliough  Ins  vcs- >  1  e»ca|K-d  capture,  ii.  'J7'>-7,  'M'2,  "248, 
ti.'lli.  He  WHS  a  nat.  of  Va,  wIuwm'  voyage*  and  a«lvcntures  in  all  jwrt.s  of  the  world 
would  till  a  volume.  In  "Mi  or  earlier  he  found  hi«  way  to  Cul.  again,  iv.  1();{, 
141 ;  and  now,  too  old  to  commaml,  he  still  ma>dt  his  home  onboard  1S<jston  vc.s- 
dels  on  « lie  coast  or  at  tlie  Island.*.  Uint:  traMslerredfromone  to  another  accord  • 
ii/g  to  his  whims,  and  occa.<<ionully  sixnding  a  tew  months  on  tiliore.  lie  died  at 
Sonoma  on  May  .'i,  '40,  ai  the  n^'c  of  78.  S  (Wni),  IS'Jt,  nir  of  the  Yoiinij 
Tnrliir.  ii.  i'lHt.  S.  (\Vm),  Iv/;,  Auier  carjicnter  in  the  .Mont,  tlist.  ''J9,  age 
22.  iii.  ITfi.  Mcnt.  as  a  sawyer  wurkin);  for  Cooper  in  ",\\;  '  Ihll  the  Sawyi-r ' 
at  S.  .lost^  'lt;i,  married  to  a  Sais;  in  Mout.  lists  of  ':t4;  also  near  I't  K<yes; 
at  SoiiouHi  and  S.  F.  ';t7-0;  one  of  the  arrested  forei^rners  '40,  iv.  17:  Kn^l. 
carpenter,  !igi>  42,  at  S.  ,Io«e  '41:  wife  Maria  .losefa  Sais.  child.  l>nni«'l  b.  ';<;•!, 
Josi?  ','U5,  I'atricio  ",\~,  ,Ii>.s«^  S.  ':W,  Maria  TIS;  one  of  Sutter's  men  in  tlio 
Miclieltorena  caiiipaiL'ii  '4.">.  iv.  4'.t.">:  at  S.  Ait*i\  S.V.,  and  in  the  Siic.  Vnl. 
'4(»;  owner  of  alotalS.K.  and  Mttler  at  i'lenicia '47 — all  these  mayl)cono 
or  half  a  do/en  Hill  Sinitlis  for  :ill  th.-it  I  km,',;'. 

Smith  (\Vm  II.),  1847,  eui  «V>.  I,  X.Y. Vol.  v.  .WM;  owner  of  ^.V.  !<>t. 
Still  at  S.F.  '.VJ;  in  'Inolumi.  «  o  -\.  S.  ,\Vm  M).  I84.">,  nat.  of  Cifc,  win. 
came  with  iJapt.  Vii'iv  ircn  .^  l;la.«.  iv.  ."tN7.  A  droll  fellow,  who  had  lieeii 
»  circus-riiler,  krvwn  as  *.lim  Crow'  Smith;  in  '4(k8  member  of  the  S.F. 
firm  of  \Vard  k  S. ,  ownitig  lots  and  baiMing  a  house,  besides  serving  as  capt. 
of  volunteers  in  .Mansion 's  Sta  Clam  •  ampaign.  v.  ;{s|,  W.V.),  (i7!»,  (iSl,  (i84. 
In '48  ho  married  the  widow  of  <';ipt.  Ilinrkley,  and  in  '4!l  moved  to  Ma. 
tinez.  Aftx<r  a  while  ho  went  to  the  lia<l  .iltogether.  I>eiiig  a  violent  and  iwn- 
pT;  MS  man  wiien  intoxicated,  anil  aU*i!t  ■."»4  he  killed  himself.  S.  (W'ln 
Tayljr),  181(1,  lieut  on  the  C.S.  h;!^.  Smyth  (Win),  ls2ti,  mate  of  tli- 
J{/iii>soiii ,  iii.  I'JI;  artist  from  wIicmm  drawing*  Forbes'  CaUt'oniid  was  illiis- 
tralcd.  iv.  I.'d. 

Snitter(L(wis),  1847,  <;«.  K,  X.Y. Vol.  (v.  499).  SnfH>k  i.Iosepli  I'raiL- 
cisco),  bSHO,  Kngl.  mr  of  the  Aijarnrhn,  who  had  l»een  on  the  .Mex.  coji^it  in 
Vinuond's  employ  8ini'(! '24.  iii.  140,  |M>.  He  wa«  naturalised  in  '.'W,  .tucI  in 
';!;»-9  mr  of  the(^'^(/<'/l((.  iii.  ;{S|;  iv.  UK!,  117.  In '.IS  lio  ]nircha.sed  of  Merry 
a  ranclio  at  I't  Ueyes  or  Tomalfi,  rontimie^l  next  yenr  by  tlie  di|mta''ion.  lie- 
fore  tliistime  ho  had  nii'rried  Maria  .\nt<>nt...  <lau|;!iter  of  ,l.lt,  .\lvaradoof  S. 
I>i<'go,  anil  ho  talkiil  of  iiuittin.'  the  arm  and  funntng  a  partiuMxIiip  vith 
Fitch;  but  in  '40-2  he  comnianiled  th,»  Jomt  fSaipnirfy^nn.  iv.  12,  1(14,  'MK\ 
iXiO;  and  the  Juaiiita  in    (0.   In  '42  he  was  grantee  of  the  S.  Iteruardo  runcho, 


m 
I 


I 


726 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


S.  Diego,  iv.  C21,  where  he  lived  witii  his  family,  dying  suddenly  in  April  '47 
or  '48.  liis  widow  married  Henry  (Jlayton.  Snow  (A.),  1847,  ut  Benicia.  B. 
Tnbiinc.  .S.  (U.  F.).  1S48,  passp.  from  Hon.  8.  (I!.  D.),  1848,  ditto.  S. 
(Ze'jiora  8.).  1840,  of  the  Mormon  colon  v.  v.  540;  in  Utah  '84. 

Snyder  (Elijah),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.'Vol.  (v.  4»!»);  at  Trenton,  N..T.,  '7'). 
S.  (Jiicoh  R.),  1845,  nat.  of  I'a,  and  overl.  immig.  of  the  Swasey-Todd  party, 
iv.  570,  587.  Mentioned  at  Sta  Cruz  and  various  otlier  points  in  '45-({,  em- 
ployed aa  a  surveyor,  v.  054,  041.  He  served  as  quartermaster  in  Fauntleroy's 
dragoons,  v.  'J9;j-4;  and  later  in  the  Cal.  Bat.,  ranking  as  major,  v.  300.  lu 
'47  ho  was  appointed  surveyor  for  the  middle  department  of  Cal.,  and  also 
commissioned  to  iuvestigato  charges  against  Alcalde  Nash  of  Sonoma,  v.  010, 
405.  In  '48-'J  with  Reading  and  Ifcnslcy  ho  had  a  trading  (lostat  Sacramenttj, 
and  was  u  member  of  the  constit.  convention;  from  '50  nicmb.  of  a,  S..F.  (iim; 
in  '5'2-;i  stato  senator;  in  '5,3-GO  treasurer  of  the  U.S.  mint  at  S.  F.  About  '02 
he  retired  for  the  most  part  from  public  life  to  a  rancho  at  Sonoma,  where  ho 
died  in  '78  at  the  ago  of  05.  Ho  was  a  man  of  lino  jiersonnl  appearance,  of 
good  abilities,  of  excellent  character,  and  of  well-deserved  popularity.  I'oi'- 
trait  in  Coltoii\i  Three  Yi'ar.i;  Sonoma  Co.  /li.it.  His  1st  wife,  of  '50,  was 
Susan  H.  Brayton;  the  '2d,  of  '74,  was  Rachel  J.  Sears;  and  he  had  no  chil- 
dren. S.  (John),  184(!,  of  the  Donner  party  fiom  111.,  killed  by  Reed  on  the 
Humboldt  before  reaching  Cal.  v.  530,  532.  S.  (John),  1847,  Co.  E;  Morni. 
Bat.  (V.  409). 

Soberanes,  occupant  of  Sauzal  rancho  '23.  ii.  010,  004.  S.  (Agustin), 
sirviente  at  Sta  Clara  1770.  i.  30C>;  still  at  S.  Josii  1704.  S.  (Ezequiel), 
sou  of  Mariano,  volunteer  oHicer  under  Castro  at  the  taking  of  Los  An','. 
'45.  iv.  402.  S.  (Feliciano),  at  Mont.  '20,  and  regidor  '29-30.  ii.  012; 
grantee  of  Alisal  '34.  iii.  070;  named  in  thcpadronof  '30  as  a  nat.  of  Cal.,  age 
47,  wife  Maria  Ant.  Rodriguez,  child,  .losefa  b.  '13,  I'linlilo  '15,  (Jabriela  '18, 
Francisco  '19,  Jos6  Ant.  '21,  Jo.s(5 Maria '23,  Cdrmeii  '25,  Mariano"28,  Feliciano 
'20,  Jo8i5  Andrds  '31,  Franciscu  '.TJ,  anil  Josd  Mateo  '33.  Alcalde  in  '38-0.  iii. 
075,  007;  grantee  of  S.  Lorenzo  in  '41.  iv.  055;  and  in  '41-5  the  admin,  of 
Soledad  mission,  of  which  estate  he  became  the  owner,  iv.  194,  550,  000-1 ;  v. 
558,  037,  041;  being  in  '45  jucz  2"  at  Mont.,  iv.  0.33,  050,  wheie  ho  still  lived 
in  '51.  S.  (Francisco),  grantee  of  Sanjon  de  Sta  Rita,  Merced,  '41.  iv.  07.3. 
S.  ((tuadalupe),  alfC-rez  of  auxiliary  cavalry  '45-C.  v.  41;  in  Mont.  Co.  '."lO. 
S.  (Josti  Ant.),  mcnticmed  at  Sutter's  fort  '47.  S.  (Jo8i5  Maria),  a  soldier  of 
the  Ist  cxped.  of  1700-74;  at  Solcdud  1701  ct  seij.;  in  1705  an  invAlido  in 
possession  of  the  Bucnavista  rancho,  Mont.  i.  083,  441,  499.  IVob.  ancestor 
v)f  most  of  the  Soberanes  hero  registered.  S.  (Josi5  M.),  son  of  Feliciano, 
nient.  in  '40.  v.  41.  S.  (Josefa),  daughter  of  Feliciano,  grantee  of  Los 
Codies  '41.  iv.  055.  S.  (Juan),  sub-licut  of  militia  '4(!.  v.  41;  went  with 
Flores  to  Mex.  '47.  v.  407.  S.  (Mariano),  sohlier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '10-21; 
in  '23  alcalde  of  Mont.,  sdidico  '27,  alcalde  '29-;«).  ii.  01 1-12;  iii.  4!»,  70,  82, 
H)4;  in  '.35  admin,  of  S.  Antonio,  iii.  .3.">4,  087-8;  in  "30  living  at  Alisal,  ago 
40,  a  widower — his  wife  had  been  a  daughter  of  Ignacio  Vallejo — 7  child. 
Mariano  b.  '10,  Juan  '21,  Ezequiel  '23,  Tomiis  '25,  Giiadalui>e  '28,  Victor  '2!t, 
Ignacio '31.  In  '42  ho  was  grantee  of  Los  Ojitos  rancho.  iv.  C.Vi;  in  '45  juez 
at  S.  Miguel,  iv.  000.  In  '40  he  was  arrested  with  his  sons,  and  his  proi)erty 
at  Los  Ojitos  destroyed  bv  Fremont,  v.  374,  404,  for  which  Don  Mariano  hiid 
a  C:il.  claim  of  §10,!t30,  of  which  S423  was  paid  (v.  402).  lie  was  rl.  for  Los 
Ojitos  in  '52,  and  the  rancho  is  still  owneil  by  his  sons  in  '85.  .S.  (Mariaiioi, 
sou  of  the  preceding;  grantee  of  S.  Bernardo  lancho  '41— though  this  may 
have  been  the  father,  iv.  0,">5.  He  was  somewhat  active  in  the  linal  campaign 
of  Natividad  against  the  Amer.  v.  25K),  307;  and  was  still  in  Mont.  Co.  '78. 
His  son,  Clodomiro,  was  for  a  short  time  cmjiloyed  in  my  Library,  and  a  small 
collection  of  Dor.  llixt.  Cat.  bears  his  name.  S.  (I'llnfilo),  son  of  Feliciano, 
juez  do  paz  at  Mont.  '43;  custom  house  guard  at  Mont,  and  S.F.  '44-5.  iv. 
567,  653,  650.  S.  (Toniii."),  ileik  in  the  Mont,  custom-house  '44.  iv.  431; 
went  to  Mex.  M-ith  Flores  '47.  v.  407.  Sobradelas  ( I'ablo),  1 825,  Span,  mariiio 
from  the  Aqvilp»;  ordered  to  depart  in  '23-30.  iii.  51-2.  Sohna  (John),  1847, 
Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol,  (v.  409). 


SOLA -SOTO. 


727 


Sola  (PauBtino),  178(5,  Span,  friar  wlio  servrd  for  brief  terms  at  S.  Luia 
Ob.  and  8.  F.,  retiring  in  17UU,  aiul  ilyiiiR  at  tiio  ('olle),'c  of  >S.  Fernando  in 
Mcx.  18'20.  Ho  waH  ii  brotiitr  of  (iov.  Sola.  i.  'MH,  4-.';<,  40»-70,  474;  ii.  471. 
S.  (I'iiblo  Viei-nte),  Span,  lii'iit-col,  ulio  iiiU'il  Cal.  as  jiov.  from  Aug.  l.">,  'l.">, 
to  Nov.  '2\\  'l"2,  being  promoted  to  colonel  in  'I'.t,  aiitl  leaving  ("al.  as  dip.  to 
tlie  Mex.  congress  in  "'.'■J.  Kxee))t  that  he  was  ii  mend>er  of  the  junta  de  Cal. 
in  Mex.  in  ''J.'i,  iii.  .'{-.">,  nothing  is  dflinitely  known  of  liis  later  life.  For  his  life 
and  character,  seeii.  47()-I$;  on  his  rule  in  Cal.  ii.  '.'(18-470,  J>assini;  niixcel.  men- 
tion, i.  (Mi-J;  ii.  78,  ISS,  479,  48."),  514,  .">«•.',  M:,-(i,  rm,  .*.7I,  ."i8(),  587,  CM.  <>0', 
fil(i,  t)4-2,  074,  ti7();  iii.  :«,  5,  II,  Xt,  lOi).  Solano  (Francisco),  1ml.  chief  of  the 
Snisunes,  who  from  ",i'>  was  an  ally  of  Valhjo  at  Sonoma,  doing  more  th.iii 
any  other  to  keep  till'  Iml.  of  the  nortlnrn  fixntier  in  onler.  iii. 'J'J5,  IMiO,  5!)!S; 
71- .'{,  444,  (174.  lie  was  the  griintee  of  .Sni.snn  ranch"  in '4 "J.  His  oiiirinnl 
name  was  Numa  or  Tetoy,  and  the  name  Solano,  given  him  at  baptism  from 
thiit  of  the  mission,  i)assed  from  him  to  the  county.  I  have  no  record  showing 
the  (late  of  his  death,  ilis  widow,  Isidor.'i,  was  still  living  at  Sonoma  in  '74, 
at  an  advanced  age,  and  tiirnishcd  a  AV/af /<>/«  that  is  not  wilhout  interest. 
Solar  (.Jo.sc  Maria),  at  Ihaneifoite  'HO.  ii.  (!'J7.  .Solares  (I'cdnO,  soldier  at 
the  (Colorado  lliv.  ])ueblos  17^0-1.  i.  ,'l,")i(.  Solas  (Mutias),  sirviente  at  Sole- 
dad  17'Ji-I.S()0.  i.  4!»!». 

Soler  (.luan),  1774,  guarda-almaccn  at  M->>it.  i.  'J-4.  There  was  some  com- 
jilaint  of  his  nnlitnessfor  the  place  in '78-!(;  an'  he  died  at  Mont.  in'M.  S. 
(Nic(diis),  1781,  Span.  capt.  who  held  the  ))ositionof  nyndanlc-inR|icctor of  the 
Cal.  troo])»  in  'Sl-S;  a  prominent  olliecr  and  inveterati' fatdt-tiniler,  gcnendly 
in  trouble  because  things  were  going  to  the  dogs,  lie  iM-canm  comaiidantc  at 
Tucson,  and  dieil  in  'JK).  Itiog.  i.  :!!»7-8;  ment  i.  ;i;{4,  ;{7(>,  ."{h.H,  HVi,  Ml'.'  (i, 
411,  44:{,  451,  4(i'-'-:<,  4()7,  471-'-',  47!l,  4.S4,  V,Hi;  ii.  571.  S.  (I'ablo),  I7i»'-', 
surgeon  of  the  Cal.  troops  at  Mont,  to  1HI(».  i.  •:«»,  501,  (>7!>-.'«(t.  Soleto 
(•luan),  doubtful,  '4(i.  v.  id'J.  Solis  (.loaipiin),  I.S'.'5,  Mex.  convict  who  in 
"'.'!)  headed  a  revolt  of  Californian  soldieVN,  and  in  '.'U)  was  sent  as  a  prisoner 
to  Mex.  For  full  acciumt  of  the  leviilt,  sec  iii.  (iH-.S5;  mention  of  Solis.  ii.  ."i7(i, 
.">!l|,  (i04,  ((15,  (i(j4;  iii.  1(1,  140.  Soha/.-ino  (l^'ranciseo),  settltr  at  Los  .\ng. 
"Ki.  ii.  .'<50.  S.  (Jos(5  Antonio),  scrgt  of  the  Mont,  eonij).  ';{■_'-,'$.  iii.  (»71,  (»7H. 
S.  (Uamon),  soldier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  ';{!l-4'.';  at  Soncjnui  '44,  age  lit. 

Somera  (.losd  Antonio  Fernande/.or  Angel),  1771,  Span,  friarat  S.  (iabiiel, 
forced  by  illness  to  retire  in  '7"-'.  i.  I.'C  I7<i,  l>i7-0,  lO'.'-.'J.  Somers  (Fred. ), 
I.S47,  Co.  H.  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  4!)0).  Somoza  (.Vntonio  Maria),  l.S4'.»,  M<-x.  li.-ut 
in  the  batallon  lijo  '4"J-5,  adjutant,  instructor,  and  com.  at  Los  Aug.  '44-5; 
stdl  in  Cal.  '40.  iv.  *_',S0,  ;{54,  407,  5H8;  v.  41.  Soncho  (Francisco),  juez  de  ])a/. 
lit  S.F. '4'-'.  iv.  (((J5,  (>(»7.  Soret  (.Angelina),  IH47,  owmr  of  a  S.F.  lot.  So- 
fia (I'"  rancisco),  alcalde  of  Mnnt.  (''),  -0.  ii.  01'.';  in  '".'8  resid.  of  Hrancitorte, 
wife  Itita  I'into,  chihl.  .losi',  Cecilia,  Carmen,  and  Ciregorio;  jiie/  du  )ia/.  at 
H.  ':t'.',  regidor  ';»8,  jucz  de  caniiio  '4:i,  '.M  idcaldo  '45.  iii.  58H,  (HKl-7;  iv.  (iO.'l - 
4;  in  '45  at  IV,  age  '50,  wile  (iuadahipe  .liiarez,  child,  .lost^  Ant.  b.  ''.'7,  Mi- 
guel';!.'»,  Cineda  (?)■;((>,  Jo.se '44,  Cecilia '•_•«,  Jlenita '.'<.5,  I'ludeneia ';i7.  S. 
(.lose),  at  liranciforto  '45,  w  ifo  Maria  de  .lesus  Kobles,  child.  I'lcfugio  '4U,  Te- 
resa '  (4,  S.  (.luan  .lose),  alcalde  of  Mont.  ''.'8.  ii.  (»!'.';  and  jdob. ''.t(.  .S()h4» 
(.Mariano),  visiting  I>ominican  fiiar  at  S.  Cabriel  "M-'2.  iii.  041. 

Sotelo  (Francisco),  settler  al  Los  .\ng.  ISdH.  ii.  ;J50.  S.  ((iabriel),  ilitto 
'15.  ii.  ;{."iO.  S.  (Cabriel),  S. !'".  militiaman ','<7.  S.  (.losc^l,  at  S,  nirnardino 
'40,  ago  45.  S.  (.losi^  Maiia),  at  Ihiiiiciforte  '45,  ago  .50,  wife  I'lncariiiicion. 
S.  (.luan),  soldier  in  S.F.  comp.  '4'_',  militia  S.l'\  'Ii7.  S.  (M.iriano).  soldiiM- 
of  S.F.  comp.  "M  '.).  S.  (I'cdro  1>.),  at  l.os  Aug.  '40.  S.  (Kanion),  settler 
at  Los  A:ig.  1805;  killed  at  I'urisima  '•.'4.  ii.  ;U),  41'.',  .5'JO,  .Mill.  In  17  I'. 
I'ayeras  writes  of  him  as  'el  fanioso  criminal  de  Cidiloinia.'  .MiijucI  Sotelo, 
jierhans  his  descemlant,  was  a  famous  outlaw  killid  by  tli<'  HJierill'  at  Los 
Aug.  lu '78.  S.  (Venancio),  at  Lns  Aug.  '48.  .*<.  (N'icente),  nt  S.  I'.ern.  '40, 
age  '2'2. 

Soto,  Bailor sirvientc at  Sta Cruz.  i.  4!)(l.  S.  (AndrOs),  nt  .M.mt.  '.'tS;  supl. 
jiiez  of  ranclios  '40.  v.  0;i7.       S.  (Antonio),  settler  at  S.  .lose  licfoie  18(J0, 


7S8 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


regidnr  1800-10,  alcalde  '18,  dying  siuMenly  in  tlmt  year.  i.  "lOj  ii.  134,  37s. 
8.  (Antonio),  soldier  of  S.F.  conip.  'l9-'Jt»;  in  '41  at  S.  Jos**,  njjo  42,  wife 
Marfa  G.  Ikiones,  tliiltl.  KHnioii  1).  '2-2,  Raimnnda  '27,  Angel  '28,  Nicvcs  '30, 
Concepcion  '32,  FranciBco  '30,  Fclipa  '40.  S.  (Antonio  2«1),  soldier  of  the 
8.F.  oomp.  '10-27.  S.  (Ikmardino),  had  a  Cal.  claim  '46-7  of  f873  (v.  4r)2). 
8.  (Cosilda),  grantee  of  La  Merced,  Los  Ang.,  '44.  iv.  03r).  S.  (Cosimiro),  at 
Mont.  '30,  ago  2S,  wife  Elcuteria  Castro,  child  Maria  Trinidad  h.  '34.  S. 
(Domingo),  at  S.  Josti  '41,  ago  22;  and  living  with  him  Jesus,  age  18,  Fernando 
12,  and  Job<S  Ant.  14.  H.  (Eufcmio),  juez  do  cnmpo  Mont.  '.37.  iii.  07.'>.  S, 
(Kugenio),  liody  found  hanging  at  Sta  Cruz  ".iH.  lii.  607.       8.  (Kugenio),  at 

Ifranciforto  '4<'>,  ago  40,  wifo ,  child.  Ramona  1).  'IMi,  .Tuana  '.37,  Ro-salfa  '40, 

and  Joscfa  '44.  S.  (Ruscl)io),  militiaman  at  8.F.  '37;  owner  of  a  town  lot 
•4.-).  iv.  660;  v.  685.  8.  (Felipe),  at  8.F.  '37-44.  S.  (Fernando),  owner  of 
a  Russian  River  rancho  '46.  L'ateti.      8.  (Flores),  at  Los  Ang.  '46. 

Soto  (F'rancisco),  1st  child  h.  at  S.F.  1770,  son  of  Ignacio.  He  became  a 
soldier  in  the  S.F.  comp.,  was  a  corp.  in  1810,  and  was  promoted  to  scrgt  for 
bravery  in  an  Ind.  campaign  of  that  year;  also  made  an  cxpcd.  in  '13,  and 
another  in  '20.  ii.  01,  204,  324,  339.  Ho  was  possIMy  the  Fran.  8.  at  8.  Matfiia 
rancho,  Mont. ,  '36,  ago  .'>7.  child  Lorenzo  b.  '21 .  f^.  (Francisco),  corp.  in  8. F. 
comp.  '10;  8ergfc'20-9;  mcnt.  in  '27-8.  ii.  584,  .''.02;  iii.  66-7,  111,  l.J0.  I  am 
unable  to  distinguish  the  diflTorcnt  men  Iwaring  this  name.  S.  (Francisco), 
grantee  of  Uolsa  Nueva  rancho '20.  ii.  615,  (M»4.  S.  (Francisco),  corp.  died 
of  wounds  received  in  an  Ind.  rxpcd. '20.  iii.  111-13.  8.  (Francisco),  at 
Mont.  ',"{6,  ago  28,  wifo  Marfa  do  I-os  Angeles,  child.  Ascension  b.  '.32,  Triiii- 
d.id  '.34,  (iertnidis  "M'u  S.  (Francisco),  at  8.  JostS  '41,  ogo  M,  wife  li;U'bara 
Custro,  child.  Ana  Maria  b.  '.34,  Francisco  '.36.  Vicente  '38,  Encarnacion  '30; 
ill  '42-4  grantee  of  S.  J>or<n/o,  Alameda  Co.,  for  which  his  widow  was  tl.  in 
'.">2.  iv.  (i73.  8.  (Francisco),  at  S.  .bmrt '4!,  ago  24.  S.  (Francisco),  grantoo 
of  S.Vicente,  Mont.,  '.3.V-42.  iii.  (i'S.  S.(  Francisco),  prob.  some  one  of  the  pre- 
ceding; scrgt  of  the  Mont,  conijt.  '3.V6.  iii.  071 ;  a  supporter  of  .Mvarado  and 
coinisario  <le  polict'a.  iii.  461,  675;  ment.  as  lieut  in  .30.  iii.  588;  ndniin.  of 
Sta  ( 'ruz '.39-40.  iii.  (i95;  went  to  Mex.  with  Covarrulnas  in  '40.  iv.  13,  15, 
24;  but  is  ment.  again  in  '42.  iv.  308. 

Soto  (Gervasio).  soldier  of  the  S.F.  oomp.  '10-31 ;  resid.  of  Hrancifortc  '.36. 
iii.  697;  at  S.F.  ago  54  in  '44;  at  S.  .Io.<i(5  '45.  iv.  686.  S.  ((luillermo),  soldier 
of  the  S.  Rueii.  escolta  1786,  when  his  wife.  Nieolasa  Haiiiirez,  died;  settled 
at  Los  Aug.  1789.  ii.  .349;  alcalde  in '98  ami  1800.  i.  661;  ii.  110.  S.  (L-iia- 
cio),  soldier  of  S.F.  comp.  from  1776;  in  1793  at  S.  Joh(\  wifo  li:'irbar:i  Ks|ii- 
nosa,  child.  Antonio  b.  '76,  Francisco  Maria  '77,  iWmaso  '78,  isidoro  'SO, 
•losefa  (who  married  .los(S  Sancliey.)  '83,  .loaqnin  'cS4,  Jns6  Francisco,  Rafacla, 
Ik'i'iiarda,  Tomiis,  Juan,  I'afael,  and  Dolores,  i.  291,  477.  S.  (Igiiaciop, 
Bolilier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '24-30.  S.  (Ignario),  corp.  at  Moiit.  '3(i,  a!,'e  22. 
8.  (Igniicio).  soldier  at  Mont.  '.36.  ago  2().  8.  (Igiiacin),  at  S.  ,1oa6  '41.  airo 
33.  wife  Teresa  Martinez.  S.  (Isidoro).  soldier  retired  with  rank  of  liciit 
'44.  iv.  408;  in  '.36  at  Mont,,  ago  'it'y,  wifo  Marccla  Jiinarcs;  married  soii.t 
liitzaro  and  .biaquin. 

Soto  (.b'sus),  wergt  who  went  to  Mex.  with  Castro  '40;  anx.  do  policfa  '46 
at  Mont.  iv.  13,  .30;  v.  637.  S.  (Joai|uiii),  son  of  Isidoro.  at  Mont.  '36,  ajio 
33,  wifo  Dolores  Cantiia,  child.  .Toaquin  b.  '24,  Luisa  '26,  IWrlmra  '27,  Jo.scfa 
'.32,  l.aran  (?)  '34;  possildy  tlio  grantee  <>f  I'iojo  in  '42.  iv.  6.">5;  juez  <lo  paz  at 
8.  Juan  n.  '4(5.  v.  610;  anil  still  in  Mont.  <^o.  '51.  S.  (.Foaquin),  son  of  Igna- 
cio; married  at  S.  Josi^  IHO.'J  to  Maria  de  la  Luz  Rerreyesa.  ii.  1.38.  8.  (.loa- 
qiiin).  resid.  of  Hranciforte  '.30.  ii.  627.  S.  (Joaquin),  juez  do  eatnpo  at  Los 
Cariicros,  Mont.,  '35.  iii.  674.  S.  (.loaquin).  at  S.  Matias  rancho  '.36,  uge  .'I, 
wife  .Tuana  lUitron,  child.  IMrbara  b.  '24,  .'\ntonia'25,  Dcograoias '2S,  .Maria 
'30,  Adeliiida  '31,  Maria  '33,  Salvador  '.34.  iii.  678.  S.  (Joaquin),  at  S.  Her- 
iiardino  '46,  age  35.  S.  (.Joaquin),  grantee  of  Caflada  do  la  Carpintcrla  '45. 
iv.  6.")5. 

Soto  (Josr)  soldier  of  the  S.F.  eoiiqi.  '21-0.  S.  (.Tos(5  Maria),  settler  ot 
I..OS  Ang.  '15.  li.  349.       S.  (.loscfa),  grantee  of  Cap^iy  rancho  '35-44.  iii.  711; 


SOTO-SPATZ. 


789 


It.  671>  S.  (Juan)  soldier  of  the  S.F.  cnmn.  '1&-24;  in  '41  at  S.  Jose,  age 
f)0,  wife  Petra  I'achcco,  child.  Jo8<S  b.  '19,  Francisco  '25,  Jos6  Ignacio  "M, 
(luodalupo  'X\,  Silvci'io  '31,  aud  Juana  '35.  8.  (Ldzav  \  8o:i  ot  Isidro,  ;it 
Mont.  '3(5,  ogc  34,  wife  Solecita  Cantcra,  child.  Isidro  b.  '28,  Oeueral  (?)  '31, 
Humon  '31,  and  Joaqiiiu  '35;  grantee  of  Canada  dv  la  Segunda  '39.  iii.  077;  at 
Mont.  '40.  S.  (Lorinzo),  at  tlio  Natividad  fight  '40.  v.  308;  in  the  soutii  '47. 
V.  389-90;  cl.  for  Loa  Vallccitos  '52.  iii.  012.  S.  (Luis),  at  S.F,  '42,  ago  i>;i. 
S.  (Manuel),  soldier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '2;<-31.  S.  (Manuel),  at  lirnncif  nto 
'•J8.  S.  (Maria  Ant.  Mesa  dc),  widow  at  S.  Jos6  '41,  ago  39,  child.  Juan  Cap. 
1).  '23,  Jesus  '25,  Dolores  '27,  Juan  Cris.  '29,  Francisco  "31,  JostS  Ignacio '33, 
Patricio  '35,  Jo8(S  Cruz  '37,  and  Celia  '39.  S.  (MclituL),  in  the  Solis  revolt  of 
'29,  sent  to  Mcx.  iii.  73,  77-8,  82-5.  S.  (Milano),  Mex.  soldier  at  Mont.  '."lO, 
ngc  33.  S.  (Pedro),  soldier  at  S.F.  '42.  S.  ( llcjis),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1 7S9. 
i.  401.  S.  (Raiinundo),  worked  forLarkin  '48  on  liisrancho.  S.  (lianuui), 
at  S.F.  '44,  age  20.  S.  (Teodora),  grantee  tf  Cauada  del  llandnc  and  Jjis 
Boleus,  Contra  Costa,  in  '42.  iv.  071.  S.  (Tiburcio),  at  Mont.  '.'10,  age  30, 
wife  C'oncepcion  Zuniga,  child.  Josii  do  Jesus  h.  '29,  llainiundo  '30,  Vicenta 
'.•13,  Juliana  '34,  and  Miguel  ':15.  Sonervoit  (Alex.),  1847,  Co  E,  N.Y.  Vol. 
(v.  409);  at  Los  Ang.  '77.  Sout  (W.),  1840,  Cixl.  Bat.,  Co.  li.  artill.  (v.  3.'i8). 
Southward  (Chas  C),  1847,  clerk  for  i'aikcr  at  S.F. ;  owner  of  town  lota;  in 
'48  trader  at  Napa  in  partnership  with  Swaaey.  v.  070;  at  Vahcjo  after  '.'H); 
Trinidad  '54;  Vallcjo  '77.  .SoutliwicU  (.lolin),  1840,  carpenter  on  the  U.S. 
t'ontjrenn;  capt.  and  ciiicf  engineer  in  Ntockton's  Hal.  '40-7.  v.  385.  South- 
worth  (Eli),  1838,  uat.  of  Mass.,  visited  Cal.  from  Hon.  on  the  1).  Qnixote, 
anil  possibly  earlier,  '.'{.'J-S,  on  tlic  Loriul.  iv.  10.'?,  II'J,  141.  In  '4.'{-5  l.e  lived 
at  S.F.  as  a  partner  in  Paty's  business,  being  iianied  in  the  ])adron  of  '41  as  25 
years  old  After  '48  lie  engaged  in  tlie  lund)er  bu^siness;  and  from  '53  ho  lived 
with  William  H.  Da\isat  S.  Leandro  until  his  death  in  '57.  Souza  (Wm), 
1847,  Portuguese  fruit-deuler  at  Sta  1,'hira  '(!3-  7b. 

Spalding  (Josiaii),  1840,  nir  of  the  Ldus'ii.iic,  in  trouble  with  tiie  author- 
ities, iv.  104,  121,  171-4.  A  Mass.  man  who  ilied  about '70;  ids  daugliter  at 
Mont,  in  '84.  S.  (J.  C),  184S,  pas.sp.  from  Hon.  Sparks  (Isa.ac  .1.),  lN't2, 
iiat.  of  Mo,  and  long  a  resid.  of  .St  Louis,  Mo.,  wlio  ranio  from  N.  Mcx.  with 
Young's  party  of  ti'appera.  iii.  3S8,  408.  He  engaged  in  otter-liuntiug  on  the 
coast,  and  in  '34  kccuis  to  liave  made  a  trip  to  N.  Alex.,  or  at  least  ^  it  a  ]!ass. 
iii.  3'.).'t;  ill  '35  aiding  iu  the  removal  of  Ind.  from  S.  Nicohis  isl.  iii.  .■iUl,  ().">•_'. 
From  '35  he  lived  at  Sta  IV,  keeping  a  store  ivtmi  "Mi  in  a  house  bought  of 
Foxen,  but  devoting  himself  mainly  to  olter-'iuntinu,  for  which  he  received 
several  licenses,  iv.  81,  117;  askeil  lor  natiirali/atiou  in  '37,  estimntinj;  Ids 
property  at  S2,(K)0;  grantee  of  a  ranciio  in  '.'iU,  he  having  become  acatliulic  bc- 
tore  '30.  He  was  not  arrested  in  '40.  iv.  '21;  but  in  '41  was  in  some  troidjlc  bi'- 
cause  of  a  young  woman  who  bore  him  two  eliildien,  iv.  2S0.  being  tlireati'iied 
with  a  line  of  .*!19(1)  if  hedici  not  put  an  end  to  the  scandal,  and  the  woman  be- 
ing liually  exiled  to]..08  Ang.  In  43  he  was  grantee  ui  llnasiia  rauclio,  S.  Luis 
Ob.,  fur  which  ho  was  later  cl.  as  also  for  I'isino.  iv.  O.m;  iii.  078.  He  served 
rather  unwillingly  uiuler  Fieiiiout  for  a  linie  in  'iO-7,  had  ii  Cal.  claim  of  some 
4>".t<K)  (v.  402),  ami  iu  '47  was  sent  to  (iov.  Mason  to  explain  the  state  of  allaiis 
at  Sta  11.  V.  584.  He  gave  up  hunting,  (  xci  |)t  as  a  jiastiine,  after  'IS;  madi: 
an  unsuccessful  trip  to  the  mines;  and  later  led  tliii  life  of  a  ])r()speroU3  lan- 
chero  in  S.  Luis  Ob.  Co.  till  his  dealii  in  "07  at  the  age  of  O.'l.  He  was  re- 
garded as  an  honest  and  active  man.  His  portrait  was  publisluit  iu  the  //rs/ic. 
ri<tn  of  '50,  Mitli  a  sketch  <<(  his  early  lite.  A  family  is  nienlioiied  in  llio  later 
years,  but  1  liiiil  iio  lecoril  to  'how  \\  hoiii  he  man  ieil.  S.  (Mary  i,  1S40,  of  the 
Aloniioii  colony  witii  chililreii.  v.  .')4(i;  daughter  of  Mrs  ilaniilton;  notnauieil 
in  the  Honolulu  li.st;  ami  i>ossibly  wile  of  Q.  S.  S.  ((>uartus  S.),  1n40,  of 
tlio  .Mormon  colony,  with  wile  and  child,  v.  510.  Called  also  Q.  L.  uiul  Q.  C. ; 
nat.  of  ('onii.,  teacher  aud  preacher,  who  seems  to  have  left  the  church;  said 
to  li'ive  been  .1  lawyer  at  S.F.  in  later  yeais,  but  not  in  tlie  directories.  S. 
(Stephen),  ISKi,  sjulor  on  tiie  /ht.'r.  Sparrowhawk,  IS4lJ|?),  iiir  of  the  .Vrf- 
Viii  liiiipHzaiaiia,  who  settled  at  Stockton,  and  ilied  '01  iicc.  to  newspapers. 
fSpatj!  (Couiad),  1847,  Co.  11,  N.Y.Vol.  ^v.  41>;();  killed  iu  L.  Cal,  '47. 


730 


nOXKKIl  UIXJISTKU  AM)  INDKX. 


Spear  (Xatliau),  JSi"?,  imt.  of  llostoii,  (Iruguist's  cltrk  with  liin  l>rothor 
Puiil  in  ]t.,  v\|io  matlo  u  trip  to  tlio  Siuidw.  IhI.  in  '10,  and  iinotlicr  on  tli<> 
/'cr' r  iu ''.'.'!.  touohing  iit  Munt.  In  ''J{)  Ik;  canio  ngaiu  to  the  Ixhind-i,  in  "M 
married  .liuu'  llolnit's,  am!  in  '.'{'J  onnii!  to  Cul.  in  tiino  to  join  tho  cuni)>.  ex- 
traiij'.Ta  nt  Mont.,  in.  'J"-'!,  M)S,  ulierc  lio  opened  a  Htorc,  ohtiiining  n  ottrt.i. 
Olid  owning  n  M'Uooncr,  the  .Viro/of,  M'iiieii  lan  to  Sta  <';uz.  iv.  .s;j,  141.  Hin 
nnnio  tK'onr.v  oiton  in  coniniereial  rei'itrds  of  each  year,  and  I  liave  many  <>f  lii.t 
Utters.  In ';Ui  ho  formed  a  |>ai'tiiership  w  ith  J.ecsu  and  ilinokley  to  o|M'n  a 
Ht<;ri;  at  .S.F. ,  ^^hith^r  lie  moved  in  ''AS,  leaving  his  Mont,  store  in  charge  of 
\Vm  Warren.  At  tliis  time  tiio  partnersliiji  was  liroken  np  )iy  a  ipiarrel  over 
$i:i.<KM)ft  ]ii'>lit.'<,  hat  .S]>ear  continiieil  the  hiiMinesx  in  tiie  store  at  the  cor.  of 
Moiitgdincry  and  Clay  streets;  transferred  t!ie  Xii-utun  to  tS.F.  Iwiy  for  the 
coih'Ction  oi  pix)dnco,  adding  the  tirihil  to  the  Meet — Win  II.  I)avis,  his 
nepliew  and  elerk,  U'ing  (.■eiicraily  in  eoin.  of  one  of  the  schooni'rs;  and  Imilt 
a  niule.|H)wcr  gri.-.t-mill;  heing  nrrest4'd  an  a  matter  of  foiin  in  '•!().  iii.  7<*">, 
70'.l;  iv.  17,  S'-*,  lit!,  1:M»,  V.'4.">,  "J-V),  (iliS;  v.  (is|.  In  'I")  he  wa.s  injnn-.l  hy  Cal- 
ifornianii  in  anaHsitnlt  on  ('apt.  Lihby.  iv.  .'i(S!l,  (•<!■'>-(>;  and  is  named  as  a  wit- 
ness at  tiic  I{ae  iiupiest.  iv.  .V.Kl.  In  '■l('(-7  he  is  named  as  owner  of  lots, 
candidate  for  alcahh-,  and  taking  8ome  Hiiglit  part  in  politieti.  v.  Ltl'i,  4'>'>, 
<iM>-l;  hut  on  aeeoiint  of  ill-health  moveil  to  Napa  Val.  with  his  family  in 
'it!,  dcnonni'ing  a  ipiicksdvi  r  mine  oit  the  Italu  ranelio.  lie  returned  to  .S.  F. 
at  the  end  ot  '4.S,  and  tlied  there  Oet.  '4!l  at  the  age  of  47.  lie  W'a.s  an  enter- 
prising Fnaii  of  busiiie.^is,  Inuioralile  ill  his  dealings,  gentlemanly  in  his  man- 
iii-rs.  ami  I'l'holarly  in  his  tastes  though  of  limited  ed  neat  ion.  lie  never  U-eamo 
a  Me\.  citirr.eii,  and  therefore  ohtained  no  land  grant.  Ills  wile,  a  halflireed 
Hawaiian,  died  in  Naiia  '4S;  and  there  wa:<  one  son,  William  \.,  1>.  at  Na|ia 
'Iti,  '.>'lio  in  °7Sgavi' men  valiiid)le  collection  of  his  father's  I'ii/hi-h.  Ileilied  hc- 
i'l'.i-,  'J>4.  SjK'ct  (.ionnsi,  IMS,  nat.  of  I'a,  w  ho  came  overland  to  Or.  in  '47, 
and  to  S.F.  on  the  llninj,  possilily  at  the  enil  of  '47.  In  MS  \w  w.is  a  very 
successful  miner,  Iw^ing  tin,-  <liscoverei-  of  gold  on  the  Vnlm.  He  kept  a  store 
at  .Sacr.iniento;  wastdected  to  the  1st  r.tatc  senate;  wasji  founder  of  Fremont, 
wliere  he  lived  iill  '.'»(>;  a  ii'sid.  of  \°eriioii  till  ahout  'tiS,  when  In.'  moved  to 
*  'olusa,  dyiii;,'  there  in  'M  at  the  age  (.f  (Iti.  rortraib  in  (  "o/mxi  dt.  Ili-t.,  4-; 
Yolof.'o.  Jli'-'.,  L'O;  bee  al.^o  /list.  Or.,  this  series,  ji.  (i'_M>.  Spediling  (Mat- 
thew), IS4S,  Kiigl.  farmer  ill  Sta  Clara '7(i.  .speidcii  (Wm),  IS-Ki,  jiiirser  «»ii 
the  U.S.  (V,...,'r..«,-  c<i!imiis.<«ary  in  Stockton's  hat.;  witness  at  the  Fremont 
coiirl-niarti.'d.  v.  .'tS.'),  4'.'0. 

Speiiei"  (l>uMdl.  IS"_'4,  nat.  of  ,Scotlaiiil,  who  had  liveil  a  few  ye;irs  nt  Lima, 
and  came  to  Cal.  on  the /'cfU'/'o  to  supeiintend  tin.'  meal-packing' e.^tahli-ih- 
luent  of  lU'gg  &  Co.  at  Mont.  ii.  ol'.l,  o'Jli.  In  '•_'7  he  started  ill  Imsiiiess  for 
himself,  iii.  !'_*S,  and  "vas  prosperous  from  the  hcginiiing,  hcing  cautious,  clos<', 
and  energetic.  Ills  name  often  a])peaiH  in  tlic  records  ot  <'acli  ye;ir,  :iiiil  I  have 
many  of  his  husiucss  letters.  In  ''JS  he  was  l>iipti/.cd  i.t  Sta  Cm/ as  l>aviil 
KstiHjin;  in ''.x.t  married  Adelai<la,  daii.;htcr  of  .Mariano  Iv'-trada,  t;ikiii,'  an 
ai'tive  jKirl  in  the  protection  of  .Moii.  during  the  Solis  i-e\olt.  iii.  71,  74,  S-J,  4!»; 
ii.  {>W;  and  w'a.s  naturalized  in  '30.  In  '.'t4-!l  he  was  grantee  of  FiHinal  y  Ihieiia 
l'!speran/.t  raiicho,  of  which  he  waicl.  ami  {lermaneiit  owner,  ill.  Ii77;  in  U.'> 
alcalde,  iii.  ti7:<.  In ':(ti  he  was  a  n  einhir  of  the  diputacion,  aii-l  in  this  and 
the  following  >ears  was  secretly  a  Mip|M(rter  of  .Mvar.-ido's  govt,  ■■|iiH>siii.j  not 
to  act  openly  as  a  nienilx.'r  of  the  'congress,' yet  exciting  (puetly  much  in 
tluence  in  nuiiiicifKilaiul  legislative  icatters.  iii.  Il'ti.  4.''>4  .">,  4(ill,  4li'.»,  '<t)\,  .VJ4; 
iv.  Sti,  I  Hi.  !4H.  He  Was  elector  and  juez  do  pa/  in  '.■Ut-4(t,  turiiiMliing  iiifor 
m.jiior:  o  l.,aplaie.  giving  Sntter  a  letic  rof  intrixlMction,  and  douhtlc-s  favor- 
ing liio  cxilo  of  (iniliam  and  his  vayahonds.  iii.  07.'>  ti;  iv.  S  !•,  I'JS,  |;Wi,  l,'»4  ■ 
.'i;  ment.  '41-2.  iv.  '2\~,  '.WJ'\<>;  in  '4.'{-,"i  meinher  of  the  junta  ilepartamental. 
IV,  ,'tl>l.  411,  4'J.i,  ii'Jl,  .')4o-.  ill  '4.'»  in  com.  of  the  foreii,'ii  guard  to  prot('ct 
Mont,  during  the  Micheltorena  Iroiihh's,  being  also  ap))ointed  pirfi-ct  bvtiov. 
I'ico,  but  apiarently  dcoliiiing  tiie  ollicc.  iv.  J"!),"),  .VJ'J,  ti,">;i.  In  '4<!,  though 
popularly  iK^lievinl  to  have  intri^'iied  for  an  Knglish  protectorate,  he  wjis  re- 
garded by  Larkiu  as  friendly  *  ■  the  U.S.,  was  meinborof  the  council  after  tho 


SPKXCK-STANTON. 


781 


clmiigi"  of  flng,  nii<l  of  tint  I.riMlativo  i-ouiuil  in  '»7.  v.  28,  Ol.  «iS.  'JIM.  2H!», 
43.'<,  ii'M.  Ilu  HiiliKi'(|Uontly  wirveil  iih  i)n-f»rl  in  M'.l-aO,  uiul  iia  county  MiipiT- 
visor  in  '.'iH-(iU.  Alxmt  '4H  iio  pivc  up  IiIh  nn  ivantilo  onttTiiriso!*,  iind  devotcil 
hintHclf  L'liicll>  to  tilt!  euro  of  liis  fstittu  luul  tliu  laixinu  of  livivatoi-k.  In  '7-1 
111)  fiirtiislii'tl  ino  H.inii!  In-icf  llisiitriinl  S><in,  iin<l  iTicd  in  ",''•  iit  tin;  ii','o 
of  77.  Don  I>uviil  innl  an  cNL't'licnt  ri'iiiiiatiun  anions  liio  iiiont'ciH  nf  ( 'a!.,  frw 
cxoi'tini;  ko  wiili*  anil  ^'ihmI  an  inlliK-ncf.  Wliilo  not  cxaitly  |i(>|iulai'  l>y  rca.son 
of  lii.4  consL'i'vatiain  ami  cioNt-ncxs  in  moniy  niattciM,  olmtinato  un  any  of  liis 
racv,  anil  innUiiih'  cMciniim  nn  well  asi  frit'iuU,  ho  yit  nii-riti-il  ami  rcoriviil  tlui 
rottpert  of  all  rla^r.rn.  tiis  wifo  iiui'vi\i'il  liiiii  liut  a  niontll,  anil  liin  only  Hon 
Duviil,  iKirn  in  'liOaml  cihiiatc'il  at  lionoluln,  iv.  JO.'t,  iliiil  in  'tiS,  liuvin^' l< 
Boiiit  and  n  (iaiif^litor,  who  itiiicritiMl  tlicir  ^'raiiiifatht'i'N  lai%'ii  iMtatr. 

Spenco  ((ico.),  iSKt,  Cd.  K,  (.'al.  Iliit..,  tnlifitinf^  at  Sononia  in(Jct.  (v.  HoH). 
S.  (Robert),  1S4(I,  ditto;  in  thi<  niincs  'IS.  S|«iii'ir,  ls;t'.t  (?).  on  iioard  tho 
lioMton  tradiT  Sa/i/t'iK,  auc.  to  tiio  S.  hii-j^o  World  of  F«'l>.  lo,  '7.'*,  wlirn  S.  re- 
visited S.l).  S.,  I,S(M»-I()  (?),  huntir  i.portcd  to  have  Imiii  inCal.  ii.  Ml, 
S.  (Uscar  II.),  Is-Ki,  Irisiiniaii  on  roll  of  Sor.  Cnl.  I'joii.;  d.  at  X'allrio '7<l.  a^'o 
Wl.  S.  (Win  \V.).  ISI7,  to.  |»,  .Moini.  Hat.  (v.  Kl'.li.  Spidlr  (.lohii),  I.SI7, 
Co.  S,  ditto;  iiadly  hurt  at  Lo«  .\ii).;fli's.  S|iicl  lli'iiivl,  ISlTi,  ovorl.  iiiimii,'. 
of  tiiu  .Swascy-'lodd  party,  iv.  ."iTd,  .'>s7  (tlioii;4h  .Joiiii  II.  Ihown  nayn  tiiat  lio 
M'rnt  to  dr.  and  t-anio  to  ( 'ill.  in 'lli).  JIu  Horvid  in  < 'o.  l!,  artill.  of  thot'al. 
llat.  (V.  H.kSI,  and  Kcttlod  at  Sla  Cniz,  wlicri',  arc.  to  liiown,  ho  was  nrcidcnt- 
ally  killid  aliout  '.VI.  Spitkr  (Johin,  isKi,  {'<..  K,  I'nl.  |5at.,  cnlistintj;  nt 
Sonoma  in  ()» t.  (V.  .TiS).  .Sjiittrn  (.John  J). ),  IsJCi,  Co.  ( '.  Ut  C.S.  dragiKiiiH 
(v.  .'t.'Oi).  .S|iit/er  (.ViigiiHtl,  IS4I!,  (it-rinan  iiiinii.'.  of  thr  honiirr  )>arty,  wlio 
died  in  the  iiitH.  v.  o.'tl,  W.W.  .S|)ooniT,  IS4H,  linni  lion,  on  tins  Sdijuilalwr ; 
piM'hn|ii4  .Soiii.  W.  al  S.  .Iimi'  '.V). 

.Sptauui!  (Iliiliard  D.),  IS47,  Co.  V,  Mmin.  llat.,  laiisioian  (v.  4(10);  rcinl.; 
at  lSi'i;:hiiin  City,  Ctiili,  "S'.'.  .'^.  ('rhoiiia.xi,  IMS,  dotilill'ul  date  in  a  mw.s- 
pajier  Hkrtrli.  Spiij,'k'!i  (Thow),  IS47,  dud  in  Soiioniat.'o.'.'il.  S|innL.',  Isis, 
llir  of  the  /////(//r«,«.  V.  .">7S.  Spriii^tr  (.lanii'S  I'rtei),  IS4l,Mat.  of  Ky,  Jiiid 
ovi'ri.  iiiiiiii;.'.  of  the  llarth-Hoii  pjirty.  iv.  -70,  ■."».'>,  •_'7!>.  He  Vftmni'cl  r.i.st  in 
'4-.  iv.  .'U'J;  is  xaid  to  have  iiiadu  the  o\erI  trip  xever.'il  tunes,  li('iii,i{eli).'aL;i'il  in 
pri.imitiii;.;  iiiimi;;ratii>n;  and  liiiiilly  i  ani<>  to  Cal.  with  lii.t  laiiiily  in  '.'■-,  Hit- 
tliiij;  at  '^.iratoga,  Santa  Clam  to.,  i.nd  U  iiii;  a  nieiiilier  of  the  leu'i.slatuie  of 
'.'>!).  He  died  in  iil,  lea\in.;!i  widow  aiiit  daiii^hter.  An  aeeount  ol  tlie  Mipof 
'41,  liy  him,  i.i  i^imh  in  Tuiilm'-t  JHhihi'.  mul  loiiiuh it.  S.  (Lewis),  lsl7, 
(inter  at  .Mont.  '47-.">((.  Spn«vton,  IS47,  niid.  tm  the  U.S.  Jii<l< jwiidi  iia'. 
i|Uiri  i>,   |S4S,  Hiiddler  at  Snttt-i  a  fori. 

sta.k  {(Jiirretli,  1S47.  «  ->.  K,  X.Y.  Vol.   (v.  400).       Stailmnlh-r  (.fo««'ph), 

|S47.  Co.  F.    Ut   L'.S.  artill.   (v.  .Msi        Stajfu'  (Wnr.    Isiil.   wnloi iho 

Alhiilro''s.  ii.  •->;.">.  Stall  (.Vlln-.l  K.  ,  lS47,  Co.  I,  N'.Y.  Vol.  (v.  4'.Mli;  d. 
before  'S'_*.  Standaj^e  ( Henry ),  In47,  Co.  K,  .Moriii.  Uit.  (v.  4(i!l);  in  Ariz. 
'82.  .Stanley,  ISI.'i,  in  >iiHer'H  employ '4">-(>.  i%'.  ."•7''  S.  (Faliiiisi,  IsPI, 
licilton  the  if.N.  Ihili  ;  nat.  of  N.C.;  later  rear-admiral;  al  \VaMliiiii,'toii,  1>.('., 
7U.  .S.  (John  M.),  Is4ii,  nat.  of  N.Y.  andartwt  wiili  Kearny  from  N.  Wk. 
V.  .'1.*I7;  owinr  of  S.  F.  lot  '\~.  v.  (i7(i;  went  liy  nea  to  dr.  and  tlienee  to  the 
i^tlandit;  in  '">l-2  eoniieetecl  with  the  tsurvey  ■>{  the  Northern  I'ac  14.  U.;  d. 
lit  Detroit  '7J.  .S.  (1.  11. 1,  I.S4(l,  al  Su  Cruz  'HI.  .V.  ./.  I'ntii.  An  It.  Stanley 
of '44  in  iiIno  mintioiied  in '7s.  Id.  S.  .JoM'iih),  I s4'_',  sailor  on  tho  L'liiinl 
Stalm;  at  lieiio,  Nev.,  'n;i,  S.  (Siuieoni,  IsKi,  of  the  Mormon  eolony;  did 
not  eome  to  Cal.  v  .'"i47.  Slanl\ ,  Is4((,  overl.  imnii.L'  v.  .V.N.  who  joined 
the  Cal.  Itat.  (v.  .'i.'tS),  mill  dud  on  ihi'  manli  Noutli  in  Dee.  Stanton  (<  lias 
Tyler),  ls4(i,  nat.  of  N'.V.  and  overl.  imiiiii.'.  of  tlie  Doiiiier  party  ii  nn 
ChieaHo.  He  enm.sed  tiie  Sii  rra  to  .Mitter'i  tort  and  ueiil  liaek  to  aid  the  i>ai  ty, 
tliout^h  he  had  no  relati'  i  h  uiiioiiu:  tiie  niiinlMr  .\L'ain  he  voliinteerid  to  rrom 
the  intii  for  Hiici'or,  luit  died  iii  tlie  alt»iiipt.  v  ."i.'il-'J,  .VU,  ."»:17.  I'ortrait  in 
Mcd'ldnhnii'M  Hist.  I  havi.' a  liiiii,' htlei- 1(1,111  Iih  lir'itlii.T,  I'liilip  V.  N'.  Slanloii, 
to  Cic'u.  Mclvintitry  in  'ts,  eoutaiuiii^  muuli  luforoMlttMi ubuut  tlio  young  nmn'» 
li'f,  charuutor,  mid  family. 


I 


732 


PIONEER  REUISTKU  AND  INDKX. 


StargGnigi^e  (John),  1847,  sliin^'lc-nmker  at  Mission  S.  Jostf.  Stork 
(Benj.  h.),  1647,  from  lion,  on  tho  Curnuni  Lnnn,  retnrninj;  on  tlio  Toulon. 
S.  (Daniel),  1S4(!,  of  tho  Mormon  colonv,  with  Mifo  nnd  two  ciiildren.  v.  547; 
owner  of  o  N.  V.  lot  '47.  v.  (182;  LuiUferofa  bi  iiooMiouHC.  v.  O.'iO;  commif*- 
sinner  to  Hcttlo  tlicaflairs  of  Itrannnn&C'o. ;  nicnihrrof  tho.S.  1'".  council  in  '49; 
living  in  Uuh  '84.  S.  (Henry),  IM7,  C'«.  H,  X.Y.  Vol.  (v.  4!H)).  S.  (John 
8.),  18l(>,  nat.  of  Ky  anil  ovcrl.  ininii^'.  with  M.  D.  Hitchie,  vhotio  daughter, 
Mary  .J.,  was  liix  «ife.  v.  fil'K.  He  took  |iart  in  nituHnrcs  for  tho  relief  of  thn 
Donner  party,  v.  540-1;  settled  in  Knights  Valley;  connty  jutlj.';o  of  Napa 
'."i()-i;  nii,nil).  of  the  legislaturu  '51, '55-(i;  lived  near  C'aliHtoga  '5I-(>S;  in 
Luko  Co.  from  'U8  to  hia  dr.ttli  at  (iuenoc  in  '74,  leaving  a  widow  and  8  chil- 
dren. iStiU'ko  (l-'red.),  list.'),  (iernian  sailor  m ho  deserted  from  a  wiialer  at 
iSuii/idito.  iv.  i"»S7;  a  ranchiro  in  ditlurcnt  parta  of  Sonoma  Co. ;  miner  in  '4S-!(; 
in  'HU  on  a  farm  near  I'l.'taliima  with  his  wifo  Mina  Hastier.  Starkey,  1848, 
Enyl.  merchant  of  tlie  S.F.  lirm  nf  S.,  Janion,  &  Co.  v.  <j78,  (i8(t;  <1.  at  H.F. 
about  '."lO.  Stayton  (James),  IM7,  Co.  11,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  4W»).  d.  on  the 
Calaveras  '.')'2. 

.Stearns  (Abel),  18*20,  nat.  of  Mas-s.  who  had  lived  .1  years  in  Mex.,  where  he 
was  naturali/i'il  in  '"JH,  and  arrived  at  Monterey  in  July  '•-'{).  iii.  17y.  He 
<  uiiio  with  the  intention  of  obtaining  a  lar^c  tract  of  land,  to  be  selected  in  tho 
Sac,  or  y.  Joacj.  valliys,  which,  appanntly  in  paymi  nt  of  some  claim,  the 
Mex.  govt,  had  ollcred  him.  His  associate  in  tliii>  scliciiie  wa.s  <ico.  \V.  Ayres, 
(|. \ .  Ucing  meanwhile  for  a  year  or  two  in  the  employ  of  ('apt.  Cooper,  Stearns 
seems  tu  have  selected  his  lan<l,  or  at  least  to  huve  reached  a  point  where  the 
action  of  tho  diputacioii  wns  reniiired,  mid  in  urging  a  meeting  of  that  body 
he  i'xcited  tho  enmity  of  ( inv.  Victoi  ia,  by  whom  ho  was  banished  to  the 
frontier  to  retnr.'i  asoneof  the  hading  iiu  iters  ol  the  revolution  of  '.'$1.  iii.  4!t, 
I'tl,  l!);J-4,  'JO()-'J,  ti.'tU.  Noiliihg  more  is  heard  of  the  land  ]>roject;  and  in 
'■'(;(  S.  settled  at  L<js  Aug.  as  a  trader.  1  ha\e  mueh  of  his  business  corre- 
S|iondeiiee  from  year  to  year,  in  'lit  he  obtained  a  town  hit,  and  also  a  build- 
ing at  >S.  I'eiiro,  wliicii  ho  enlarg(>il  and  used  as  a  waiehouse.  His  dealings 
Mere  eliietly  in  hides  ami  lil|lKlr^';  aiiil  Iroiii  ';i.'i  be  was  often  in  trouble  by 
reason  of  siiiuggling  o|)cratiiin.s;  and  also  in  '.°l.'>  .veverely  \vciuii<led  in  a  (piarrel 
about  a  barrel  of  wiiio  sold  to  W  iii  I  lay.  iii.  ;)7.'),  417,  li.'tl-'J,  (ill ;  iv.  'J,'>,  I  Mi, 
'iO.s.  Don  Abel  was,  pei'lia|'s,  not  more  adilieted  to  eontiaiiainl  trailo  than 
Larkiii,  Fitch,  Spence,  and  otiiers,  but  lie  was  hfs  eaiilious  and  less  fortu- 
nate in  Uceping  on  the  right  isidiiif  tilt:  authorities.  In ':i(i  he  \tai4  siiidieo.  iii. 
t>;ili;  and  for  some  reason  that  is  not  very  char,  but  peiliaj  s  for  his  agency  in 
the  matter  of  the  vigilaiitci,  was  ordered  to  leavi^  Cal.  by  tJov.  Chico,  be- 
coming in  this  and  the  next  fiw  years  a  strong  supporter,  in  a  <|uiet  way,  of 
Alvarado,  even  as  against  Carhm  Carrillo.  iii.  Iil7,  -1-1,  l-S  J),  ■'iOl,  oti.'i.  In 
':>!•  his  name  is  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  tlag  tumult,  iii.  58!);  in  '4'J 
<iiteitained  Com.  .loins,  iv.  ;{'J1;  sent  goUl  tinui  the  S.  Fiaiui.s(iuito  j)laeeis 
to  the  riiilaiU'lpliia  miut.  iv.  'J!)7;  and  purchased  tho  .Mamitos  r.tnclio  ami 
its  live-stock  for  (iti.tHM)  as  a  foundation  for  his  future  lauded  wealth,  lie 
was  somewhat  aetivi'  in  tin;  movcmei't  against  (iov.  Michellorena  in  'b">,  be- 
ing also  a  8U)ilciitc  of  tlie  assembly,  iv.  4'.l."»,  4'.t7,  •'>(>•'<,  •'>I0.  In  'Hi  he  was  sub- 
nrelVct  and  also  worked  eainotly— both  as  a  toe  of  Mex.  and  friend  of  the 
IJ  S. — to  fnrtLer  the  jilans  of  l.irkin,  by  uliom  he  was  formally  ap|poiutcd  a 
suli-eontidcntial  agent  of  the  U.S.  His  ellorts  and  those  of  his  eliiet  wer(?  de- 
feated at  the  last  by  .Moekton's  jierversity,  it,  indeed,  tin  ii!  was  any  icmaiii- 
iii'.;  hope  of  success  after  the  rasi.illv  acts  of  I'n  mont  and  his  associates,  v. 
flO,  tKJ,  (it),  71,  '-'.11,  'Jfil.  •-'71  •-'.  (i--*.V.  Ill  the  «^.ilike  events  of  '4(i-7  h<'  10- 
miiiiieil  neutral  as  a  iMe.\.  ollicial,  tln^iuh  he  had  some  small  Cal.  claims  (v, 
4(»-),  ami  is  inentioiicd  in  the  annals  ot  '17  S,  being  siiidicu  in  (lie  latter  year. 
V.  '.VIM,  4;i,'>.  4J8,  (il(»,  (iJ(>.  In  '4t)  he  w.is  a  lie  inber  vl  the  eonslit.  convcn- 
tioi  ,  and  later  Kervid  as  asMetiiblymaii,  .supervisor,  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
member  of  town  council.  He  was  el.  tov  il.e  l^ii^una  and  .Mamitos  ranchos. 
iiii.  (i.'W;  iv.  O'.'l ;  and  the  owner  ot  many  more,  becoming  the  largest  owner  of 
laud  and  cattlo  in  ttuiithern  (.'al.  His  wealth  waa  somewhat  atlectcd  hy  the 


STEARNS  -STEVENS. 


733 


ilrouglit  of  '(>3-4  nml  l>y  other  rovrrars,  yet  lie  loft  nn  ininir'nKc  ostntc  at  his 
death,  \«hicli  occurred  ut  S.  F.  in  '71,  when  liu  wus  7-  Vi-arR  of  ngc.  Don  Altcl 
was  a  shrewd  niiin  of  InisinoHs;  somewhat  tricky  in  the  )N'tty  transoctiotiB  of 
early  years,  but  appiircntly  lionorubic  in  the  Inrf^'cr  o{M>r»tiiinH  of  later  tiinoH; 
a  man  of  quiik  temper  and  strong  prejudices,  hut  hoHpituldo,  not  {K'nurious, 
a  good  friend,  nn<i  kind  huslmncr  He  hated  Mexieound  tho  Mexicans,  Imt 
likctl  the  Cnlifornians  to  such  a  degree  as  to  canso  at  times  Nonio  hostility  on 
tho  part  of  Americans.  In  person  he  was  very  ugly,  being  known  sometimes 
as  Cara  do  CuUdlo,  luid  having  nn  impediment  in  Hpeech  from  the  cut  inflicted 
by  Day  in  ':<.'>.  His  wife  was  Arcadia,  dnu^diter  of  .Tuiin  ii.-imlini,  as  l)oautiful 
as  her  husband  was  ugly,  raising  the  pertsoiial  appeai'ance  of  the  family  to  ii 
high  average,  who  Hurvived  him  without  children,  inherited  tho  bulk  uf  hi.s 
estate,  married  Kobt  tS.  Itakcr,  and  still  lives  in  southern  Cal.  in '85.  S. 
(Fred.),  1S47,  killed  at  the  >S.  (iubriel.  v.  .'i'J.'t;  ])rrliaps  'Strauss.' 

Stebbins  (Ira),  184.'),  overl.  innnig.  of  tho  IlaHtings  party,  iv.  .'i8C-7;  work- 
ing for  Sutter  in  '45-0,  later  at  Sonoma,  and  prob.  one  of  the  llears,  since  ho 
is  recorded  as  having  arrived  at  N.  Helv,  from  Sonoma  on  June  17th.  v.  1 10, 
128;  owner  of  .S.  F.  lot  '47.  v.  VtH'r,  eaul  to  havc!  Iieen  killed  in  the  south  by 
Murieta's  men.  Hi.s  name  is  written  Ira  H.  and  IsuauT. ;  jtossibly  two  men. 
Stctl  (Austin),  1845,  inr  of  the  Dromio  (?).  S.  (.James),  1841,  nn  employe  of 
tho  H.  11.  Co.  S.  (.Joseph),  1820,  ISoston  trader,  nml  mr  of  tho  //orlniKjir 
'20-8,  of  the  J'lautt  '2y-30,  Vhutcedoin/  in  '32-3,  Snrnh  ami  Cnrolim  and  Kfiit 
"MS,  and  Jt'otjir  M'illiamH  in  '40.  His  name  constantly  appears  in  commer- 
cial records  ctf  all  these  years,  and  he  was  evidently  a  hmnorous  and  popular 
trader,  iii.  '.t.'J,  140-8,  170,  381,  .*J84,  401,  MH;  iv.  iO-Ml,  117.  St.  ele  (ileo. 
K.),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  IJat.  (v.  40!));  reenl.  S.  [\l.  A.),  1841,  lieut  on  the 
St  Louii:  S.  (l.saiahC.),  1847, Co.  A,  Morm.  IJjit.  (v.  40U);  reenl.  S.  (Sey- 
mour (>.),  1847,  lapt.  Co.  A,  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  flO.*)-4;  in  Humboldt  Co.  '74;  at  S. 
Diego  '82.       Steers  (Andrew  .J.),  18J7,  Co.  11,  Morm.  15at.  (v.  4(iJ));  re.id. 

Steiugrauilt  (Loui.si,  1840,  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  ;t.'MI).  Stenner 
(Wni),  I8;j|,  nat.  of  Mass.  and  mate  of  the  Ayicnvho.  iii.  405;  for  2  yeai.s  in 
charge  of  the  jiidc-lioiisis  at  S.  l)ie^;o;  in  '3.'1  obtained  a  passport;  perhaps  tlie 
same  who  was  mr  of  the  Pr'niaarra  in  '47,  v.  580,  having  a  <'al.  claim  of 
§450  (v.  402).  Sten.Mm  (.1.  TenwicU),  184(i,  passed  mid.  U.S.N.,  and  acting 
capt.  in  Stockton's  lJ.it.  '40-7.  v.  385.  Stephen.s,  1848,  miner  at  Cuionia. 
."<.  (Alex.),  1847,  Co.  !>,  Morm.  Ikt.  (v.  400);  in  .Sutter's  employ  '47-8,  and  at 
the  ('oloma  mill  when  gold  was  found.  .S.  (Alfred),  I8;J7,  on  Ijirkin's  liooks. 
S.  (Charles),  1848,  at  Sutter's  fort.  S.  (.lolin),  1708,  ISoston  sfiilor  at  S. 
Diego,  i.  .'.45,  O.Vl.  S.  (I'eter),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  4!t{»);  <1.  nt  S.F.  '40. 
S.  (Thos  H.),  1848,  owner  of  S.F.  lots.  S.  (Wni).  In30.  Ki.-1.,  age  ;C.,  in  a 
Los  Ang.  list.  Stepp,  1845,  one  of  Fn^mont's  mtu,  separated  for  a  vliilo 
from  the  party,  but  accompanied  (iilles|)iu  up  the  valley  to  rejoin  it.  His  full 
name  was  prob.  '.Steppenfeldt,' or  possibly  there  may  have  been  another  of 
that  name.  iv.  .'iSIl;  v.  24,  4.J.3. 

Sterling,  1840  (?),  at  Sta  Itosu  in  '77,  Known  as  'Major'  S.,  said  to  have 
visited  S.F.  in  vei'y  early  times  on  a  ('"asling  vessel,  iv.  I2(t.  .^.  (Clias  U. ), 
1847,  nat.  of  \a,  clerk  for  naval  agent  Lurkin  at  Mont.  '47-8,  and  later  ini- 
ployed  by  him  in  the  Sac.  \'al. ,  w  hero  he  wrote  long  letters  on  his  adventures 
HI  the  mines.  Ho  prob.  came  as  purser  on  a  man-of-war;  was  the  .'td  settler  in 
Colusa  Co.;  married  Luiinda  Sle\v;irt  '10  in  Yolo  Co. ;  and  diiMl  after  '.'lO  at  a 
date  not  recorded.  Slenett  (Isaac),  1842,  licut  in  com.  of  tiio  U.S.  I'lli,  i'. 
iv.  314,  508.  Stet.son  (I'M.  1..),  1SH.  «lerk  on  tlie  Don  (Julmfr  '41-'.',  nam.'d 
in  Larkin's  accounts  and  by  Davis,  iv.  ;{41;  mi'  of  tiio  U'di-rrn  at  liuuolulu 
and  Mazathin  '45-0;  in  '47-8  cK  ik  for  Lai  kin  at  Mont,  and  I'x  ni'ia,  and  Iat<  r 
for  Uninnan  at  .Sac;  at  S.F.  '51.       Sletyel  (Ceo.),  1818.  iu  S.F.  lett.rlist. 

Stevens,  1840,  nn' of  tlie  Lfmiidtn.  iv.  104.  ,S.,  |,SI5,  mr  of  the  ll'm  ' '. 
Xyr.  iv.  f»70.  S.,  1840,  mr  of  tlie  I'liilfl  St„t,^.  v.  ."kSO.  S.,  IS47.  niid. 
on  tho  U.S.  Iii<lfiti-iidciia\  .S.  (Mrs),  IS15,  iit  Mont  .  went  east  on  tlu;  Ail- 
mUlance.  S.(Alox.),  1847,  Mormon  at  the  ('ulomu  mill  when  gold  was  found. 
8.  (Aia),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  \^t.  v.  070.       S.  (Gliarles),  1HI7  (?),  at  S.F.  '54. 


i 


Tt4 


noXKKR  RWilSTKR  AND  INDKX. 


S.  (Rlisha),  1844,  nat.  of  (in  and  cnpt.  of  tlio  nvorl.  immii;.  rnrty 
to  which  I  liavo  givi-a  liia  iiumu.  iv.  44.VM,  4.'^!,  ti~9.   1  (iiitl  no  i-econroi  lii 


Ainiah. 

nni 
in  tliu  following  ycura;  but  in  '7'J-H.'l  he  was  livioK  on  Kcni  lliN'er,  with  an 
«'.\i'cUfnt  nu'iiiory  of  wirly  tinica  uh  Im  wrote,  which  iiowuver  ho  jiroimsod  to 
iitilizo  one  of  liicxc  dayH  to  nmkc  ii  UkiW  whicii  hIiouIiI  hring  hitn  money  nnd 
fume.  Allej;etl  poitrnit  and  i>io>{.  in  .V.  /■'.  /'««^  J)ec.  "id, '8.'<.  I  have  in  'H'l  re- 
ceived neitlur  u  co|)y  of  IiIh  ImmiIc  nor  news  of  hiit  death.  S.  ((Jeo.),  IS4T,  at 
lleniciu.  v.  til'.l.  S.  ((Jeo.  A.),  1S47,  niiil.  on  the  II. H.  Pittc.  S.  ([miuc), 
l.S4'J,  at  Stu  I'lniz '4'-'  ;<.  S.  (.JamcH),  1 840,  nir  «>f  the  A'ti.'/'/*  WUIuiiiih  luul 
(\rruiit<H.  iv.  I'J,  104;  also  on  tliu  const  in '4i*>  and  perhaps  in '48.  S.  (James), 
lS4.'t,  do\ililfiil  name  of  an  oveil.  imiiiig.  iv.  ,''i78;  also  Kiehiird.  S.  (John), 
18l<7,  itt  Mont.  S.  (John),  1840,  on  the  Lnmiinnt  ace.  ton  letter  pub.  in  tlio 
county  histories,  iv.  \'1\ ;  yet  not  named  as  a  passenger  at  Hon.  and  not  known 
to  have  remained  in  Cal.,  unless  he  may  im  tlio  following.  S.  (John),  1840, 
Co.  A,  (Jal.  lint.  (v.  ;{.'»8),  one  of  tiie  Sta  W.  gani.ion.  v.  .'110.  H.  (John  II.), 
1847.  (.'o.  <!,  X.Y.Vol.  (v.  41)S>);  at  Stockton  '71-4.  S.  (Joshua  T.),  I84r», 
nir  of  the  I'liiteil  SlalcM.  S.  (Lyninn),  1847,  (Jo.  11,  Morm.  llat.  (v.  400);  in 
'.si  at  Ordciville,  Utah.  H.  (Thos  II.),  1848,  ..wnerof  .S.F.  lots.  .S.  (\Vm), 
1.S4U,  miiior  on  the  U.S.  Dull'.  S.  (\Vm),  1847,  at  Sutter  a  fort.  .Stevenson, 
(It.  \V.),  1847,  mid.  on  the  IiidcprHdi'nrv. 

Stevenson  (.lonuthnn  D.),  1847,  nat.  of  N.Y.,  dentocrntic  politician,  nnd 
militia  otlirer,  who  came  to  (.'ai.  as  colonel  in  com.  of  the  regiment  of  N.V. 
\oluntcer.s.  lorn  rccortl  of  tiic  regimental  history,  see  v.  4!»0-.')l8;  and  for 
additional  mention  of  Col  .Stevenson's career  in  '47-8,  v.  41.'i,  4.W,  4IO-.'iO,  480- 
0(!,  407,  i>0.">,  .")81,  .'»8S-il,  0_'.'),  GUI--.  From  May  '47  to  the  end  of  the  war  and 
iiiiiMtering-oiit  of  the  volunteers  in  '48  he  was  military  connnnndant  of  the 
southern  district,  witii  he:id<|nartei'S  at  Los  Ang.  'J'lie  colonel  never  had  an 
o|iiH)rtunit\'  of  showing  his  jirowess  as  it  uarrior,  but  he  was  n  man  of  much 
energy,  of  strong  will,  and  g(M)d  e\cc\itive  ability,  a  strict  disciplinarian,  who 

{ici'formcd  the  duties  of  ids  position  in  n  very  creditable  munncr.  After '48 
ic  settled  at  S.  l>'.  as  a  real  estate  a^'ent,  and  wa.i  particularly  interested  for 
Some  years  in  devcloi)ing  tlie  latent  greatness  of  New  York  of  the  I'aciti'', 
being  the  riaimant  fi)r  tho  rancho  uf  Los  Medanos,  Contra  Costa,  iii.  7I'J. 
Knuii  '7-  he  held  the  position  of  I'.S.  shipping  c(.<mmi.s.sioncr  at  .S.F. ,  where 
lit!  still  lives  in  'S.l  at  the  venerable  ago  of  ,S."»  yenis.  I'ortrait  in  AiiiiiiIm  (>/' 
S.  /•'.,  and  ClarL'e'H  Hint.  Tlie  public  has  often  been  led  to  expect  tho  publica- 
tion of  his  recollections  of  a  long  and  active  life,  a  work  that  could  not  fail 
to  be  of  deep  interest.  In  '47  Col  .S.  was  ii  wiilower,  having  'A  duughtors  in 
N.Y.;  in 'ol  he  married  again  and  has  sevcrnl  daughters  born  in  C'nl.  S. 
(.Matthew  Ii.),  I.S47,  son  of  tho  colonel  and  capt.  of  (.o.  (i,  N.Y.\'ol.  v.  501; 
died  at  .Sackett  Harbor,  N.Y..  '(i;».  S.  (Win),  1847,  Co.  V,  .'Id  U.S.  artill. 
(v.  .'")18);  supposed  to  be  living  in  '04. 

Stewavd  (.lames),  ISi'O,  on  tho  llovir.  .S.  (S.).  1848,  at  Mont.  Stewart 
(.Ml're.l  v.),  1810,  at  S.F.  '40-7.  S.  (Clias),  IM.S,  passp.  from  Hon.  S. 
(Frank  S.),  IS47  CO.  "t  a  reunion  of  surviving  N.Y.  Vol.  ',S4.  S.  (,].  IJ.), 
1847;  mid.  on  the  U.S.  ('otumbim,  S.  (.lames),  1847,  Co.  D,  Morm.  llat. 
(v.  400).  S.  (.lohnC. ),  \HX\  sailor  on  the  I'il'jrim  who  settled  at  .S.  Diego 
ill  '.'{8;  iiianicd  llosji  .Madiado,  and  still  lived  at  ,S.  D.  in  '77.  S.  (Robert 
15.),  1.S47,  Co.  D,  Moiiu.  Uat.  (v.  4(i0).  S.  Criionms),  18-_'4,  .Scotch  carpenter 
on  the  Hoi/iil  (ifon/r,  arrested  at  SU  H.;at  .Mont  '"JO;  at  S.  D.  "M.  ii.  WO. 
S.  (Thos  K.),  1848,  on  Amer.  lliver;  at  .Sac.  '01.  S.  (Win  .M.),  1848,  sec. 
of  (Join.  •Jones,  making  a  trip  with  Colton  to  the  mines;  owner  of  ,S.  F.  lots, 
nieiiib.  of  the  council,  justice  uf  tho  peace,  and  candiilatu  for  gov.  in  '40;  still 
at  S.F.  ',")4. 

Stickney  (John),  1830,  mr  of  tho  Krnt  ami  perhnpaof  tho  Sarak  and  Cnro- 
line  "M-'i.  iv.  101,  l(K).  .Stiggero  (Ignacio),  doubtful  name  of  aCaliforniaa 
nt  .Sonoma,  v.  I0'2.  Still  ((ico.),  1840,  of  the  Morm.  colony,  with  wife  and 
•'<  children,  v.  .'i47.  Sarah  Still,  who  in  '48  was  married  to  J.  D.  Ma.ston, 
may  have  been  his  daughter.  Ho  did  not  go  to  Utah.  Stillinan  (Dexter), 
1847,  Co.  U,  Morm.  J^t.  (v.  400).       Stillwell  (Joseph),  1840,  ovorl.  iinmig., 


STILL  \V  ELL -STOK  KS. 


whoMrvoil  iu  Co.  K,  Cal.  liat.,  <-iiliHtiii){  at  S.  Jtnui  in  Nov.  v.  .'>2S  (.TtS);  ho 
wua  a  iHJuinlaw  of  S.  ('.  Vouiiji;,  Mtill  ut  S.  .Iohu  iu  '.'«U.  Stilts  (Jcmw),  IH4ri, 
tti'iivuil.  Hitltlt.  S.  (.loliii),  \H-M,  |ir<>li.  iivL'i'l.  iiniiiij;.,  fiilixting  at  Sonuina 
in  Uct.  ill  Co.  K.  (.'ul.  lUt.  (v.  .'t.'tS);  Mctllir  in  Solunol'o.  '4M,  nud  atiil  there 
ill  '7S.  M.  (Mui'ioii),  IMll,  prub.  hou  uf  .Inhii;  nut.  of  Mo.;  in  >Solauo  (^'o.  '7M. 
•Stirling,  wu  '.sterling.'  Stivcra  (Siincoii),  I.S40,  nut.  of  N.J.  ninl  nii'inb.  of 
tlio  Monnnn  colony,  v.  .'t47.  II"  mum  »  curpciitfr  nt  S.F.,  niovins  in  '48  to 
MixHioii  S.  Jkhi',  wlii'i'K  ho  ftill  livi'il  in 'IS'J  with  wife,  Anna  M.  Joncfi,  un<l 
•  hilil.  Li-titiii  M.  I>.  '.V.t,  Siiiiioii  K.  'ill.  t'iiuihitti:  J.  '04,  .Sum.  '(Mi,  ('huni|>ion 
1>.  'Uil,  Aniiit  .M.  ';-.>,  .Murk  '74,  uikI  K<lwaril  '7H.  Stock,  1841,  nir  of  tho 
Jtvonidiit,  iv.  .'HlG. 

Storkton  (RolxTt  FichI),  ISltl,  nut.  of  N..T,  of  an  old  and  (iromincnt  fam- 
ily, who  left  rriiict'ton  c(j1U'}{u  in  181 1  to  U-comv  ii  iiiidi*hi|inian  in  tho  U.S.N.; 
Hcrvcil  Willi  crcilit  in  the  wur  of  I.SI'J  and  later;  ami  in  '40  uh  c.-iiitiiin  cuiiie  to 
(.'ul.  on  tiiu  ('oii'jrrHt,  Huccccding  Coin.  Slout  in  coinniund  of  thu  i*ai'ilii-  Hi|uud< 
roll,  uiid  holding  tho  |i<iiiition  of  military  gov.  of  Cul.  till  ilan.  '47.  Ilu 
returned  euKt  overluiid  in  '47,  rcNigned  hiii  eoiiiiiiiHition  in  '4{),  wan  U..S. 
M'lmtor  from  N.J.  in  '•*>l-'.',  wum  mentioned  uo  u  democratic  cundidatu 
for  tho  ]ireiiidency  auvoral  timet,  and  notaiily  in  '.*i(l,  an<l  died  'itO  at  tho 
uge  of  aluiiit  70  yunrs.  Iliit  career  in  connection  Mith  Cul,  alliiirH  is  fully 
ic.ordud  in  v.  •_•:<•_',  '-•."•1-87,  i!.s0  !M).  -.tr.-O,  :\{Y1--M,  X*\,  :»8.">-4:i.'..  4»!l,  AWX  4.''0, 
4(>ti,  40.'t,  •'t.'lil,  .'>4!),  •'>77,  044;  iv.  07<'<.  It  is  too  comitlicated  and  too  much  tliu 
hi.story  of  the  country  in  '4li-7  to  he  |ireseiiteu  uii  ri58iimi^  here.  Com, 
Stockton  wan  hruve,  reaoliite,  eiifrgetic,  and  in  many  reH|H.'ct8  an  agreealiic 
gentleman,  hut  an  iiisatial>lu  tliiiMt  fm-  popularity  ami  fuinu  wuh  hi.s  most 
marked  characteristic,  und  may  liu  Hiip|>oMcd  to  have  th-termineil  IiIh  policy  in 
Cul.  a  policy  which,  however  we  may  admire  some  ot  his  acts  and  ipialitie.s, 
merits  nothing  hut  condemnation.  iliM  adoption,  in  oppottition  to  the  vicwit 
of  Sloat  and  Lurkiii,  of  thu  tilihnatero  plans  of  Fremont  and  hi.s  uMsociates  may 
ehurituhly  he  regarded  ua  a  mere  error  of  judgment;  yet  it  is  hard  to  rcKJtt 
the  conviction  that  the  true  Htiitu  of  atlaiis  waa  kno^Mi  to  him,  and  that  his 
warlike  proclamation  to  a  peaceful  |)fople,  his  hlusterini;  tirade  against  imagi- 
nary evilii,  hid  willingiie.sH  to  identify  a  crimiiiul  revolt  of  vagaliond  ('etthrs 
with  the  legitimate  military  occupation,  his  practical  refusal  to  accept  the 
voluntary  Hubinission  of  the  (.'al.  authorities,  his  wholu  |>oliey  of  compicst 
which  was  to  produce  such  unhappy  results — that  all  tiiis  was  ehielly  due 
to  his  i>ersonal  vanity  and  ambition  rather  than  to  his  honest  opinion  re- 
ttpecting  the  interests  of  his  nation.  To  the  samo  motive  may  Ik;  ascribe<l  his 
hiter  policy— not  without  [ilaiisibility  and  dignity  in  certain  aspects- in  tlm 
controversies  \\ith  (i'li.  Kearny.  Stockton  was  beyond  compurist.>n  an  abler 
and  more  honorable  man  than  Friinoiit,  yet  his  reputation  as  '<'oiii|ueror'  of 
Cul. --notwilhstunding  his  energetic  and  praiseworthy  surmounting  of  ohstachs 
that  but  for  his  folly  would  not  have  existeil  is  .-is  unmerited,  though  not  so 
fraudulent,  as  that  of  the  'iiuthfiniler.'  S.  (Win  It,),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y.  Vol. 
(V.  4!»!t);  ,1.  b«foio  '8-J.  Stoddard  (Itufusi,  ls»7,  Co.  It,  Morni.  Uat.  (v.  4ti!t); 
Worked  ua  a  briuk-muker  and  builder  at  S.  l)iego.  Stokely  (John),  1^10, 
C/'o.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragooua  (v.  '.\'M\);  killed  by  thu  explosion  ut  Loa  Ang.  l>eu. 
'47.  v.  ti'J.".. 

Stokes  (Kdward),  ISIO,  Fugl.  sailor  who  cauio  from  Hon.  on  the  Fhi, 
having  possibly  visited  Cul.  bet'ore.  iv.  |II4,  I'.'O.  lie  married  Itefiigio,  tlaiigh- 
ter  of  Joso  <lou<|uiii  Ortega,  and  in  '4;t  (  was  gnintee  of  the  j'umo  and  Sla  Isa- 
bi'l  rauuhos.  iv.  0-1.  In  '40  \w  rendered  aiil  to  Kearny  by  carrying  dc8|)ati'hes 
to  Stockton  at  S.  Diego,  v.  '.V,V.\.  The  ilale  of  his  death  after  '."lO  does  not 
uppeur,  but  his  widow  married  .\gusliii  Olveia,  and  was  still  living  in  '70. 
S.  (.lumua),  I8.'t4('/),  Kiigl.  sailor  who  in  Cal.  iH'c.iiue  a  iloctor;  lir.-it  appearing 
on  the  records  of  ','i.'i,  when  Iu*  served  as  eouHulting  physician  in  the  case  of 
(iov.  Figuerou,  but  prob.  left  some  \es.sel  a  year  or  two  earlier,  iii.  41'-',  '.".tO. 
He  is  occasionally  uuincil  us  doctor,  druggist,  and  trader  at  .Mont,  iu  '.'t.'i  1,'t. 
iv.  117,  .'M'J;  niurriud  Muriu  <losefu  .Soto  in  '44;  appears  at  Mont.,  S.  F.,  N. 
ilt'lv.,  uud  S.  Joad  in  records  of  '4o,  being  in  com.  of  a  dutuchment  of  tlie 


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PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Mont,  guard,  iv.  515,  but  appears  to  have  considered  S.  J036  his  home  from 
this  year.  In  '46  Dr  S.  is  vaguely  accredited  in  tradition  with  having  in 
trigued  for  an  Engl,  protectorate,  but  was  the  1st  to  raise  the  U.S.  flag  at  S. 
Joa6,  where  by  Sloat  s  appointment  he  served  for  a  time  as  alcalde  after  the 
change  of  flag,  owning  also  a  lot  in  S.F.,  and  having  a  Cal.  claim,  v.  34,  C8, 
245-b,  294,  (Hi2.  Ho  became  the  owner  of  the  Verjelcs  and  Natividad  ranchos, 
Mont.  Co.,  for  which  he  was  later  claimant,  iii.  679;  iv.  656;  and  in  '48  mado 
a  trading  tour  to  the  mines.  I  find  no  record  of  him  or  his  family  after  '52. 
Stolzo  (Adolphus),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499). 

Stone,  1833,  at  Mont.  ace.  to  LarUin's  accounts.  S.,  1847,  settler  in  Lake 
Co.  with  the  Kelseya,  killed  by  the  Ind.  in  '49.  Nothing  more  seems  to  be 
known  about  the  man.  Possibly  he  was  the  following.  S.  (Chas),  1847,  of 
the  2d  Donner  relief  party,  v.  539-40.  S.  (Elisha),  1841,  of  the  origi- 
nal Bartleson  party;  did  not  come  to  Cal.  iv.  269.  S.  (Heber),  1847,  Co.  B. 
N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  S.  (Henry).  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  S.  (Joseph  M.), 
1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  S.  (Mahlon),  1846,  at  Los  Ang.  S.  (Wm  W.), 
1808  (?),  a  resid.  of  Cal.  from  '48,  and  at  Angels  from  '57  to  his  death  in  '62; 
said  to  have  visited  the  coast  in  1808  (prob.  an  error)  and  at  other  dates  be- 
fore '48.  Stoneman  (Geo.),  1847,  nat.  of  N.Y.,  graduate  of  West  Point, 
and  lieut  of  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons,  coming  to  Cal  with  the  Mormon  Bat. 
as  quartermaster,  but  soon  rejoining  the  dragoons,  v.  477,  483,  485,  489,  521, 
617.  Down  to  '55  or  a  little  later  he  was  engaged  in  garrison,  exploring,  or 
Ind.  service  on  this  coast.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  '01-5  he  was  a 
major  in  the  regular  army,  reaching  tlie  rank  of  brevet  major-general  of  vol- 
unteers, and  gaining  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  cavalry  officer.  After  tlie  war 
he  returned  to  Cal.  and  settled  near  Los  Angeles,  holding  later  the  position 
of  railroad  commissioner,  and  being  as  I  write  in  '85  governor  of  California. 
In  these  official  capacities  he  will  require  some  notice  in  a  later  volume;  and 
in  the  case  of  so  prominent  a  pioneer,  it  is  to  me  a  matter  of  regret  that  I 
liave  no  data  for  a  more  complete  sketch  of  his  earlier  Cal.  experience. 
Stope  (Gerard),  1836,  Engl,  at  Mont.  Stoppard  (Moses),  1847,  Co.  K,  N.Y. 
Vol.  (v.  499).  Storer  (Geo.),  1847,  nat.  of  N.Y.,  from  Hon.  on  the  Fran- 
cesca;  settled  in  Sonoma;  in  Mendocino  township  '77;  there  is  perhaps  con- 
fusion between  this  man  and  Geo.  'Stoi'y.' 

Storm  (Peter),  1833  (?),  Norwegian  sailor,  whose  coming  is  credited  in 
current  sketches  to  this  date  with  doubtful  accuracy,  iii.  409.  Famham 
namet  ^lim  as  one  of  the  foreigners  arrested  in  '40.  iv.  17.  The  1st  definite 
record  is  that  ho  lived  at  S.F.  in  '44,  age  40.  TTi>  -settled  in  Napa  Co.  in  '44-5, 
and  probably  took  part  in  the  Bear  revolt  v.  110,  147-9.  He  spent  the 

rest  of  his  life  mainly  in  Napa,  and  dic'  ulistoga  in  '77.       Story  (Ed- 

ward), 1848,  Amer.  lawyer  with  Brooks  m  le  mines;  said  to  have  been  al- 
calde at  Mont,  earlier  (?).  S.  (Geo.),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  near 
Healdsburgin  '80.  Stothers  (John  E.),  1847,  Co.  F,  ditto;  d.  at  Oakland 
after  '70.  Stout,  1848,  mr  of  the  Brhtol.  S.  (Wm),  1846,  of  the  Mor- 
mon colony,  with  wife  and  child,  v.  547.  Ho  was  one  of  the  founders  of  New 
Hope  in  the  San  Joaquin  Val.  v.  550;  but  left  the  Mormons,  and  in  '47  was 
in  the  lumber  business  with  Sirrine  and  Mcder  at  Sta  Cruz.  In  '48  had  a 
store  at  the  mines,  perhaps  of  the  firm  of  Brannan  &  Co.  S.  ( Wm  C. ), 
1836  (?),  agent  of  P.  M.  S.  S.  Co.  from  '48;  died  in  N.Y.  '70  at  the  age  of 
69;  said  to  have  visited  Mont,  in  '36.  iv.  118.  Stow  (Aaron),  1847,  Co.  K, 
N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Davenport,  la,  '82. 

Stradspcth,  184.5,  one  of  Frdmont's  men.  iv.  583.  Kern,  Strange  (John), 
1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Stiauss  (Fred.),  1840,  sailor  on  the  PorU- 
mouth,  killed  at  the  S.  Gabriel  Jan.  '47.  v.  395;  perhaps  'Stearns.'  Streeter 
(David),  1846,  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330);  severely  wounded  at  S.  Pas- 
cual.  V.  346,  355;  later  a  barber  at  Sta  B.,  whore  he  died  in  '63.  S.  (Wm 
A.),  1843,  nat.  of  N.Y.  and  cousin  of  David;  dentist  and  mechanic,  who  came 
from  Peru  with  Stephen  Smith  as  engineer  to  superintend  the  construction 
and  running  of  the  Bodega  mill.  iv.  390,  400.  He  soon  left  Smith  and  went 
south  as  dentist  or  physician  till  '48.  iv.  651,  501.  Went  to  the  mines,  was  in 


STREETER— SUMNER. 


737 


ivas 
I  a 

•  ). 

of 

K, 


tei* 
as- 

no 
Ion 

Int 
lin 


partnership  with  Weber  at  Stockton,  and  leased  the  S.  Buen.  mission.  Lived 
at  S.  Luis  Ob.  '51-5,  and  after  '55  at  Sta  B.,  holding  some  local  offices  in  both 
counties.  la  '78  he  gave  me  his  Recollections  of  Early  Events,  Prob.  still  living 
in  '85  at  the  ago  of  74.  Stribling  (C.  K.),  1836,  com.  of  the  U.S.  Cyaiie  '42 
-3,  and  '45,  and  of  the  Peacock  in  '3(J.  iv,  105,  308,  311,  321,  564-5.  Slring- 
fellow  (Jesse  A),  1846,  nat.  of  Pa  and  memb.  of  the  Mormon  colony,  v.  547. 
He  worked  as  a  carpenter  at  S.F.  (where  ho  owned  a  lot),  Napa,  and  S.  Jos(?, 
i?oing  to  the  mines  in  '48-9.  Later  a  farmer  at  S.  Josd,  wliere  lie  died  in  '78, 
leaving  a  widow  and  3  grown  children.  Stroms  (John  A.),  1846,  Co.  C,  1st 
U.  S.  dragoons  (v.  336).  Strong  (Demas),  1848,  Amer.  trader  at  Big  liar 
and  Sutter's  mill;  alderman  and  mayor  of  Sac.;  returned  toN.Y.  '50;  inN.Y. 
senate  '64.  S.  (James  H.),  1847,  lieut  on  the  U.S.  Columbus.  S.  (John 
M.),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518).  S.  (\Vm),  1847,  Co.  E,  Monn. 
Bat.  (v.  469). 

Stuart  (Chauncey),  1848,  in  S.F.  letter-list.  S.  (Maria  Ant.)  1813,  mis- 
tress  of  Capt.  Ayers.  ii.  269.  S.  (W.  K.),  1848,  nat.  of  Md  and  overl.  im- 
mig.;  in  Nevada  co.  '51  to  his  death  in  '73;  widow  living  in  '82.  Study 
(David),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  Stump  (David),  1848,  miner 
from  Or.  at  Grass  Valley  and  Placerville  '48-9.  Stupplcl)een  (Jacob),  1848, 
passp.  from  Hon.  Sturgis  (Thos),  1831,  mr  of  the  Crusader  '31-2.  iii.  3S2. 
Sturt  (F.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  Stuurtzenegger  (John),  1846,  Co.  G, 
Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358);  owner  of  S.F.  lots  '47-8;  d.  at  Oakland  about  '60-5. 

Suarez  (Simon),  1797,  sub-lieut  of  the  compauia  franca  at  Mont.  i.  540-1, 
544.  S.  (Vicente),  juez  de  campo  at  S.  Jos6  '44.  iv.  685.  Sublette  (Wni), 
1845,  came  overland  with  a  party  of  15  men  whose  names  are  not  known;  at 
S.F.  Jan. '46;  went  east  with  Cly man  and  Hastings,  iv.  577-8;  v.  526.  Suc- 
cara,  chief  of  the  Sotoyomes  '37.  iv.  72.  Suckert  (Leon),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y. 
Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  S.  F.  '71.  Sugcrt,  Ind.  cliief  at  Sta  Cruz  1791.  i.  494. 
Suhr  (Albert),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot. 

Sullivan  (Cornelius),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499);  locksmith  at  Mont. 
'47-8;  Sta  Clara  '71-4;  at  Lompoc  '82.  S.  (C.  G.),  1839,  doubtful  date  in  a 
newspaper  sketch,  iv.  119;  d.  in  '64,  at  or  near  Gold  Hill.  S.  (James),  see 
'O'Sullivan.'  S.  (John),  1844,  nat.  of  Ireland,  and  overl.  immig.  of  the 
Stevens  party  with  his  sister  Mary  and  two  brothers,  iv.  446,  453.  He  had 
come  to  Canada  at  the  age  of  6,  and  had  worked  as  a  stevedore  there  and  as  a 
logger  in  Me,  going  to  Mo.  in  '42.  After  serving  under  Sutter  in  the  Michel- 
torena  campaign  (iv.  476),  he  settled  at  S.F.,  v.  682,  where  he  was  teamster, 
trader,  lot-owner,  and  later  capitalist,  being  founder  and  president  of  the 
Hibernia  Bank.  He  had  also  kept  a  store  in  '48  on  Sullivan  Cr.,  Tuolumne. 
He  was  a  man  of  upright  character,  -jharitablo,  and  well  known  for  his  gifts 
to  the  church.  Ho  died  in  '82  at  the  age  of  58.  His  1st  wife  was  Catherine 
Farrely  in  '50,  who  died  in  '54;  and  the  2d  was  Ada  E.  Kenna  of  '60,  by 
whom  he  had  10  children.  There  were  2  sons  by  the  1st  marriage,  one  of  whom, 
Robert,  died  in  '82.  The  other,  Frank  J.,  b.  in  '52,  was  educated  at  St  Igna- 
tius College  of  S.F.,  in  England,  and  at  Columbia  law  school,  N.Y.  In  '78-85 
he  practised  law  at  S.F. ,  having  been  State  senator  in  '82  and  a  candidate  for 
congress  in  '84.  His  wife  is  Alice,  daughter  of  James  Phelau.  Ho  has  fur- 
nished for  my  use  a  narrative  of  his  father's  life.  John  Sullivan's  sister 
married  Peter  Sherreback.  S.  (John),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  S. 
Luis  Rey  '48.  S.  (Michael),  1844,  brother  of  John,  and  immig.  of  the  Stevens 
party,  iv.  446, 453;  owner  of  S.  F.  lot  '47.  S.  (Richard),  1847,  owner  of  S.  F. 
lot.  S.  (Robert),  1844,  brother  of  John,  who  came  as  a  boy  in  the  Stevens 
party,  iv.  446,  453. 

Sumedor  ( Wm),  1840,  permitted  to  reinam  in  Cal.  Summers  (W.  V. ), 
1848,  at  S.  Diego.  Sumner  (N.),  1847,  Amer.  at  N.  Helv.  S.  (Owen),  1845, 
immig.  from  Or.  in  the  McM.-Clyman  party  with  his  family,  including  Mis 
Payne.  Ho  went  east  with  Clyman  in  '46.  iv.  572-3;  v.  526.  S.  (Owen  Jr), 
1843,  son  of  Owen,  who  came  from  Or.  with  the  Hastings  party,  periuipa 
with  a  family.  His  sister  Lizzie  married  Geo.  Davis  at  Sutter's  fort.  He  prob. 
went  east  in  '46  with  his  father,  iv.  390-2,  400.  S.  (VVm),  1826,  mr  of  the 
Hist.  Oai..,  Vol.  V.    47 


I 


738 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Z'lmora,  and  in  '32  of  tlie  Warerbj.  iii.  149,317,  3G4,  3S4, 052.  Suficr  (Fran- 
cisco), 1808,  Span,  friar  who  served  at  5  different  missions,  and  died  at  S. 
Buenaventura  in '31.  Biog.  iii.  058-0;  nicnt.  ii.  90,  110,  147,  159-00,  265, 
346,  348,  364,  394,  490,  576,  578,  055;  iii.  96,  310,  351. 

Suuol  (Antonio  Man'u),  1817,  nat.  of  Spain,  who  had  been  a  sailor  in  the 
French  naval  service,  coming  to  Cal.  on  tiic  Borddaxs,  and  deserting  on  her 
return  from  the  north  in  '18.  ii.  289.  lie  settled  at  S.  Josd,  where  he  appar- 
ently kept  a  shop  and  sold  liquor  in  '23.  ii,  005;  married  about  '24-5;  was 
postmaster  '20,  '29.  ii.  005;  and  in  '28-30  was  the  object  of  some  investigation 
on  account  of  his  Span,  birth,  but  was  not  .sent  away.  iii.  51-2.  From  about 
'39  he  was  owner  of  the  rancho  of  S.  Jos6  del  Valle,  and  from  about  '37  of  Los 
Codies,  Alameda  Co.,  selling  live-stock  to  Sutter  on  credit  and  having  no 
little  trouble  to  collect  the  debt.  iv.  134,  237;  being  sindico  in  '39-40,  iii.  731, 
and  sub-prefect  '41-4.  iv.  274,  CS4-G.  lie  is  mentioned  by  Mofras  in  '41  as 
•very  devoted'  to  France,  and  blunderingly  by  Wilkes;  and  in  the  padron  of 
'41  is  named  as  a  Span,  trader,  age  41,  wife  Maria  Dolores  Bernal,  child.  Jos6 
b.  '20,  Paula  (later  Mrs  Sainsevain)  '28,  Narciso  '30  ('35?),  and  Francisca  '33. 
In  '43  he  was  suplente  of  the  junta,  iv.  3(51;  is  ment.  in  the  annals  of  '45-6. 
iv.  485-0;  v.  4,  45;  being  the  purchaser  of  S.  Rafael  mission,  and  a  memb.  of 
the  S.  Jos6  council,  v.  501,  604,  070.  He  engaged  in  mining  in  '48;  was  the 
claimant  for  his  two  ranches  in  '52.  iv.  071,  713;  and  died  in  '05,  leaving  an 
excellent  reputation.  His  son,  Jos<5,  was  probably  the  man  killed  in  '55  by  a 
squatter  on  his  rancho.  He  had  been  juez  de  policia  in  '49.  Another  son,  Nar- 
ciso, was  educated  in  France,  and  still  lives  in  Suiiol  Valley,  '85,  with  wife, 
Rosario  Palomarcs,  and  0  child.,  Margarita,  V^irginia,  Francesca,  Eulalia, 
Josephine,  and  Juanita.  Portrait  in  A  lam.  Co.  Hist.,  176.  Other  children  of 
Don  Antonio  Maria  surviving  in  '83  were  Encarnacion  (Mrs  Etchebarnc),  An- 
toneta  (Mrs  Murphy),  and  Jos6  Dolores.  Suria  (Tomiis),  1791,  artist  in  Ma- 
laspina's  cxped.  i.  4JK).  Suriano  (Juan  Fran.),  1002,  alf(Srez  in  Vizcaino's 
expcd.  i.  98.  Surok  (Francisco),  1845,  doubtful  name  of  an  applicant  for 
laud.       Sutphen  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499). 

Sutter  (John  Augustus),  1839,  German-Swiss  trader  impelled  by  bankiniptcy 
in  '34  to  become  an  adveii^'iirer  in  America,  where,  after  an  unsuccessful  career 
in  N.  Mex.  '35-7,  he  came  to  Cal.  by  way  of  Or.,  the  Sandwich  Isl.,  and 
Alaska,  and  established  a  trading  and  trapping  post  at  New  Helvetia,  obtain- 
ing a  land  grant  of  11  leagues,  and  in  '41  the  Russian  improvements  at  Ross. 
Biog.  matter  relating  to  Sutter  is  given  elsewhere  in  these  volumes  so  fully 
and  compactly  as  to  require  only  reference  here.  For  his  early  life  and  arrival 
in  Cal.  '39-40,  see  iv.  122-39,  with  ment.  in  iii.  070,  700;  iv.  74,  93,  102,  117, 
119.  Progress  of  ids  estab.  '41-2.  iv.  226-40;  also  211,  213,  219-20,  275,  283, 
672-3,  679-80.  Purchase  of  the  Russian  property  in  '41,  with  the  Muldrow 
swindle,  and  oO'orts  of  the  Russians  '42-50  to  collect  the  debt.  iv.  177-89. 
Mention  in  '43  iv,  356,  366,  387-9,  396.  Career  in  '44,  iv.  439,  448-9,  453. 
iSutter's  famous  campaign  of  '44-5  undertaken  against  the  Californians  purely 
as  a  land  speculation,  iv.  407,  472,  474,  477-517.  Affairs  of  '45,  particularly 
his  efforts  to  sell  his  estab.  to  the  Mex.  govt.  iv.  607-16.  Policy  and  acts  of 
'46  in  connection  with  the  Bear  revolt,  etc.  v.  3,  22,  29,  65,  80,  102,  104, 122- 
5,  359,  538.  Mention  in  '47,  when  S.  had  a  'Cal.  claim,'  served  as  sub-Ind. 
agent,  and  owned  a  S.F.  lot.  v.  452,  467,  508,  010,  078.  For  his  experience  of 
'48  and  the  following  years,  especially  in  connection  with  the  gold  discovery, 
see  vol.  vi.  of  this  series.  In  '48-9  Sutter  was  regarded  as  being  very  rich, 
having  at  least  what  in  the  hands  of  an  abler  man  would  have  been  the  basis 
of  an  immense  fortune;  but  his  wealth,  won  by  good  luck  without  business 
capacity,  couhl  not  thus  be  kept  under  the  new  conditions  of  the  flush  times, 
and  soon  he  was  reduced  to  comparative  poverty,  the  successive  steps  of  his 
downfall  being  too  complicated  for  presentment  here.  Doubtless  in  some  in- 
stances he  was  the  victim  of  rascality  on  tiie  part  of  sharper  adventurers  than 
himself.  His  original  land  grant  of  Ul  was  confirmed  after  it  had  passed  for 
the  most  part  out  of  his  possession;  but  the  Michcltorena  grant  of  '45  was 
very  justly  rejected  by  the  supreme  court.  The  end  of  his  public  career,  in  a 


SUTTER. 


739 


sense,  was  in  '49,  when  he  was  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention,  and 
received  some  2,000  votes  for  governor.  From  '50,  being  joined  by  his  family 
from  Switzerland,  he  lived  at  Hock  Fajpi.  From  '04,  by  act  of  the  ('al.  legis- 
lature, he  received  a  pension  of  ^'250  per  montli  till  '78,  when  the  bill  was  de- 
feated. Meanwhile,  auout  '65,  he  went  east,  and  lived  from  '71  at  Litiz,  I'a, 
making  constant  but  vain  eflbrts  to  obtain  from  congress  compensation  for 
alleged  wrongs  of  the  past;  though  it  does  not  appear  tiiat  in  his  old  age  and 
infirmity  lie  ever  sufTered  actual  privations.  In  '70,  at  his  home,  he  dictatctl  to 
me  his  Personal  liecollections,  identical  in  outline  with  the  story  so  often  told 
by  him,  but  fuller  in  most  phases  than  any  that  has  been  printed,  and  most 
interesting.  He  died  at  Washington,  D.C.,  in  '80  at  the  age  of  77,  leaving  a 
widow  who  still  lives,  I  think,  in  '85,  two  sons,  and  a  daughter.  Tiie  family  seem 
to  have  come  to  Cal.  from  '44-50  at  ditferent  dates,  though  I  find  but  slight 
information  on  the  subject.  Of  the  sons,  Alphonse  died  some  years  befoi'c  '80. 
One  of  them  seems  to  have  come  as  early  as  '44,  when  the  capt.  writes  to  com- 

{)lain  of  his  not  being  regarded  as  a  natu.'alized  citizen.  John  A.  Jr,  to  wltom 
lis  father  turned  over  all  his  property  temporarily  in  '49,  and  who  was  a  part- 
ner of  Hensley,  Reading,  &  Co.,  was  for  some  years  before  and  prob.  after  '80 
U.S.  consul  at  Acapulco.  Emil  Victor,  identical,  I  suppose,  with  E.  J.,  who  was 
Kern's  lieut  at  the  fort  in  '40,  v.  298,  was  for  many  years  to  '80  a  well-known 
notary  at  S.F.,  and  committed  suicide  in  Belgium  in  '83.  The  daugliter,  Anna 
Eliza,  was  married  in  '52  to  Geo.  Engler,  and  in  '80,  as  MrsDr  Link,  was  liv- 
ing at  Acapulco.  The  biog.  matter  referred  to  above  contains  much  of  com- 
ment on  Sutter's  character.  None  of  the  pioneers  named  in  this  register  has 
received  so  much  praise  from  so  many  sources;  few  have  deserved  so  little. 
Yet  it  has  been  by  no  means  a  pleasing  task,  in  view  of  tiie  famous  c.iptain's 
kindly  nature  and  his  misfortunes  of  later  years — especially  for  one  who,  like 
myself,  has  heani  from  his  own  lips  the  story  of  his  wrongs — to  reveal  the 
man's  true  character,  as  I  have  deemed  it  a  duty  to  do.  He  was  but  an  adven- 
turer from  the  first,  entitled  to  no  admiration  or  sympathy.  His  career  in  N. 
Mex.  was,  at  the  best,  discreditable.  He  came  to  Cal.  in  the  false  chai'acter  of 
an  ex-capt.  of  the  French  army.  Ho  was  great  only  in  his  wonderful  personal 
magnetism  and  power  of  making  friends  for  a  time  of  all  who  could  be  useful 
to  him;  good  only  in  thepossessionof  kindly  impulses.  His  energy  wasaphai^e 
of  his  visionary  and  reckless  enthusiasm;  his  executive  ability  did  not  extend 
beyond  the  skilful  control  of  Indians  and  the  manageiaent  of  an  isolated 
trading  post.  Of  principle,  of  honor,  of  respect  for  the  rights  of  others,  we  find 
but  slight  trace  in  him.  There  was  no  side  of  any  controversy  that  he  would 
not  readily  adopt  at  the  call  of  interest;  nationality,  religion,  friendship, 
obligation,  consistency,  counted  for  little  or  nothing.  There  were  no  classes  of 
his  associates,  hardly  an  individual,  with  whom  he  did  not  quarrel,  or  whom 
in  his  anger  he  did  not  I'oundly  abuse.  For  all  the  favors  received  at  the  haiuls 
of  Californians,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  turn  against  tiiem,  or  even  to  arm  for- 
eigners and  Indians  against  them,  when  a  personal  advantage  seemed  within 
his  reach.  That  his  frequent  plots  and  threats  of  vengeance  and  revolution 
and  French  intervention  were  for  the  most  more  amusing  than  dangerous  does 
not  much  increase  our  respect  for  the  angry  plotter.  His  only  capital  was 
money  borrowed  on  the  way  to  Cal.,  or  property  obtained  on  credit  from  Cali- 
fornians and  Russians  after  his  arrival,  all  on  pretences  more  or  less  false.  He 
never  hesitated  to  assume  any  obligation  for  the  future  without  regard  to  his 
ability  to  meet  it;  he  tirely  if  ever  paid  a  debt  when  due;  and  a  general, 
vague,  and  kindly  purpuse  to  fulfil  all  his  promises  in  the  brilliant  future  but 
imperfectly  excuses  his  short-comings.  His  apparent  success  in  '39-45  was  in 
a  sense  wonderful,  but  it  rested  almost  entirely  on  a  fortunate  combination  of 
circumstances,  and  notably  on  Gov.  Alvarado's  unwise  act — partly  inspired 
by  the  idea  of  introducing  in  the  north  an  element  of  opposition  to  Vallejo, 
with  whom  he  had  a  temporary  quarrel — in  pcrmittinga  foreigner  to  found  an 
isolated  rendezvous  for  hostile  and  uncontrollable  elements  of  a  vagabond  pop- 
ulation in  the  far  interior.  Though  Sutter's  establishment  did  something  to 
promote  the  influx  of  Amer.  settlers,  it  was  in  no  sense  beneficial  to  tlie  in- 


740 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


terests  of  the  U.S.,  merely  fomenting  fililnisterism  with  all  its  unliappy  results. 
The  discovery  of  golil,  often  mcntioneil  in  this  connection,  was  purely  acci- 
dental; but  I  cannot  see  that  its  postponement  for  a  time  would  have  done 
any  harm;  and  I  can  imagine  that  its  earlier  occurrence — likely  enough  tore- 
suit  from  Sutter's  settlement — might  have  been  decidedly  detrimental  to  the 
U.S.  in  some  respect.s.  That  the  establishment,  chiefly  by  reason  of  its  situ- 
ation at  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  was  of  benefit  to  the  immigrants  is  true; 
also  that  Sutter  treated  them  kindly,  though  not  more  so  than  a  dozen  otliers; 
but  that  he  did  so  at  a  personal  sacrifice,  as  has  been  so  often  claimed,  is  not 
true;  for  Sutter's  letters  of  that  time  are  full  of  self-gratulations  on  hisl  ucky 
chance  to  exchange  food  and  cattle  for  wagons  and  implements,  to  hire  me- 
clianics,  and  to  have  his  land  increased  in  value  by  the  influx  of  settlers. 
Neither  is  it  true  tliat  Sutter  in  '45-G  was  friendly  to  the  U.S.  or  to  the  im- 
nngrants  as  Americans.  He  did  not,  as  has  been  claimed  by  liimself  and  friends, 
refuse  an  offer  of  §100,000  for  his  property  that  the  immig.  might  not  be  dc- 

E rived  cf  a  refuge;  on  the  contrary,  he  did  his  best  to  sell,  and  failed  chiefly 
ecause  the  Mex.  govt  saw  a  cheaper  way  to  get  the  property  by  buying  the 
Russian  mortgage.  And  as  elsewhere  stated,  I  have  the  captain's  original  let- 
ter, in  which  he  warned  Gen.  Castro  against  Gillespie  as  a  secret  agent  of  the 
U.S.,  urged  the  govt  to  buy  his  fort,  and  advised  the  stationing  of  a  garrison 
there  against  the  immigrants!  Perhaps  had  this  been  known  pioneers  in  later 
times  would  have  been  less  profuse  in  tlieir  praise  of  the  noble-hearted  old 
patriot.       Suwerkrop  (E.A.),  1848,  at  Hon.  from  S.F.  on  the  Julian, 

Swab  (Emmanuel),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Swain,  1848,  from 
Hon.  on  the  ISa<]adalioc.  S.,  IStJO,  mr  of  the  Sttsana.  iii.  149.  S.  (Chas 
A.),  1829(?),  nat.  of  Mass.,  said  to  have  visited  the  coast  in  the  whaler  Ameri- 
can, iii.  179,  and  again  on  the  same  vessel  in  '38,  though  I  find  no  rccortl  of 
sucii  a  vessel  in  either  year.  He  retuined  in  '49  to  stay  as  a  farmer,  miner, 
and  contractor,  dying  at  S.F.  '84  at  the  age  of  71,  leaving  a  widow  and  son. 
S.  (F.  B. ),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  S.  (Isaac),  1823(?),  on  the  roll  of  the  Soc. 
Cal.  Pion.  S.  (Josiah  H.),  1847,  at  Alont.  '47-8;  perhaps  came  in  '4(>  on  a 
whaler,  and  one  of  Maddox.'s  volunteers,  said  to  be  living  at  S.F.  '84.  Swan. 
Swaine,  1794,  one  of  Vancouver's  men.  i.  5'26. 

Swan  (John  A.),  1843,  nat.  of  England  of  Scotch  parentage,  who  came  as 
a  sailor  on  theSoledadirom  Mazatlan  after  11  years  of  adventure  as  a  sailor  in 
many  parts  of  tlie  world,  iv.  400,  508,  651.  He  made  two  trips  with  Capt. 
Cooper  on  the  schr  California  in  '43-4,  then  quitting  the  sea.  He  kept  a  little 
shop  and  sailors'  boarding-house  at  Mont.,  his  name  appearing  from  '44  on 
Larkin's  books  and  in  other  records;  made  a  trip  to  the  gold-mines  in  '48; 
went  to  Eraser  River  in  '59-()3;  again  visited  British  Columbia  in  '64-0;  and 
has  since  resided  at  Mont.  He  has  written  many  articles  on  the  olden  time 
for  the  newspapers,  which,  with  others  in  MS.,  liave  place  in  my  collection, 
some  of  them  being  named  in  my  list  of  authorities;  and  he  has  furnished  me 
besides  from  time  to  time  many  useful  items  for  this  register.  Swan's  writings 
are  not  only  interesting,  but  remarkably  accurate,  his  memory  being  rarely  at 
fault,  and  the  tendency  to  testify  on  matters  beyond  his  personal  knowl- 
edge— too  prevalent  among  pioneer  writers — being  in  his  case  reduced  to  a 
minimum.  His  work  in  this  direction  merits  high  praise.  In  the  later  years 
down  to  '85  this  kind-hearted  old  sailor,  73  years  old,  burdened  with  poverty 
and  deafness,  lives  in  an  old  historic  adobe  at  the  former  capital,  delighting 
in  the  old  ruins  that  keep  alive  his  dreamy  recollections  of  the  past;  and  oc- 
casionally, with  '  pioneer  of  '43 '  plainly  inscribed  as  credentials  on  his  hat- 
band, he  makes  a  trip  to  S.  Josd  and  S.  F.  to  look  after  the  constantly  lessening 
band  of  his  old-time  acquaintances.  S.  (Lyman),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon. 
S.  (Thos  M.),  1848(?),  in  Napa  Valley  ace.  to  testimony  in  later  litigation. 
Swanich  (James),  1845,  Delaware  Ind.  of  Fremont's  party  '45-7.  iv.  583,  587; 
said  by  Martin  to  have  been  killed  on  the  Or.  frontier  '46.  Swanson  (Joseph), 
1848,  in  S.F.  letter  list;  el.  in  '53  for  land  in  Contra  Costa.  Swartout  (Ham- 
ilton), 1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  Swartz  (John  S.),  1847,  Co.  E, 
N.Y.Vol.  (v,  499).      Swasden,  1847,  doubtful  name  in  a  Mont.  list. 


SWASEY— TABER. 


741 


Swasey  (Wm  F. ),  1845,  nat.  of  Maine  and  overl.  immig.  from  St  Louis  in  the 
party  tbat  I  have  called  by  his  name,  which  waa  really  a  division  of  the  Gri^itby- 
Ide  party,  iv.  576,  587.  For  two  months  he  wasemploycd  by  Snttcr  as  book-keep- 
er, and  at  the  beginning  of  '40  went  by  way  of  S.  F.  and  S.  Jo86  to  Mont. ,  where  he 
worked  for  a  short  time  as  clerk  for  Wm  H.  Davis,  and  from  June  to  .Sept.  was 
consular  clerk  for  Larkinat§CO  per  month,  v.  IG,  60.  In  Oct.  hejoine<l  theCal. 
Bat.,  serving  through  the  southern  campaign  as  asst  commissar}'  (t.  358);  and 
having  a  'Cal.  claim '  of  $40  (v.  462).  In  '47  he  came  to  S.F.,  where  lie  was 
owner  of  a  town  lot,  clerk  of  election,  and  sec.  of  the  council,  v.  648,  C."»0. 
From  '48  lie  was  engaged  in  trade  in  partnersliip  with  Lcighton  &  Co.  at  S.F. 
and  with  Southard  at  Napa.  v.  670,  678,  681 ;  also  visiting  the  mines,  and  in 
'49  being  a  member  of  the  S.F.  district  legislature  and  taking  some  fiart  in 
politics.  In  '51-61  Swasey  was  a  notary  public  at  S.F.,  being  also  a  Mitness 
in  ponie  of  the  famous  land  cases;  in  '01-6  cj.pt.  of  volunteers  and  asst  quar- 
termaster at  Benicia.  He  has  continued  to  reside  at  S.F.,  thougii  I  find  that 
he  was  appointed  in  '75  U.S.  marshal  of  Wyoming,  and  has  Ijeen  a  somewhat 
prominent  member  of  the  Pioneer  Society,  being  the  author  of  many  grace- 
fully written  eulogies  of  dead  pioneers.  In  '85,  at  the  age  of  00  years  or  more, 
though  about  45  in  appearance,  ho  has  received  a  new  appointment  as  notary 
public.  Of  his  family  I  know  nothing  except  that  his  mother  died  recently  in 
Cal.  at  a  very  advanced  age.  His  View  of  S.  F.  in  ^7  is  mcnt.  in  v.  076,  et 
Beq.  Cant.  Swasey  has  furnished  mo  his  recollections  of  California  in  \io-€; 
to  bim  I  am  indebted  for  the  invaluable  Nfw  Helvetia  Diary,  of  which,  as 
Sutter's  clerk,  be  was  one  of  the  authors;  and  in  several  other  matters  he  has 
afforded  me  some  assistance. 

Sweet  (Chaa  C),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  S.  (Paul),  1840(?).  nat. 
of  K.  I.,  said  to  have  landed  at  Mont,  this  year.  iv.  120.  In  '43-5  a  tanner 
near  Sta  Cruz,  iv.  350,  being  named  in  the  Bi-anciforte  padron  of  '45  as  Engl., 
age  30,  and  single;  perhaps  served  in  Cal.  Bat.  '46-7  (v.  35S),  having  a  Cal. 
claim  of  §35  (v.  462);  and  still  at  Sta  Cruz  '49-80.  Sweeting,  iSlS,  doubt- 
ful name  of  a  hotel-keeper  at  S.F.  Brooks.  Swift  (Granville  P.),  Is44,  nat. 
of  Ky,  and  immig.  from  Or.  in  the  Kelsey  party,  having  crossed  the  plains  in 
'43.  iv.  444-5,  453.  He  served  in  Sutter's  campaign  of  '45.  iv.  480,  501;  was 
a  kadins;  filibuster  of  the  Bears  in  '46.  v.  95,  104,  107,  1 10, 147,  153.  108,  172; 
and  in  '40-7  was  capt.  of  Co.  C,  Cal.  Bat.  v.  184,  282, 289,  301 ;  having  a  Cal. 
claim  of  about  $2,000  (v.  462).  He  was  a  fine-looking  man,  over  6  ft  in  height, 
a  crack  shot,  and  of  undoubted  bravery,  a  bitter  hater  of  the  Mexicans.  He 
settled  on  Stony  Cr.,  Colusa,  in  '47;  made  a  large  fortune  in  mining  on  Feather 
IJiv.,  with  the  aid  of  Ind.,  in  '48-9;  later  a  stock-raiser  in  Colu.«»  and  Tehama; 
from  '54  ranchero  in  Sonoma;  and  from  about  '08  engaged  in  fruit-culture 
and  quicksilver-mining  in  Solano,  where  he  was  accidentally  kille«l  in  *75,  at 
the  age  of  about  54,  He  had  a  habit  of  burying  his  money  on  his  rancho; 
sevei-al  such  deposits  being  accidentally  found  after  he  had  forgotten  them, 
and  in  one  instance  §24,000  having  been  stolen  by  an  employee.  S.,  1807, 
nir  of  the  Derby  and  Hazard;  perhaps  on  the  coast  earlier,  ii.  17,  78.  &4.  S. 
(Richard),  1846,  Co.  B,  Cal.  But.,  cidisting  at  Mont,  in  Oct.  (v.  .^jS). 

Swinbum  (Wm).  1839,  Engl,  mate  of  the  schr  rWj/br«)Vi!,  who  Ijccame  a 
lundjoi-man  in  the  Mont,  district,  getting  a  pass  in '41.  iv.  119.  In  '44  in  .S. 
F.  dist,  age  35.  Swinson  (Dav. ).  1848,  at  ^lont.  Swords  (.\llen  3 A.  1847, 
Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  490);  d.  at  I-a  Paz  '48.  S.  (Thoma.'?),  1840,  major  U.S.A., 
wlio  came  from  N.  Mex.  with  Kearny  ns  quartermaster,  and  returned  east 
with  him  in  '47,  after  having  made  a  trip  to  Honolulu  for  .»u|iplit-s;  witness 
in  the  Fremont  court-martial,  v.  330,  343-7,  350,  440,  4.)2,  4.")6.  In  the  war 
of  '01-5  he  was  chief  quartermaster  of  tlic  western  dopt,  and  in  '7&  lived  in 
N. Y.  as  a  retired  brigadier.  Sylvester  (Anthony),  1845,  one  of  the  men  lost 
'40  on  the  Warren's  launch,  iv.  587;  v.  384.  Sjtcc,  1848,  named  as  liating 
kept  a  store  on  the  Moquelunnie. 

Tabeaa  (Baptiste),  1844,  one  of  Fremont's  men,  killed  by  Ind.  iv.  437, 
440.       Taber  (J.  D.),  1846,  api)arently  an  overl.  immig.;  of  T."&  Uoyt,  hotel- 


742 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


keepers  at  Mont.  '47  S;  had  a  family  in  Contra  Costa  '60.  T.,  1847,  mr  of 
the  Copia.  V.  577.  'J'ubor  (Wni),  1846,  in  Sta Clara  Val.  with  family.  JJnlt. 
Tafor6  (Joho  If;nacio),  1819,  nat.  of  8.  Amor.,  soldier  of  the  IS.  Bias  comp.  at 
Mont;  di.sch.  '24;  regidor  at  Mont.  "27.  ii.  012.  Tnpgart  (Geo.  W.),  1847, 
musician  Co.  ]i,  Morni.  Bat.  v.  469.  T.  (Robert),  1848,  nephew  of  Dr  Isbel, 
who  killed  B.  K.  Thompson  on  the  way  east  overland.  T.  (Sam.),  IS-'.'J,  ex- 
ecuted at  Los  Ang.  for  nmrder.  iv.  '296,  M'2,  6.S3;  called  also  'Tag^et'and 
•Taggett.'  Tait  (James  A.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Sta  Cruz 
'71-8.3.  T.  (Wm  G.),  1847,  Co.  A,  ditto.  Tajochi  (Tomas),  Ind.  chief  of 
S.  Diego  '33.  iii.  327,  3r.9. 

Talamantes  (Felipe),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1794;  grantee  of  Sta  B.  land 
1819;  at  La  Ballona  '39-40,  age  57.  ii.  349,  354;  iii.  033,  037.  T.  (Tonuis), 
prob.  brother  of  Felipe,  at  La  Ballona  '39,  age  47.  lie  took  an  active  part  iu 
the  fight  against  Gov.  Victoria  in  '31.  iii.  190,  207;  was  juez  do  campo '44. 
iv.  6-33;  and  still  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  Talbot,  1847,  of  L.  &  Upliam  at  Mont. 
'47-8.  T.  (J.  M.),  1846,  witness  to  enlistment  in  Cal.  Bat.  T.  (Theodore),. 
1844,  nat.  of  Ky  who  came  with  FrOmont,  and  again  iu  '45.  iv.  437,  581 ,  583. 
He  was  a  young  man  of  good  education,  who  was  in  a  sense  com.  of  that  di- 
vision of  the  company  entering  Cal.  by  the  southern  route;  and  in  Cal.  acted 
as  P'ri^'Uiont's  confidential  .".gent.  v.  3,  6,  22,  644.  He  was  left  in  com.  of  the 
Sta  B.  garrison,  and  later  served  as  licut  and  adjutant  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  v, 
287,  304,  316-17,  358,  .360,  6.30.  Being  Kent  east  with  despatches  in  Feb.  '47, 
he  was  a  witness  in  the  Frt?niont  court-martial,  v.  4,30,  4r)0.  Died  at  Wash., 
D.  C,  '62.  Talmadge  (Abijah  I).),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  4!.9);  killed  iu 
'48  by  Moquelumnc  Ind.  T.nnain  (Ig.),  1S46,  doubtful  name,  Cal.  Bat.  (v. 
358).  Tamanin  (Prokop),  1822,  mr  of  tlio  Vvlija.  ii.  474.  Tamaree  (I'etei), 
1834,  at  Mont.       Tambor  (Juan),  nickname;  killed  at  Los  Ang.  45.  iv.  492. 

Tanferan  (Toribio),  at  S.F.  mission  from  '40;  witness  in  the  Santillan  case 
'55.  Tanner  (Albert),  1847,  Co.  K,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  1.  (John  L.), 
1848,  marrie<l  at  Sonoma  to  Mary,  daughter  of  J.  D.  Taber  of  Mont.  Tan- 
sill  (Robert),  1846,  lieut  of  marines  on  the  Dale;  in  Marstou's  Sta  Clara  cam- 
paign; coin,  of  the  .S.F.  garrison  '47.  v.  .380,  659. 

Tapia  (Antonio),  juez  aux.  at  S.  Cilrlos  '42.  iv.  653.  T.  (Bartolo), 
ranchero  at  Los  Ang.  1791-1813.  ii.  270,  .350-3.  T.  (Carlos),  at  Los  Aug. 
'40.  T.  (Felipe),  soldier  at  S.  Josd  and  settler  1786-90.  i.  350,  477-8.  T. 
(Fernando),  at  Los  Ang.  '48.  T.  (Franci.sco),  cadet  of  Sta  B.  comp.  '25-6. 
ii.  572.  T.  (Gregorio),  grantee  of  Aguajito  rancho  '.35.  iii.  076;  at  Pilarcitos 
'.36,  age  22,  wife  Martina  Vasqucz,  child  Maria  do  los  Angeles;  perhaps  at  Sta 
Cruz  '54.  i.  524.  T.  (Jos6  Ant.),  at  Los  Ang.  '46;  arrested  in  '45.  iv.  541. 
T.  (Jo8(i  B.irtolomi''),  majordomo  of  S.  Luis  Ob.  1789,  wife  Maria  Lobo;  grantee 
of  Topanga  Malibu  rancho  1804.  ii.  112;  iii.  634.  T.  (Mariano),  1792,  pot- 
ter-instructor from  Mcx.  '92-6.  i.  615,  715.       T.  (Ramon),  at  S.  Bern.  '46,  age 

25.  T.  (Tiburcio),  son  of  Jost5  Bartolom(5,  b.  atS.  Luis  Ob.  1789;  later  soldier 
and  corporal  of  the  Sta  B.  comp.,  being  com.  of  the  Purisima  guard  in  '24  at 
the  revolt,  ii.  529;  member  of  the  diputacion  '27,  '33.  iii.  .36-7,  41,  63,  24(i; 
alcalde  of  Los  Ang.  '30-1,  '.30;  ii.  561 ;  iii.  6.34,  630;  sindico  '.33,  and  encargado 
de  Ind.  '.35.  iii.  035;  favored  Alvarado  '.38.  iii.  565;  aux.  alcalde  '38.  iii.  6.36. 
In  '39  ho  was  alcalde,  acting  prefect,  and  grantee  of  Cucamonga  rancho.  iii. 
586,  589,  633,  636,  640.  In  '42  he  was  a  supl.  ministro  of  the  sup.  court;  and 
in  '44  2d  alcalde,  iv.  296,  633.  Don  Tiburcio  was  a  man  of  good  sense,  good 
character,  and  some  wealth,  still  at  Los  Ang.  '48  at  the  age  of  about  60.  A 
current  tradition  of  later  times  represented  the  old  man  as  having  buried  his 
treasure  on  Fr(?mont's  approach  in  '46,  and  as  having  died  without  revealing 
its  exact  location.  T.  (Urcino),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1809.  ii.  350.  Tapin 
1846,  lieut  on  the  U.S.  Savainmh.  Tapinto  (Mariano),  1792,  tailor-instructo' 
'92-5.  i.  615. 

Tapis  (Estdvan),  1790,  Span,  friar  who  toiled  as  missionary  longest  at  Sta  B. 
and  S.  Juan  B.,  and  was  president  of  the  missions  in  180.3-12.  Biog.  ii.  623-4; 
ment.  i.  388,  492,  522,  573-4,  570,  588-90,  594,  040,  669,  072,  689;  ii.  7,  9-10, 

26,  28,  33-4,  42,  55,  85,  88-90,  108-9,  112-13,  120-1,  140,  148,  159,  161,  165,. 


TAPIS— TAYLOR. 


743 


168,  175,  182,  326,  346,  366,  369,  378,  383,  386-7,  394,  396,  461,  518.  605. 
Taplin  (Charles),  1844,  of  Fn^niont's  party;  also  in  '4'),  returning  cast  in  '46 
with  Sublette,  iv.  437,  583.  He  again  joinetl  !•'.  iu  '48.  Tarakilnof  (Boris), 
1806,  Rush,  chief  of  Aleut,  otter-hunters;  captured  at  .StaB.  iu  '15.  ii.  40,  80, 
210,  274,  307-13,  .S.-)3.  Tnsion  (Manuel  8.),  grantee  of  a  S.  Gabri.l  lot  '47. 
iv.  637.  'i'aufer  (Anilrew),  1847,  German  nienib.  of  the  Sec.  Cal.  Pion. ;  il.  at 
S.F.'79,  ago71. 

T.iylor,  1848,  in  the  mines  from  Mont.  an<l  S.  Joac?.  T.,  1848,  atS.F. 
from  the  states.  T.  (Alex.  S.),  1848,  nat.  of  S.  C.,  where  his  father — who 
had  been  a  lieut  on  the  privateer  Sauri/  Jack  in  the  war  of  1812 — died  in  '21. 
The  son  camo  to  Cal.  from  China  in  Sept.  '48,  but  beyond  tho  facta  that  ho 
was  for  some  years  clerk  of  the  U.S.  district  court  at  Mont.,  and  later  settled 
at  Sta  B.,  marrying  Josefa  Ortega,  and  dying  in  '76,  nothing  of  biog.  pmper 
appears  in  any  record  tliat  I  have  seen,  lie  was  known  as  Dr  Taylor,  but  I  do  not 
know  whether  he  ever  practised  medicine.  It  is  not,  howt^ver,  as  a  inoneer, 
but  as  an  investigator  and  writer  on  the  ethnography,  bibliography,  and  his- 
tory of  Cal.  that  he  deserves  particular  notice;  and  in  these  respects  he  was 
a  remarkable  man.  Without  having  any  special  aptitude  by  nature  or  educa- 
tion for  such  work,  ho  developed  a  fondness  for  it  almost  amounting  to  a, 
mania.  His  zeal  in  face  of  the  most  discouraging  obstacles  is  worthy  of  all 
praise,  though  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  result  was  wellnigh  valuelt'MH. 
Ho  was  not  content  with  being  a  collector  or  even  translator  and  narrator,  but 
had  a  most  unfortunate  passion  for  working  the  results  of  his  observations  and 
study  into  what  he  regarded  as  a  scientific  form,  the  result  being  too  often  an 
absurd  jumblo  of  'oad  Spanisii,  worso  Latin,  and  unintelligible  aflectatiouif. 
While  at  Monterey  he  obtained  from  the  priest  a  valuable  collection  of  old  mis- 
sion documents  (later  given  to  the  archbisjiop,  and  cited  by  me  as  Arr/i.  </<l 
Obispado)  which  he  made  tlie  basis  of  numerous  newspaper  articles,  in  which, 
by  reason  of  faulty  translations,  typographical  blunders,  unfounded  additions, 
and  the  difficulty  of  locating  the  dividing  line  between  record  and  comuicnt, 
tiie  value  of  tho  original  was  umth  impaired.  His  writings  from  about '53  for 
the  <S'. /''.  IferalJ,  Bulfclbi,  Cal.  Fcwmcr,  Jliitrhinrin'  Maaaziiir,  Hfupcrktii,  Sur. 
Union,  and  other  papers  were  very  voluminous.  The  most  extensive  of  IiIh 
works  and  most  valuable,  being  least  injured  by  his  peculiar  methods,  though 
containing  very  little  original  matter,  is  the  Iiidiauolofiy  of  Cal.,  publislied  in 
tho  Cal.  Farmer  of  '60-3,  of  which  most  of  tho  linguistic  portior.i  are  re- 
printed in  Lucy-Fossurien,  Lamjucn  Iiulknucs  de  la  Cal. ,  Paris  '81;  and  which 
gave  Dr  T. ,  very  properly,  an  honorary  membership  in  several  learned  societies 
of  the  east.  Another  of  his  most  ambititious  attempts,  but  least  viiJuabk'  by 
reason  of  his  utter  lack  of  facilties  for  bibliographic  work,  was  the  H!ltllo<iifi/a 
Californica,  pub.  in  the  Sac.  Union,  and  noticed  in  i.  ,35  of  this  work.  His  His- 
torical Svmmari/  of  Loxrer  California,  pub.  in  Ross  Browne's  Ilfsourccn,  ed.  of 
'69,  and  his  Precis  India  Californicitu,  included  by  Wm  H.  Knight  in  Uan- 
erofCt  Hand-book  of  '64,  arc  very  creditable  works,  being  tho  only  ones  that 
had  the  advantages  of  careful  editing  and  proof-reading.  His  First  Vojiaijc  to 
the  Coast  of  Cal.,  of  '53,  m  as  a  translation  of  Navarrete's  version  of  Cabrillo's 
voyage,  with  comments  of  little  value,  i.  09,  72,  77.  In  his  later  years  Dr 
Taylor  collected  all  his  writings,  with  numerous  MS.  additions  here  and  there, 
into  a  scries  of  7  scrap-books,  under  the  titles  Bihlio<irofa  California,  Indian- 
olof/y  of  the  Californias,  A  nimated  Nature  of  Cal. ,  Odd.i  and  Ends  of  Cal.  Life, 
ami  Discoverers  and  Founders  of  Cal.,  F<U.r,  and  Cal.  Petra  (the  1st  3  being 
in  '85  in  the  library  of  the  Soc.  (^al.  Pion.  in  S.  F.),  and  issued  a  descriptive 
circular,  'The  Storehouse  of  Cal,  History  and  Life,'  through  which  he  tried  in 
vain  to  find  in  America  and  Europe  a  publisher  for  his  collected  writings,  with- 
out a  suspicion  of  the  truth  that  tho  work  .ind  time  and  ability  and  resources  of 
data  that  would  enable  an  editor  to  put  the  crude  mass  in  such  shape  as  to  do 
justice  to  the  author's  reputation  would  produce  an  original  work  of  much 
greater  value.  I  visited  him  in  '74  at  his  rancho  at  La  Partera,  near  Sta  B. ,  and 
found  him,  though  grievously  oppressed  by  illness  and  poverty,  as  enthusiastic 
as  ever  in  all  that  pertained  to  early  Cal.  annals.  He  pointed  sadly  but  with 


744 


PIOXKKR  RKGISTKR  AND  IN'DKX. 


pride  to  a  wooden  \mx  llmt  rontained  liin  life  work — the  7  volumes  mentioned 
above;  and  wiien  I  Honght  \n»  udvice  respecting  my  own  resoarciieH,  lie  pointed 
again  to  tlie  box  na  cont«ininn  nil  that  could  ever  be  gleaned  about  early  Cnl. ; 
and  he  was,  I  am  sure,  entirely  lioneat  in  his  belief.  'Test,  if  you  like,'  iio 
said,  'the  accuracy  of  my  work  bj'  examining  the  documents  I  gave  tiio  arch- 
bishop, but  I  know  from  long  years  of  earnest  research  that  nowhere  else, 
especially  from  mission  und  8[ianish  sources,  will  you  lind  a  scrap  of  new  in- 
formation.' Yet  only  3  miles  away  from  the  rancho  where  he  had  lived  for 
many  years,  at  Sta  B.  mission,  I  took  <i,(K)0  poges  of  copies  <if  most  important 
missionary  correspondence  that  he  bad  never  seen !  All  honor,  nevertheles-', 
to  such  men  as  Hayes  and  Taylor  and  Lance}^  who  iiave  toiled  under  more  or 
less  nnfavoiable  auspices  to  save  from  destruction  the  data  for  our  history. 

Taylor  (Chiistopher),  1848,  came  from  Or.  in  Sept.  on  the  Jleiiry,  engag- 
ing in  trade  at  Sutter's  fort,  as  member  of  the  firm  of  I'riest,  Lee,  &  Co. ;  finally 
settled  at  Dayton,  Or.,  where  he  was  in  '78.  T.  (Geo.  W.),  1847,  nat.  of 
Va,  who  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  3d  artill.,  at  Mont.  (v.  518);  in  tho  nuies'49,  and 
later  at  Mont.;  d.  at  Napa  '84.  Lanccij.  T.  (Iliram),  1841,  Amer.  musi- 
cian in  tho  Workman  party  from  N.  Mex.  iv.  278-D.  I  have  his  original  pass- 
port dated  St.i  l''6  Aug.  '2tth.  At  Los  Ang.  and  on  tho  Cosumncs  '42;  went 
to  Or.  with  Lceso  in  '43,  but  came  back  in  '48.  lie  made  money  in  the  mines, 
and  settled  at  Cloverdale,  where  ho  died  at  a  date  not  given.  T.  (John), 
1840,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330).  'J'.  (John),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol. 
(V.  490);  d.  in  N.Y.  '70.      T.  (Joseph),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  llat.  (v.  409). 

Taylor  (Nelson),  1847,  nat.  of  Conn.,  and  cai)t.  of  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  504, 

511.  Ho  was  a  dentist,  and  after  a  brief  experience  in  tho  mines  settled  at 

Stockton  as  a  trader,  also  running  a  ferry  on  tho  Stanislaus;  memb.  of  1st 

legislature;   trustee  of  insane  asylum  from  '50;  sheriff  from  '54.    In  '50  ho 

M-ent  to  N.Y.  and  became  a  lawyer;  brig. -gen.  in  war  of  'Gl-5;  in  '05  memb. 

of  congress;  in  '71-85  resid.  of  South  Korwalk,  Conn.       T.   (Walter),  1847, 

IsergtCo.  G,  N.Y,  Vol.  v.  504.       T.  (VVm),  1818,  Amer.  lieut  of  Bouchard's 

insurgents,  ii.  227,  2:i7.       T.   (Wm),    1828,  Scotch  tailor  at  Mont.   '28-32, 

!  joining  the  comp.  extranjera;  a  married  man,  ago  34  in  '29.  iii.   178,  221. 

|T.  (Wm),  1834,  mr  of  the  il/ayr«(/r/-.  iii.  412,383.       T.  (Wm),  1834,  Engl. 

bailor  who  landed  from  the  Mmynrild  at  S.  Diego,  where  he  still  lived  in  '40, 

an  unmarried  carpenter,  age  43.  Perhaps  the  same  who  voted  at  S,  D.  in  '48; 

name  written  Ttda,  Tclen,  and  Thell.       T.  (W.  E. ),  1847,  daughter  born  to 

his  wife  at  Sononui;  at  S.  Jos6  '50.       T.  (W.  H.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon. 

Teal  (Hiram),  1841,  nat.  of  New  England,  who  brought  a  stock  of  goods 
from  Mazatlan,  and  kept  a  store  at  8.  F.  '41-3,  with  Titcoml)  as  partner  or  clerk, 
iv.  279;  v.  083.  Ho  went  to  Hon.  in  '43  on  the  D'wmond,  en  route  for  Mex. 
Tcbaea  (Gabriel),  settler  at  the  Color.ado  pueblos  1780-1,  killed  by  Ind.  i.  359, 
,S02.  Teforia  (Jose),  1831,  named  by  Dye  as  one  of  Young's  party,  iii.  388. 
'J'ego  (Manuel),  rcsid.  of  Branciforte  '30.  ii.  027.  Tcjoda  (Juan  do  A.),  1002, 
ftlfcrez  of  Vizcaino's  exped.  i.  98.  Tcllcz  (Rafael),  1842,  Mex.  lieut-col  and 
brcvet-col  in  com.  of  Michcltorena's  batallon  fijo;  somewhat  prominent  in  Cal. 
atlairs  till  sent  to  Hex.  for  aid  in  '44.  iv.  2S9,  357,  307,  409,  439,  4G1,  471-2. 
In  '40  he  seems  to  have  started  for  Cal.  with  troops,  l)ut  in  Sinaloa  engaged 
in  a  revolution,  v.  32-.%  and  became  acting  com.  at  Mazatlan,  where  he  was 
when  tho  Amer.  took  the  town  in  Eel).  '48.  lie  seems  to  have  ilied  before  the 
end  of  that  year,  and  Californians,  who  did  not  like  him,  delight  in  the  tra- 
dition that  after  a  drunken  debauch  he  drowned  himself  in  a  barrel  of  mescal! 

Temple  (Francis  I'liny  F.),  1841,  nat.  of  Mass.,  who  came  on  the  7'((,wo  at 
the  age  of  20,  engaging  in  trade  at  Los  Ang.  with  his  brother  John.  iv.  279. 
Later  he  established  a  stock  rancho  at  S.  Emigdio,  near  Ft  Tejon;  was  a 
member  of  tho  banking  firm  of  Hellman,  T.,  &  Co.  from  '08,  and  from  '72  of 
T.  &  Workman.  He  died  in  '80  at  his  rancho  of  La  Merced,  iv.  035;  v.  320; 
leaving  a  widow — tiic  daughter  of  Wm  Workman — and  several  children.  Ho 
took  but  slight  part  in  politics,  but  was  alwaj's  prominent  in  business  afiairs. 
All  his  property  was  lost  by  the  failure  of  the  banking  finn  in  '75.  In  '77  he 
gave  me  a  brief  narrative  of  his  HecoUcctions,  and  rendered  me  assistance  in 


TKMPLK-THOMAS. 


745 


obtaining  testimony  from  others.  T.  (Jolin),  18'27,  nat.  of  Mass.,  nnd  brother 
of  tho  preceding,  wlio  ciinio  from  llou.  on  tliu  Wavirly,  uml  in  tiio  eurlicst 
yours  signed  his  nnmo  Monfttlmn.'  iii.  14!l,  170-7.  1I<!  mhh  at  onto  baptized 
at  8.  Diej^o,  nnd  utter  n  few  trading  trips  on  tho  const  obtained  naturalization 
and  murried  llnfaela,  daughter  of  Francisco  Cotu,  in  'HO,  engaging  in  trade  iit 
Los  Ang.,  in  partnership  witliGeo.  Rice,  till  ';<-,  nnd  later  aU)ne,  or  with  ids 
brotlier  from  41.  ii.  !iM.  I  liave  some  of  his  business  em'resp.,  but  ho  dotts 
not  figure  in  public  nfVairs,  except  tliat  the  vigilantes  of  "Mi  met  at  his  house, 
ii.  41S,  ^>'Mi  iv.  1 17.  lu  the  sectional  quarrels  ho  took  no  ]iart,  but  was  glud 
in  '.'to  to  heur  of  Alvnrado's  tinal  succe.ss;  is  named  in  the  following  years  ns 
creditor  of  southern  missions;  nnd  in  '4.')  \^an  the  purchaser  of  rurisinia.  iii. 
."){)'),  G'-'3;  iv.  9"J,  ri.VJ,  ((•iO,  048;  v.  5o8.  In  the  nnnals  of  '40-7  ho  is  named  in 
connection  with  tinancial  matters,  having  Cal.  claims  to  tho  amount  of  about 
610,000.  V,  4!)- 50,  4;{r),  407.  From  about  '48,  becoming  owniT  of  tho  Cerritos 
rancho,  iii.  O.'t.t,  he  gave  his  attention  to  stock-raising  on  a  Inrgo  scale;  later 
he  was  the  builder  of  the  Temple  block  and  other  tine  stri.<.turea  at  Los  An- 
geles; nnd  in  Maximilian's  time  obtained  an  innnensely  protitiiblo  lease  of  the 
Mexican  nunt.  Ho  died  nt  S.F.  in  '00,  at  the  uge  of  08.  Ho  hnd  been  an  nblo 
and  successful  man  of  business,  socially  genial  and  well  liked.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him,  living  in  Pnria  with  her  daughter,  Mrs  Ajuria,  the  only  child  of 
whom  I  find  any  mention,  born  in  "M. 

Tcnchman  (Christian),  1840,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330).  Ten  Eek 
(Anthony),  1848,  U.S.  commissioner  from  lion,  on  tho  Jhimboldt.  Tcnid 
\Th.),  184tJ,  doubcful  name  in  a  Los  Ang.  list.  Tenncnt  (Archibald),  1848, 
iiassp.  from  Hon.  T.  (Sam.  J.),  1848,  Engl,  surgeon  on  a  whaler,  who  left 
his  vessel  at  tho  Islands  and  came  to  Cal.  on  hearing  of  tho  gold  discovery. 
Ho  married  Rufaela  Martinez  nnd  settled  at  I'inolo  rancho,  Contra  Costa, 
where  ho  still  lived  in  '8'2  with  ~>  children,  his  wife  having  died  in  '08.  Por- 
trait in  Contra  Coda  Co.  Hist.,  40.  Tenorio  (Ignacio),  nat.  of  S.  Amer.,  who 
had  been  oidor  of  the  audiencia  of  Quito,  nnd  a  very  rich  man,  but  who,  tra- 
ditionally, had  devoted  his  fortune  to  charitable  nnd  educational  purposes, 
and  came  to  Cal.  about  'I'j  to  live  with  tho  friars.  Not  mnch  is  known  of  him 
except  that  ho  was  buried  at  S.  Juan  Cup.  in  '31  by  1'  Zalvidoa,  who  iu  tho 
record  spoke  in  high  terms  of  his  piety. 

Teran  (Jos6  M.),  rcgidorat  Bruncifortc  '34.  iii.  090;  .ncmb.  of  tho  S.  Diego 
ftyunt. '37,  and  in  trouble,  iii.  508;  perhaps  two  men.  Termain  (James  llil- 
bert),  18'li3,  recommended  by  the  Kngl.  consul  for  a  carta.  Terrill  (Joel  J.), 
1847,  sergt  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  v.  477;  atOgdcn,  Utah,  iu  '82.  Teschemacher 
(Fred.  Henry),  1812,  elerk  and  supercargo  of  IJostciu  trading  craft  '42-8.  iv. 
341;  V.  57!);  owner  of  S.F.  lots  '40-7;  resid.  of  S.F.  after  '49;  el.  of  tho  Lup- 
yonil  rancho,  Napa,  '52.  iv.  071;  mayor  of  S.F. ;  etill  living  in  '85,  when  ho 
visited  S.F.  Portrait  nnd  brief  biog.  notice  in  Norlk  I'ac.  Jtcvkw.  i.  223,  252. 
I  have  a  few  of  his  early  letters;  but  for  so  prominent  a  pioneer  there  is  a  re- 
markable lack  of  information  about  him.  Tcssau,  1837,  oilicer  of  Petit- 
Thouars' exped.,  making  .   survey  of  S.F.  bay.  iv.  149. 

Thaffer  (Andrew),  184,  Co.  K,  N.Y.Vul."(v.  499);  <1.  S.F.  '79.  Thamen 
(Henry),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  Tiieall  (Hiram  W.),  1847,  lieut  Co.  1), 
N.Y.Vol.  V.  504;  an  early  settler  of  Sonora;  d.  at  White  Pine,  Nov.,  before 
'82;  prob.  in  '09.  Theyer  ((ico.),  1818,  from  Or.,  a  settler  in  S.  Joaquin. 
Thing  (Ciipt.),  1838,  left"S.  Diego  for  Boston  on  tho  Kent.  iv.  104. 

Tliomas,  1845,  doubtful  immig.  of  the  Grigsby-Ido  party,  iv.  579.  T., 
1S40,  nt  Sta  Cruz,  June;  perhaps  eamo  as  following.  T.,  1847,  nir  of  tho 
Lai(fa  Aiin'47-S.  v.  579;  perhaps  L.  H.  T.,  1847,  at  Sutter's  fort.  T. 
(Ambrose),  1830,  nt  S.  Josti  Dec;  also  Antonio  at  Los  Ang.  '35;  both  prob. 
'Tondinson,'  q.v.  T.  (Christian),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  v.  085.  T. 
(Elijah).  1847.  Co.  C,  Morm.  ]5at.  (v.  409);  at  Leeds,  Utah,  '82.  T.  (Ig- 
nacio), 1818,  Engl,  sailor  who  left  tho  liorddaia,  ii.  393,  and  in  '29  lived  at 
S.  Jos6,  ago  41,  and  blind.  T.  (John  W.),  1817,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499); 
atS.  Jos6 '82.  T.  (L.  IL),  1848,  sold  piano  to  Larkin;  conductetl  prayer 
at  tho  S.F.  school-house,  v.  057.      T.  (Thomas),  1840,  one  of  the  S.  Bias 


740 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


exiles  who  ditl  not  return,  iv.  18.  Thomen  (Henry),  1846,  over!,  immig. 
who  worked  for  Sutter,  and  owned  S.¥.  lot  '47;  at  Sac.  'UO,  age  45;  perhaps 
atS.F.  '79. 

Themes  (Robert  Hasty),  1841,  nat.  of  Me,  and  overl.  immig.  of  the  Bar- 
tlcson  party,  iv.  270,  275,  279.  With  Albert  O.  Toomea  ho  worked  as  car- 
penter and  builder  at  S.F.  in '41-2,  and  later  at  Mont.,  where  the  firm  name  of 
Thonics  &  Toomcs  appears  often  in  Larkiu's  books  and  other  recortls.  In  '44 
lie  wati  naturalized,  and  obtained  a  grant  of  Lua  Saucos,  Tehama,  iv.  673; 
and  may  have  put  some  cattlo  on  the  placo  in  '45,  but  did  not  settle  there 
till  '47,  being  mentioned  at  Mont,  in  '45-7,  especially  as  a  member  of  the  Ist 
jury.  V.  289.  He  took  no  part  in  the  war  or  in  politics,  but  spent  his  life — 
with  a  brief  interval  of  mining  on  Feather  River — on  his  Teliania  rancho,  be- 
coming a  wealthy  and  highly  respected  and  influential  citizen.  He  died  iu 
'78,  at  tho  ago  of  61,  leaving  no  family.  A  sister  resides  in  Oakland  '85  as  the 
wife  of  Isaac  Oiven,  a  pioneer  of  '41.  Portrait  in  Tehama  Co.  Hist,,  108.  T. 
(Wm  H.)  184.3,  nat.  of  Me,  and  distant  relative  of  R.  H.,  who  came  from 
Boston  as  a  sailor-boy,  ago  16,  on  tho  Admittance,  which  ho  left  iu  '45,  and 
returned  east  in  '46  on  the  schr  Cnli/ornia  to  Mazatlan,  and  thence  via  Eng- 
land to  Boston.  Again  ho  came  to  C'al.  in  '49  on  tho  Edward  Everett,  return- 
ing via  Manilla,  etc.,  on  tho  Akx.  Humboldt,  In  Boston  hu  was  a  journalist 
on  the  daily  papers,  and  from  '62  a  publisher  on  his  own  account,  making  a 
comfortable  fortune,  which  was  lost  in  the  great  fire  of  '72.  In  later  years  of 
tho  linn  of  Thomcs  &  Talbot,  publishers  of  Halloa's  Moidhhj;  also  author  nf 
many  romances  of  adventure  i'cr  boya.  On  Sea  and  Land,  one  of  his  latest 
works,  is  a  narrative  of  adventures  in  Cal.  on  tlio  Admittance  iu  '42-5,  full  of 
interest  and  bad  Spanish,  remarkably  accurate  in  its  foundation  of  names  and 
dates;  let  us  hope  that  the  superstructure  of  tho  sailor-boy's  personal  experi- 
ences is  equally  reliable.  A  later  story  of  Cal.  life,  covering  the  period  of  the 
conquest  and  now  appearing  in  the  Monthly  is  likely  to  bo  as  fascinating  if 
somewhat  less  historic.  An  excellent  account  of  tlio  trip  and  company  of '49 
was  also  written  by  Thomcs  for  tho  magazine,  reprinted  in  tho  S,F,  Alia  of 
Oct.  22,  29,  '82.  In  '85  ho  revisited  Cal.  to  revive  old  recollections,  at  which 
time  ho  furnislied  mo  many  useful  items  about  early  men  and  things,  also 
permitting  mo  to  consult  tho  original  Diuri/  of  Capt.  Peterson,  his  old  mas- 
ter on  the  Admittance,  and  later  his  father-in-law. 

Thompson,  1841,  blacksmith  at  Los  Ang.  and  Sta  B.  T.  (A.),  1839,  pas- 
senger from  Hon.  on  tho  Clementine,  iv.  102,  127.  T.  (Alpheus  B.),  182.^, 
nat.  of  Me,  and  sup.  on  tho  Washington  '2.>-30,  liaving  possibly  visited  tho 
coast  earlier,  iii.  29,  139,  149;  sup.  of  tho  Convoy  '31;  in  '33-5  sup.  of  tho 
Loriot,  being  arrested  for  smuggling  in  '33,  and  in  '35  carrying  prisoners  to 
Mex.  iii.  288,  .365,  383,  393.  He  coi.  dered  Sta  B.  his  home,  aud  dated  his 
residence  from  '34,  that  being  tho  year  in  which  ho  married  Francisca,  daugh- 
ter of  Carlos  Carrillo,  by  whom  ho  had  3  children  before  Juno  '.S6.  I  have 
much  of  his  corresp.  from  year  to  year.  In  '36-7  ho  was  sup.  of  tho  Bolivar, 
on  which  he  went  to  Hon.  aud  back  in  '37;  from  '38  had  a  hide-house  in  the 
Clark's  Point  region  of  S.F. ;  is  named  as  mr  of  tho  Union  in  '40;  and  also  as 
creditor  of  several  missions,  iii.  657,  660;  iv.  101,  106,  117;  v.  684-5.  He 
went  to  Hon.  on  the  Julia  Ann  '41;  was  naturalized  in  '43,  being  still  sup.  of 
tho  Bolivar;  was  owner  of  the  Oajaca  in  '44-5,  sub-prefect  at  Sta  B.  '46, 
grantee  of  a  rancho  in  S.  Joaquin  Co.,  having  a  Cal.  claim  of  some  $2,000,  and 
beiug  in  all  these  years  engaged  to  some  extent  in  otter-hunting,  iv.  HGS, 
566-7;  v.  282,  330,  455,  675.  His  natne  frequently  occurs  in  commercial  rec- 
ords down  to  '48;  and  after  that  date  continued  to  reside  at  Sta  B.,  where, 
and  throughout  the  country,  ho  had  an  excellent  reputation  for  honorable 
conduct.  Ho  died  at  Los  Ang.  in  '69  at  the  age  of  74.  His  wife  had  died  in 
'41,  but  there  were  2  daughters  and  4  sons  who  survived.  One  of  the  sons, 
Francis,  is  a  somewhat  prominent  citizen  of  Sta  B. ,  and  in  '78  rendered  me 
assistance  in  my  search  of  tho  mission  archives. 

Thompson  (Bluford  K.),  1846,  overl.  immig.  and  capt.  Co.  G,  Cal.  Bat., 
taking  part  in  the  fight  at  Natividad.  v.  ,361,  364-72.  He  was  a  coarse,  pro> 


THOMPSON -THUKt^BY. 


74T 


fane,  reckless  fellow,  a  gnniMer  l)y  profession,  witii  Homo  pretensions  to  gen- 
tlcmnnly  nmiiners  when  solier;  known  sometimes  ns  'Ued-lieadeil'  or  'Flell 
Rourint;  '  Tliomjison.  After  the  war  lie  settleil  ut  Stockton,  being  candidiitc 
for  In<r.  agent  in  '47.  v.  (iO'J;  wlieru  ho  soon  killed  James  MeKee.  He  wits 
tried  for  murder  ut  iSutter'H  fort  in  Feb. '48,  being  acquitted;  but  was  obliged 
to  quit  the  country,  nnd  on  tiie  way  east  wus  killed  in  a  new  quarrel  witii  J{. 
Taggart  on  the  Sweetwater.  T.  (C'li.),  1847,  at  Sutter's  fort.  T.  (Edward), 
1844,  Amer.  sailor  on  the  schr  Cdlijoriiia,  in  trouble  at  Mont.  T.  (Edwin), 
1848,  at  S.F.  as  ho  testified  in  '(»:).  T.  (Frank  A.),  18.T-',  mr  of  the  Itoxuii'i 
'.32-3.  iii.  .'184;  mr  of  the  J'it'trim  and  Adrt  'X)-Ct.  iii.  a8l,  .'183;  iv.  100.  T. 
(Lieo.  A.),  183)),  naturalist  who  caino  from  Hon.  on  the  VkmentSiie  with  let- 
ters from  John  C  Jones  to  tho  gov.  and  tJeii.  Vallejo.  Ho  was  in  search  of 
specimens;  called  also  (Jordon  H.  T.  T.  (Henry),  1847,  Co.  D,  Morm.  Bat. 
(V.  409).  T.  (James),  18'-'8,  Irish  sailor,  age  '28,  from  Acapulco  on  tiic  Mar  in 
Kalfr  at  S.  Diego  with  a  letter  from  Virmond,  intending  to  settle,  ii.  r»4.'>;  iii. 
178;  cot  a  carta  in  ''JO;  in  liis  application  seems  to  say  ho  had  lived  Syeais  in 
Tab,  but  prob.  means  iu  Mcx.  T.  (James),  1840,  sergt-majorof  Fauntleioy's 
dragoons  (v.  'IW'l,  247);  perhaps  tiie  man  at  IJcnicia  '47.  T.  (James),  1847, 
Co.  A,  N.  Y.V'ol.  (v.  41)1));  perhnna  tho  man  wlio  ou  .ni'v  4th  read  the  decla- 
ration at  S.F.;  at  lirooklyn,  N.\.,  '82.  T.  (James  L. »,  1^47,  Co.  C,  Morm. 
Bat.  (V.  409). 

Thompson  (John),  1832,  joined  the  comp.  cxtranjera  at  Mont.  iii.  221,  408; 
perhaps  still  at  Mont.  '30.  1".  (John),  1843  (?),  said  to  have  crossed  tlie 
plains,  to  have  built  a  mill  on  Napa  Creek  '45,  n-  i.  to  liavo  .spent  7  joars  on 
the  coast;  revisited  (Jul.  in  '70  from  Brooklyn,  N.  ..  iv.  393,  40()  1'.  (John), 
1847  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409);  at  lUverilah  ,  Utah,  '81 ;  ncvliaps  the  owmr 
f  '..F.  lot  '47.  v.  085.  T.  (John?),  1847,  partner  of  ]  i-irli,  and  perhni>.s 
later  of  Bennett,  in  a  S.F.  saloon  '  i4-8.  v.  083;  thoup^'  to  l)0  at  S.F.  '85.  'J", 
(.loscph  P.),  1842,  nat.  of  Mass.  who  came  this  year  ucc.  t>>  his  own  alTidavit  in 
'02.  iv.  ,34i;  perhaps  came  in  '39-40  as  sup.  on  tho  Jose/ih  Pmlmily.  He  came 
again  in  '44  from  Hon.  on  the  Fanm;  at  Sta  Clara  '45;  at  .S.F.  '40-7,  being 
owner  of  a  lot  and  see.  of  the  council,  v.  048,  O.")0;  at  Napa  '47-8,  wIkii'  lie 
kept  a  store;  el.  for  Napa  lands  '52;  lost  a  leg  by  .a  street-car  accident  at  S.F. 
'84.  He  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Henry  A.  'Peirco,' q.v.  T.  (Josiaii),  1830, 
brother  of  Joseph  P.,  at  Mont.  '30;  suj).  of  tiio  llasnelas  '37-8.  iv.  105,  141. 
T.  (Miles),  1847,  Co.  D,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409);  reenl.  T.  (Peter),  1847,  Co.  A, 
N. Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  Los  Aug.  '79.  T.  (Sam. ),  1847,  lieut  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat. 
V.  477,  488-9,  490;  capt  of  returning  ^lormons  in  '48.  T.  (Sam.),  see 
'Buckle.'  'J'.  (S.  S.),  1830,  man  who  ordered  a  bottle  of  brandy.  T. 
(Stephen  B.),  18'24,  doubtful  name  of  Taylor's  list.  T.  (Wm),  seo  'Buckle.' 
T.  (Wm),  1840,  at  Sta  B.,  May.  T.  (Wm),  1845,  Spear's  miller  at  S.F.  '45-0. 
iv.  587;  of  3d  Donner  relief  '47;  killed  by  a  bull  at  Hon  in  '50  after  7  years' 
lesid.  in  Cal.  These  may  be  1,  'J,  or  3  men.  T.  (Wm  H.),  1840,  mid.  on  the 
Conr/reus;  act.  lieut  of  Stockton's  Bat.  41-7.  v.  380.  T.  (W.  T.),  18'23(?), 
said  to  have  been  mr  of  a  trader  this  year;  came  to  reside  in  Cal.  '49;  in  '09- 
70  U.S.  ganger  at  S.F.  Call.  Thoma  (Adalberto),  1840,  aux.  do  policfa  at 
Mont.  V.  037. 

Thorburn  (Robert  D.),  1847,  lieut  in  com.  of  the  U.S.  Southampton  '47- 
S.  V.  580.  Thorne,  1840,  killed  at  tho  Natividad  fight,  v.  371;  perhaps  an 
overl.  immig.,  or  ho  may  have  been  tho  following.  T.  (Wm),  1840,  of 
Fauntleroy's  dragoons.  Thonier  (Fian<;ois),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499); 
d.  at  Los  Ang.  '48.  Thornton  (J.  Quinn),  1847,  a  prominent  pioneer  of  Or. 
who  touched  at  S.F.  in  Nov.  on  his  waj'  east  by  sea.  Author  of  Orcfjon  ami 
Cal.  in  ^4S,  a  work  containing  much  information  on  the  overl.  immig.  of  '40 
and  the  Donner  party,  v.  527,  535-0;  see  also//is<.  Or.  Thorp  (Dav.),  1837, 
at  Mont.  Dec.  T.  (Lindy),  1845,  immig.  from  Or.  in  the  McMahon  party, 
iv.  572,  587;  apparently  living  in  Polk  Val.  '79.  Yolo  Co.  Hist.,  80.  T. 
(W.  S.),  1847,  constable  at  S.F.  v.  0*8;  prob.  tho  man  who  in  '48  married 
Mrs  Caroline  Warner  of  the  Mormon  coi^iiy.  Thuming  (Henry),  1843,  sailor 
on  the  Admittance;  deserted  in  '44.  Peterson.      Thursby  (Lewis  P.),  1847, 


748 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  fv.  499);  in  Ga71.  Thurston  (Chas  H.),  1847,  Co.  B, N.Y. 
Vol.  (V.  499);  ai  Marysville  '82.  Thusum  (Benj.  F.),  1845,  mr  of  the  Han- 
nah '45-6.  Lancey.      Thybury,  1847,  shepherd  in  Sutter's  service. 

Tibbetts,  1837,  in  the  cattle  cxped.  fron\  Or.  iv.  85.  Tibbey  (W.  H.), 
1848,  tnr  of  the  Hawaiian  schr  Ma'nf.  Tibeau,  1841,  Fr.  Canadian  gambler 
from  N.  Mcx.  in  the  Workman  party,  iv.  278;  died  on  the  return  trip  in  '42. 
Tibiau  (Fran.),  doubtful  name  of  '46.  vi.  1C2.  Tickner  (B.),  1847,  fleet  sur- 
geon on  the  U.S.  Columbus,  Tic6  (Fernando),  son  of  Joaquin  b.  at  S.F. 
1798;  settled  at  Sta  B.,  where  in  '29  he  is  mcnt.  as  ex -alcalde,  iii.  78;  grantee 
of  Ojai  rancho  '37.  iii.  655;  jucz  de  paz'4l.  iv.  641;  purchaser  of  S.  Buen. 
'45-6.  iv.  643, 634.  He  was  constable  at  S.  Buen.  '52  and  supervisor  '54.  T. 
(Joaquin),  1796,  sergt  of  Catalan  volunteers,  i.  540;  executor  of  Albemi's 
will  1801.  ii.  5.  His  wife  was  Juana  Carrcra,  and  several  children  were  bom 
at  S.F.  Tiemey  (John),  1830,  Irish  carpenter  named  in  Larkin's  accounts 
'40.  iv.  119;  naturalized  '44,  claiming  5  years'  residence;  at  Mont,  to  '48. 
Tieroff  (August),  lrt47,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  owner  of  S.F.  lot  '47.  v, 
685;  at  S.F.  '71-82.      Tighe  (John),  1847,  Co.  H,  ditto;   lead  before  '82. 

Tilee  (Dan.  E.),  1847,  Co.  D,  ditto;  d.  N.Y.  before  '80.  Tilghman  (Rich- 
ard L.),  1846,  lieut  on  the  U.S.  Congress;  act.  capt.  of  artill.  in  Stockton's 
bat.  '46-7.  V.  281,  327,  386.  Tillett  (James  F.),  1847,  artificer  Co.  F,  3d 
U.S.  artill.  v.  518.  Tillotson  (John  H.),  1845,  mid.  on  the  U.S.  Portsmouth. 
Timeans  (Charles),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Tindall  (Israel C),  1846, 
Co.  C,  l3t  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  336).  T.  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y.Vol.  (v. 
499);  d.  S.F.  before '82.  Tinker  (John),  see  'Finch.'  Tinkerman  (Michael), 
1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Tinslar  (B.R.),  1841,  surgeon  on  the  U.S.  St 
Louis.  Tinson  (John),  1847,  Co.  B,  N.Y  Vol.  (v.  499).  Tipson  (Wm  H.), 
1 847,  Co.  A,  ditto;  a  Canadian  printer  who  died  at  S.F.  '79.  f  ise  (Andrew), 
1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518). 

Titcomb  (Amos  A.),  1847,  nat.  of  N.Y.  and  resid.  of  S.F.  till  his  death  in 
'70,  having  held  the  office  of  supervisor.  Left  a  widow  and  one  child.  T. 
(Rufus),  1841,  nat.  of  New  England,  who  came  from  Mazatlan  with  H.  Teal, 
whose  clerk  or  partner  he  was  at  S.F.  '41-3.  iv.  279.  Tittel  (P.  G.  Augus- 
tus), 1847,  Co.G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  at  S.F.  '64  (or '68);  apparently  father 
of  tlie  2  following,  but  there  is  some  confusion  about  tlie  family;  name  often 
written  Tittle.  T.  (Fred.  Gustavus  Ernest),  1847,  son  of  F.  G.  A.,  German 
tifcrof  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  618),  married  Miss  Winterhalder and  settled 
at  Sta  Cruz  as  a  farmer.  Later  livery-stable  keeper,  ward  jjolitician,  super- 
visor, militia  colonel,  memb.  of  the  legislature  ('61),  and  cigar-dealer  at  S.F. 
In  '70-1  he  w.as  engaged  in  the  Alaska  fur  trade;  and  died  in  '77,  leaving  a 
daughter.  T.  (F.  G.  Wm),  1846(?),  brother  of  the  preceding,  said  to  have 
come  this  year;  a  lieut  in  Mcx.  under  Maximilian;  d.  at  S.F.  '70  at  the  age 
of  42,  leaving  a  widow  and  2  daughters.  The  latter  arc  actresses,  or  danseuses, 
ill  '85  involved  in  interesting  legal  complications  respecting  a  lot  in  S.  F. 
wliich  was  owned  by  their  grandfather,  and  on  which  the  Maison  Dor<5e, 
Kearny  St,  now  stands. 

Toba  (Fernando),  cadet  of  the  Mont.  comp.  1801.  ii. 
years  act.  com.  at  Lorcto.  Tobar,  named  as  a  sergt  '21. 
bino),  settler  at  S.  Jos(5  1791-5,  sent  away  for  bad  conduct 
T.  (Jos(5),  1779,  piloto  on  the  Santia/jo;  and  later  com.  of 
other  transports  and  cxplorinj^  craft  on  the  coast  down  to  1800.  i.  .328-9,  378, 
430,  444,  540.  T.  (Juan  Jos^),  1838,  Mex.  capt.  and  brevet  lieut-col,  wlio 
had  been  somewhat  prominent  in  Sonora  as  a  mil.  officer  and  revolutionist 
since  '28,  and  who  came  to  Cal.  to  bupport  Gov.  Carrillo,  retiring  in  disgust 
after  tlie  campaign  of  Las  Flores,  iii.  657-61,  50r>,  555.  Tobias,  chief  in  the 
Sonoma  region,  iv.  72.  Tobin  (Robt  J.),  1848,  from  Taliiti;  at  S.F.  with 
wife;  still  at  S.F.  '54.  Toca  (Jos6  M.),  sliip-boy  and  teacher  at  Sta  B. 
1795-7.  i.643. 

Todd  (James  J.),  1845,  Amer.  sailor  at  Mont.  T.  (John),  1848,  at  Stc, 
B.,  May;  also  in  '50.  T.  (John  J.),  1845,  Amer.  sailor  at  Mont.,  perhaps 
eame  as  James  J.       T.   (Thos  J.),    1844,   Amer.   sailor  at  Mont.,  aided  by 


147,  150;  in  later 
ii.  575.  T.  (Al- 
i.  598,  036,  710. 
the  Favorita  and 


TODD— tourk. 


749 


the  consulate  and  shipped  for  Oahu  in  '45.  T.  (Wm  J.),  1844,  Amer.  sailor 
in  consular  care  at  Mont.  Though  the  records  seem  clear,  it  would  seem  likely 
that  James  J.,  John  J.,  Thos  J.,  and  Wm  J.  did  not  represent  4  dif.  men. 
T.  (WmL.),  1845,  nat  of  111.,  nephew  of  Mrs  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  overl. 
immig.  of  the  Swasey-Todd  party,  iv.  576,  580,  587.  Named  in  the  A.  llelv. 
Diarij  '45-7.  Early  in  '4U  ho  went  to  Sonoma,  where  he  joined  the  Bears, 
gained  imperishable  fame  as  the  artist  who  painted  tho  Bear  flag,  was  the 
messenger  sent  with  the  news  of  revolt  to  Capt.  Montgomery  at  S.F.,  and 
was  at  one  time  a  captive  of  the  wicked  Californians.  v.  1 10, 1.31, 14G-0,  154, 
156,  167-8.  Ho  lived  at  Sonoma  for  several  years  after  '46,  not,  apparently, 
serving  in  the  Cal.  Bat. ;  then  went  to  El  Dorado  Co. ,  where  a  valley  bears  his 
name;  and  in  '78  was  living  in  S.  Bernardino,  his  death  not  being  reported 
down  to  '85. 

Tole  (Thomas),  1836,  sailor  at  Los  Ang.  from  Lima,  age  24.  Toler  (Hope- 
ful), 1847,  came  to  Cal.  with  despatches,  some  official  appointment,  and  2 
daughters,  on  the  Preble,  v.  584-5;  worked  as  a  clerk  in  settling  the  Leides- 
dorn  estate;  went  with  his  family  to  tho  mines  in  '48;  in  '49  a  notary  public 
at  S.F.  I  have  no  record  of  what  became  of  him.  One  of  his  daughters,  Char- 
lotte Catherine,  married  L.  W,  Hastings  in  '48,  and  died  at  a  date  not  re- 
corded; the  other  daughter  was  still  living  about  '80.  T.  (Wm  P.),  184'2,  son 
of  Hopeful  and  mid.  U.S.N,  with  Com.  Jones  at  Mont.;  also  on  i\\Q  Savannah 
'45-7;  returned  as  lieut  on  the  St  Mary  in  '49.  He  married  a  Peralta,  and 
still  lived  at  S.  Leandro  in  '85.  Tolman  (H.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon. 
Talmayr  (Louis  Auguste),  1836,  Fr.  carpenter  from  Peru;  at  Los  Aug.,  age  22. 

Tometty  (Nicholas),  1845,  Amer.  citizen  at  Mont,  from  St  Louis  Sept. 
Tomlinson  (Ambrose  G.),  18.32,  trapper  of  Young's  party  from  N.  Mex.,  who 
remained  in  Cal.  iii.  388,  408.  He  is  also  called  Thomas  L.  and  Thomason, 
and  known  as  'Tom  tho  Trapper.'  He  had  a  passp.  in  '34;  was  interested 
from  '35  with  Job  Dye  in  a  distillery  near  Sta  Cruz;  signed  the  letter  of 
thanks  to  Com.  Kennedy  at  Mont.  '36.  iv.  141;  and  apppcars  on  Larkin's 
books  from  '37.  Ho  was  one  of  Graham's  riflemen  (iii.  457);  was  arrested  but 
not  exiled  in  '40,  being  supposed  by  some  to  bo  the  man  who,  ia  fear  of 
death,  revealed  Graham's  plot  to  P.  Real  at  the  confessional,  iv.  5,  17. 
In  '41  he  wrote  to  Com.  Forrest  a  report  on  the  murder  of  Anthony  Campbell. 
(•.  686.  At  thi."*  time  ho  lived  at  S,  Jos6  as  a  carpenter,  age  38,  wife  Maria  de 
Jesus  Bernal,  child  TomAs.  In  '42  Dr  Maxwell  amputated  his  leg,  and  he 
died  before  the  end  of  '44.  He  ia  called  Engl,  and  Amer.,  and  possibly  there 
were  two  of  the  name,  but  if  so  I  cannot  disentangle  the  records.  T.  (John 
J.),  1848,  nat.  of  Md,  who  came  from  Or.;  trader  in  Cal.  and  Ariz.,  and 
nierab.  of  a  Los  Ang.  firm;  d.  S.  Bern.  '67,  age41.  Tompkins  (Amos),  1830, 
at  Mont,  bound  for  Guaymas.  T.  (Christopher  Q. ),  1847,  nat  of  Va  and 
capt.  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  v.  414-i 5,  429,  518-20.  Ho  went  east  with  Kearny 
tho  same  year;  was  a  col  in  the  confederate  army  '61-5;  and  died  in  N.Y. 
'77.  T.  (Thomas),  184r),  of  the  Mormon  colony,  with  wife  and  2  child,  v. 
V.  547;  at  Sutter's  fort  '47-8;  did  not  go  to  Utah. 

Tooms  (Geo.  W.),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  treasurer  of  Stanislaus 
Co.;  at  Modesto  '82.  Toomes  (Albert  G.),  1841,  nat.  of  Mo.  and  overl. 
immig.  in  the  Workman-Rowland  party  from  N.  Mex.  iv.  278-9.  In  partner- 
ship with  R.  II.  Thomes  ho  worked  as  carpenter  and  builder  at  S.F.  for  a 
short  time  and  at  Mont,  from  '43.  In  '44  ho  was  married  to  Marfa  Isabel 
Lorcnzana,  was  naturalized,  and  obtained  a  grant  of  tlie  Rio  do  los  Molinos 
rancho  in  Tehama  So.  iv.  673.  Ho  visited  the  rancho  to  put  cattle  on  it  in 
'45  and  again  in  't?,  but  did  not  settle  there  till  '49,  as  the  firm  of  T.  &  T. 
is  ment.  at  Mont,  clown  to  the  end  of  '48.  From  '49  ho  lived  on  the  place,  be- 
coming a  rich  and  respected  citizen,  and  dying  in  '73  at  the  age  oi  56.  His 
widow,  without  children,  died  at  Oakland  in  '78,  leaving  her  large  property 
to  a  neighbor  who  had  been  friendly  during  her  illness.  The  will  was  con- 
tested by  cousins  of  the  Ortega  family,  with  results  not  known  to  me. 

Toribio,  ment.  in  '18,  '33.  ii.  383;  iii.  323-4.  Torre  (Estdvan  de  h),  son 
of  Josd  Joaquin,  who  in  '30  lived  at  Mont,  ago  18;  in  '44  regidor;  in  '46  juez 


780 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


de  campo.  iv.  653;  v.  363,  637.  He  never  had  much  to  do  with  politics;  but 
has  always  been  an  industrious,  hard-working  man,  as  ranchero  and  miner. 
In  '76,  living  on  his  rancho  of  Uolsa  de  las  Escarpines — of  which  Salv.  Espi- 
nosa,  his  father-in-law,  was  grantee  and  claimant — he  gave  me  a  most  interest- 
ing and  valuable  dictation  of  his  lieminiscencias,  which  has  been  frequently 
cited  in  these  volumes.  His  narrative  is  particularly  valuable  as  a  picture  of 
mannei's  and  customs  in  Mex.  times,  but  is  also  a  good  record  of  the  various 
public  even -J  in  which  his  brothers— more  devoted  to  war  and  politics  than 
himself — took  part.  He  is  a  man  of  excellent  repute,  and  still  living  in  '85 
with  wife  and  several  children.  T.  (Gabriel),  brother  of  Estdvan,  soldier  of 
the  Mont.  comp.  from  '27,  taking  part  in  tlie  revolts  of  '28-30.  iii.  67,  69-70; 
sergt  in  '34-6,  taking  part  in  the  movement  against  Chico.  iii.  671,  429;  but 
retired  about  this  time,  and  in  '39  grantee  of  Zanjones  rancho,  and  agente  de 
policia  at  Alont.  '44.  iii.  679;  iv.  633,  653.  From  '45  ho  was  a  capt.  of  defen- 
sores,  and  wa^  active  in  '45-6  against  Micheltorena  and  the  U.S.  under  Castro 
and  Flores,  down  to  the  final  treaty  of  '47.  iv.  515,  652,  654-5;  v.  41,  362-3; 
and  in  '48,  during  the  rumors  of  intended  revolution,  was  one  of  the  Califoniians 
required  to  give  bonds  and  commit  no  hostilities,  v.  585-6.  He  was  a  brave 
and  somewhat  reckless  man,  devoted  to  the  cause  of  his  country.  I  have  no 
record  of  the  date  of  his  death.  T.  (Joaquin),  brother  of  Estdvan  and  Ga- 
briel, b.  about  '12,  educ.  at  Mont.  ii.  429;  soon  enlisted  in  the  Mont,  comp.; 
corporal  in  '36;  alfurez  from  '39.  iii.  583,  671;  iv.  13,  652.  In  '40  he  took  an 
active  part  in  arresting  the  foreigners,  and  accompanied  the  exiles  to  S.  Bias, 
being  also  giantee  of  Arroyo  Seco  rancho.  iv.  19-21,  30;  iii.  677.  In  '42-4  he 
was  celador  at  the  Mont,  custom-house,  iv.  3.39,  .377,  431;  and  in  '45  took  a 
leading  part  in  the  revolution  against  Micheltorena,  being  made  capt.  of  the 
Mont,  comp.,  and  acting  alcalde  for  a  time.  iv.  462,  487,  507,  652,  654.  In  '46 
lie  was  in  com.  of  the  troops  sent  by  Custro  against  the  Bears,  getting  the 
worst  of  a  skirmish  at  Olompali,  but  deceiving  Frdmont  by  a  ruse,  ho  suc- 
ceeded in  crossing  the  bay  and  accompanied  Castro  to  the  south,  v.  41,  134- 
6,  165-8,  174-7.  After  the  occupation  by  the  U.S.  he  was  paroled,  but  with 
the  rest  broke  his  parole  and  fought  in  the  Natividad  campaign,  v.  289,  331, 
362,  360,  370.  Don  Joaquin  was  a  man  of  much  energy  and  courage,  like  his 
brother  Gabriel  in  many  respects,  and  not  friendly  to  the  Amer.  invaders. 
Ho  was  cl.  for  Arroyo  Seco  in  '52,  and  in  '55  was  killed  by  Anastasio  Garcia, 
a  murderer  whom  ho  was  trying  to  arregt  near  Sta  B.  T.  (Joa6  Joaquin), 
1801,  Span,  cadet  of  the  Mont.  comp.  to  '22,  serving  much  of  the  time  as  gov- 
ernor's Boc.  ii.  379,  438,  457,  463,  580,  676.  In  '22  he  was  grantee  of  theBolsa 
del  Potrero,  sold  to  Capt.  Cooper  in  '29.  ii.  61."),  664;  iii.  13;  in  '23-5  sec.  of 
the  junta  and  diputacion.  ii.  486-7,  513,  612;  iii.  7,  20;  in  the  lists  of  Span, 
of  '28-30,  but  not  sent  away.  iii.  51-2.  In  '36  he  is  named  in  the  Mont,  pa- 
(Iron  as  48  years  old  (prob.  52,  as  his  birth  is  recorded  in  1784  in  one  doc. ),  wife 
Maria  de  los  Angeles  Cota,  child.  Estdvan  b.  '18,  Jos6  Ant.  '20,  Encarnacion 
(who  married  Capt.  Silva)  '22,  Rita  (who  married  Florcncio  Serrano)  '26, 
Pablo  '31,  JosiS  '33,  and  Maria  do  Alta  Gracia  '34.  I  find  no  later  record  cf 
Don  JosiS  Joaquin.  His  widow  died  at  Mont,  in  '77  at  the  age  of  87,  leaving 
3  sons,  3  daughters,  and  43  grandchildren.  T.  (Jos6  Maria),  soldier  of  the 
Mont.  comp.  '.36,  ago  19;  jucz  do  campo '42.  iv.  653.  T.  (Pablo),  in  Castro's 
force  '46.  V.  .363;  son  of  J.  J.  T.  (Raimundo),  son  of  J.  J.,  at  Mont.  '26.  ii. 
612;  soldier  from  '28;  corporal  of  the  cscolta  at  S.  Miguel  '29;  involved  in 
the  Solis  revolt  and  sent  to  Mex.  '30.  iii.  67-85;  served  in  Jalisco  and  Sonora; 
ami  returned  to  Cai.  in  '47.  to  bo  murdered  a  little  later  near  Mont. 

Torrens  (llilario),  1786,  Span,  friar  who  served  at  S.  Diego  to  '98,  when 
lie  retired,  dying  in  '99.  Biog.  i.  651;  ment.  i.  ,388,  423,  455-6,  459,  576-7. 
Torres  (Antonio),  at  Los  Aug.  '46.  T.  (Francisco),  1834,  Mex.  physician  of 
the  H.  &  P.  colony,  who  was  in  '35  exiled  to  Mex.  for  complicity  in  the 
movement  at  Los  Ang.  against  Gov.  Figueroa.  iii.  284-90.  T.,  1792,  rar  of 
the  Sta  Oertrudis.  i.  506.  T.  (Manuel),  1802,  sur^jon  of  the  Cal.  forces  at 
Mont.  1802-3;  and  apparently  at  Mont,  again  1805.  ii.  31,  140.  T.  (Ma- 
nuel), 1843,  nat.  of  Peru,  who  came  with  Stephen  Smith,  his  brother-in-law. 


TORRES— TROW. 


751 


iv,  396;  and  for  some  years  was  employed  by  Smith  at  his  Bodega  mill.  In 
'45  he  signed  the  bonds  of  Amer.  immigrants,  iv.  581,  and  was  grantee  of  the 
Muniz  rancho,  Sonoma  Co.,  which  was  finally  confirmed  to  him.  iv.  672,  679. 
In  '48  he  married  Mariana,  daughter  of  Capt.  Wm  A.  Richardson.  He  took 
but  slight  part  iu  the  troubles  of  '46-7.  In  '75,  residing  at  S.F.,  Don  Manuel 
gave  me  his  Peripeciaa  de  la  Vida  Cali/orninna,  a  most  interesting  MS.,  de- 
voted to  manners  and  customs  and  observations  on  early  men  rather  than  to 
a  narrative  of  events.  In  '85  ho  resides  at  Martinez.  Torrey,  1845,  doubtful 
member  of  Fremont's  party,  iv.  583.  Tosta  (Bonifacio),  appointed  gov.  in 
'23,  but  did  not  come  to  Cal.  ii.  484-5.  Totten  (Matthew),  1846,  Co.  0,  1st 
U.S.  dragoons  (v.  336).  Tova  (Antonio),  1791,  lieut  of  Malaspina's  exped. 
i.  490. 

Towner  (Loammi),  1847,  Co.  B,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  at  S.  Jo86  after  '50. 
Towns  (Charles),  1844,  one  of  Fr<5mont's  men,  who  left  the  party  in  Cal.  iv. 
437,  439,  453.  Townsend  (Alfred  A.),  1847,  from  Valparaiso  with  letters 
from  Athcrton  to  Larkin;  of  firm  T.  &  Robinson,  bakers  and  saloon-keepers 
at  Mont.  '47-8;  went  to  the  mines  '48.  T.  (John),  1844,  nat.  of  Va,  a  phy- 
sician and  overl.  inimig.  from  Mo.  in  the  Stevens  party  with  his  wife.  iv. 
446,  453.  He  served  as  Sutter's  aid  in  the  Micheltorena  campaign,  iv.  483, 
485,  516;  then  practised  medicine  at  Mont,  for  a  time  in  '45.  In  Clyman's 
Dianj  he  is  described  as  'much  attached  to  his  own  opinions,  as  likewise  tq 
the  climate  and  country  of  Cal.  His  pleasant  wife  does  not  enter  into  all  her 
husband's  chimerical  speculations.'  In '46-9  Dr  T.  practised  medicine  at  S.F., 
visiting  Sutter's  fort  in  '46.  v.  128;  being  at  Benicia  '47,  and  also  prospecting 
the  Marin  Co.  hills  for  minei-als;  the  owner  of  several  S.  F.  lots,  on  one  of 
which  he  built  a  house  and  office,  v.  678;  in  '48  taking  some  part  in  town 
politics,  and  serving  as  school  trustee  and  alcalde,  but  making  a  trip  to  the 
mines,  v.  048-9,  651-2,  656;  and  in  '49  member  of  the  council.  Late  in  '50  he 
moved  to  a  farm  near  S.  Jo8<5,  where  ho  and  his  wife  (a  sister  of  Moses  Schal- 
lenberger)  died  of  cholera  in  Dec.  '50  or  Jan.  '51.  Dr  T.  was  a  man  of  excel- 
lent character,  and  of  genial,  enthusiastic  temperament.  T.  (John  M.), 
1848,  Sta  Clara  fruit-grower  '59-76.  T.  (J.  S.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.; 
perhaps  same  as  preceding.  Towson  (Thomas),  1846,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v. 
358);  enlisting  at  S.  Juan  Oct.  Toye  (H.  H.  F.),  1847,  Co.  G.  N.Y.Vol.  (v. 
499);  d.  in  Nicaragua  '56. 

Trail  (Gr.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  Trapin  (R.  S.),  1845,  lieut  on  the  U.S. 
Savannah;  performed  relig.  service  at  S.F.  '46.  v.  225.  Travers  (John)  1847, 
owner  of  a  S.F.  lot.  v.  (;76.  T.  (Wm  B.),  1847,  sergt  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  v. 
504;  killed  by  the  Los  Aug.  explosion,  v.  625.  Travis  (W.),  1848,  passp. 
from  Hon.  Treadway  (P.),  1848,  mr  of  the  Kckanonohi.  v.  579;  went  back 
to  Hon.  on  the  Julian.  Treanor  (D.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  Treat 
(Thomas),  1S47,  Co.  1>,  Monn.  Bat.  (v.  469).  Trejo  (Entimio),  appointed 
celadorat  Mont. ;  perhaps  did  not  come.  iv.  557.  Tremmels  (Wm  R.),  1847, 
lieut  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.;  died  on  the  voy.  to  Cal.  v.  504,  51.3. 

Tresconi  (Alberto),  1844,  prob.  Italian,  named  in  Larkin's  accounts  and 
other  records  at  Mont,  from  this  year.  iv.  4.53;  at  Sta  Cruz  '79,  owning  prop- 
erty in  Mont.  Co.  Trevethan  (Wm),  1820,  Engl,  sailor  who  came  from  the 
Islands  on  the  Rover,  iii.  176,  and  worked  as  boatman  at  Mont.,  afterwards 
becoming  luniberman  and  carpenter,  and  for  a  time  majordomo  of  S.  Miguel. 
In  '29  his  age  was  26;  and  from  '33  his  name  ap))ear3  in  various  records  as  a 
sawyer  in  the  Mont.  dist.  In  '40  he  was  arrested,  but  not  exiled.  i\\  17,  23; 
naturalized  in  '44,  aad  married,  perhaps  earlier,  to  Maria  Antonia  Perez. 
In  tlicso  years  he  lived  in  tlic  S.  Antonio  redwoods,  and  was  for  a  time  sub- 
alcalde;  later  he  moved  to  Sta  Cruz  Co.,  where  he  still  lived  in  '70,  with 
10  children.  Trigo  (Jos(5  R.),  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  Triunfo  (Jos6  Miguel), 
grantee  of  Cahuenga  rancho  '45.  iv.  634.  Troutman  (James  li. ),  1857,  Co. 
F,  N.Y.Vol.  (V.  499).  T.  (John),  1847.  drummer  in  ditto.  Trow  (Henry), 
1845,  Engl,  sailor  iu  Sutter's  employ  '45-6.  iv.  578,  587;  v.  675;  ment.  in 
connection  with  Benicia  aOairs  '47-8;  later  in  the  mines  of  Trinity  or  Shasta; 
and  last  seen  by  Bidwell  between  '50  and  '60. 


762 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Trubodj-  (John),  1847,  nat.  of  Engl,  and  overl.  immig.  from  Mo.  with  fam- 
ily, who,  after  a  short  stay  at  Sutter's  fort,  settled  at  S.  F. ,  though  owning  land 
at  Napa.  He  and  his  wife  were  active  meinb.  of  the  1st  methodist  society  in 
Cal.;  the  latter,  Jane  Palmer,  dyin^;  in  '77.  T.  (Josiah  P.),  1847,  son  of 
John,  b.  in  Pa,  who  went  from  S.  P.  in  '56  to  Napa;  married  Sophronia 
Ament  in  '65;  at  Napa  in  '80  engaged  with  his  brother  in  the  cultivation  of 
berries.  T.  (Wni  A.),  1847,  son  of  John,  b.  in  Mo.;  educated  in  the  east 
from  '50;  married  a  daughter  of  T.  L.  Grigsby  '68;  at  Napa  '80.      Truett, 

1847,  at  Sutter's  fort;  doubtful  name.  Truitto  (S.),  1846,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat., 
enlisting  at  S.  Juan  Oct.  (v.  358).  Trujillo,  half  a  dozen  of  the  name  at 
Los  Ang.  '46.  T.  (Lorenzo),  1841,  chief  of  a  N.  Mex.  colony  settling  at  S. 
Bern.,  where  he  still  lived  '46,  age  50.  iv.  278,  638.  T.  (Manuel),  Mex.  sec. 
of  Ctlrloa  Cairillo  as  gov.  '37-8;  perhaps  the  same  who  was  admin,  of  S.  Luis 
Ob.  '33;  left  Cal.  with  Tobar  '38.  iii.  648-9,  665,  682-3.  Truman  (Jacob 
M.),  1847,  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469);  one  of  the  explorers  of  a  new  route 
over  the  mts  '48.      Trusted  (Gottfried).  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518). 

Tubb  (Michael),  1846,  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  336);  an  alcalde  at 
Mormon  camp  '49;  apparently  a  partner  of  J.  W.  Cassin  In  Tehama  Co.  in 
later  years.  T.  (\Vm),  1846,  Co.  C,  ditto;  prob.  brother  of  Michael. 
Tucker  (Geo.  W.),  1846,  nat.  of  Ohio,  son  of  R.  P.,  niemb.  of  1st  Donner  re- 
lief. V.  D39;  miner  in  '48-9;  settler  in  Napa  '47-81;  married  in  '58  to  Ange- 
lina Kellogg,  by  whom  he  has  8  children.  T.  (John  W.),  1846,  brother  of 
G.  W.,  and  resid.  of  Napa  '47-81;  wife  Mrs  C.  E.  Weed  '79.  T.  (Reasin 
P.),  1846,  overl,  immig.  with  wife  and  several  sons.  v.  529;  a  member  of  the 
1st  and  4th  Donner  relief,  v.  538,  541;  settled  in  Napa  with  his  sons,  but  in 
'79  living  at  Soleta,  Sta  B. ;  also  called  Daniel.  T.  (S.  J. ),  perhaps  another 
son  of  R.  P.,  in  Napa  '47.  T.  (Thomas),  1845,  in  Sutter's  employ.  T. 
(VVm),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y.Vol.  (v,  499);  at  Sonora  '71;  not  in  Clark^s  last  list. 
Tuel  (James),  1846,  Fauntleroy's  dragoons  (v.  232,  247). 

Turcote  (Francois),  1830,  Canadian  trapper  of  Young's  party;  prob.  re- 
turned to  N.  Mex.  iii.  174.  Turincio  (Manuel),  1841,  mr  of  the  Columbine, 
iv.  564.  Turkson  (Paul),  1845,  trader  at  S.F.  Turnbull  (Thomas),  1841, 
Engl,  sa.'  jr  on  the  Braganza,  who  left  the  vessel  and  was  at  Sta  Cruz  '42-3. 
In  '48  his  relatives  in  London  write  for  information  about  him.      Turner, 

1848,  from  Hon.  on  i\\Q  Saqadahoc.  T.  (Chas  C),  1845,  com.  of  the  U.S. 
Erie  '45-7.  iv.  565.  T.  (David),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  T. 
(Henry  S.),  1846,  capt.  1st  dragoons,  who  came  with  Kearny  from  N.  Mex., 
fought  at  S.  Pascual;  com.  of  2d  bat.  of  Stockton's  force  '46-7;  went  east 
with  Kearny  '47;  and  was  a  witness  at  the  Frt^mont  court-martial,  v.  336, 
347,  385,  .391-5,  437,  441,  444,  452,  450.  He  was  again  at  S.F.  '52-4,  being  a 
member  of  tho  banking  firm  of  Lucas,  T.,  &  Co.  T.  (James  M.),  capt.  of 
Co.  B,  N.Y.Vol.  V.  503,  511;  did  not  come  to  Cal.  v.  540.  T.  (John  S.), 
1826,  one  of  Jed.  Smith's  trappers  in  Cal.  '26-7.  iii.  153,  159-60,  176;  came 
back  with  McLeod's  party  '23.  iii.  161;  ami  again  before  '35,  when  ho  went 
from  Cal.  to  Or.,  revisiting  Cal.  with  the  Cattle  mrty  of  '37.  iv.  85.  Bryant 
met  him  near  Char  Lake  in  '40;  he  was  one  of  the  2d  Donner  relief  '47.  v. 
540;  and  died  the  same  year  in  Yolo  Co.  T.  (Loamnii),  1847,  Co.  B.  N.Y. 
Vol.  (v.  499).  T.  (Sam.),  1845,  one  of  the  men  lost  on  the  Warren's  launch 
'46.  iv.  687;  v.  384.  Turney,  1848,  from  Or.,  kept  a  restaurant  at  Sutter's 
fort. 

Tustin  (Fernando),  1845,  son  of  Wm  I.,  who  cime  overl.  as  a  child,  iv. 
579,  587;  a  blacksmith  in  S.F.  '83.  T.  (VVm  Isaac),  1845,  nat.  of  Va,  and 
overl.  immig.  of  tho  Grigsby-Ido  party  with  wife  and  son.  v.  679,  587.  Ho 
worked  for  Sutter  and  remained  in  tho  upper  Sac.  Val.  '45-6;  iv.  580;  and  in 
'47  settled  at  Benicia,  where  ho  built  tho  first  adobe  house,  v.  672.  Later  ho 
moved  to  S.F.,  wiicrc  ho  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  windmills,  and  where 
he  still  lives  in  '85  at  tho  ago  of  65.  In  '80  he  wrote  for  my  use  hia  lieeoUtc- 
tions,  a  MS.  which  has  furnished  me  not  a  few  items  of  interest.  Tuttle 
(Elanson),  1847,  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  4G9).  T.  {Luther  T.),  1847,  sergtCo. 
D,  ditto.  T.  477;  at  Mauti,  Utah,  '81. 


TWIST— VACA. 


753 


Twist  (Hilary),  184C.  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  336).  T.  (W.W.), 
1847  (?),  slicriff  of  Loa  Aug.  'o2-3;  killed  in  Sonora,  Hex.;  accredited  to  the 
N.  Y.Vol.  by  Bell.  Jtcmin.,  58,  288.  Twitchell  ( Anciel),  1847.  Co.  D,  Morni. 
Bat.  (v.  469).  Tylee  (Dan.  E.),  1847,  doubtful  name  Co.  D,  N. Y.Vol.  (v. 
499):  not  in  Clark'a  last  list.  Tyler  (Daniel),  1847,  sergt  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat. ; 
als3  elder  in  the  church,  capt.  of  50  on  the  return,  and  author  of  an  excellent 
Jjtstori/  of  the  Morm.  Bat.  v.  477,  488, 491,  49.S;  in  Utah  '85.  T.  (Henry  B.), 
1847,  capt.  of  marines  on  the  U.S.  Columbus.  T.  (J.),  1846,  Co.  B,  artill. 
Cal.  Bat. ,  enlisting  at  Sac.  Oct.  (v.  358). 

Uber,  1843,  German  in  charge  of  Sutter's  distillery.  Yates;  iv.  229. 
Uhrbrook  (Henry),  1847,  Co.  G.  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  in  Nicaragua  with 
Walker;  d.  Sta  Clara  '75.  Ulibarri  (Francisco  Roman  Fernandez),  1809, 
Span,  friar  who  served  chiefly  at  S.  Juan  B.  and  Sta  lues,  dying  at  S.  Gabriel, 
'21.  Biog.  ii.  669;  ment.  ii.  l.'.l,  159-00,  237,  357,  360,  309,  386,  394,  655. 
UUoa  (Gonzalo),  1819,  com.  of  the  S.  Ci'trlos.  ii.  253;  com.  S.  Bias  '21-2.  ii. 
441,  456-7.  U.  (Francisco),  1539,  in  his  navigation  of  the  gulf  possibly 
looked  upon  Cal.  territory,  i.  64,  68;  Hist.  North  Mex.  St.,  i.  78  et  seq. 

Unaraano  (Francisco),  1842,  mr  of  the  Conslante.  iv.  564,  Underwood 
(G.L.),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  rctaluma'74:  d.  Portland,  Or.,  '81. 
Unzueta  (Josd),  sergt  of  artill.  at  Mont.  180;»-4.  Upham  (Wm),  1847,  of  U. 
&  Talbot  at  Mont.  '47-8.      Upson  (Trueman),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499). 

Uren  (Thomas),  1848,  d.  at  Dutch  Flat  '73.  Plarer  Co.  Hist.,  411.  Ur- 
guides  (Antonio,  Dolores,  Guillermo,  Juan,  and  Tomiis),  at  Los  Ang.  '46-8. 
U.  (Encamacion),  Ecttler  at  Los  Ang.  '12;  alcalde  in  '24.  ii.  349,  354-5,  3.")9. 
Urfa  (Francisco  Javier  do  la  Concepcion),  1797,  Span,  friar,  whose  longest 
service  was  at  Sta  Inds.  He  died  at  Sta  B.  in  '34.  Biog.  iii.  659;  ment.  i.  502, 
577:  ii.  29,  115,  155,  159-60,  2.36,  .^S,  394,  526,528-9,  579,  581,  620,  6'22,655: 
iii.  92,  96,  118,  350-1,  057.  U.  (Jos(5  Antonio),  ]'d9,  Span,  friar,  who  served 
chiefly  at  S.  Jos6  mission,  retiring  in  1808.  Biog.  ii.  115:  ment.  i.  556,  557; 
ii.  46, 68,  130, 137-8,  155,  159-60. 

Uribe  (Francisco,  JoscS  M..  and  Pedro),  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  U.  (Ricardo), 
soldier  of  Sta  B.  comp.  before  '37;  at  Los  Ang.  '45,  being  a  leader  in  a  re- 
volt, iv.  523,  541,  632.  Uribes  (Jos6  Miguel),  settler  at  Branciforte  1797.  i. 
569.  U.  (Tomds),  regidor  .it  Los  Ang.  '19  ii.  351,  3M.  Uriquides  (Maria 
Magdalena),  1794,  wife  of  Gov.  Boricn.  i.  728.  Urrea  (Josd),  interpreter  at 
the  Col.  River  pueblos  1780-2.  i.  359,  362,  367.  Urresti  (Jos6  Antonio), 
1804,  Span,  friar,  who  served  for  brief  terms  at  several  missions,  and  died 
at  S.  Fern,  in  '12.  Biog.  ii.  3.)7;  ment.  ii.  109,  114-16,  121-2,  159,  355,  394. 
Urselino  (Josd),  carpenter  at  S.  Diego,  killed  by  Ind.  1775.  i.  250,  253.  Ur- 
sua  (Julian),  grantee  of  Panocha  rancho  '44.  iv.  672;  chosen  alcalde  et  S. 
Juan  B.  '47.  v.  640.  Usson  (Ramou),  1772,  Span,  friar  who  was  intended 
for  the  mission  of  S.  Buenaventura,  but  after  Leing  stationed  as  supernumer- 
ary at  S.  Diego  and  S.  Antonio,  ho  went  away  sick  as  chaplain  on  tlie  explor- 
ing transports  in  '74,  retiring  also  from  that  service  after  one  voyage,  i.  192-3, 
190,  227,  240-1,  455. 

Vaca  (Manuel),  1841,  nat.  of  N.  Mcx.,  prob.  of  the  prominent  N.  Mex. 
i..nuily  of  that  name — descended  from  Capt.  Vaca,  one  of  the  conquerors  of 
1600,  and  often  absurdly  connected  with  Cabeza  do  Vaca — who  camo  with 
his  family  in  the  Workman  party,  settling  in  Solano  Co.,  where  with  Pcna 
he  obtained  a  grant  of  the  Putah  rancho,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life, 
dying,  I  think,  before  '60.  iv.  278,  516,  672;  v.  119.  Don  Manuel  was  a  hos- 
pitable man  of  good  rf'pute,  whoso  name  is  borne  by  the  valley  and  by  the 
town  of  Vacaville.  Ot  the  family  there  is  not  much  definite  information. 
Juan  was  killed  by  Ind.  on  tho  Moquelunmo  in  '45.  Marcos  is  named  in  N. 
Helv.  records  from  '45;  had  a  Cal.  claim  of  $4,907  (v.  462);  and  was  perhaps 
grantee  of  a  rancho.  iv.  671;  being  2d  alcalde  at  Sonoma  '45.  iv.  678.  Nepo- 
mucsno  is  named  in  a  Sonoma  list  of  '44;  age  26;  perhaps  the  same  ns  Juan. 
Tebfllo  was  19  in  '44,  and  died  at  the  rancho  in  '77,  leaving  a  family.  These 
Hist.  Cal.,  Vol.  V.    48 


7M 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDLX. 


I  suppose  were  all  sons  of  Manuel.  la  '30  Josd  Ant.  Vaca  had  visited  Cal. 
fromN.  Mex.  iii.  173.  Vail  (James  M.).  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499); 
killed  by  Ind.  in  El  Dorado  Co.  '48.  Vuillant  (Jean),  1830,  trapper  of 
Young's  party  from  N.  Mex.  iii.  174. 

Vuldes  (Antonio),  settler  at  Los  Ang. '15.  ii.  .'150.  V'.  (Antonio  Maria), 
at  Los  Ang.  '30;  age  25  in  '39  (another  Antonio  '47);  zaujero  in  '44.  iv.  033. 
V.  (Basilio),  regidor  at  Los  Ang.  '30-7;  sfndico  '40-1,  '45.  iii.  481,  .509,  031-2, 
034,  630,  038;  still  at  Los  Ang.  '48.  V.  (Cayetano),  1791,  lieut  of  Malaspi- 
na's  exped.  i.  4J)0;  com.  of  the  Mexkana  1792.  i.  50G-7;  killed  at  Trafalgar. 
V.  (Cresccncio),  soldier  of  Sta  B.  comp.  l>eforc  '37;  at  Ixis  Ang.  '39,  age  40. 
v.  (Dorotea),  an  old  woman,  aged  81,  living  at  Mont.  '74,  who  gave  me  her 
JteminiHceucea  of  very  early  times,  ii.  232.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Juan  B. 
Valdt^s,  one  of  the  early  aottlers  of  S.  Diego,  where  she  was  born  in  1793. 
V.  (Eugenio),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1800.  ii.  349.  V.  (Felix),  1843,  Mex. 
officer  of  the  batallon  fijo,  who  seems  to  have  come  later  than  the  main  body; 
is  named  in  several  transactions  of  '4.'}-5,  and  was  the  grantee  of  Teniecula 
rancho  in  '44.  iv.  400,  470,  509,  021,  039.  V,  (Francisco),  at  S.  Bern.  '40, 
age  2.5.  V.  (Gcrvasio),  sub-doacon  at  the  Sta  ImJs  seminary  '44.  iv.  420. 
V.  (Jesus),  Sonoran  killed  at  Sta  B.  '40.  iii.  055.  V'.  (Josi^),  soldier  of  Stii 
B.  comp.  '32;  at  Los  Ang.  '40-8.  V.  (Jos<i  Mar(a),  at  Los  Ang.  and  S.  Bern. 
'.39-46.  V.  (JostS  Ramon),  b.  at  Los  Ang.  1803;  a  soldier  of  '21-32;  later 
ranchero  and  trader  Sta  B.;  in  '.38  sindico.  iii.  054;  in  '42-3  juez  de  paz.  iv. 
642;  in  '45maj.  atS.  Buen.,  iv.  645,  where  in  '78  he  gave  me  his  Memorias.  ii. 
240;  wife  Daria  Ortega,  3  child,  in  '37.  V.  (Juau  B.),  an  old  settler  who  left 
some  hist.  mem.  i.  17.">.  V.  (Julian),  .at  Los  Ang.  '39-48.  V.  (Luciano), 
teacher  at  Los  Ang.  '.30.  ii.  504.  V.  (Maria  IJita),  grantee  of  S.  Antonio 
rancho  '31.  V.  (Melecio),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1789.  i.  461.  V.  (Miguel), 
at  Los  Ang.  '48.  7.  (RJoifael),  soldier  of  Sta  B.  comp.  '32;  wife  Ilafaela 
Pico;  5  child,  in  '37.  V.  (Kodrigo),  shoemaker  at  Mont.  '41.  V.  (Salva- 
dor), fifer  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '39-42.  V.  (Simplicio).  arrested  in  '45  for  con- 
sjiiracy.  iv.  522.       V.  (Urita),  in  revolt  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  v.  308. 

Valencia  (Antonio),  soldier  of  S.F.  comp.  '19-28;  hanged  in  '49  for  mur- 
der of  Pyle  ncivr  S.  Josd  in  '47;  perhaps  2  men.  V.  (Antonio),  soldier  of 
Sta  B.  comp.  before  '37;  arrested  in  '37,  and  executed  for  murder  at  Los  Ang. 
'42.  iii.  6.38;  iv.  632.  V.  (Antonio),  at  Los  Ang.  '40.  V.  ( Ascencio),  shot  for 
murder  at  Los  Ang.  '41.  iv.6.30.  V.  (Bruno),  soldier  of  the  S.F.  comp.  '19- 
27;  in  '41  at  S.  Josi5,  ago  39,  wife  Buruarda  Duarte,  child.  Francisco  b.  '31, 
Maria  Concepcion  '30,  Meliton  '35,  Jos6  Ramon  '38;  owner  of  S.F.  lot  '43. 
iv.  609;  v.  684;  juez  de  cami>o  '43.  iv.  085.  He  apparently  lived  at  S.  Mateo. 
V.  (Candclario),  soldier  of  tlie  S.F.  comp.  '2.3-33;  in  '34  grantee  of  Acalancs 
rancho,  Contra  Costfi.  iii.  711;  S.F.  elector  '35.  iii.  704;  owner  of  lot  at  S.F. 
mission  '40.  iii.  706;  juez  de  campo  '42,  iv.  605,  being  named  on  the  S.F. 
padi'on  as  38  years  old,  wife  Paula  Sanchez,  child.  Eusfciquio  b.  '28,  Josi^  Ra- 
mon '29,  Maria  '32,  Lucfa  '43,  Tonuis  '37,  Josefa  '41.  Sergt  of  defensores  '44. 
iv.  007;  juez  de  campo '40.  v.  048;  witness  in  the  SantiUan  case '54.  His  wife 
was  a  cl.  for  Buri-buri  rancho.  V.  (Dolores),  wife  of  Lieu^  Grijalva  177(>. 
ii.  104.  V.  (Eustaquio),  son  of  Candclario,  resid.  at  S.F.  mission  from  '37, 
w  itness  in  the  SantiUan  case  '55.  Grantee  and  cl.  of  a  mission  lot  '45-52.  iv. 
073.  V.  (Francisco),  regidor  .at  S.  Josd  1802.  ii.  134;  still  .at  S.  JostS  '41, 
age  68,  nat.  of  Sonora,  widower.  He  was  perhaps  the  father  of  the  S.F.  Va- 
loncias.  The  family  name  is  borne  by  a  leading  street  in  S.F.  V.  (Gregorio),  at 
S.  Bern.  '46.  V.  (Guadalupe),  at  S.  Jos(5  '41,  age  20,  wife  Ramona  Martinez, 
cliild  Miguel  b.  '40.  V.  (Ignacio),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1808.  ii.  349;  at  S. 
Bern.  '40,  age  25,  prob.  a  son.  V.  (,Tost5  do  Jesus),  soldier  of  the  S.F.  comp. 
'27-37;  in  '42  at  S.F.,  age  35,  wife  Julia  Sanchez,  child.  C'atarina  b.  '35,  Riso 
'37,  and  Francisco;  corp.  of  defensores  '44.  V.  (J.  M. ),  his  wife  the  1st  person 
buried  at  S.F.  '70.  i.  296.  V.  (Josti  Ramon),  b.  at  S.F.  '28,  grantee  and  cl. 
of  mission  lots.  iv.  673;  in  Marin  Co.  '05-76.  V.  (Julio),  at  S.  Jos6  '41, 
age  35,  wife  Concepcion  Alviso,  child.  Cirilo  b.  '28,  Guadalupe  '33,  Magda- 
lena  '45,  Manuel  '39;  in  '44  of  the  S.  Jos6  guard,  iv.  085.      V.  (Manuel),  set- 


VALENCIA— VALLE. 


TS5 


tier  at  S.  Joa6  1788,  died.  i.  477.  V.  (Manuel),  grantee  of  Cafiada  de  Pinole, 
Contra  Costa,  iv.  C7-.  V.  (Manuel),  at  Lea  Aug.  '37  in  jail;  known  as  'El 
Chino."  V.  (Miguel),  2d  alcalde  at  Sta  B.  ''29;  soldier  before  *.T7,  w  ile  I'nsca 
Oliverii;  alcalde  '31-2,  iii.  G53.  212;  maj.  at  Sta  Incs  '30.  iii.  CfH.  V.  (Ra- 
TOon),  grantee  of  land  at  S.  Gabriel,  iv.  fi37.  V.  (Ritillo),  arrested  '38.  iii. 
638;  a  leader  in  Los  Ang.  tumult  '45.  iv.  523.  V.  (Vicente),  «indico  at  Sta 
B.  '27,  '39.  ii.  572;  iii.  52,  G54;  wife  Margarita  Valenzuela,  4  child.  Ix'forc  '37. 

Valentin,  at  Soledad  '20.  ii.  G23.  Valentino,  at  N.  Hclv.  '47-8.  Valen- 
zuela (Antonio),  at  Sta  B.  before  '37,  wife  Marfa  Ant.  Felix;  grantee  of  land 
at  S.  Juan  Cap,  '41.  iv.  C26;  land  at  S.  Gabriel  '43.  iv.  6:{7;  at  .*<.  <  Jabriel  •4«. 
V.  (Desiderio  and  Dolores),  at  Los  Ang.  '46-8.  V.  (Estani»!ao',  soldier  of 
the  S.F.  conip.  '27-31;  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  V.  (Fclii»e  and  Fracciscot,  at  Los 
Ang.  '46.  V.  (Gaspar),  zaiijero  at  Loa  Aug.  *44.  iv.  G33;  re«id.  "39  4S.  V. 
(Tgnacio),  iiivdlido  at  Sta  B,  '32,  wife  Fclipa  Fernandez,  chiM  -Juana.  V. 
(Ignacio),  named  in  '46.  v.  1G2.  V.  (Joaquin),  at  Los  Ang.  '.31>,  age  2fl;  at 
.*<.  ( Jab.  '46-7  as  jucz  de  canipo.  v.  628;  at  Sta  B.  '50.  V.  (.Jo«c>,  at  IjOS  Aug. 
'46.  V.  (Jos(S  Maria),  at  Los  Ang.  '15.  ii.  350;  soldier  at  Sta  B.  '.'{2;  alcalde 
at  Sta  B.  '35.  iii.  654;  maj.  at  Sta  B.  mission  '38.  iii.  656-7;  admin,  at  I'u- 
ri'si ma '38-41.  iii.  666;  iv.  648;  still  at  Sta  B.  '51.  His  wife  waa  Josefa  Cola, 
with  4  children  before  '37.  V.  (JostS  Sabas),  at  Los  Ang.  '46.  V.  (Luis), 
soldier  at  Sta  15.  '32,  wife  Josefa  Rocha;  at  Los  Ang.  '46^8.  V.  (Manuel), 
soldier  of  Sta  B.  1799;  stttled  at  Los  Ang.  1800.  ii.  349.  V.  (Manuel),  corj). 
at  Mont.  '36,  age  22.  V.  (Maximo),  jucz  de  campoat  Los  Ang.  "SS.  iii.  630; 
still  there  '48.  V.  (Pedro),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1798.  ii.  .^50;  at  Los  Aug. 
'46;  d.  S.  Juan  Cap.  '68.  V.  (Prospero),  owner  of  land  at  ii.  Gab.  '43.  iv. 
637.  V.  (Ramon),  at  Los  Ang.  '46-8.  V.  (Salvador),  ranchero  at  Sta  B. 
'45.  V.  (Secundino),  at  Los  Ang.  '39-46.  V.  (Segundo),  settler  at  Los 
Ang.  1800-19.  ii.  349,  354 

Valle  (Antonio  del),  1819,  Mex.  lieut  of  the  S.  Bias  infantry  comp..  sta- 
tioned at  S.F.  for  a  few  years,  ii.  253,  265,  3<  1 ;  in  '22  accompanied  the 
canonigo  to  Ross,  ii.  404,  and  from  that  year  was  in  com.  of  the  inf.  comp. 
at  Mont.  ii.  534,  536,  58.'1,  609,  675,  549;  'iii.  26.  In  '23-4  he  was  iu  trouble, 
was  tried  by  a  military  court  for  breaches  of  discipline,  and  once  ordered  to 
S.  Bias,  but  was  finally  permitted  to  remain.  Ilia  troubles  seem  to  liave 
sprung  from  the  hostility  of  Gov.  Argiiello,  against  whom  he  made  many 
complaints;  and  he  was  not  released  from  arrest  till  '26.  Robinson  describes 
him  in '31  as  'a  little  dried-up  piece  of  vanity.'  In '.32  he  supported  Zamorano, 
going  to  Los  Ang.  with  Ibarra,  iii.  227;  ment.  in  '34.  iii.  271;  in  '34-5  he  was 
comisionado  for  the  secularization  of  S.  Fern.,  where  he  served  also  as  major- 
domo  to  '37.  iii.  31G,  353,  646-7.  He  opposed  Alvarado  in  '36,  was  arrested 
in  '37,  and  supported  Cdrlos  Carrillo  in  '38.  iii.  488,  504,  545.  In  '39  he  wr:8 
grantee  of  S.  Francisco  rancho,  iii.  633,  where  he  died  in  '41,  the  isame  year 
that  gold  was  discovered  on  his  place.  V.  (.\ntonio),  soldier  of  the  Hidalgo 
batalTon  at  Mont.  '3G,  age  14;  juez  de  paz  nt  Sonoma  '46.  v.  668.  V.  (Ig- 
nacio), 1825,  son  of  the  lieut  and  nat.  of  Jalisco,  who  came  to  C:d  witli 
Kchcandia,  and  in  '28  became  a  cadet  in  the  Sta  B.  comp..  going  to  .'».  Diego 
with  the  gov.  and  serving  as  .yudante  do  plaza,  ii.  572,  549.  In  '31-2  he 
joined  the  pronuociados  against  Victoria  and  Zamorano,  though  his  father 
served  on  the  other  side,  lioing  made  altVrcz  in  '31 ,  and  attached  U>  t!jc  Mont, 
comp.  from  '32.  iii.  201,  204,  227,  671.  He  was  comisionado  to  stcuhirize  S. 
Gabriel  '33,  Sta  Cruz  "34,  and  S.F.  '35.  iii.  2S9,  326,  346,  XA,  644,  094-5, 
714-15.  Don  Ignacio  supported  Gutierrez  against  Alvarado  in  ''Mi,  going  i^utli 
after  G.'s  downfall,  supporting  Carrillo,  and  In-ing  sent  to  Sonon^a  as  a  pris- 
oner in '38.  iii.  403,  545,  449,  555,  50G,  578.  In  '39  he  is  namol  asalf.,  habili- 
tado,  and  supl.  vocal  of  the  junta;  but  was  mustered  out  of  the  mil-  ser\  ice 
the  same  j-ear,  iii.  583,  .")90, 592,  G41, 051,  though  still  nifnt.  a.-  Labil.  in  '40-1. 
On  tlic  death  of  his  father  in  '41  he  settled  on  the  S.  Fran>  isi-o  rancho,  where 
in  '42  he  was  appointed  juez  of  the  new  mining  district,  iv.  297,  3I.'»,  630-1 ; 
in  '43  elector,  suplentc  of  the  junta,  and  grantee  of  Tcjon.  iv.  3*51.  G.Vt;  in 
45-6  still  memb.  and  sec.  of  the  junta,  memb.  elect  of  the  conaejo,  and  trcas- 


766 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


nrer  of  the  civil  govt  by  Pico's  iippointmcnt.  iv.  519,  521,  547,  558,  631;  v. 
35.  He  was  alcalde  at  Los  Aug.  in  'i>0,  recorder  in  'oO-l,  member  of  the  coun- 
cil and  of  the  legisl.  '5*2.  His  record  throughout  his  career  is  that  of  a  faiMi- 
fnl  officer  and  excellent  citizen.  In  '77,  living  at  itis  rancho  of  Camulos,  ho 
dictated  for  mo  his  recollections  of  Lo  Pruado  de  California,  and  cavo  nic  a 
col.  uf  Doc.  Hist,  VtiL,  which  contains  some  imi)ortant  papers.  He  die<l  in 
'80  at  the  nge  of  72.  Of  his  family  I  know  only  that  a  son,  R.  P.,  is  in  'S.> 
prominent  in  Cul.  politics,  having  been  member  of  the  assembly  and  state 
senator.  V.  (Luis).  1834,  com.  of  the  Morelos.  iii.  269,  383.  V.  (Rafael), 
teacher  at  S.  Jos6  '21.  ii.  370. 

Vallejo  (Ignacio  Vicente  Ferrer),  1774,  nat.  of  Jalisco,  Mex.,  son  of  Ge- 
r6nimo  V.  and  Antonia  Gomez,  b.  in  1748,  of  pure  >Span.  blood,  and  of  a  fam- 
ily which  included  many  persons  of  education,  especially  several  priests, 
friars,  and  nuns  of  some  ])romiuencc,  as  is  proved  by  a  certificate  of  limpieza 
de  sangrc  founded  un  testimony  taken  in  Jnlisco  1806  at  the  petition  of  Juan 
Jo86  v.,  a  priest  and  brotlicr  of  Ignacio.  The  latter,  however,  had  no  incli- 
nation for  education  or  the  church;  nothing  definite  is  known  of  his  early 
life;  but  in  '73,  at  the  ago  of  2.~),  ho  enlisted  at  Compostela  under  Rivera 
for  Cal.  service,  and  arrived  at  S.  Diego  in  Sept.  '74  with  liieut  Ortega.  Ho 
was  a  somewhat  unmanageable  soldier,  often  in  trouble;  but  was  praised 
for  bravery  in  connection  with  the  Ind,  rising  at  S.  D.  in  '75.  i.  255;  and  in 
'76  was  given  leave  of  absence  from  mil.  service  to  become  an  employ*}  at  >S. 
Luis  Ob.  i.  290,  4::S;  being  formally  discharged,  I  suppose,  at  the  expiration  of 
his  enlistment  term.  From  '81  ho  was  employed  at  S.  Carlos,  having,  it  seems, 
much  skill  and  energy  in  directing  agric.  and  irrigation  works,  though  by  no 
means  a  model  of  regular  conduct,  as  is  shown  by  occasional  charges  and  rep- 
rimands. In  '85  lie  was  appointed  coinisionado  of  S.  Jos<S;  reenlisted  in  '87 
for  10  years  in  the  Mont,  comp.;  was  promoted  to  corporal  *89;  and  in  '05 
was  removed  from  his  position  at  S. Jos^  on  complaint  of  the  citizens;  being 
Corp.  of  tlic  cscolta  at  Soledad  in  '03-5;  returning  to  8.  Jos6  as  superintend- 
ent of  ilax  culture  '95-6,  and  holdingagain  the  post  of  comisionado,  or  perhaps 
Corp.  of  the  guard,  in  '97-9.  i.  439,  478-9,  499,  543,  552,  587,  620,  710-11, 
71U-19,  725.  In  1799  he  wob  made  comisionado  at  Branciforte,  holding  that 
place  for  several  years,  or  more  than  once,  the  records  not  being  quite  clear. 
I.  571;  ii.  156;  in  1805  was  promoted  to  sergt,  and  in  1807 — having  ob- 
tained the  certificate  of  gentle  blood  in  1806,  as  mentioned  above — was  de- 
clared sargcnto  distinguido.  ii.  140-1,  182;  iii.  451.  I  have  his  hojas  do 
Bervicio  of  dif.  dates,  showing  him  to  have  been  engaged  in  several  Ind.  cam- 
paigns, and  to  have  been  recommended  for  promotion,  which — prob.  on 
account  of  his  intractability  and  early  irregularities — he  did  not  get.  In  '18 
bo  is  ment.  in  connection  with  tho  Bonchard  affair,  subsequently  being  em- 
ployed on  certain  public  works  at  Mont.  ii.  2.30-1,  339,  379,  381,  609.  In 
24  lie  was  sent  to  S.  Luis  Ob.  on  service  connected  with  the  Ind.  revolt  of 
that  year;  asking  the  same  year  for  retirement,  which  was  ap^iarently  not 
granted,  tliough  he  got  a  grant  of  the  Bolaa  de  S.  Cayetano  rancho,  on  which 
his  cattle  had  been  for  some  years,  ii.  536-7,  615-16,  619,  664;  iii.  43,  678; 
ment.  in  '.30.  iii.  83.  Ho  died  at  Mont,  in  '31  at  the  age  of  83.  Don  Ignacio 
is  described  in  his  enlistment  papers  as  5  ft  5^  in.  in  height,  with  brown 
hair,  gray  eyes,  short  nose,  full  beard,  and  fair  complexion.  He  was  a  rough, 
coarse-grained,  imeducated  man;  proud  of  his  Spanish  blood  and  family; 
haughty  in  manner,  insubordinate  and  unmanageable  as  a  soldier,  and  often 
in  trouble  with  his  superiors;  careless  in  his  morals;  bat  endowed  with  con- 
siderable force  and  executive  ability,  and  honorable  and  straightforward,  I 
think,  in  his  dealings  with  other  nien.  His  wife  was  Maria  Antonia,  daughter 
of  Francisco  Lugo,  married  in  1700,  who  dietl  in  '53.  There  were  13  children, 
6  sons — 4  of  whom  survived  their  father,  and  are  named  in  this  register — and 
8  daughters — 3  of  whom,  including  Magdalena  b.  1833,  IsiJora,  and  the  wife 
of  Mariano  Soberanes,  died  before  31.  The  survivors  were  Prudcnciana,  who 
married  Jos^  Amesti,  and  died  after  '77.  Encamocion,  who  married  Capt.  J. 
B.  R.  Cooper,  and  still  lives  in  '85;  Rosalia,  Mrs  J.  P.  Leese,  living  in  '85; 


VALLEJO. 


757 


JoBofa,  wife  of  Alvarado  (ii.  141),  Estrada,  and  Madariaga  successively;  and 
Maria  de  Jesus,  still  living  in  '53. 

Vallejo  (Jos4  de  Jcaus),  son  of  Ignacio,  b.  at  S.  Jos6  in  1798;  Ist  named  in 
records  of  the  Bouchard  affair  of  1818,  when  ho  perhaps  commanded  a  battery 
at  Mont.  ii.  'J2(V-32,  234.  From  about  '24  ho  socma  tu  have  lived  at  the  Bolsa 
do  S.  Cayctano,  belonf;ing  to  his  fatiier  and  after  '31  to  liiniself,  till  '30, 
being  auplente  of  the  diputacion  in  '33,  regidor  at  Mont,  in  "So,  and  capt.  of 
militia  artill.  under  Alvarudo  in  '3U-8.  ii.  U15;  iii.  82, 240,  430,  457,  474,  .'ill, 
525,  007,  073,  078,  732.  From  '30  he  was  coniisionado  and  admin,  of  S.  Josti 
mission,  iii.  725;  iv.  47,  104;  in  '30  suplcnte  of  the  junta,  iii.  500;  in  '40  cn- 

§aged  in  an  Ind.  campaign,  iv.  70,  138;  and  in  '40-2  grantee  of  tho  Arroyo 
o  la  Alameda,  for  which  in  later  years  lie  was  tho  successful  claimant,  iii. 
711;  iv.  070.  Uo  was  mil.  com.  atS.  JostS  '41-2,  and  is  ment.  in  '44.  iv.  201, 
405,  084,  086;  delegate  to  the  consejo  general  '40.  v.  45;  Cal.  claim  of  $2,825 
'40-7  (v.  402).  lie  npent  the  rest  of  his  life  at  Mission  iS.  Jos^,  where  ho  was 
postmaster  in  '52,  and  in  '75  dictated  for  my  usu  his  Jteminincenciaii  llin- 
tdricas.  Ho  died  in  '82  at  the  age  of  '84.  His  wife  was  fSoledad  Sanchez, 
and  two  daughters,  Teresa  and  Guadalupe,  survived  him.  V.  (Juan 
Antonio),  son  of  Ignacio,  owner  of  S.F.  lot  '40.  iii.  700;  v.  081;  supleuto 
jucz  at  Mont.  '43.  iv.  053;  aux.  do  policin  '40.  v.  037.  Ho  was  later  a 
ranchero  in  tho  Pijaro  Valley,  having  but  little  to  do  with  public  afiairs  ut 
any  time.  Died  at  Mont.  '57.  Larkin  describes  him  as  tho  most  popular  of 
the  brothers. 

Vallejo  (Mariano  Guadalupe),  son  of  Ignacio,  b.  at  Mont,  in  1808,  and 
educated  at  tho  same  town.  ii.  420;  see  a  sketch  of  his  life  to  '.'iO  in  iii.  471-3. 
He  entered  the  mil.  service  in  '23  (or  from  Jan.  I,  '24)  as  cadet  of  tho  Mont, 
comp.,  and  in  '27  was  promoted  to  alfdrez  of  tho  S.P.  coinp.,  thougli  remain- 
ing at  Mont,  till  '30  as  habilitado  and  sometimes  acting  com.,  being  in  '27  a 
suplcnte  of  tho  dip.,  and  in  '20  a  prisoner  of  the  Solis  revoltcrs,  besides  mak- 
ing a  somewhat  famous  cxped.  against  tho  Ind.  ii.  583-4,  008;  iii.  30,  65,  00, 
73,  80,  112-14.  From  '30  he  served  at  S.F.,  being  com.  from  '31;  but  ua 
mcmb.  of  the  dip.  during  the  revolution  against  Victoria,  of  which  ho  was  an 
active  promoter,  and  the  Zamorano-Echeundia  regime  of  '32,  ho  was  absent  iu 
tho  south  much  of  tho  time.  iii.  50,  00,  187,  180,  102-.3,  200,  212,  210-10,  305, 
300, 701.  In  '33,  though  denied  a  place  iu  tho  dip.  on  account  of  liis  mil.  rank,  V . 
wus  sent  to  the  northern  frontier  to  select  a  presidio  site  and  to  inspect  tho 
Russian  establishment,  on  which  he  niado  a  report;  and  was  also  occupied  by 
troubles  with  his  soldiers  and  with  the  missionaries,  iii.  245-8,  254-5,  321-4, 
393,  631,  600,  710;  iv.  101-2.  In  '34  he  was  promoted  to  lieut,  sent  as  conii- 
sionado to  secularize  Solano  mi^^sion,  and  was  grantee  of  tho  Petaluma  ranclio, 
besides  being  intrusted  with  the  preliminary  steps  toward  establishing  a  civil 
govt  at  S.F.,  and  being  elected  a  substitute  member  of  congress,  iii.  250-8, 
270,  202,  71'2,  710-20.  In  '35  he  was  tho  founder  of  Sonoma,  being  modocom. 
mil.  and  director  of  colonization  ou  the  northern  frontier,  engaging  also  iu 
Ind.  campaigns,  iii.  286-7,  204,  354,  300,  303,  721-3;  and  fromtliis  time  was 
indefatigable  in  his  efforts  to  promote  tho  settlement  and  development  of  tho 
north,  efforts  that  were  none  the  less  praiseworthy  because  they  tended  to 
advance  his  own  personal  interests.  From  '35  he  was  the  most  indepcudent 
and  ill  some  respects  the  most  powerful  iiiau  in  Cal.  The  year  '.30  brought 
new  advancement,  for  though  Lieut  V.  took  no  active  part  in  tho  revolution, 
yet  after  tho  first  success  had  been  achieved,  such  was  the  weight  of  his  name, 
that  under  Alvarado 's  new  govt  he  was  made  cmnandan to  general  of  (Jal., 
taking  the  oilice  on  Nov.  29th,  and  was  advanced  to  tho  rank  of  colonel 
by  the  Cal.  authorities;  and  in  the  sectional  strife  of  '37-0,  though  not  per- 
sonally taking  part  in  mil.  operations,  he  had  more  influence  than  any 
other  man  in  sustaining  Alvarado,  being  advanced  by  tho  Mex.  govt  in  '38  to 
the  rank  of  capt.  of  the  comp.  and  colonel  of  defcnsores,  his  position  as  com- 
andonto  militar  being  recognized  by  Mcx.  from  '30.  iii.  423,  420-30,  440-3, 
456-7,  471-4,  488-0,  511-14,  523-5,  531-4,  541-4,  540-7,  501-2,  607,  570,-4, 
679-83,  500-2,  504,  070,  718;  iv.  47,  07,  70-4,  86-7,  145.  Tho  new  admia. 


7M 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


being  fully  establislied,  Gen.  V.  t{avo  his  attention  not  only  to  the  develop^ 
nient  of  liia  frontcra  del  nurto,  but  to  an  attempted  rourgauization  of  th9 
pre8i(li<il  cumpaniesin  anticipation  uf  foreign  invasion,  and  to  tho  commercial 
interests  of  Cal. ;  but  insuperublo  ubataclea  wcru  encountered,  tho  ffencral's 
views  being  in  some  respects  extravagant,  tho  powers  at  Mont,  not  l>cing  in 
sympathy  with  iiia  reforms,  and  a  iiuarrel  with  Alvarudo  being  tlio  result. 
Meanwhile  no  man's  name  is  more  prominent  in  tho  annals  of  '.')9-4'J,  space 

{lermitting  special  reference  hero  only  to  his  relations  with  Suttcrand  with  tho 
lussians.  iii.  r)95-C04;  iv.  11-12,  CI,  92,  121,  12S-9,  133-4,  lOo,   171-8,  190, 
198-'_'00,  208,  213-14,  218-20,  237-9,  249-52,  273-5.    After  scvernl  years  of 
controversy  with  the  gov.,  and  largo  sacritiecs  of  private  means  in  fruitless 
efforts  to  servo  his  country,  tho  general  induced  tho  Mex.  govt  to  unite  tlie 
mil.  and  civil  commands  in  onu  otliccr  from  abroad,  and  turned  over  his 
command  to  Micheltorena  in  '42.    There   is  uo  foundation  for  the  current 
charge  that  he  sought  the  governorship  und  overreached  himself.  Under  tho 
new  admin,  he  was  promoted  to  licut-coloncl  and  niadu  com.  mil.  of  tho  linca 
del  norto,  his  jurisdiction  extending  south  toSta  Ines.  iv.  281-93,  312-17,  338. 
In  '43  ho  was  granted  tho  Soscol  rancho  for  supplies  furnished  tho  govt,  his 
grant  of  Potaluma  being  extended;  aud  was  engaged  in  '43-4  nut  only  in  his 
routine  duties  and  efforts  for  progress,  but  in  minor  controversies  with 
Micheltorena,  Mercado,  and  Sutter,  iv.  351-3,  350-7,  373,  380-8,  390,  402, 
407-8,  423,  444-5,  072,  074.   '  rom  this  tinio  tho  general  clearly  foresaw  the 
fate  of  his  country,  nud  became  more  and  more  satisGed  with  the  prospects, 
though  still  conscientiously  performing' his  duties  as  a  Mcx.  officer.  In  tho 
movement  against  Micheltorena  in  '44-5  he  decided  to  remain  neutral,  uu- 
■uilling  and  believing  it  unnecessary  to  net  against  a  ruler  appointed  through 
his  induencc,  and  still  less  disposed  to  cngago  in  a  cam])aign,  the  expense  of 
which  ho  would  have  to  bear,  in  support  of  a  treacherous  governor;  but  ho 
discharged  his  soldiers  to  taku  sidei  as   they  chose,  and  warmly  protested 
against  Sutter's  villany  in  arming  foreigners  and  lad.  against  his  country, 
the  only  pliaso  of  tho  affair  likely  to  give  a  serious  aspect  to  tho  expulsion  of 
the  cholos.  Meanwhile  he  was  a  faithful  friend  to  the  immigrants,  iv.  4.59-00, 
402-5,  481-2,  480,  510,  519,  530,  501,  G0.3,  008.  In  the  spring  of  '40  ho  was 
an  open  friend  of  tho  U.S.  as  against  tho  schemes  fur  an  English  protecto- 
rate, though  his  famous  speech  on  that  subject  must  bo  regarded  as  purely 
imaginary,  v.    17,  28,  30,  41,  43,  40,  59-03,   00,    105-0;  and  in   Junc-Aug., 
perhaps  because  of  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  U.S.  in  its  more  legit- 
imate form,  he  was  cast  into  prison  at  Sutter's  fort  by  tho  Bears,  being  rather 
tardily  released  by  the  U.S.  authorities,  and  even  awarded  somesligiit  honors, 
and  a  considerable  amount  of  his  'Cal.  claim'  being  later  allowed  as  partial 
recompense  for  his  losses,  v.  111-21,  123-0,  157,297-300,  407-8.  Commissions 
of  brevet  colonel  and  colonel  were  issued  to  him  in  Mcx.  in  July  and  Sept. 
Still  mindful  of  thu  interests  of  his  section,  ho  gave  tho  site  on  which  Benicia 
was  founded,  tho  town  being  named  for  his  wife.  v.  070-1;  and  in  '47  he 
received  the  appointments  of  legislative  coiinciilor  and  Ind.  agent,  v.  433, 
639,  508,  010,  007-8.  In  '49  Vallcjo  was  a  member  of  thoconstit.  convention, 
in  '50  a  member  of  the  1st  state  senate;  from  that  time  ho  was  engaged  in 
brilliant  and  financially  disiistrous  schemes  to  make  Benicia  the  permanent 
capital  of  Cal.,  of  which  more  will  bo  found  in  vol.  vi.  of  this  work;  and  in  '52 
et  seq.  the  claimant  for  several  ranchus,  with  varying  success.  In  later  years 
Gen.  V.  has  continued  to  reside  at  Sonoma  to  '85,  often  called  upon  to  take 
part  in  public  affairs,  tiiough  reduced  fniancially  to  what,  in  comparison  with 
the  wealth  that  once  seemed  secure  in  his  grasp,  must  seem  like  poverty. 
That  he  has  been  from  1830  one  of  the  leading  figures  in  Cal.  annals  is  clearly 
shown  in  the  records  to  which  I  have  referred  above;  and  in  connection  witu 
the  nan'ative  thus  referred  to  will  bo  found  much  of  comment  on  his  acts  and 
character.  Hero  it  must  suilice  to  say  that  without  by  any  means  having 
approved  his  course  in  every  case,  I  have  found  none  among  the  Californiana 
whose  public  record  in  respect  of  honorable  conduct,  patriotic  zeal,  executive 
ability,  and  freedom  from  petty  prejudices  of  race,  religion,  or  sectional  poli- 


VALLEJO-VANCE. 


759 


tics  h  more  evenly  favornblo  than  his.  As  a.  private  citizen  ho  was  always 
(('jncroiH  and  kind-heartid,  nmintaining  iiis  sflf-rcspcct  as  a  gentleman  and 
commanding  the  lesiiect  of  others,  never  a  gambler  or  addicted  to  stron;^ 
diiiik,  though  1)>  no  means  strict  in  his  relations  with  women.  In  the  earlier 
times  ho  was  not  in  all  respects  a  |K>pnlar  man  l>y  reason  of  his  hauglity,  arix- 
tdcratio,  overbearing  ways  that  resulted  froni  pride  of  race,  of  wealth,  and 
of  military  rank,  lixpt  iienco,  however,  and  long  before  the  time  of  his  com- 
parative udvt'rsity,  etl'ucted  a  gruilual  disappearance  of  his  least  pleasing 
characteristics,  thougii  the  general  still  ret.imcd  a  ]iompous  air  and  grandilo- 
quence of  speech  tiint  nnf.ivoriibly  impress  those  m-Iio  know  him  but  sligiitly. 
He  is  in  n  senHO  tlio  last  survivor  of  old-time  Calit'ornians  of  his  class;  an<l 
none  will  begrudge  liini  the  honor  that  is  popularly  accorded,  even  if  praiso 
sometimes  de,L;en('rate8  into  flattery.  Ho  i.s  a  man  of  some  literary  culture, 
and  has  always  taken  adecp  interest  in  his  country's  history.  Many  of  his  writ- 
ings arc  named  in  my  list  of  authorities.  His  services  to  mo  in  tiiis  connection 
have  been  often  and  most  gladly  acknowledged.  His  collection  of  Doc.  /Hit. 
Cat.  is  a  contribution  of  original  data  that  has  never  been  ecpialled  in  this  or 
any  other  state.  His  M8.  IHxtor'ia  dc  Cnl.,  while  of  course  not  to  be  compared 
with  tho  original  documents,  is  not  only  the  mcst  extensive  but  the  most 
fascinating  of  its  class;  and  while,  liko  tiie  works  of  Baiulini,  Oslo,  Alvarado, 
Pico,  and  tho  rest,  it  is  a  strange  mixtnru  of  fact  and  fancy,  yet  to  a  student 
who  has  tho  key  to  its  cipiier,  it  is  a  most  useful  aid;  and  moreover  it  sliould 
be  stated  that  its  defects  are  not  all  fairly  attributable  to  the  author.  In  '.'V2 
Vallejo  married  Francisca,  daughter  of  Joaquin  Carrillo  of  8.  Diego,  who  still 
lives  in '80.  They  had  13cliildrcn.  None  of  tlio  sons  has  ever  bcenp'"ominent  in 
public  life;  one  of  them,  Platon,  is  n  well-known  physician  of  Vallejo — a  town 
that,  liko  a  street  in  8.  F.,  bears  ids  father's  name;  and  two  others  still  reside 
in  Cal.  Two  of  tho  daughters  married  tho  Frisbio  brothers  and  two  others 
the  Ilaraszthys  all  well-known  men,  and  four  or  live  I  think  still  live  in  Cal. 

Vallejo  (Salvador),  son  of  Ignacio,  b.  in  '14.  His  early  years  were  passed 
aa  a  ranchero,  but  in  ''M  his  brother  established  him  at  8i>noma,  where  ho 
ranked  as  capt.  of  tnilitia,  was  often  in  com.  of  tho  post,  engaged  in  many 
Ind.  campaigns,  went  south  to  servo  Alvarado  in  the  Las  Flores  campaign  of 
'38,  served  i  juez  do  paz  in  '39,  when  ho  also  had  an  appointment  as  admin, 
of  8olano  mission;  was  capt.  of  defensorcs  from  '44.  iii.  r>ll-r2,  r)'22,  547,  5>V2, 
520,  501,  591,  720-3,  71-'-',  1C3,  197.  252,  :io5,  3G2-3,  407,  444.  4G5,  G78.  Ho 
was  grantee  of  tho  Napa  ranchoin  "38,  of  Salvador's  ranchoiu  '39,  and  of  Lup- 
yomi  in  '44.  iii.  705,  712;  iv.  071.  In  '40  ho  was  a  prisoner  of  tho  Bears,  v. 
112-21,  298-9;  is  named  in  connection  with  tho  Walla  Walla  olfair.  v.  302; 
and  had  a  Cal.  claim,  $11,000  of  which  was  paid.  v.  407.  Ho  is  said  to  have 
made  n  large  amount  of  money  in  '48-9  by  tho  aid  of  Ind.  naners;  but  his 
lands  passed  gradually  oat  of  his  possession,  thougli  he  was  a  successful  cl. 
for  Llajome.  iv.  071.  In  '03  bo  was  commissioned  major  of  the  native  Cal. 
cavalry,  going  to  Ariz.,  but  engaging  in  no  active  service.  HodiedatSonoma, 
where  ho  had  long  lived  with  tho  general,  in  '70.  Don  S.alvador  was  a  rough, 
hard-d. inking,  unprincipled  fellow;  recklessly  brave,  and  often  inhumanly 
cruel  in  his  Ind.  warfare;  very  popular  among  his  countrymen,  though  easily 
provoked  to  quarrel;  generous  and  hospitfd)le  to  tho  early  immigrants,  though 
hostile  to  Americans  and  to  all  foreigners  m  a  rule.  Ho  dictated  some  A'otaa 
hixtdricaH  for  my  use,  but  his  good  qualities  as  a  historian  did  not  include 
tnithfulness.  His  wife  was  Maria  do  la  Luz  Carrillo,  but  I  have  no  further 
information  about  bis  family.  Vallely  (John),  1847,  Co.  O,  N.Y.Vol.  (v. 
499).  Vallivode  (Stephen),  1839-40,  doubtful  name,  mr  of  the  Eiena.  iv.  103. 
Vallobodski  (Stephen),  1837,  mr  of  tho  Silka.  iv.  100;  doubtful  name,  prob. 
same  as  preceding.  Valois  (Antoinc),  1846,  Frenchman  at  Los  Aug.  Val- 
verde  (Agustin),  tailor  at  Los  Ang.  '39,  ago  27.  V.  (Jos6  M.),  Mex.  tailor 
at  Los  Ang.  '36,  age  29,  wife  Francisca,  child  Jos6. 

Vanallen  (John),  at  Sta  Cruz.  Vanaken  (Paul),  1846,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S. 
dragoons  (v.  .330).  Vanauken  (Phihmdcr),  1847.  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  199). 
Vanbussum  (J.V.),  1847,  Co.  B,  ditto;  d.  before  '82.      Vance  (Robert),  1847, 


780 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  ftrtill.  (v.  CAS);  living  in  '04.  Vnncocur  (Francis),  1840,  from 
N.  Mcx.  with  KMrny.  Laneey,  VuDcouTer  (Oco.),  nO'2,  English  navigator 
M'ho  accompanied  Capt.  Cook  in  his  famous  voyages;  and  in  170'--4  three 
times  visited  Cal  in  com.  of  an  ezpIorina|  cxpf  d.  to  tiic  N.  W.  coast  and  round 
the  world.  His  Voyage  contains  much  oT  interest  on  Cal.,  and  is  a  standard 
work  on  the  regions  further  north.  Cupt.  V.  died  in  170S.  For  his  visits  to 
Cal.  and  his  book,  soo  i.  aiO-29;  ment.  i.  fiO.'J,  MM,  nP.S,  .'>38,  002, 619, 02.3,  04.S- 
0,  049,  C.53,  0.>8-9,  (i07-9,  074-5,  081-2,  085-0,  09(i,  098,  702-5,  71 »,  724;  ii.  23, 
121-2,  200;  SCO  also  Hint  N.  \V.  Count,  i.,  this  scries.  Vandcrbeck  (.)),  1847, 
owner  of  a  S.F.  lot.  Vandussoy,  1847,  at  Sutler's  fort.  Vanegas  (Cosnie), 
invdlido  at  Sta  B.  '32,  wife  Bernardina  Xlvarez,  child  Ustofana;  ranchero  at 
Sta  B.  '45.       V.  (Jo86),  Ind.  settler  ut  Los  Aug.  1781;  alcalde '88,  '90.  i.  345, 

348,  401,  001.  V.  (Pablo),  at  Sta  B.  before  '37,  wife  Rita  Rodriguez,  and  4 
children.  Vanliom  (Bamott),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill,  {v.  518);  «1.  before 
•64.  Vankcnscn  (Jeremiah),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.  Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  Aroca,  N.Y., 
'55,  Vanness  (Henry),  1848,  nat.  of  N..!.,  who  camo  from  the  Society  Isl, 
became  a  pilot  on  S.  I,  13ay,  ond  was  lost  in  '07  on  the  pilot-boat  Caleb  Curtin, 
age  47,  leaving  a  widow  and  3  children.  Vonpclt  (Jacob),  1847,  Co.  E,  N. 
Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  owner  of  S.F.  lot;  d.  at  S.F.  '49.  Vnnriper  (Abraham), 
1847,  sergt  Co.  E,  N. Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  on  tho  Moktlumno  '48-9.  Van- 
vechtcn  (Geo.),  1847,  Co.  H,  ditto;  at  New  Brunswick,  N.J.,  '74-82.  Van- 
zaudt  (R.  H.),  1847,  mid.  on  tlic  U.S.  Columbim. 

Varcla,  1818,  nir  of  tho  6'.  liuperto.  ii.  291-2.  V.  (Cusimiro),  one  of  the 
Ist  settlers  at  S.F.  1777.  i.  297.  V.  (Hilario),  ringleader  with  his  brother  in 
a  Los  Ang.  revolt.  '44-5;  alao  in  '40.  iv.  470,  5.18,  r.40-1 ;  v.  308.  V.  (Man- 
uel), killed  by  Pomponio  before  '24.  ii.  5.37.  V.  (St^rbulo),  brother  of  Hila- 
rio, a  turbulent  character  at  Los  Ang.  '38-9,  age  26;  engaged  iu  revolts  of  '45- 
0;  niid  taking  part  in  the  last  campaigns  against  the  U.S.  iii.  504,  589;  iv. 
540-1 ;  V.  307-14,  325.  Varclas  (Casiniiro),  settler  at  Los  Aug.  1790;  d.  be- 
fore 1810.      V.  (Cayetano),  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1809-19;  still  there  in  '40.  ii. 

349,  354.  V.  (Ignacio),  settler  at  Los  An^.  '15.  ii.  349.  Vargas  (Fran- 
cisco), Los  Ang.  trader  '39,  age  37;  alfi^rez  ot  Mont.  comp.  '43,  and  appointed 
instructor  of  the  S.  Juan  comp.  of  dcfensores  '44.  iv.  052,  407.  v.  (Josefii 
Piodriguez  de),  wife  of  Copt.  Soler.  i.  398.  V.  (JostS  Manuel),  1828,  Mox. 
convict,  liberated  in  '34.  V.  (Julian),  1831,  perh.ips  of  Young's  party  from 
N.  Mex.  iii.  388.  V.  (Manuel),  1781,  soldier  of  the  Mont,  coiup.;  cobo  dis- 
tinguido  in  1787;  sergt  of  tho  comp.  from  about  '87  to  '94,  being  generally 
employed  by  Gov.  Fages  as  a  clerk.  On  retiring  from  tho  service  lie  taught 
school  at  S.  Josd,  S.  Diego,  and  Sta  B.  down  to  1800  or  later,  i.  408,  4S4, 
042-4,  080, 088.  His  wife,  married  at  S.F.  1783,  was  Maria  Gertrudis  Linares, 
and  in  '95  there  was  a  daughter  named  Micaela.  V.  (Mariano),  friar  named 
for  Cal.  1801;  did  not  come.  ii.  1.59.  Vargas  Macbuca,  1834,  named  by 
Jansseus  as  a  Mex.  alfdrez  who  camo  with  the  colony.  Varncy,  1841,  mr  of 
tho  Thou  Pei'kin.9.  iv.  609.  V.  (Sam.),  1840,  mr  of  the  Angola,  v.  576;  and 
trader  at  S.F.  '40-8. 

Vasquez,  at  Mont,  '28.  ii.  015.  V.,  at  S.F.  '44,  ago  48.  V.,  mr  of  tho 
Flecha  '48.  V.  f  \ntonio),  soldier  of  tiie  ^iont.  comp.  '30,  ago  20;  perhaps 
the  man  killed  a  Los  Ang.  '45.  iv.  492.  V,  (Atanaaio),  settler  at  S.  JosiS 
(Felipe),  of  the  Mont,  policia  '33.  iii.  073;  grantee  of 
'7;  in  '30  at  Pilarcitos,  age  54,  wife  Maria  Nicanor  Lugo, 
?0,  Pedro  '22,  Dionisio  '24,  Sinforcaa  '26,  and  Manuel  '32. 
soldier  at  Mont.  1809;  rcgidor  at  S.  Jos6  '27.  ii.  605; 
V.  (Josd),  soldier  of  S.F.  comp.  '19-24;  at  Mont.  '48; 
(Jos6  Ign.),  settler  at  S.  Jos6  1777.  i.  312.  V.  (Jos«S 
nvict  set  a  liberty  '33;  at  S.  Josd  '41,  ago  31,  wife  An- 
«na  b.  '36.  V.  (Julio),  ot  Mont.  '36,  nat.  of  Cal. ,  age 
arman,  child.  Ambrosia  b.  '10,  Apolonia'18,  Ramon  '23, 
Oregorio  '20,  Domiugo  '28,  Maria  Guad.  '.30,  Altagracia  '32,  Porsevcrancia  '33, 
Juan  '34,  Marcos  '35.  V.  (Pedro),  ajjplic.  for  land  '45.  iv.  650;  cl.  for  Son- 
lajule  '52.  iv.  074;  Cal.  claim  $3,375  '40-7  (v.  462).       Vasquez  (Tiburcio), 


1786.  i.477.      \ 
Ciiamizal  '35.  iii. 
child.  Jo86  Ant.  I 
V.  (Hermenegildc 
grantee  of  land  '35. 
S.  Luis  Ob.  '51.      T 
Maria),  1829,  Mcx. 
drea  Garcia,  child  S 
40,  wife  of  Brigida 


VASQUEZ-VERDUaO. 


701 


Hex.  Mttler  at  S.F.  1777,  and  at  S.  Josd  '83.  i.  207,  3^0  (another  named  na» 
convict  of  'OS.  i.  006);  uanitil  in  the  8.  JoH<i  pndron  of  '03,  wife  Maria  lio- 
horauci,  child.  Fcliiic,  Maria,  Hermeucgiltio,  KoMtlJu,  Faustino,  and  F^lix; 
alcalde  180-2,  1807.  ii.  134,  10*2;  Blndico"24.  ii.  UOA.  He  Rccma  to  have  died  in 
'27.  The  famous  Imnditof  later  yean  woaprob.  his  grcidoon.       V.  (Tiburcio), 

Srob.  son  of  the  preceding;  eoUHcr  of  the  S.F.  com  p. '10-25;  in '30  regi- 
or  at  S.F.,  and  groutco  of  Corral  do  Ticrra  rancho.  iii.  705,  711;  in  '40-0 
admin,  and  nmj.  of  S.F.  mission,  iii.  715;  iv.  C75;  v.  OUO;  named  in  the 
padron  of  '42,  b.  at  S.  Jos**,  ogo  40,  wife  Alvira  Hernandez,  chihl.  Juan  Josi 
b. '25,  H(irbara'27,  Josefa '20,  Siriaca '31,  J08.J  Maria '.S2,  Puriticacion '33, 
Luciano '34,  Francisco '36,  Frunci8ca'38,  and  I'ablo '40.  Ho  was  still  at  S.F. , 
a  witness  in  tliu  Santillan  caHc,  '5o.  V.  (Tintoteo),  at  Bronciforto  1803.  ii. 
150.       Vussilief,  1820,  com.  of  Russ.  vessels,  ii.  310. 

Vcaly  (John),  1820,  Amcr.  coofier,  ago  34,  who  landed  at  S.  Pedro  ill  from 
a  Hon.  vessel.  Vedder  (Peter  U.),  1847,  Co.  H,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  490);  d.  in 
Kicarugua  '50.       Vega  (JosC),   sergt  killetl  by  Ind.  at  the  Colorado  Kiv. 

tuoblos.  i.  350-02.  V.  (Matfos),  soldii-r  nt  S.  Juan  Can.  1770;  killed  at 
olorado  Riv.  pueblos  1781.  i.  303,  .350-02.  V.  (Victormno),  18.34,  came 
from  Mcx.  in  the  U.  &^.  colony  at  tho  ago  of  24;  in  '77  at  S.  Oubriel  gaining 
a  living  by  making  cigarettes.  Ilo  gave  nio  a  MS.  diototion  of  02  p.  on  I'ida 
Cali/uriiiann.  His  real  name  was  Esparza.  V.  (Jo8<5  M.),  1700,  Span,  orricro 
ki!'cd  by  Ind.  atS.  Diego,  i.  138.  V.  (Kmigdio),  jucz  do  campoat  LosAng. 
'38;  jucz  do  paz  at  S.  Juun  '44-5;  grantee  of  ]k>ca  do  la  Playa  '40.  iii.  C,30; 
iv.  G27.  In  '40  living  at  8.  Juan  C.-ip.  Ho  was  35  years  old,  wife  Rafacla 
Xvila,  child.  Maria  de  Jesus  1>.  '38,  Jesus  '43,  Kamon  '45.  V.  (Kniilio), 
aided  in  taking  Los  Aug.  '37.  iii.  510.  V.  Knriquc),  juez  do  campoat  T,os 
Ang.  '40.  ii.  037.  V.  (Francisco),  settler  at  8.  J086  1701-5.  i.  710-17;  man 
of  same  name,  son  of  Ricurdo,  nt  Los  Ang.  '40-77.  V.  (Juan  Cris6stomo), 
regidor  at  Los  Ang.  '30,  ago  25.  iii.  O.'iC;  niember  of  the  council  '05-70.  V. 
(Ldzaro  and  Manuel),  at  Los  Ang.  '40.  V.  (I'aMo),  son  of  Salvador,  b.  nt  S. 
Diego  in  1802;  soldier  of  tho  S.  D.  comp.  from  '21,  but  soon  sent  to  Mont,  for 
an  attempt  to  desert.  In  '28-0  he  was  a  leader  in  tho  revolt,  nnd  was  sent  to 
Mcx.  in  '30,  but  returned  in  '33.  iii.  00-7,  00,  74,  85;  again  ment.  in  '37.  iii. 
610;  and  in  a  revolt  of '40,  being  taken  piiiioner  nt  S.  Pascual.  v.  308,  347. 
His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Juan  M.  FClix  nnd  Isabel  Cota.  In  '77,  living  near 
Spadra  with  his  brother  llicardo,  witli  a  largo  family  iind  in  great  poverty, 
lie  dictated  90  ])agea  of  tho  Itecuenlvs  de  vn  Vhjo  for  my  use.  V.  (liamcn), 
at  Los  Ang.  '40.  V.  (Kicardo),  son  of  Salvador;  in  '3.<  juez  do  campo 
Los  Ang  ill.  035;  grantee »f  S.  Jo.si,  or  Azuza,  '37-40.  iii.  033;  ago  28  in'39. 
Ho  became  a  rich  man,  but  was  reduced  to  poverty,  and  in  '77  lived  near 
Spadra  with  a  largo  family.  V.  (Salvador).  1702,  Mex.  carpenter-instructor 
at  S.  Diego '02-5;  nt  Mont. '90.  i.  015,  084.  His  wifo  was  Maria  Josefa  Lopez. 
Vela(Martin),  at  Branciforte  '28-30.  ii.  027;  wifo  Maria  de  la  Luz  Fucntes. 
Velarde  (l?altasar),  at  S.  Bern.  '40,  ago  34.  V.  (Dcsidcrio),  Los  Ang.  hatter, 
ago  38,  in  '39.  V.  (Jacobo),  settler  at  S.  Jos6  1791-1800.  i.  710;  alcalde  in 
'98.  Velasquez  (Jos6),  1781,  alfi5rez  of  the  .S.  Diego  comp.,  engaged  in  ex- 
plorations to  the  Colorado  Riv.  and  in  other  <lirections;  d.  at  S.  Gabriel  1785. 
i.  340,  307,  451,  454-5;  ii.  44.  V.  (Jos6),  1798,  convict  settler  at  Branci- 
forte 1798-1803.  i.  COG;  ii.  150.  V.  (Josd),  corporal  of  tho  S.  Diego  comp. 
1803.  ii.  14,  103.      Velez  (Miguel),  sirviente  at  S.F.  1777.  i.  297.      V.  (Ra- 


in.  54.      Velsor 
Vendurm,  1840, 


fael),  appointed  sec.  of  tho  com.  gun.  '29;  did  not  come. 
(Stephen),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  before '82. 
doubtful  name  in  a  Los  Ang.  list. 

Veidia  (Jos6),  died  in  '10,  leaving  his  property  to  the  mission  fund.  ii. 
407;  iv.  338.  Vcrdugo  (Crisostonio),  at  Los  Ang.  40.  V.  (Francisco),  at 
Los  Ang.  *39,  age  38.  V.  (Jos(5  Antonio),  at  S.  Bern.  '40,  age  20.  V.  (Jos6 
Maria),  retired  corp.  of  the  S.  Diego  comp.  and  S.  Gabriel  cscolta,  who  was 
grantee  of  the  S.  Biafacl  rancho  in  1784,  '98,  and  is  often  named  down  to  1816 
in  connection  with  farming  operations,  i.  553,  009, 012,  001,  (i04;  ii.  11 1,  185, 
350,  353,  603;  iu.  634.       V.  (Juan  Diego),  at  S.  Diego  1776;  wife  Maria  Ign. 


762 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


de  la  Conccpcioi.  C«ii i'.lo,  w)io  in  '50  was  cl.  for  the  Ft^lix  rancho,  granted  in 
'43.  iv.  634;  daughter  Rosalia,  married  to  Sergt  Gongora.  V.  (Julio),  sou 
uf  Jos6  Mui'ia;  aux.  alcalde  at  S.  Rafael  rancho  '31,  '33,  '30,  and  jucz  de 
canipo  '40.  iii.  ^53.)-7;  cl.  for  the  rancho  '52.  V.  (Manuel),  juez  de  campo 
at  S.  Diego  '41.  iv.  619;  soldier,  retired  witli  rank  of  lieiit  '44.  iv.  408.  V. 
(Mariano),  170!),  soldier  of  the  1st  cxped.,  serving  in  the  S.  Diego  comp. ; 
sergt  at  Mont.  '81-7;  settler  at  Los  Ang.  1787-1810  or  later,  being  alcalde  in 
1700-3,  1802;  grantee  of  Portezuelo  rancho  1795.  i.  252-3,  4G1,  468,  001-2; 
ii.  110,  350,  353-4,  663.  V.  (Miguel),  at  Sta  Ana  rancho  Los  Ang.  '39,  iige 
26;  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  '41.  iv.  626.  V.  (Pedro  and  Tcodoro),  at  Los  Ang.  '40. 
Verduzco  (Francisco),  1834,  Mex.  ex-capt.,  wlio  was  connected  with  the  H. 
k  P.  colony;  but  being  implicated  in  the  alleged  revolt  of  '35  was  sent  to 
Mex.  as  a  prisoner,  iii.  281,  286,  288.  Vergara  (Quirino),  1842,  cornet  in 
the  batallon  fijo  '42-5.  iv.  289. 

Vermeulo  (Thomas  L.),  1847,  lieut  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  504,  511;  nat.  of 
N.J.;  mfimb.  of  the  constit.  convention  '49;  lawyer,  politician,  and  writer  for 
the  newspapers.  Ho  died  at  S.  Jos6  before  '07.  Vermilion  (John),  1840,  one 
of  the  exiles  not  known  to  have  returned,  iv.  IS.  Vernon  (Richard),  1848, 
overl.  immig.  with  Allsopp.  Verrot  (Joseph),  1844,  Canadian  of  Fremont's 
party,  remaining  in  Cal.  iv.  437,  439,  453;  named  iu  tlio  N.  Helv.  Dlanj,  '40 
-8;  an  early  settler  of  Yuba  Co. ;  connected  with  the  Donner  relief,  v.  637; 
married  Mary  Luther  in  '48,  and  a  son,  Charles,  was  born  in  '50.  Usually 
called  'V^ero'  or  'Vairo.'  Vevis  (Joseph),  1847,  eliicf  musician  of  N.Y. Vol. 
v.  503;  d.  before  '82.       Vhor  (Christopher),  1.S.30,  Arabian,  age  49,  at  Mont. 

Viader  (.Josd),  1796,  Span,  friar  who  served  for  37  years  at  Sta  Clara,  leav- 
ing C"!.  in  '33,  Biog.  iii.  726-7;  ment.  i.  577,  719-20,  723;  ii.  50-7,  135,  137, 
153,  9,  168,  218,  387,  394,  577,  585,  600,  623,  655;  iii.  20,  88-9,  90,  318, 
338,  305,  727.  Viana  (Francisco),  1791,  lieut  in  Malaspina's  exped.  i.  490. 
Vice  (James),  1846,  sailor  on  the  Dale.  Vicente,  corp.  at  Sta  B.  '38.  iii. 
650.  Vioh  (Chris.),  1S45,  Amer.  at  Branciforte,  ago  20;  doubtful  name. 
Vichilman,  1823,  nu'  of  the  Buldakof.  ii.  492.  Victoria  (Manuel),  1830, 
Mex.  iieut-colonel,  who  came  in  '30  as  gov.  and  com.  gen.  of  Cal. — appoint- 
ment March  8th,  arrival  Dec. — and  held  that  olfice  from  Jan.  31,  '31,  to  Dec. 
9th,  when  ho  yielded  to  a  successful  revolutionary  movement,  and  sailed  for 
Mex.  Jan.  17,  '32.  He  was  an  honest  and  energetic  officer,  wlio  as  general 
forgot  that  he  was  also  governor;  ignored  the  diputacion  and  all  civil  author- 
ities and  precedents;  and  by  his  well-meant  short  cuts  to  justice  iiy  military 
methods  soon  provoked  a  revolution  that  overwhelmed  him.  All  that  is  known 
of  the  man  is  contained  in  the  narrative  of  his  rule  and  downfall,  iii.  181- 
212.  See  also  ment.  in  ii.  549,  551,  594;  iii.  20,  54,  216-17,  233.  .300-8,  301, 
367-8,  374-6,  047,  052,  669-70;  iv.  160.  Vidal  (Francisco),  1002,  corp.  in 
Vizcaino's  exped.  i.  98.  V.  (John  A.),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499);  set- 
tled at  Sta  B.,  where  in  '5.3  he  was  killed  in  alight  over  tlic  possession  of  a 
rancho.  See  iSVft  Ii.  Co.  Hist.,  82.  V.  (Mariano),  1770,  purveyor  of  Anza's 
exped.  to  Cal.  i.  258,  206. 

Vigil  (FrancLsco  Kstiivan),  1S4I,  in  com.  of  a  trading  caravan  from  N. 
Mex.  '41-2,  and  again  in  '48.  iv.  207,  343;  v.  025.  Vigncs  (Jean),  1834, 
nephew  of  Louis,  age  22,  who  came  from  Hon.  on  the  D.  Quixote  to  join  his 
relatives  at  Loa  Ang.  V,  (.lean  Louis),  1831,  Fr.  cooper  and  distiller,  who 
came  from  Hon.  on  the  Louiaa  at  the  age  of  48.  iii.  405.  His  Fr.  passp.  was 
dated  Bordeaux  '26.  Ho  at  once  applied  for  naturalizittion;  in  '32  joined  the 
comp.  oxtranjcra  at  Mont.  iii.  221;  but  soon  settled  at  Los  Ang.,  where 
ho  was  in  a  sense  the  pioneer  vineyardist  and  wine-maker,  being  joined  by 
his  nephew  in  '34.  His  name  is  occasionally  mentioned  in  '36  et  seq. ,  ho  being 
one  of  the  vigilantes  in  '36,  an  applicant  for  Sta  Catalina  Isl.  in  '40,  and  rid- 
ing in  the  campaign  again.st  Mieheltorena  '43.  iii.  417,  634;  iv.  117,  495, 
629;  V.  49,  283,  .365;  had  a  Cal.  claim  of  about  $1,000  '40-7  (v.  462).  He  was 
founder  of  the  wine-making  firm  of  Sainscvain  &  Co. ;  waa  the  cl.  for  Teme- 
cula— of  which  he  had  been  in  reality  the  grantee  in  '45,  and  of  Pauba;  and 
died  at  Los  Ar.^.  '62  at  the  age  of  79  (or  82).  He  had  no  family  in  Cal.,  woi 


VIGNES— VINCENT. 


788 


it- 

ec. 
'or 


try 
m 
I- 

il. 
ill 

it- 
a 

,'s 


an  excellent  and  popul.ir  citizen,  and  was  familiarly  known  as  Don  Luis 
del  Aliso,  from  un  immense  sycamore,  or  cottonwood,  on  his  land  at  Los  Ang. 
V.  (Pierre  E.),  Er.  at  liranciforte  '4.>,  apu  HO;  at  S.  Jos6  '47. 

Vila  (Vicente),  1709,  com.  of  the  .S'  Crn-lon'in  the  Istexped.  '69-70.  i.  110, 
128-9,  130,  105-8.  Villa  (Antonio  M.),  piob.  son  of  Joaiinin;  cl.  for  Te- 
quepia  rancho,  Sta  B.  iv.  OW.  V.  (Buenaventura),  soldier  of  tiie  Mont, 
comp.  '30.  age  20.  V.  (Demetrio).  at  Los  Ang.  .31148.  V.  (Diego),  cole- 
aial  at  Sta  luc-a  '44.  iv.  420.  V.  (Kleuterio).  invdlido  soldier  '44-5.  iv.  408. 
V.  (Francisco),  at  Los  Ang.  19.  ii.  S'A;  in  cliarge  of  S.  Joa6  del  Valle  ';iO. 
iii.  012;  zanjeroatS.  Gabriel  '47.  v.  028;  juez  de  campo  at  S.  Luis  Ob.  '49; 
still  at  S,  Luis  '51.  V.  (Joaquin),  soldier  at  Sta  B.  before  '.H7;  muj.  at  Stu. 
lues  '39.  iii.  664;  grantee  of  Tcquepis  '4J.  iv.  043.  V.  (Jose),  settler  at 
Los  Ang.  1 790.  i.  401 .  V.  (Luis),  at  Los  Ang.  '40.  V.  (Maria  del  Rosario), 
executed  by  vigilantes  at  Los  Ang.  '30.  iii.  417-19.  V.  (Manuel),  soldier  of 
S.F.  comp.  '32-3.  V.  (Maiiano),  at  Los  Aug.  '39,  age  22;  also  in  '40.  V. 
(.Mariano),  1842,  Mex.  lieutof  the  batallon  lijo  '42-5;  remained  in  Cal.  'i'J. 
iv.  289,  513;  v.  41.  V.  (Miguel),  settler  for  Los  Ang.,  who  deserted  be- 
fore reaching  (Jal.  i.  345.  V.  (liufael),  uabo  invjil.  1793  at  S.  Jostf,  wife  11- 
drfonsa,  c'liild.  Pascuai,  Eleuterio,  llafuel  Gertrudis,  Maria  Ign.,  and  Juaua. 
The  full  name  was  prob.  '  Villavicencio,'  q.v.  V.  (Rafael),  sou  of  preceding, 
at  S.  Luis  Ob.  '42-60.  V.  (Vicente),  at  Los  Ang.  '19;  regidor  iu  '27.  ii 
354,  500. 

Villagrana  (Jos6  F(5lix),  Mex.  at  S.  Jost5  '41,  age  52,  wife  Bernardina 
Martinez,  child.  Guadalupe  b.  '20,  Juana  '31,  Lucia  '30,  Uolores  '38;  d.  in '47. 
V.  (Manuel),  regidor  at  Branciforto  '32.  iii.  090.  V.  (Miguel),  Mex.  resid. 
of  Branciforte  from  '28,  alcahle  '3(i,  grantee  of  Aguagito  '37,  juez  d'  canipo 
'38.  ii.  637;  iii.  070,  097.  In  the  padronof  '45  named  as 00  years  old,  wife  Fran- 
cisca  Juarez,  child.  Carpiob.  '2."),  Eugcnio'27,  Dorotea'29,  lgnacia'31,  Leamiro 
'31,  lose  Ign.  '34,  Andres '33,  I'ouciana  '40.  V.  (Miguel),  at  Branciforte  '45, 
ago  2.3,  wile  Ccncepcion,  child.  Julian  b.  '40,  Jos6  '44.  Vuialba  (Nicolas), 
settler  o' the  Colorado  Uiv.  pueblos,  killed  by  Ind.  1781.  i.  359-02.  ViUa- 
lobos  (Josu),  at  Los  Ang.  '4^).  Villapando  (Juan  de  J),  inule-thicf '33.  iii. 
390.  Villarasa  (Fraitis  S. ),  1848,  said  to  have  preached  at  Stockton. 
Villaroel  (Francisco),  1777,  com.  of  the  S.  Antunio.  i.  310.  Villa\ordo 
(Alonsii),  licut  for  Cal.  177'J;  did  not  come.  i.  340.  V.  (Jose),  1782,  chap- 
lain on  the  I'acorilit.  i.  37<S.  Villavicencio(Fi''lix),  Span,  settler  of  Los  Aug. 
1781-0,  i.  315,  348.  V.  (Jose  Mari'a),  resid.  of  Mont.  '30,  age  30,  wife  llafaela 
Rcdriguez,  child.  Jose  Ant.  b.  '.34,  Josi^  Ramon  '35;  being  at  the  time  juez  do 
campo.  iii.  675.  As  capt.  in  Alvarado's  force,  and  at  times  com.  at  ."^ta 
B. ,  he  was  prominent  ia  the  operations  of  ',30-8.  iii.  400,  4S|,  505,  524-5, 
540,  .550,  552-3.  501,  .")05,  051,  072;  al.so  admin,  of  S.  Antonio  and  S.  Fer- 
nando ';i7-8,  '4i)-;t.  iii.  (ii7-8,  6S8;  iv.  01,  038;  acting  prefect  at  Mont.  '4J. 
iii.  075;  grantee  ol:  Corral  de  Piedra,  S.  Luis  Ob.,  '41,  '40.  iv.  0.'>5;  in  '44  juez 
de  paz  at  S.  Luis  Ob.,  and  capt  of  defensores.  iv.  407,  402,  058-9;  also  nerv- 
ing against  the  U.S.  at  S.  Diego  '40.  v.  207.  Still  at  S.  Luis  '51-2,  and  later  a 
prosperous  ranchero.  Ot'ten  called  by  himself  and  otiiers  'Villa.'  V. 
(Rafael),  w  .ivir  at  S.  Josi'i  1791-1811.  i.  710,  718;  ii.  378.  V.  (Rjifael), 
grantee  of  S.  Geronimo,  8.  Luis  Ob.,  in  42.  iv.  655;  and  cl.  in  '52.  Villela 
(Felipe),  "oldier  at  Sta  B.  before  '37;  at  Los  Ang.  '39,  age  '.35.  V.  (Juan  M. 
M.),  settler  at  S.  Josi<  1777;  did  not  remain,  i.  312.  V.  (Marcos),  soldier  at 
Solcdad  1791  et  scq. ;  invul.  at  Branciforte  '99.  i.  499,  511. 

Vifials  (Josif'l,  179S,  Span,  friar  who  served  at  S.  Carlos,  retiring  in  18JL 
Biog.  ii.  '40-7;  meut.  i.  577,  080;  ii.  159-00,  100.  Vincent,  1848,  mr  of 
the  Z.tcli  Taylor,  built  at  Sta  Cruz.  Fresno  Co.  Hist.,  51.  V.  (Calvin),  1840^ 
came  to  Sta  Clara.  J/all.  V.  (E.  C),  1848,  i)as.sp.  from  Hon.  V.  (Geo. 
W.),  1820,  uat.  of  Mass.  and  mate  of  the  ('ottrivr.  lie  came  back  a.s  nirof  tlio 
Moiisoon  "39-W;  and  in  '44-0  com.  iho  Slcr/iiitj;  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot  and  of  a 
Cal.  claim  '40-7.  In  '48  he  was  nir  of  the  Snhiiic,  and  remained  at  S.F.,  where 
ho  was  killed  iu  the  fire  of '51.  iii.  140,  170;  iv.  105,  .508;  v.  290,  580.  Ason, 
Geo.  W.,  lives,  I  think,  in  S.F.  '85.       V.  (Joshua  S.),  1847,  sergt  Co.  I, 


764 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


N.Y.Vol.  V.  504;  at  Linn  Creek,  Mo.,  '82.  Vincenthaler  (L.  C),  1846,  in 
CaL  during  the  war  of  '46-7;  prob.  went  east  with  Frtimont  or  Stockton,  v. 
454;  one  of  FriSmont's  men  '48.  Vines  (Bartlett),  1843,  overl.  iinmig.  of 
tlie  Walker-Chiles  party  with  his  wife,  who  waa  a  daughter  of  Geo.  Yount. 
iv.  393,  400,  448.  He  settled  in  Napa  Val,  and  still  lived  there  in  '81.  A 
daughter  waa  born  in  '45.       Vinson  (Win),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499). 

Vioget  (Jean  Jacques),  IS.*??,  Swiss  sailor  and  surveyor  who  came  as  mr  of 
the  Delmira  '37-9.  iv,  103,  117-18.  He  settled  at  S.F.j  whore  he  made  the  1st 
town  survey,  owned  a  lot,  and  built  a  house  in  '39-40.  iii.  706,  710;  v.  679. 
In  '40  he  was  naturalized,  and  from  that  time  a^^pears  in  various  records  as  a 
trader,  keeping  also  a  billiard-saloon,  and  being  employed  by  Sutter  in  '41  to 
make  a  survey  of  his  N.  Helvetia  grant,  having  of  course  much  trouble  to 
collect  his  pay.  iv.  179,  2'29-.30,  237,  C68.  In  '44-5,  renting  his  saloon  or  hir- 
ing a  man  to  keep  it,  ho  was  inr  of  the  Clarita;  was  employed  to  carry 
Mioheltorena  to  Mex.,  and  was  grantee  of  the  Blucher  raucho,  Sonoma 
Co.  iv.  480,  564,  670.  In  '40-7  he  made  a  trip  to  Hon.  and  back  on  the 
Don  Quixote;  and  in  '47-8  was  mr  of  the  Euphemia,  running  to  the 
Islands,  being  judge  of  election,  and  advertising  his  hotel — The  Portsmouth 
House — for  sale.  v.  578,  650,  680.  He  lived  at  S.  <los6  '49,  and  in  '54 
atS.F.,  ago  .'35.  I  iiud  no  later  record  of  him.  His  wife  was  apparently  a 
Beuavides.  Vioget  was  a  jolly,  musical  sort  of  fellow,  speaking  several  lan- 
guages, a  sailor  and  surveyor  and  hotel-keeper  of  some  skill.  Virgen 
(Leonardo),  soldier  at  Sta  B.  '24.  ii.  532.  Virgin  (Thomas),  1827,  Amer.  at 
S.  Diego 

Virmond  (Henry),  1828,  German  merchant  of  Acapulco  and  the  city  of 
Mex. ,  who  did  a  large  business  with  Cal. ,  where  he  was  well  known  to  nearly 
everybody  before  he  visited  the  country  in  '28-30.  He  was  a  skilful  intriguer, 
had  extraordinary  facilities  for  obtaining  the  ear  of  Mex.  officials,  and  waa 
always  the  man  first  sought  to  solicit  any  favor,  commercial,  military,  civil,  or 
ecclesiastical,  for  his  many  Cal.  friends.  He  owned  the  Leonor,  Ularla  Ester, 
Calaliiia,  Clarita,  and  many  other  vessels  well  known  in  the  Cal.  trade.  He  waa 
the  tallest  man  ever  seen  here  till  the  coming  of  DrSeinple;  wasa  business  man 
of  great  enterprise;  had  many  accomplishments  ami  a  Mex.  wife;  and  had, 
also,  his  leg  broken  by  the  kick  of  a  mule  while  in  Cal.  ii.  594;  iii.  58,  141-3, 
147,  149,  233,  313,  398,  572;  iv.  249,  285.  Vischer  (Edward),  1842.  Ger. 
clerk  in  Virmond's  employ  at  Acapulco,  who  came  to  Cal.  on  the  schr  Call- 
/or Ilia.  iv.  341,  349.  After  '49  ho  became  a  resilient,  being  an  artist,  and  his 
Pictorial  of  Cal.  was  a  series  of  photographs  from  pencil  slvrtches,  with  de- 
scriptive matter,  ]niblished  under  the  title  of  Missions  of  Upper  Cal.  His  draw- 
ings, however,  were  all  made  after  '05.  He  died  at  S.  F.  after  '70. 

Victoria  (Marcos  Antonio  Saizar  de),  1805.  nat.  of  tlie  province  of  Alava, 
Spain,  b.  in  1700;  became  a  Franciscan  in  '70;  came  to  Mex.  in  1804.  His 
missionary  service  was  at  Sta  B.  1805-0,  S.  Buen.  1805-17  and  '20-24,  S.  Fer- 
nando '18-20,  Purisima  '24-35,  .ind  Sta  Ines  '35-0.  His  death  occurred  on  July 
25,  '30,  at  Sta  In^s.  Padre  Vitoria  was  a  most  virtuous  and  exemplary  man, 
always  in  feeble  health,  not  accredited  by  his  superiors  with  great  ability,  bub 
beloved  by  his  neophytes.  AulobUj.  Antog.  de  los  Padres,  MS.;  Arch.  Sta  B, 
iii.  48-50,  123;  Sta  Iiii>t  Lib.  Mix.',  19-2i.'  See  mention  in  ii.  109,  121-2,  357, 
4!K),  530,  578-9;  iii.  90,  001-2,  004;  iv.  03.  Vivaldo  (Feliciano),  1842,  sub- 
licut  of  tho  batallon  fijo  '42-5.  iv.  289.  Vivero,  1800,  com.  of  the  Priiicesa. 
i.  540.  Vizcaino  (.Juan),  1709,  Span,  friar  who  served  for  a  brief  term  at  S. 
Diego;  was  wounded  by  tlio  Ind.  in  Aug.;  and  retired  on  account  of  illness 
in '70.  i.  127,  136,  138,  104-5.  V.  (Sebastian).  1002,  Span,  navigator  in  com. 
of  an  oxpcd.  that  explored  the  Cal.  coast  1002-3.  See  complete  record  of  his 
visit,  and  mention  of  a  later  one  of  1(>13,  in  i.  97-105,  HI,  151-2,  15S,  109; 
ii.  1.      Vizcarra  (Josd),  soldier  at  Sta  Cruz  1795.  1.496. 

Vonks  (Stephen),  1837,  doubtful  name  of  mr  of  the  Baical,  iv.  101.  Vor- 
bees  (John),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).      Vorhiea  (Wm  Van),  184S(T), 

8 ostal  agent  for  tho  govt;  memb.  of  tho  1st  senate,  and  sec.  of  state  under 
bv.  Burnett  and  his  successors;  prominent  in  later  years  as  politician,  law* 


VORHIES-WALKER. 


765 


year,  and  editor,  residing  many  years  in  Oakland.  Ho  died  at  Eureka  in  '84, 
Vrandenburg  (Adna),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  Vyer  (John),  1840, 
Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  336). 

Waccodzy,  or  Wacoocky  (Basil),  1835,  doubtful  name  of  mrof  the  Sifka 
'35-0.  iii.  384;  iv.  100.  VVaddcll  (Arcliibald),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v. 
499).  Wade,  1847,  at  Sutter's  fort  '47-8,  prob.  one  of  the  Mormons.  W. 
(Edward  W.),  1847,  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  (v,  409);  at  Ogden,  Utah.  '82.  \V, 
(Isaac),  1847,  Co.  P,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518);  d.  before  '04.       VV.  (Moses), 

1847,  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409).  W.  (Wm),  1844,  deserter  from  the  U.S. 
Warren.  Wadleigh  (Joseph),  1848,  maker  of  pans  at  Sutter's  fort  '48-9; 
went  cast  with  a  fortune  '49.  Grimshaic.  Wadsworth  (James  C.  L.),  1847, 
came  from  N.Y.  on  the  Whitoii;  became  sutler's  clerk  of  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  503; 
alcalde  at  Stockton  '49;  a  resident  of  S.F.  in  later  years  to  '85,  being  a  well- 
known  mining  man.  He  gave  mo  his  testimony  on  matters  connected  with  the 
Vigilance.  Committee.  W.  (Samuel),  1847,  nat.  of  N.Y.  and  settler  at  Sta 
Clara;  d.  at  Pleasanton  '82  at  tlie  age  of  02.  Waggoner  (P.  W.),  1840,  Cal. 
Bat.,  Co.  B,  artill.  (v.  358);  enlisting  at  Sta  Cruz  Oct,       Wagner  (Thomas), 

1848,  nat.  of  Va,  who  died  at  Snelling  '77.  Wainc,  1840,  licut  on  the  Lev.mt. 
Wainwright  (John),  1820,  lieut  on  H.  B.  M.  S.  Blonwrn  '20-7.  iii.  121.  W. 
(J.  M.),  1847,  acting  mr  of  the  U.S.  Columbus;  perhaps  J.  W.  Wakefield 
(Benj.),  1847,  act.  boatswain  on  the  Preble. 

Walcott  (Ephraim),  1844,  Amer.  deserter  from  a  vessel  who  worked  at  S. 
F.  for  Fink,  going  into  business  for  himself  as  a  blacksmith  in  '47.  iv.  453, 
083;  also  at  Sutter's  fort  '40-7.  Wald  (Wm),  1840,  arrested  at  Los  Ang. 
iv.  14.  Waldo  (Geo.),  1840,  officer  of  the  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  301).  W\  (Giles), 
1848,  passp.  from  lion.  Waldron,  1840,  at  Sutter's  fort  from  S.F.  June. 
W.  (J.  W.  and  II.  R.),  1841,  brothers  and  officers  on  tho  U.S.  Viiiceiinex. 
Walkci,  1843,  mute  of  tho  Admittance  discharged  at  S.  Diego;  in  '45  mr  of 
the  John  and  Elizabeth;  pcrliaps  two  men.  W.  (Edwin),  1847,  Co.  D.  Morm. 
Bat.  (V.  409);  reenl.  W.  (Heury  D.),  1840,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v. 
330). 

Walker  (James  T.),  1848,  nat.  of  Tenn.  and  nephew  of  Capt.  Joe  W.,  who 
came  overland,  starting  in  '47,  but  being  obliged  to  Miuter  on  tlio  way,  tlirongU 
having,  with  the  true  family  instinct,  sought  a  new  route,  v.  550-7.  Working 
as  teamster,  cattle-trader,  and  miner  in  '48-9,  he  went  cast  by  se.i  and  came 
back  across  tho  i)lain3  in  '50.  The  next  year  he  went  to  Mo.  via  N.  Mex.,  and 
in  '52  made  ins  3d  overl.  trip  to  Cal.  In  '53  he  settled  in  Contra  Costa,  wlicie 
ho  still  lived  in  '82,  at  the  ago  of  57,  with  wife  and  3  children.  Portrait  in 
Contra  Costa  Co.  Hist.,  88.  W.  (Joel  P.),  1841,  nat.  of  Va,  brother  of  Jo- 
seph, Ind.  fighter  from  '14  in  tho  Seminole  and  other  wars,  later  in  the  Sta  F6 
trade,  overl.  immig.  to  Or.  '40,  who  came  to  Cal.  with  his  family  from  Or., 
accompanying  a  detachment  of  the  U.S.  Ex.  Ex.  After  working  for  Sutter,  niul 
later  for  Yount,  he  returned  to  Or.  with  a  drove  of  cattle,  remaining  there  for 
5  years,  though  ho  appears  ns  owner  of  a  S.  F.  lot  in  '45.  iv.  233,  278-9,  347, 
377,  390.  lie  came  back  to  Cal.  in  '43,  lived  at  Napa  till  '53,  being  a  member 
of  the  constit.  convention  in  '49,  and  1st  assessor  of  Napa  Co.  In  '53  ho  m(ivc<l 
to  Son<ima  Co.,  where  he  still  lived  in  '78  at  the  ago  of  81.  His  wife,  Mary 
Young  of  Mo.,  was  the  1st  white  woman  to  arrive  in  Cal.  by  land  or  to  scttlo 
north  of  the  bay.  They  had  a  daughter  Louisa  born  in  Or.  '41;  and  the  otiier 
children  who  came  to  Cal.  in  '41  were  John,  Joseph,  Newton,  and  Isabella. 
Tho  1st  was  livin{:  at  Sobastopol  in  '77.  A  MS.  A'arrdiwe  furnished  by  Joel 
P.  to  Robt  A.  Thompson  is  in  my  collection. 

Walker  (Joseph  Hedilefonl),  1833,  nat.  of  Tcnn.  who  went  to  Mo.  in  '19, 
where  he  served  as  sheriff,  and  became  one  of  tho  most  skilful  and  famous  of 
the  guides,  mountaineers,  Ind. -fighters,  and  trappers  of  the  far  west.  His  lnt 
visit  to  Cal.  was  as  com.  of  a  party  of  Bonneville's  trappers,  spending  tlio 
winter  of  '33-4  at  Mont.  Walker's  lake,  river,  and  pass  woro  named  for  his 
discoveries  on  this  trip.  iii.  389-92,  409,  009;  iv.  204,  434.  In  '41,  unless 
there  is  on  error  in  archive  records,  ho  came  to  Los  Aug.,  prob.  from  N.  Mex., 


766 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


to  buy  horses,  iv.  278.  In  '43  ho  guided  a  division  of  Chiles'  inimig.  party  by 
a  southern  rente  to  C'al.,  going  back  in  '44.  iv.  393-5,  079.  His  i.ext  visit  was 
in  '45-0  as  guide  to  FrtSniont's  party,  a  portion  of  which  he  brought  through 
his  original  Walker  pass.  iv.  582-5;  v.  3,  6.  In  July  '46  he  was  met  by 
IJt-yaiit  at  Ft  Bridger  on  his  return  from  Cal.  Capt.  W.  continued  his 
wanderings,  with  intervals  of  ranchero  life  and  stock-trading  experience  in 
Cal.,  for  20  years,  making  extensive  explorations  in  Arizona  as  well  as  in 
otiicr  sections;  and  then  in  '00-7  he  settled  in  Contra  Costa  Co.,  living  wiMi 
his  nephew  James  T.,  and  dying  in  '76  at  the  age  of  78.  Capt.  Joe  Walker 
^.as  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  skilful  of  the  mountain  men;  none  was  bet- 
ter acquainted  than  ho  with  tho  geography  or  the  native  tribes  of  the  great 
basin;  and  he  was  withal  less  boastful  and  pretentious  than  most  of  his  class. 
In  his  old  ago  ho  was  moved  by  the  absurd  praise  accorded  to  a  'patlifinder' 
Mho  had  merely  followed  the  tracks  of  himself  and  his  trapper  associates,  to 
say  many  bitter  and  doubtless  unjust  things  against  Fr(5mont,  but  his  preju- 
dice on  this  point  was  natural  and  merits  but  slight  censure.  W.  (R.),  1848, 
passp.  from  Hon.  W.  (W.  M.),  1841,  lieut  in  U.S.  Ex.  Ex.  iv.  241.  W. 
(Wm),  1846,  sailor  on  tho  Dale.  W.  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  B,  Monn.  Bat.  (v.  469). 
Walkinshaw  (llobert),  1847,  nat.  of  Scotland  and  long  rcsid.  of  Mex.,  who 
came  as  sup.  of  the  William,  and  took  charge  of  tho  N.  Almaden  quicksilver 
mine;  cl.  for  Sta  Clara  lands  '52.  iv.  073;  left  Cal.  in  '58  and  died  in  Scotland 
'r>9.  A  man  of  the  saino  name  and  apparently  of  the  same  family  resided  at 
S.F.  in  '85. 

Wall  (Richard),  1847,  Co.  B,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  in  S.  Joaq.  Co.  after 
'50.  W.  (Wm),  1847,  owner  of  a  S.  F.  lot.  Wallace  (Geo.),  1845,  Amor, 
at  Mont.;  in  prison  '47.  iv.  587.  Wallcn  (Edward),  1840,  Co.  A,  Cal.  Bat. 
(v.  358).  Wallis  (Wm),  1840,  Co.  F,  ditto,  enlisting  at  S.  Juan  Oct.  Wal- 
polo  (Fred.),  1840,  lieut  on  the  Collinijwood,  and  author  of  Four  Years  in  the 
Pari/c.  V.  213-14.  Walsh  (James),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  W. 
(John),  1818  (?),  resident  of  Benicia  '78-84,  said  to  have  visited  S.F.  in  '18; 
prob.  an  error.  W.  (Robert  A. ),  1838  (?),  priest  at  Hon.  '39,  who  had  appar- 
ently visited  Cal.  with  his  associate,  Murphy. 

Walter,  sec  'Woltcr.'  W.  (Geo.),  1846,  one  of  tho  Chino  prisoners,  v. 
314;  Co.  A,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358).  W.  (John),  1847,  perhaps  of  N.Y.Vol. ;  not 
on  roll.  W.  (Philip  J.),  1832,  Engl,  carpenter  and  naturalized  citizen  at 
Mont.  '.32-6.  iii.  408;  perhaps  'Watson.'  Waltham  (Henry),  1848,  passp. 
from  Hon.  Walthcr  (Geo.),  1847,  Co.  K,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Los  Ang. 
'71-4.  Walton  (Ambrose),  1841,  overl.  immig.  of  the  Bartleson  party,  who 
prob  returned  cast  in  '42.  iv.  270,  275,  342.  W.  (Major),  1841,  ditto;  or, 
ace.  to  some  sketches,  was  drowned  in  the  Sac.  Riv. ;  also  named  as  one  of 
tlie  Chiles  party  of  '43.  iv.  393.  AValz  (Geo.),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v. 
499). 

VVambough  (M.  M.),  1840,  apparently  from  Or.  in  June.  v.  526;  enlisting 
at  S.  Juan  Oct.  in  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.,  of  which  he  became  lieut.  v.  361.  In  '47 
he  became  tlie  owner  of  land  in  Sta  Clara  Co.;  and  in  July,  while  on  his  way 
to  Stockton's  camp,  was  robbed  and  perliaps  wounded  near  Altgeier's  place 
in  tlie  Sac.  Val. ;  though  in  later  years,  when  ho  attempted  to  get  relief  from 
the  govt,  some  doubt  was  thi'own  on  tlio  robbery.  I  do  not  know  if  ho  was 
the  senator  to  whom  Wm  B.  Ido  directed  his  famous  letter  on  the  Bear  revolt. 
Wanec  (Wm),  1845,  doubtful  name  of  an  Irish  resid.  of  Branciforte,  ago  45, 
single.  Warbas  (Thos  A.),  1840  (?),  on  roll  of  Soc.  Cal.  Pion.  iv.  120;  in 
'42,  ace.  to  list  in  the  Iferald  of  '51;  at  S.F.  '54.  Warbeck  (Henry  K.), 
1817,  Co.  I,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  at  S.F.  after  '50.  Warburton  (Henry  H.), 
1847,  Engl,  physician  who  came  as  surgeon  on  the  Corea{l),  lind  settled  at 
Sta  Clara,  where  ho  still  lived  in  '81,  with  wife,  Catherine  Pennell,  and  5 
child.,  Caroline,  Ellen,  John,  Charles,  and  Henry. 

Ward,  1848,  of  tho  ship  Confederacitm  at  S.F.  W.  (Andrew  J.),  1847, 
Co.  I,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  a  physician  at  Sutter's  fort  '47-8;  at  Madison,  Wis., 
'82.  W.  (C.  L.),  1848,  at  S.F.  in  August.  W.  (Edward  C),  1847,  officer 
on  the  U.S.  Preble.      W.  (Frank),  1840,  came  from  N.  Y.  on  the  Brooklyn, 


WARD— WARNER. 


767 


though  not  a  Mormon,  and  opened  a  store  at  S.F.  as  a  member  of  the  firm  W. 
&  Smith,  wliich  became  prominent  for  eeveral  years;  owner  of  towu  lotu,  in- 
spector of  election,  marshal  at  the  public  reception  of  Com.  Stockton,  .letiiiji 
alcalde,  etc.  v.  295-G,  455,  539,  rAG-l,  048.  079,  081,  G85.  In  '48  he  testilicd 
on  the  Cal.  claims  at  Wash.,  D.C.,  but  came  back  to  Cal.  with  his  wife,  Hen- 
rietta Zimmerman,  who  died  at  S.F.  in  '49.  A  little  later,  in  business  reverses, 
lie  shot  himself,  but  not  fatally;  went  east  about  'o'.i;  came  back  soon  after 
'70,  married  the  widow  of  Dr  Bale,  and  some  years  later  started  east  by  sea, 
drowning  himself  on  the  way.  He  was  not  a  very  dissipated  man,  but  stylisli 
and  extravagant.  W.  (Geo.  R.),  18;}9,  owner  of  a  S.  F.  lot  (?).  W,  (Henry), 
1847,  gunner  on  the  Prvhle.  W.  (James  C),  1847,  brother  of  Frank,  who 
came  in  March  with  letters  to  Larkin;  owner  of  lots  at  S.F.,  and  member  of 
the  firm  W.  &  Wells;  inspector  of  election;  Hunt  of  S.  F.  guard,  somewhat 
prominent  in  politics  '47-8.  v.  050-2.  It  was  perhaps  ho  instead  of  his  brother 
who  shot  himself.  He  lived  in  Masa.  '55-78,  then  returning  toS.F.,  where  he 
was  a  notary,  and  published  his  Diary  of  earlier  times  in  the  Arffoinuit.  He 
had  a  shock  of  paralysis,  and  was  taken  back  to  Mass.,  where  he  died  in  '83, 
Icaring  a  widow.  VV.  (John),  1832  (?),  nat.  of  Va,  said  to  have  been  at  Los 
Ang.  '32-3.  iii.  408;  again  in  Cal.  '43-0,  returning  in  '49,  and  dying  at  Los 
Ang.  '59.  Los  Ang.  Co,  IliM.,  35.  The  only  original  record  that  I  lind  is  a 
pass,  for  Sonora  in  '45.  W.  (.lohn  ]J.),  1840,  nat.  of  Ireland,  who  came  as  a 
boy  on  the  U.S.  Hi  Louis,  visiting  Mont,  and  S.  F.  Ho  came  back  in  '49  on 
the  steamer  Californii;  married  Arcadia  Concepcion  Estudillo;  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  S.  Leandro;  and  still  lives  at  S.F.  in  '85.  W.  (0.  R.),  1847, 
at  Mont,  from  Hon.  on  the  D.  (Quixote.  Wardell  (Geo.  S.),  1847,  left  S.F. 
on  the  Chan  Drew.  Warden  (Wm),  1829,  mr  of  the  Dhaulle,  or  Dolly,  iii. 
lie.  Wardlow  (Josepli),  I84G,  overl.  immig.  with  family,  v.  328;  owner  of 
Sonoma  Co.  lands  in  '47. 

Ware,  1847,  blacksmith  at  S.  Buen.  W\  (T.  IL),  1845,  purser  of  the 
Warren  '45-8.  W.  (Wm),  1832  (?),  Irishman,  who  prob.  came  this  year 
fromN.  Mex.,  but  possibly  with  Walker  in '.33.  iii.  388,  391,  408.  Ileworked 
as  distiller,  tanner,  and  lumberman  in  the  Sta  Cruz  region,  his  name  often 
appearing  on  Larkin's  books  and  other  records  from  '31.  In  '40  ho  was  arrested, 
iv.  17;  but  got  a  license  to  remain;  and  in  '44  was  natnralized.  Wm  II.  Ware 
tcstiticd  in  Alameda  Co.  '08  that  ho  had  been  in  Cal.  since  '32;  and  aco.  to 
t!ic  newspapers,  Undo  Billy  lived  at  his  Zayanto  farm  till  his  death  in  Feb. 
'08.  Warlield,  1841,  one  of  Lieut  Emmons'  guides  from  Or.,  with  wife  and 
child;  perhaps  remained.  Waring  (Richard),  1837,  perhaps  at  Mont. 
Warley  (Alex.  F.),  1847,  mid.  on  the  U.S.  Independence.  Warner  (Caro- 
line), 1840,  of  the  Mormon  colony,  with  3  children,  v.  547;  she  married  at 
S.F.  a  man  named  Thorp,  and  died  some  years  before  '84.  W.  (Cornelius), 
18.34,  Amer.  in  a  Mont.  list.  W.  (John),  1840,  Engl,  exile,  who  returned 
from  S.  Bias  in  '41.  iv.  18,  33,  120. 

Warner  (Jonathan  Trumbull,  known  in  Cal.  as  Juan  Jos(5,  or  John  J.), 
1831,  nat.  of  Conn.,  who  went  to  St  Louis  and  N.  Mcx.  in  '30,  was  a  clerk 
for  Jed.  Smith  at  the  time  of  the  hitter's  death,  and  came  to  Cal.  in  Jackson's 
party  of  trappers,  iii.  387,  405;  iv.  204.  He  continued  his  occupation  as  a 
trapper  in  the  Cal.  valleys  duruig  '31-3,  iii.  357,  393,  and  settled,  '34,  at  Los 
Aug.,  where  ho  is  occasionally  named  in  records  of  the  following  years,  tak- 
ing part  with  the  vigilantes  in  '30,  obtaining  from  the  ayunt.  a  certificate  of 
long  residence  the  same  year,  and  in  '38  having  an  arm  broken  in  resistimz  a 
Bcarcli  of  his  iiouse  vluring  the  political  wars.  iii.  500.  In  '39  he  went  cast  via 
Acapulco,  and  thence  overland  to  V.  Cruz;  and  during  his  stay  he  delivered 
at  Rochester,  N.Y.,  an  interesting  lecture  on  the  far  west,  with  special  ref- 
erence to  a  Pacific  railroad,  returning  to  Cal.  in  '41  on  the  Julia  Ann.  iv.  37, 
223,  280,  500.  In  '43  ho  got  a  license  to  hunt  goats  and  seals  on  the  Sta  B. 
islands,  iv.  C42;  and  in  '44.  being  naturalized,  he  was  grantee  of  the  Agua 
Caliente  rancho,  S.  Diego  district,  where  ho  lived  with  his  family  from  '45  to 
'57,  tlie  place  being  known  as  Warner's  rancho,  and  another,  Camajal  y  el 
Palomar.  being  perhaps  granted  in  '40.   iii.  Oil,  020;  v.  019.    Here  Gen. 


768 


PIONEKR  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


-*-:| 


Kearny's  force  camped  in  '46  just  before  the  figbt  of  S.  Pascual.  v.  339;  also 
the  Mormon  battalion  in  '47.  v.  48(i;  and  liero  W.  had  much  trouble  with  the 
Ind.,  notably  at  the  time  of  the  I'auma  massacre.  To  a  certain  extent  Warner 
was  a  confidential  agent  of  Larkiu  for  the  U.S.  in  '40.  v.  03.  In  iiis  Notes  of 
'4.'),  Larkin  described  W.  a'  a  man  of  good  information,  addicteil  to  politics, 
with  some  influence  likely  to  increase.  Since  '07  he  has  resided  at  Los  Aug., 
holding  at  times  the  positions  of  federal  assessor  and  notary  [lublie,  but  much 
reduced  financially.  He  has  written  nuicli  for  the  papers  on  topics  of  early 
history,  respecting  some  phases  of  which,  involving  the  trappers' explorations, 
he  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  authorities.  He  was  selected  to  write  the 
earliest  annals  for  the  centennial  Los  ./4h.7.  J  lid.;  and  he  has  furnished  for 
my  use  a  brief  Biog.  Sketch,  and  a  more  extended  book  of  IkmiiiiscenceH,  which 
I  have  often  had  occasion  to  cite.  He  still  lives  at  Los  Ang,  in  '85,  age  78. 
About  '37  he  married  Anita,  tlaughter  of  \Vm  A.  Gale,  who  died  in  ';">[>,  leav- 
ing a  son.  W.  (Richard),  1S30,  one  of  the  Los  Ang.  vigilantes.  W.  (VV^m 
H.),  1846,  capt.  U.S.  top.  engineers,  who  came  from  N.  Mex.  with  Kearny, 
and  was  wounded  at  S.  Pascual.  v.  330,  343-7.  In  '47  he  came  to  Mont,  and 
S.F.,  where  he  obtained  a  lot;  and  then  engaged  in  trade  with  Shcnman  and 
Bestor  at  Colonia  in  '48,  having  previously  made  a  survey  of  Sacramento  City. 
He  was  killed  in  '49  by  the  Pit  River  Ind. 

Warre  (John),  1843,  Sutter  writes  that  he  is  not  at  N.Helv.,  but  prob.  at 
Sonoma.  Warren  (James),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Warren 
(Wm),  1828  (?),  negro  known  as  *  Uncle  Billy,'  who  died  at  S.  Jos6  '75;  said  in 
newspaper  sketches  to  have  come  in  '"28.  iii.  178.  W.  (Wm  R.),  1830,  nat. 
of  Mass.  who  had  lived  at  Hon.  sonic  10  years  or  more,  being  known  as 
•Major.'  iv.  1 18.  Ho  signed  the  memorial  to  Com.  Kennedy  at  Mont,  in  Oct., 
unless  Wm  M.  may  have  been  another  man.  iv.  141  ■  his  name  appears  on 
Larkin's  books  in  '37-42;  and  he  was  for  some  years  in  charge  of  Spear's 
store  at  Mont.  In  '40-1  he  made  a  trip  to  Hon.  and  back.  iv.  100,  507;  and 
his  daughter  Mary,  a  quarter-breed  Hawaiian,  coming  to  Cal.  about  that  time, 
married  W.  D.  M.  'Howard,' q. v.  Warren  went  back  to  Hon.  and  apparently 
died  before  '48.  Warrington,  1840  (?),  connected  with  the  legislature  of  '55. 
W.  (John),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (r.  499);  at  S.  Jost'-  '50;  d.  in  Mendocino 
before  '82.       W.  (.John  H.),  1848,  porter  in  U.S.  naval  store  at  Mont.  '48-9. 

Wasden  (Stephen  J.),  1844,  Amer.  who  got  a  pass.  Washburn  (Benja- 
min), 1844  (?),  nat.  of  N.Y.  who  had  lived  in  111.  and  Iowa,  signed  the  call  to 
foreigners  at  S.  JosiS  in  March  '45,  and  prob.  came  overland  in  '43  or  '44.  iv. 
453,  599.  In  April  occurred  the  death  of  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Woodred,  at  S. 
Josd;  and  in  Nov.  W.  was  ill  at  Perry's  farm  .oar  N.  Helv.  In  April  '40  he 
was  at  S.  Joa6;  and  in  July  is  named  as  one  of  tlie  prisoners  carried  south  by 
Castro,  v.  13G.  I  have  no  later  record,  but  W.  is  thought  by  Given  to  have 
died  at  S.  Jos(5.  W.  (J.),  1845,  at  Sutter's  fort;  also  at  S.  Jos(i.  If  nil;  per- 
haps an  error,  iv.  5/8,  587.  W.  (Lysander  E.),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v. 
499);  at  N.  Helv.  and  Sonoma  '47,  taking  part  in  a  dramatic  performance  at 
Sonoma;  capt.  of  Cal.  volunteers  in  the  war  of  '01-5;  at  S.F.  '71-82.  Wash- 
ington (Geo.),  1844,  sailor  on  the  Monmouth. 

Watawha,  or  Wetowah,  1845,  Delaware  Ind.  of  Fremont's  party;  died  in 
the  service,  iv.  583.  Waterfall  (Christian),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v. 
518).  Waterman,  1841,  mr  of  the  Uragaiiza.  iv.  503;  perhaps  same  as  the 
following.  W.  (Robert  H.),  1848,  nat.  of  N.Y.,  and  for  many  years  a  sea- 
captain;  founder  of  Fairfield,  Solano  Co.,  where  he  still  lived  in  '79.  His  wife 
was  Cordelia  Sterling.  Waters  (C),  US48,  from  Hon.;  clerk  for  Ross,  Ben- 
ton, &  Co.  at  S.F.  W.  (James),  1844,  nat.  of  N.Y.  and  Rocky  Mt  trapper, 
who  settled  iu  S.  Bern.  Co.,  where  he  lived  in  '70.  Watkins  (Adolphus), 
1840,  came  from  Hon.  on  the  Elizabeth;  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot  '47.  W.  (B.  F.), 
1847,  from  N.Y.;  a  fruit-grower  at  Sta  Clara  '76.  W.  (Francis  D.),  1847, 
owner  of  a  S.  F.  lot;  d.  at  Mission  S.  Jos(5  '48,  age  33.  W.  (James  T.), 
1832  (?),  com.  of  steamers  from  about  '55.  said  to  have  touched  at  S.  Diego  in 
'32;  died  in  China  '07;  a  nat.  of  Md  age  59.  Also  called  James  W.,  and  ac- 
credited to  '44.  iv.  453.      W.  (Richard),  1846,  one  of  the  party  captured  with 


^a 


.  V.  339;  also 
luble  with  the 
xteiit  Warner 
II  his  Notes  of 
ill  to  politics, 
at  Los  Aug., 
lie,  but  much 
>pics  of  early 
explorations, 
I  to  write  the 
furnished  for 
cence.n,  which 
I  '85,  ago  78. 
1  in  '"'[»,  leav- 
.       W.  (Wm 
'ith  Kearny, 
to  Mont,  and 
Sherman  and 
amen  to  City. 

but  prob.  at 
).  Warren 
!  75;  said  in 
),  183G.  nat. 
g  known  as 
[ont.  in  Oct., 
5  appears  on 
e  of  Spear's 
DO,  507;  and 
it  that  time, 
I  apparently 

ture  of  '55. 

Mendocino 
dont.  '48-9. 
urn  (Bcnja- 
'  tlie  call  to 
\i  or  '44.  iv, 

idred,  at  S. 

I)ril  '40  he 

d  south  by 
\en  to  have 

/fall;  per- 

Y.Vol.  (V. 

irmance  at 
Wash. 

died  in 
lartill.  (v. 
10  as  the 
lars  a  sea- 
Hi  s  wife 
^oss,  Ben- 
trapper, 
Idolphus), 
■  (B.  F.). 
.),  1847, 
imesT.), 
Diego  in 
I,  and  ac- 
Ired  with 


WATKINS-  WE.WER. 


760 


Alcalde  Bartlett  by  Sanchez;  in  '82a  judge  in  Mono  C<>.  Watmou;.'li  (.Tamea 
H.),  1840,  purser  on  the  U.S.  Porlxmoiilh,  who  was  com.  of  the  Sta  (Jlara 
garrison  in  Aug.  '•nd  made  a  successful  campaign  against  the  Ind.  on  '.ho 
Stanislaus,  v.  102,  2.39-40,  294,  378,  567.  661.  He  was  owner  of  a  S.  F.  lot.  v. 
685;  and  in  '47  bought  land  in  Sonoma  Co.  from  V'allcjo,  U-ing  in  '.'>3  an  un- 
successful cl.  for  part  of  the  Pctaluma  rancho.  In  Liter  year*  be  waj*  a  pay- 
master in  the  U.S.N.,  and  in  '77  chief  of  the  dept  of  prorUions  and  clothing. 
W.  (Pendleton  G.),  1840,  mid.  on  the  PortmnoiUh,  who  serve^l  in  the  S.  Jos6 
garrison  under  Lieut  Pinckney. 

Watson  (Andrew),  1834,  Kngl.  sailornamed  in  several  Mont,  records,  ago 
34;  at  S.  Jo8<5  '30;  on  Larkin's  books  '.39-41,  and  said  by  Famham  to  have 
been  arrested  in  '40.  iii.  412;  iv.  17.  W.  (Kdward),  I8'iS,  Kngl.  carpenter 
who  joined  the  comp.  extranjera  at  Mont,  in  '32,  and  in  '33  was  IjaptLzed  as 
Jo8<S  Eduardo  Maria,  iii.  178,  221.  His  name  appears  in  variouit  records  from 
'.34,  and  in  '.36  he  is  named  in  the  Mont,  padron  as  31  years  old,  with  a  wifo 
Maria  Guadalupe  Castillo,  age  16;  in  '37  bought  land  of  John  IJainsford;  in 
'40  wa.s  arrested  but  not  exiled,  iv.  17,  23;  in  '41  nataralize<J,  being  a  trader 
and  memb.  of  the  ayunt.  After  the  discov.  of  gold  he  went  to  the  mines,  ami 
died  at  Dry  Creek,  near  theCosumnes  in  '48.  W.  (Francis),  son  of  .James, 
b.  at  Mont,  about  '30;  educated  at  Hon.  from  '40.  iii.  ISO;  iv.  10.3.  In  tlic 
mines  '48;  married  a  daughter  of  Santiago  Estrada;  and  in  1't  still  lived  in 
Mont.  Co.  with  8  children.  I  have  a  brief  ^arra^iiv  from  him.  W.  (Henry), 
1846,  Co.  G,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  .3."»8),  enlisting  at  S.  .Jos6  Nor.  W,  (Henry  B.;, 
1840,  lieut  of  marines  on  the  U.S.  Portsmouth,  in  com.  of  S.F.  garrison;  also 
with  Stockton  in  the  southern  campaign  of  '46-7.  v.  239-40,  295,  392,  430, 
659. 

Wat.son  (James  or  David),  1824(?),  Engl,  sailor  who  left  a  whaler  at  Sta 
B.  or  S.F.  about  this  time  and  settled  as  a  trader  at  Mont.  Hlii  original  nanio 
seems  to  have  been  David,  but  was  prob.  called  Santiago  at  baptism;  also 
called  Felipe  Santiago,  and  in  one  record  James  Peter,  ii.  49t*,  5"3G.  Tiie  li^t 
original  record  is  in  '30;  in  '32  he  joined  the  comp.  extranjera.  iii.  221-2;  and 
in  '34  he  had  a  wife,  Mariana  Escamilla,  and  2  children — a  numljer  incre.'ised 
to  4  in  '36,  when  he  was  a  naturalized  citizen,  age  3.3.  A  lot  was  granted  him 
in  '.35,  and  in  '36  he  bought  a  house  of  Luis  Beltran,  ifterwanls  s^jld  to  Fuller 
and  bought  back.  Ho  was  often  a  niemb.  of  the  aynnt.  from  '36,  l>eing  a 
respected  citizen  and  merchant  frequently  named  in  the  records  down  to  '48. 
iii.  675;  iv.  117,  136,  218,  403,  653.  Sir  Geo.  Simpson  dcacril^es  him  as  a  Lon- 
doner from  RedrifF,  whose  father  had  been  '  in  the  public  line,'  keeping  the 
'Noah's  Hark  between  Globe  Stairs  and  the  'Orse  Ferry;'  and  Larkin,  in  his 
Notes  of  '45,  as  an  uneducated,  unambitious,  honest  man,  who  did  not  meddle 
in  politics.  Ho  acquired  a  fortune,  and  is  named  by  Willey  and  others  in  '49 
as  a  very  generous  man.  About  '50  ho  bought  the  S.  Benito  rancho,  for  which 
he  was  successful  claimant,  iv.  055;  but  ho  was  ruined  by  the  drought  of  '03, 
and  died  the  same  year.  His  children  were  Francis  b.  abt  "30;  CatalLna  in  '33; 
Tom.is  in  '35  (later  sheriff  of  Mont,  where  ho  still  lived  in  T->/;  and  .Santiago 
Jr,  born  in '36.  W.  (J.  B.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  \\.  fJ.  M.),  1847, 
lieut  U.S. N.,  who  brought  despatches  to  Gen.  Kearny;  later  in  com.  of  tlio 
Erie;  d.  at  Vallejo  '73,  ago  66.  W.  (Wm),  1836,  Engl.  lamWnnan  in  Mont. 
dist,  age  30.  W.  (Wm),  1847,  at  Bcnicia.  v.  673;  at  Napa  '48.  Watt 
(James),  1836,  juez  de  campo  at  Mont.  iii.  675;  '.Santiago  Guat,'  prob.  'Wat- 
son,' q.v. ;  and  Felipe  Guati,  an  Engl,  catholic  mariner,  at  Mont,  in  '29,  ago 
25,  was  also  prob.  the  same  'Watson.'  Watta  (.John),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morni. 
Bat.  (v.  469);  reiinl. ;  a  man  of  the  same  name  at  S.  Jo«<S  '.jO.  W.  (Wim, 
1827,  doubtful  name  of  sun.  of  the  Karimoko.  iii.  147.  W.  (Wm),  1841, 
doubtful  name  at  Mont.  Toomes.  Watty,  1845,  at  Larkin's  soap-factory. 
Wayne  (W-A.),  1845.  lieut  on  the  U.S.  Savannah. 

Weaitz  (John),   1840,  Co.  B,  Cal.  Bat.   (v.  358),  enlisting  at  Mont.  Oct. 

Weaver,  1831,  a  trapper,  said  by  Nidever  to  have  been  in  Young's  party; 

called  Powell  W.  by  Dye.  iii.  388;  perhaps  Pauline  W.,  a  note<I  mountain 

man  of  Ariz,  later.  He  was  also  possibly  the  man  who  aerred  as  guide  to  the 

HiBT.  Cal..  Vol.  V.    49 


770 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Morm.  Bat.  v.  483;  and  a  Paulino  W.  is  named  at  S.  Bern,  in  '4C,  age  40. 
W,  (Daniel),  1846,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330).  W.  |  Franklin),  1847, 
(!o.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469);  in  Utah  'Si;  married  Miss  K.  Reed  at  S.F.  '48. 
W.  (M.),  1846,  doubtful  name  in  a  Los  Ang.  list.  W.  (Miles),  1847,  Co.  A, 
Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469).  W.  (Vance),  1846,  Co.  E,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358),  enlist- 
ing at  Sonoma  in  Oct.;  Cal.  claim  (v.  462).  W.  (Wm  E.),  1848,  part  owner 
of  the  S.F.  Cali/orniun;  perhaps  same  as  the  following.  W.  (Wm  J.),  1847, 
Co.  C,  N.  Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  a  printer.  Webb  (Chaa  Y.),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm. 
Bat.  (v.  469);  at  Parowan,  Utah,  '81.  W.  ( Wm),  1832,  memb.  of  the  comp. 
cxtranjera.  iii.  221 ;  still  at  Mont.  '33-4. 

Weber  (Charles  M.),  1841,  nat.  of  Germany,  who  came  to  N.  Orleans  in 
'36,  and  in  '41  was  an  overl.  immig.  of  the  Bartleson  party  from  St  Louis. 
He  worked  tlirough  the  winter  for  Sutter,  who  had  signed  his  bond  on  ar- 
rival, iv.  270,  275,  279;  and  in  '42  settled  at  S.  Josi5  as  trader,  miller,  baker, 
and  a  little  later  salt-producer  and  shoemaker,  also  acquiring  Lind  and  live- 
stock, all  in  partnership  with  Wm  Gulnac.  In  '43  they  ootained,  in  G.  's 
name,  as  W.  was  not  naturalized  till  '44,  a  grant  of  the  Campo  do  los  Fran- 
ceses rancho,  G.'s  share  of  which  was  bought  by  W.  in  '45.  Weber  was  an 
active  business  man,  and  well  liked  at  this  time  by  the  Californians,  to  whom 
he  afforded  valuable  support  in  their  movement  of  '44  against  Michclto- 
rena's  cholos,  raising  a  comp.  of  foreign  volunteers,  being  imprisoned  at  Sut- 
ter's fort  on  account  of  liis  efforts  for  his  country  without  regard  to  the  Swiss 
adventurer's  personal  schemes,  being  made  capt.  of  militia  in  '45,  and  taking 
a  prominent  part  in  issuing  the  call  for  an  assembly  of  foreign  residents,  iv. 
462,  468-9,  483,  599,  604-5.  His  position  in  all  these  matters  was  consistent 
and  praiseworthy,  though  bis  influence  at  this  time  and  bis  prominence  in 
events  of  the  next  year  have  been  grossly  exaggerated  in  the  newspapers  and 
county  histories  of  late  years.  In  '46  Weber  was  in  sympathy  with  Larkin'a 
plans  rather  than  with  those  of  the  filibusters;  but  on  hearing  of  the  Bear 
rising  he  seems  to  have  taken  some  steps  for  the  protection  of  the  settlers 
south  of  the  bay,  and  on  the  discovery  of  his  plans  was  arrested  by  Castro, 
who  carried  him  south  as  a  prisoner,  but  released  him  on  leaving  Cal.  for 
Mcx.  I  am  inclined  to  think,  however,  that  Castro  did  this  at  the  request 
of  W.,  who,  having  made  enemies  on  both  sides  of  the  pending  troubles, 
deemed  it  wise  to  absent  himself  for  a  time.  v.  16,  136-7,  245,  277.  He  re- 
turned in  Oct.  iu  time  to  engage  actively,  to  the  great  displeasure  of  many 
Californians,  in  the  work  of  collecting  horses  and  supplies  for  the  Cal.  Bat., 
in  w  hich  he  declined  to  serve  on  account  of  hostility  to  Frdmont;  but  was 
made  capt.  of  volunteers  and  took  part  in  the  final  campaign  against  Sanchez, 
being  ordered  to  discharge  his  men  and  thanked  for  past  services  in  Feb.  '47. 
V.  294-5,  377-8,  380,  382,  661.  In  '47  he  settled  on  his  French  Camp  rancho, 
and  founded  a  settlement  w  hich  ho  afterwards  had  laid  out  as  a  town  and 
named  Stockton,  v.  674-5.  In  '48-9  he  added  to  his  wealth  by  successful 
gold-mining,  with  the  aid  of  Ind.,  at  Weber  Creek  and  elsewhere;  and  his 
lands  were  vastly  increased  iu  value  during  the  flush  times.  Ho  was  claimant 
for  Campo  de  los  Franceses  and  Canada  do  S.  Felipe,  iii.  677,  711;  iv.  671. 
He  spent  the  rest  of  his  life  at  Stockton,  where  ho  died  in  '81  at  the  age  of  67, 
leaving  a  widow,  the  daughter  of  Martin  Murphy,  and  3  children.  Weber 
was  an  intelligent,  energetic,  and  honorable  man  of  business;  generous  in  his 
many  gifts  to  his  town  and  to  his  friends;  but  in  his  later  life  eccentric  to  the 
verge  of  insanity,  morbidly  sensitive,  avoidng  his  fellow-men.  There  is 
nothing  apparent  iu  his  record,  that  of  a  successful  man,  who  was  neither  the 
author  nor  victim  of  any  great  wrongs,  to  account  for  his  peculiarities.  Tlnk- 
ham's  Hist,  of  Stockton  contains  a  portrait,  and  is  the  best  source  of  informa- 
tion outside  of  original  records.  An  early  MS.  copy  of  Halleck's  Land  Laics, 
to  which  were  appended  some  of  Weber's  correspondence  of  considerable  in- 
terest, was  for  a  short  time  in  my  possession.  W.  (John),  1847,  of  N.Y. 
Vol.(?);  at  S.F.  '74.  Webster  (Charles  A. ),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499); 
d.  at  Los  Ang.  '47.  W.  (Ed.  C),  1848,  at  Mont.  W.  (John  H.)  1847,  Co. 
P,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  notary  at  Stockton,  where  he  died  in  '81,  learing  a 
family. 


WEED- WEST. 


771 


Weed  (John  W.),  1841,  Amer.  passengrr  on  the  Julia  Ann,  who  came  from 
N.Y.  for  his  health,  and  went  back  in  '42.  iv.  500.  Weeks  (Elbert),  1847, 
Co.  B,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  tl.  before  '8-2.  Weeks  (James  W.),  1831,  Engl, 
sailor  who  deserted  from  the  whaler  Fitnny,  at  S.  F.  in  Oct.,  while  the  crew  wcro 
occupied  in  cutting  wood  at  Pt  Quintin.  iii.  405.  Spending  some  time  at  Head's, 
and  then  working  for  the  (^astr^js  at  S.  Pablo,  ho  lived  for  some  months  on 
the  beach  at  S.F.  trying  with  others  to  repair  an  old  boat,  tried  a  ranchero's 
life  with  Narvaez  in  Sta  Clara  Valley,  cooked  for  a  while  in  the  Pulgas 
redwoods,  joined  Ewing  Young's  trajipers,  and  returned  via  Ross  to  tlio  red- 
woods. In  '40  he  was  arrested  but  not  exiled,  having  married  a  native  wife. 
iv.  9,  17,  23;  in  '41-5  lived  at  Sta  Cruz,  iv.  280,  ,350,  003,  being  named  in  the 
padron  of  '45,  age  32,  wife  Kamona  Pinto,  cliild.  Maria  Ana  b.  '41,  Bias 
Antonio  '43,  Teodoro  '44.  He  signed  the  S.  Jos6  call  to  foreigners,  iv.  599; 
in  '40  was  coroner  in  the  Naile  case.  v.  ()41;  was  clerk  for  Alcalde  Stokes  and 
in  charge  of  the  archives,  and  later  member  of  the  council,  v.  064;  and  in  '47- 
8  alcalde  of  S.  Josd.  v.  602;  went  to  the  mines  in  '48;  was  sec.  of  the  prefec- 
ture in  '49;  and  continued  to  live  in  Sta  Clara  Co.,  being  cl.  for  a  part  of  S. 
Antonio  rancho.  In  '77  he  wrote  for  mc  his  Ilcm'miscences,  a  detailed  narrative 
of  his  career  in  early  times;  and  having  fulfilled  this  part  of  his  destiny,  ho 
died  in  '81,  leaving  4  sons.  He  was  an  intelligent  man  with  but  slight  educa- 
tion, of  good  character,  though  at  times  addicted  to  intemperance.  Welder 
(Edward),  1S47,  musician  of  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499). 

Weidney  (Anthony),  1847,  Co.  K,  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Wcifenback 
(Philip),  1847,  Co.  E,  ditto.  Weimar,  see  '  Wimmer.'  Weir  (James),  1847, 
Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518).  W.  (Thomas),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v. 
469);  employed  by  Sutter  as  a  tanner.  Weirick  (\Vm  H.),  1847,  lieut  Co. 
F,  G,  N.Y.  Vol.  V.  504.  Weirgen  (Christian),  1847,  Co.  A,  ditto.  Weiss 
(Wm),  1847,  Co.  B,  ditto;  at  S.F.  '83.  Weit  (John),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S. 
artill.  V.  518. 

Welburn  (Benj.),  see  'Washburn,'  signer  of  the  S.  Jose  call  to  foreigners 
of  '45,  the  name  being  incorrectly  given  in  several  county  histories.  Welch, 
see  'Welsh.'  Welder  (Anthony),  1847,  Co.  C,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Wel- 
don  (Peter),  1835,  Amer.  carpenter,  ago  24,  who  came  on  the  Framen  (?);  an 
anabaptist  who  joined  Russell  in  his  cxped.  from  S.  Diego  to  the  Colorado  in 
•36.  iii.  013.  Weller  (C.  M.),  1840,  Cal.  claim  $297  (v.  402);  prob.  an  error 
for  'Weber.'  W.  (Edward  H.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  at  S.F. 
'71-4.  W'ells,  1847,  married  by  Sutter  and  rem.irried  at  Sta  Clara.  Alexan- 
der; prob.  'West.'  W.,  1848,  on  the  <S'rt,'/rtf/a  Aoc  from  Hon.;  perhaps  Robert. 
W.  (Benj.  F.),  1840,  mid.  on  the  U.S.  Com/ress;  acting  lieut  in  Stockton's 
Bat.  '40-7.  V.  380.  W.  (David).  1848,  came  from  Or.  and  settled  in  S.  Joaq. 
Co.  W.  (Robert),  1847,  from  N.Y.  by  sea;  owner  of  S.F.  lot;  of  firm  W.  & 
Co.,  merchants  at  S.F.;  still  here  in  '54.  W.  (Thos  J.),  1847,  Co.  G,  N.Y. 
Vol.  (V.  499);  in  N.Y.  '71-82.  W.  (Wm  M.),  1847,  Co.  G,  ditto.  Welsh, 
1847,  doubtful  name  or  date  of  a  justice  at  S.  Buen.  W.  (Charles),  1848, 
Amer.  sea  capt.  said  to  have  been  educated  in  Spain  and  to  have  served  in 
the  Span,  mail  service;  d.  at  S.F.  '83.  Ho  married  a  sister  of  Philip  A.  Roach. 
W.  (John  H.),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  in  N.Y.  '71-84.  W.  (Wm), 
1821,  Scotch  sailor  on  the  Lcuh/  Blackwood  discharged  at  Bodega,  ii.  478. 
Ho  was  at  Los  Ang.  '29-.30.  ii.  558;  is  often  named  in  northern  records  from 
'30.  ii,  616;  lived  at  S.  Josd  from  '32,  and  in  '44  was  grantee  of  Laa  Juntas, 
Contra  Costa,  iv.  071.  lie  seems  to  h.ave  been  a  brother-in-law  of  James  A. 
Forbes,  and  to  have  been  living  in  the  S.  Josi5  district  '47;  but  died  before  '52, 
when  ths  rancho  was  claimed  by  the  admin,  of  his  estate.  Ho  left  a  wife  and 
8  children. 

Wescott  (Joseph  F.  R.),  18.30,  nat.  of  Conn.,  baptized  at  S.  Rafael  in  Oct. 
iv.  118.  In  '42  Francis  Wescott  is  named  as  gunsmith  of  tho  S.F.  comp. ;  and 
in  '48  Conway  &  W.  were  proprietors  of  tho  Colonnade  House  at  S.  F. ,  W. 
leaving  his  debtors  in  the  lurch;  perhaps  not  ho  of '30.  v.  CS.'l.  Wesley, 
1847,  visitor  at  Sutter's  fort.  West  (Benj.),  1847,  Co.  E,  Morm.  Bat.,  recnl. 
(v.  469).      W.  (Henry  S.),  1843,  mr  of  tho  Ha/ak.  iv.  508.       W.  (T.),  1846, 


772 


riONEEU  11EGI8TER  AND  INDEX. 


Fnuntlrroy's  ilinfjnona  (v.  '2.TJ,  247),  enlisting  at  Mont.  July.  W.  (Thomas), 
1846,  ovrri.  irnniig.  with  Hryiuit,  sonietinio  capt.  of  tlio  party,  nccoinpaniod 
by  hia  wife  and  4  sons.  v.  5i'8.  Ho  settled  at  S.  Josd,  and  ace.  to  Hittcll  be- 
camo  wealthy  and  went  cast  before  'GO.  Hia  sons  Francisj  T.  and  Tliomas  M. 
kept  a  livery-stablo  at  S.  Josii  in  '47.  Another,  WmT.,  served  in  Co.  B, 
artill.  Cal.  lijit.  (v,  .358);  and  the  4th  was  Geo.  R.  The  grave  of  Ann  W.  was 
passed  on  tho  overl.  route  by  Bigler  in  '47.  W.  (Thos  J.),  1847,  Co.  G,  N. 
Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  before  '82.  SV.  (Wni  C),  1840,  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dragoons 
(v.  330);  killed  at  S.  Pascual.  v.  .'MO. 

West  (VVm  Mark),  18.32,  Engl,  carpenter,  lumberman,  and  farmer,  who 
had  lived  7  years  in  Mex.  territory  before  coming  to  Cal.  iii.  408.  In  '34  he 
obtained  naturalization,  having  been  baptized  at  Sta  Cruz,  and  owning  prop- 
erty to  tho  value  of  $1,500.  From  '33  ho  appears  on  Larkin's  books,  generally 
as  a  lumberman  working  with  Trevcthan  in  the  redwoods.  In  the  Mont,  pa- 
dron  of  '36  he  is  named  as  40  years  old,  wife  Guadalupo  Vasquez,  child  Maria 
Luisa  b.  '33.  In  '40,  being  arrested  but  not  exiled,  ho  was  grantee  of  the 
S.  Miguel  rancho,  Sonoma,  and  of  Llano  de  Sta  Ilosa  in  '44.  lii.  713;  iv.  17, 
23,  073.  I  have  no  record  of  him  after  '48,  but  ho  died  before  '52,  when  hia 
widow  appears  as  cl.  for  tho  rancho,  on  which  a  stream  still  bears  the  name 
of  Mark  West  Creek.  Westfall  (Jacob),  1840,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v. 
330).  Westgate  (Francis  J.),  1839,  blacksmith  and  carpenter  at  Sonoma 
and  S.F.  '39-42,  working  for  Spear  &  Hinckley  and  Salv.  Vallejo.  iv.  119; 
perhaps  tho  man  named  as  having  lived  at  Pt  Reyes  in  '40.  W.  (Obadiah), 
1833,  gunsmith  atS.F. ;  perhaps  same  as  preceding.  Wcstlake  (Richard), 
1840,  ono  of  tho  exiles  to  S.  Bias  who  did  not  return,  iv.  18.  Weston,  1840, 
mr  of  the  Wm  AeiUon.  v.  581.  Wetmarsh,  sco  'Whitmarsh.'  Wetmoro 
(C.  E.),  1848,  S.F.  merchant  of  firm  W.  &  Oilman,  v.  080;  member  of  the 
council  '49;  settled  at  Benicia  with  his  wife.  Wetowah,  see  'Watawha.' 
Wettermark  (Chas  P.),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Weyland  (John), 
1848,  at  S.F.,  advertising  tents  for  sale. 

Whalen  (John),  1847,  musician  of  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  at  Loa  Ang.  '5.3. 
Whally  (Scotch),  1840(?),  a  man  known  only  by  this  name,  who  lived  for  sev- 
eral years  in  tho  redwoods  near  Mont.,  engaged  in  making  shingles,  iv.  120. 
About  '45  he  was  killed  by  tho  Tularo  Ind.  Wheeler  (Alfred),  1847  (?),  nat. 
of  N.Y.,  and  mcmb.  of  1st  Cal.  legislature.  Anaheim  Gazelle,  Oct.  16.  '75. 
W.  (Geo.),  1848,  on  roll  of  Soc.  Cal.  Pion.  W.  (Henry),  1847,  Co.  C,  Morm. 
Bat.  (v.  469);  rceul.  W.  (John),  1847,  Co.  K,  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  W. 
(John  L.),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409);  rcenl.  VV.  (Merrill  W.),  1847, 
Co.  A,  ditto.  W.  (Wm),  1845,  boy  on  tho  Warren,  living  at  S.  JoscS  '77, 
when  he  gave  me  a  narrative  on  the  Loss  of  the  Warren's  Launch  in  '46.  iv.  587; 
V.  384.  W.  (Wm  H.  H.),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  in  L.  Cal.  '48. 
Wheelock  (Lyman),  1847,  Co.  K,  ditto. 

Whisman  (Andrew),  1847,  nat.  of  Mo.,  who  came  overl.  with  his  father, 
John  W.  (?),  and  in  '47-8  kept  an  inn  bet.  S.  Jo86  and  S.F. ;  later  a  farmer  in 
Sta  Clara  and  Alameda  counties.  He  died  at  Harrisburg  '79.  His  1st  wife  was 
Serelda  Lynn,  by  whom  he  had  1 1  children;  tho  2d  Catherine  Smith  '72.  W. 
(John),  1848,  cousin  of  J.  W.  at  Sta  Clara.  W.  (John  W.),  1847,  nat.  of 
Va  and  overl.  immig.  with  wife  and  sou,  settling  in  Sta  Clara.  Whistler 
(Geo.  R.),  1846(?),  said  to  have  como  aa  a  soldier;  later  in  the  mines;  mur- 
dered in  Ariz.  '74;  known  as  Geo.  Reese.  Whitaker,  1845,  doubtful  name 
of  an  overl.  immig.  iv.  578.  W.  (Amison),  1847,  Co.  F,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499); 
at  Sac.  '82.  W.  (John  Geo.),  1845,  mid.  on  tho  U.S.  Savannah,  Columbus, 
and  Warren  '45-8.  VVhitcomb  (Wm  N.),  1847  (?),  said  to  have  como  with 
Capt.  Brackett's  comp.  in  '40;  committed  suicide  at  Napa  in  '71.  N".  Register. 

White,  1845,  named  as  having  conip  with  McDowell  and  also  with  Fre- 
mont, iv.  678,  583.  W.,  1847,  at  Stockton  '47-8.  W.  (Arthur  F.),  1845, 
at  Mont,  from  R.I.;  bought  goods  from  the  wreck  of  tho  Star  of  the  West. 
W.  (Charles),  1846,  overl.  immig.  who  settled  with  his  wife  at  S.  Joa6,  where 
he  was  councilman  in  '40  and  alcalde  in  '48-9,  becoming  the  owner  of  a  large 
estate  and  cl.  for  Arroyo  de  S.Antonio.  He  was  killed  in  the  Jenny  Lind  ex- 


^^TIITE  -WHITTA  K  EH. 


778 


•53, 

■  scv- 
120. 
nat. 


•48. 


'r6- 
45, 


■go 

iX- 


plosion  in  '53;  his  widow  married  Gen.  C.  Allen,  and  was  the  cl.  for  sovcml 
ranches,  iii.  078,  711-12;  iv.  055;  v.  5211,  002,  004.  His  son,  Ciias  K.,  was  a 
lawyer  at  S.  JosiS  '81.  W.  (Cliris.  S.).  1847,  Co.  U,  N.  Y.Vol.  (v.  49tt).  W. 
(Henry),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518);  d.  before  '82.  W.  (J.),  1840, 
Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358),  eulistiug  at  S.  Juan  in  Oct.  W.  (J.),  1848,  possp. 
from  Hon.  W.  (John),  1840,  Co.  C,  IstU.S.  dragoons  (v.  3:M»).  W.  (John 
C),  1847,  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409).  W.  (Joseph),  1847,  Co.  A,  «litto. 
W.  (Joseph),  1848  (?),  trapper  in  the  mines  with  Brooks  who  cluinicil  to  have 
como  with  Capt.  Weber  '41  (?). 

White  (Michael),  1829,  Engl,  or  Irish  sailor  who  came  from  Hon.  on  the 
JJolli/  or  JJhituUe.  iii.  179;  having  touched  on  tlio  L.  Cal.  coast  in  '17,  and 
sailed,  sometimes  ns  mate  and  mr,  on  Mex.  and  Hawaiian  vessels  from  that 
date  according  to  his  own  statement.  Ho  settled  at  Sta  B.,  where  lie  built  a 
schooner  in  '3U.  ii.  573;  iii.  140.  Except  from  liis  own  testimony  nothing  is 
known  of  him  till  '30,  when  his  name  appears  in  a  Los  Ang.  list  as  an  Irishman 
aged  30;  though  he  may  have  been  the  Wiiito  accused  of  smuggling  at  S.  F. 
in  '33.  iii.  393.  He  says  lie  made  a  trij)  to  Mazatlaa  in  tiie  schr  Ouatlalupe, 
which  he  had  built  for  S. Gabriel  mission,  returning  in  '.■}2,  mairylng  Maria 
<lel  Rosario  Guillen,  daughter  of  the  famous  old  woman  Eulalirt  I'erez,  open- 
ing a  little  store  at  Los  Nietos,  and  keeping  aloof  from  politics.  In  '.'JS  he 
signed  a.  petition  against  Carrillo.  iii.  505;  and  in  '39  went  to  N.  Mex.,  but 
returned  with  the  Workman  party  in  '41.  iv.  278.  In  '43  he  waa  grantee  of 
Muscupiabo  rancho  and  a  S.  Gabriel  lot.  iv.  035,  037;  served  in  tlie  foreign 
comp.  against  Micheltorcna  '45.  iv.  495,  595;  and  was  one  of  the  Chino  pris- 
oners in  '40.  V.  314.  In  later  years  he  continued  to  live  at  S.  Gabriel;  was  the 
successful  cl.  for  his  lands,  which,  however,  in  one  way  or  another  ho  iinally 
lost;  nnd  occasionally  indulged  in  a  sea  voyage.  In  '77,  at  the  ago  of  75,  some- 
what feeble  in  health  and  very  poor,  having  a  large  family  of  children  and 
grandcliildren,  Miguel  Blanco  gave  mc  his  interesting  reminiscences  of  Cal. 
AH  the  Way  Hack  to  '23.  His  memory  was  good,  and  he  seemed  to  bo  a  truth- 
ful man.  lie  died  in  or  before  '85.  W.  (Milton),  1840,  one  of  the  exiles  to 
S.  Bias,  arrested  in  the  south;  did  not  return,  iv.  14,  18.  W.  (Moses), 
1847,  Co.  E,  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  W.  (Philander),  1847,  Co.  K,  ditto.  W. 
<Sam.  S.),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409);  in  Sutter's  employ  '47-8;  at 
Pleasant  Grove,  Utah,  '81.  W.  (Thomas),  1840,  deserter  from  the  67 /.ohw, 
who  became  a  lumberman,  married,  and  in  '48  lived  on  the  Salinas.  Ho  died 
about  '50.  iv.  120.  W.  (Wm),  1830,  named  in  Larkin's  books.  W.  (Wm), 
1847,  shoemaker  in  Sutter's  employ.  Vf.  (W.),  1840,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v. 
358),  enlisting  at  S.  Juan  Nov. ;  perhaps  same  as  one  or  both  of  the  preceding. 

Whitehouso  (Benj.),  1847,  Co.  B,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  perhaps  the  'Dad' 
W.  at  Stockton  '48-9;  d.  at  S.F.  after  '50.  W.  (Geo.  W.),  1840,  Co.  C,  Ist 
U.S.  dragoo'js  (v.  336);  at  Los  Ang.  '79.  W.  (Joseph),  1840,  one  of  the  ex- 
iles to  S.  Bias  who  did  not  return,  iv.  IS.  Whitehurst,  1840,  sergt,  killed 
at  S.  Pascual  (?).  Frimont  Court-martial,  109.  See  '  Whitness.'  Whiteman 
(Wm),  184(5,  overl.  immig.  who  settled  at  S.  Jos(5  with  hia  family;  drowned 
in  tlic  S.  Joaq.  River  '48.  His  widow  lived  at  S.  Jos(5  '77,  in  tho  house  built 
by  W.  in  '40.  A  daughter  was  tlio  wife  of  Waldo  Lowe.  A  son,  John  T., 
who  came  as  a  child  in  '40,  was  a  farmer  in  Sta  Clara  Co.,  and  died  at  S.  Luis 
Ob.  in  '77,  leaving  a  widow.  Wliiting  (Wm  J.),  18.30,  trader  on  the  coast 
'30-1.  Whitlock  ((Jco.  W.),  1847,  clerk  for  Wm  H.  Davis  '47-9.  v.  051; 
sergt  of  S.F.  guard  '48;  at  Sac.  about  '74-5.  W.  (Jacob  H.),  1847,  Co.  A, 
N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  at  S.F.  '49.  W.  (Mervin  R.),  1847,  ditto;  drowned 
in  S.  Joaq.  River  '49.  Whitmarsh  (James),  1833,  Amer.  sailor  who  came 
from  Mnzatlan  on  the  Sta  Bdrhara.  iii.  409.  In  '37  a  lumberman  near  S.  Ra- 
fael; passp.  in '40.  Called  '  Wctmarsh '  and  '  Webmarch,' but  I  have  his  au- 
tograph. Whitness  (Wm),  1840,  sergt  Co.  K,  1st  U.S.  dragoons,  killed  at 
S.  Pascual.  v.  ,340;  perhaps  his  name  was  'Whitress;'  also  called  'White- 
hurst.' Whitney  (Francis  T.),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409).  W. 
(Wm),  1848,  nat.  of  Engl.,  who  came  from  Or.  to  the  mines,  and  went  bock; 
<lied  at  Butterville,  Or.,  '78.      Whittaker  (Robert),  1845,  boatswain  on  the 


tl-i 


nOXEKR  REGISTKR  AND  IXDKX. 


U.S.  Portmonth;  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot '4(1.  v.  OS.V  Whittrniorp,  1810.  jnr 
of  tho  Avon  and  Charon  '10-14;  tradi-r  iind  fui-luintcr.  ii.  00,  207,  '28'2,  .S'JH. 
Whittle,  1840,  named  ns  a  ))hy8ii'ian  at  tlio  Mont,  hospital.  W.  (W.), 
1815  (?),  said  to  bo  mentioned  in  a  doc.  of  '35,  in  tho  Los  Ang.  arch.,  oh  a 
rcsid.  for  20  years,  doubtU-ss  an  error.  My  copy  makes  tho  name  'Wittle,' 
and  tlio  time  25  years,  pcrhnps  nnotlicr  error.  \\'hittnier  (L,  C),  1847,  at 
Sutter's  fort  from  Sonoma,  (Sept.  Whitton  (1845),  one  of  Fremont's  mon, 
who  perhaps  did  not  come  to  L'al.  iv.  583.  W.  (Kzekiel  or  Jerry),  J834, 
Amcr.  named  on  Larkin's  books  at  Mont.  '34-0.  iii.  412.  Whitworth  (Wm), 
1847,  Co.  K,  Morm.  IJat.  (v.  400). 

Widgcr  (Ucnj.),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499).  Wicrzbicki  (Felix  P.), 
1847,  Co.  H,  ditto;  a  Polish  physician  and  author;  owner  of  lots  and  partici- 
pant in  a  political  iiBooi..  »  at  S.F.  '47.  v.  4.55.  In  '48  ho  sends  Gen.  Vallejo 
a  copy  of  his  work  untitled  The  hlcal  Man,  lie  was  also  tho  author  of  Cali- 
fornia aa  It  is  and  at  It  mny  he,  or  A  Guide  to  the  Gold  liegion,  S.F.,  1849, 
8vo, 00  pp.,  published  in  Seditions  by  Washington  Bartlett (mayor  of  S.F.  as 
I  write,  in  '85),  and  tho  Ist  book  ever  printed  in  this  city.  l)r  W.  died  at  S. 
F.  in  '00.  Wiggins  (Wm),  1840,  nat.  of  N.Y.,  who  crossed  the  plains  from 
Mo.  to  Or.  in  '.lO  and  como  to  Gal.  on  the  Launaniie,  landing  at  liodcga  and 

1)rocceding  to  Sutter's  fort,  and  thenco  to  Marsh's  rnncho.  iv.  120-1,  I'M,  173. 
n  '42-4  he  was  with  Graham  at  Sta  Cruz;  served  in  Gantt's  comp.  to  support 
Michcltorena  in  '45.  iv.  480;  is  named  in  the  liranciforto  padron  of  '45  as  2!) 
years  old  and  single;  went  east  overland  in  '40;  returned  at  tho  head  of  an 
immig.  party  in  '47,  but  taking  a  cut-off  was  obliged,  after  great  dangers,  to 
CO  to  Or.  V.  550;  and  came  down  to  Cal.  on  tho  Henri/  in  '48.  Ho  was  per- 
liaps  tho  man  who  is  named  at  IJenicia  in  '48.  v.  073;  is  said  to  have  owned 
at  ono  time  part  of  tho  Capitancillos  rancho,  Sta  Clara  Co. ;  lived  at  S.  Juan 
B.  '53-08,  and  later  at  Mont.,  wlierc  in  '77  he  gave  mo  his  Hcmimxcenrcs.  Ho 
died  at  S.  Jos(5  in  '80,  at  the  age  of  03.  He  was  called  'doctor,'  had  no  family, 
and  was  a  man  of  somewhat  eccentric  ways.  Wight  (David),  1847,  carpen- 
ter and  lumberman  at  Mont.  '47-8.  W.  (Randolpii  H.),  1848,  nat.  of  N.Y., 
who  came  from  Or.  on  the  Stcrliufj,  working  in  the  mines,  and  going  cast  in 
'49.  Ho  came  luck  in  '52  to  settle  in  Contra  Costa,  where  ho  lived  in  '82  with 
wife  and  two  daughters.  Wigman  (Lewis),  1845,  blacksmith  and  trader  at 
Mont.,  S.F.,  and  Sutter's  fort  '45-8,  serving  also  in  Fauntleroy's  dragoons  '48. 
iv.  578,  587;  (v.  232,  247). 

Wilber  (James  H.),  1847,  Methodist  preacher,  touching  at  S.F.  on  his 
way  to  Or.  on  tho  Whiton,  who  organized  a  Sunday-school  at  S.  F.  v.  057. 
W.  (Jacob),  1840,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330).  Wilbur,  1840,  mr  of 
tho  Mar/net.  v.  579.  W.,  1848,  in  charge  of  Sutter's  launch.  W.  (Jere- 
miah P.),  1840  (?),  nat.  of  Conn.;  owner  of  S.  F.  lots  '48;  married  in  '48  to 
Amanda  Hoit;  died  at  S.F.  '04.  Wilcox  (Edward),  1847,  Co.  B,  Monn.  Bat. 
(v.  409);  nat.  of  Pa  who  went  to  the  mines,  and  in  '52-81  was  a  farmer  in 
Mont.  Co.  W.  (I-'rank),  1840,  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358),  enlisting  at  S.  Juan 
Oct.  W.  (Henry),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409),  W.  (James  Smith), 
1810,  Amer.  mr  of  the  -'.'avinant',  or  Traveller,  '10-17,  who  was  suspected  of 
revolutionary  designs,  ani!  vish'jd  to  marry  Concepcion  Argiiello.  ii.  78,210- 
17,  285-7,  291,  310,  ;Ui2,  3G:..  ."iSS,  389.  W.  (Matthew),  1847,  Co.  C,  Morm. 
Bat.  (v.  409).  Wildf  V  (T'oter),  1818,  voter  at  S.  Diego,  and  perhaps  tho  P. 
Wilde  of  '44  at  S.D. ,  inr  d  by  Capt.  Peterson  of  the  Admittance  to  look  for 
deserters.  Wiley  (James),  1848,  lieut  of  marines  at  Mont.;  passp.  from 
Hon.  Wilkes  (Charles),  1841,  lieut  U.S.N,  and  com.  of  the  U.S.  ex.  ex., 
and  author  of  the  Narrative  of  that  exped.,  a  work  that,  as  far  as  Cal.  is  con- 
cerned, cannot  be  very  highly  praised,  iv.  241-8;  also  iv.  2,  0, 20,  191,  208-9, 
214,  227,  434,  509,  005.  W.  (E.  P.),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  W.  (James), 
1840,  came  to  S.  Josd.  Hall;  also  J.P.  \V.,  named  at  S.  Jos6  '47.  W.  (John), 
1847,  Co.  K,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499). 

Wilkin  (David),  1847,  sergt  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  v.  477;  at  Pioche,  Nev., 
'82.  Wilkins  (C.  P.),  1848,  in  Q.  M.  dept  Los  Aug.;  prob.  same  as  pre- 
ceding.     W.  (Edward),  1847,  at  Sutter's  fort.      Wilkinson,  1848,  went  from 


WI LKINSON— \V  ILLIAMS. 


775 


1840,  applicant  for  laiul  at  S.  Jo8t5.  tita  Clara  Co.  Hint. 
1830,  Lngl.  sailor  who  lancled  at  Sta  B.  from  a  wlioler. 


Mont,  to  the  mincfi  with  Colton;  Bald  to  he  asonof  aU.S.  niiniHtcr  to  Iludaia. 
W.  (Jaincsi),  IS.'Jl,  named  hy  Dye  and  Nidevcr  as  one  of  Young's  Irappom; 
perhaps  did  not  conic  to  C'al.  iii.  388.  \V.  (Joliu),  1845,  act.  mr  of  tlio  U.S. 
Porlnmouth.  Willard,  1843,  nat.  of  Mass.  and  mate  under  Capt.  Cooper, 
wiio  had  hccn  naturalized  and  got  a  laud  grant  in  the  Sue.  Val.  Doubtful 
mention  by  Tiiomes.  W.  (Fannie),  1840  (?),  nat.  of  Mu..s.  Married  later  to 
Alfred  Baldwin  of  Sta  Cruz.  W.  (Henry  or  Isaac),  1847,  Co,  A,  N.Y.Vol. 
(v.  499);  miner  in  '48-9;  farmer  and  trader  in  Marin  Co.  to  '50;  and  later  a 
farmer  in  Mendocino,  living  at  Sauel  in  '80  with  wife  and  10  children. 
Willey  (Jeremiah),  1847,  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  460).  Willhart  (Louis), 
1847.  Co.  C,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499). 

William,  1845,  Ciiinook  Ind.  of  Frdmont's  party;  in  Sta  B.  garrison,  v. 
.310.  Williams,  1846,  with  Kearny  from  N.  Mcx.  (v,  337);  perhaps  Geo.  N. 
W.,  1840,  Amcr.  at  S.  Luis  Ob.  v.  0.39.  W.,  1848,  arrested  at  S.  JoscS.  v. 
003.  W.  (Aaron  W.),  1828,  mr  of  the  Clio.  iii.  140,  105.  W.  (Albert), 
1840,oneof  the  exiles  to  S.Blas,  who  did  not  return,  iv.  14,  18.       W.  (Alonzo), 

,331.  W.  (Alex.), 
W.  (B.),  1837,  said 
to  have  been  one  of  the  party  driving  cattle  to  Or.  iv.  85.  W.  (Baylis), 
1840,  one  of  the  Donncr  party  from  111.,  who  died  in  the  Sierra,  Hisj  half- 
sister,  Eliza,  survived,  and  in  '49  was  living  at  S.  Jo8<5,  married,  but  I  do  not 
know  what  became  of  her.  v.  .530,  533-4.  W.  (Benj.),  1847,  owner  of  a  S. 
F.  lot,  perhaps  at  Sutter's  fort  '48,  and  on  the  first  jury  at  S.  Jos6  '48.  W. 
(Ciiarles),  1839,  at  Mont.;  one  of  the  exiles  of  '40  who  did  not  return,  v.,  18. 
^V  (Edward),  1847.  lieut  of  Co  E,  N.Y.Vol.  v.  504;  in  '82  a  resid.  of  Oak- 
land. W.  (Elonzo),  1840,  came  from  N.  Helv.  to  S.  Juan  B.  in  Jan.;  served 
in  Fauntleroy  dragoone  (v.  232,  247);  prob.  same  as  Alonzo  above.  W. 
((jico.),  1820  ('!),  Engl,  sawyer  named  in  Mont,  lists  of  '34,  who  in  '41  claimed  a 
resid.  of  12  years;  at  S.F.  '42,  age  .39.  iii.  179;  possibly  same  as  the  follow- 
ing. W.  (Geo.),  18.32,  nat.  of  Dcmerara,  naturalized  in  '41,  claiming  a  resid. 
of  9  years,  iii,  408.  W.  (Geo.),  1845,  overl.  immig.,  perhaps  of  the  Grigsby- 
Ide  party,  iv.  579;  settled  at  .Sta  Cruz  and  served  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  '46.  (v. 
.358).  W.  (Geo.  N.),  1846,  Co.  C,  1st.  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  .330).  W.  (Henry 
E.),  1840,  Fauntleroy's  dragoons  (v.  232,  247). 

Williams  (Isaac),  18.32,  nat.  of  N.Y.  and  one  of  Young's  trappers  from 
N.  Mex.,  where  he  liad  lived  several  years,  iii.  388,  408.  He  settled  at  Los 
Ang.  as  a  trader,  though  occupied  for  some  years  as  a  liunter;  built  a  houso 
ill  '34;  aided  in  '35  in  removing  the  Ind.  from  S.  Nicolds  Isl.  iii.  361,  652;  is 
named  in  lists  of  '30  as  25,  38,  and  50  years  of  age,  obtaining  that  year  a 
certificate  of  residence  from  the  ayunt.  and  joining  the  vigilance  com.  (iii. 
430).  Ho  was  generally  known  in  Cal.  as  Julian  W.,  often  signing  in  that 
way.  In  '39  ho  was  naturalized,  and  about  this  time  married  Maria  de  Jesus, 
daughter  of  Antonio  M.  Lugo,  becoming  the  owner  of  the  Chino  rancho 
granted  to  Lugo  in  '41,  and  being  himself  the  grantee  of  an  addition  to  the 
rancho  in  '43.  iv.  6.34,  117.  His  house  in  town  was  sold  to  the  city  govt.  In 
'46  he  proposed  to  build  a  fort  at  the  Cajon.  v.  37;  on  the  fight  at  Chino, 
when  W.  was  taken  prisoner,  see  v.  312-14.  Ho  had  a  Cal.  claim  for  property 
destroyed  for  $133,000,  whicli  was  not  allowed  (v.  462).  In  '47  he  aclvertised 
in  the  Cali/orninn  for  a  large  no.  of  men  to  build  an  adobe  fence  round  his 
rancho;  and  Col.  Coutts  says  that  the  men  all  ran  away  to  the  mines  in  '48 
just  before  the  work  was  comjileted.  He  died  in  '56  at  the  age  of  '57,  leaving 
as  heiresses  of  his  large  estate  two  daugliters,  Maria  Merced,  wife  of  John 
liains,  and  Francisca,  wife  of  Robert  Carlisle.  Ilis  wife  had  died  in  '42,  leav- 
ing the  2  daughters  and  apparently  a  son.  Col.  Williams  was  one  of  the  typi- 
cal rancheros  of  southern  Cal.,  enterprising,  hospitable,  and  generally  of  good 
repute.  W.  (Isaac),  1843,  overl.  imniing.  of  the  Chiles- Walker  party,  iv. 
393-4,  400,  who  settled  at  Sta  Cruz  and  later  moved  to  Los  Aug.,  where  he 
died  about  '70.  W.  (James),  1843,  brother  of  Isaac  .and  inemb.  of  the  same 
party,  iv.  303-4,  400.  He  also  settled  at  Sta  Cruz  as  a  lumberman  and  black- 
smith, being  naturalized  in  '45,  and  married  by  Larkin  in  Aug.  to  Mary  PriL- 


776 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


terson.  In  '4G  he  killed  Henry  Naile.  v.  C41 ;  and  is  often  named  in  records 
of  '47-8,  being  a  miner  in  the  latter  year.  In  '5'2  he  waa  cl.  for  ranchos  in  Sta 
Cruz  and  the  !Sac.  Val.  iii.  077;  iv.  C70;  and  ho  died  at  Sta  Cruz  in  '58  at  the 
ageof  45.  W.  (James  V.),  1847,  Co  E,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469);  reiinl.;  in  Utah 
'82.  W.  (J.  H.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  W.  (.John),  1826,  sailor  on  the 
Hover.  W.  (John),  1S4G,  doubtful  name  of  an  overl.  immig.  v.  529. 

Williams  (John  S.),  1843,  brother  of  Isaac  and  James,  and  overl.  immig. 
of  the  Chiles  party,  iv.  393-4,  400.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  and  I  find  no 
original  record  of  his  presence  till  '45,  when  he  is  named  in  the  Branciforte 
padron  as  26  years  old  (Isabel  and  Esculla  Williams  living  with  him — prob. 
tlie  Cal.  rendering  of  Isaac  and  Squire!),  and  is  mentioned  at  Sutter's  fort. 
In  Feb.  '46  he  asked  for  naturalization,  continuing  to  work  for  Sutter,  but 
travelling  much  up  and  down  the  valley,  visiting  Mont,  and  Sta  Cruz,  and 
perhaps  serving  with  the  Bears,  v.  167.  In  '47,  besides  buying  lota  and  build- 
ing at  Benicia,  v.  072,  he  took  charge  of  Larkin's  rancho  in  Colusa,  and  was 
married  in  June  to  Maria  Louisa,  daughter  of  Joseph  Gordon,  at  Wm  Gor- 
don's place  on  Cache  Creek,  by  Alcalde  Idc.  I  have  many  of  his  original  let- 
tors.  He  went  to  the  mines  in  '48;  moved  to  Butte  Co.  in  '49;  and  died  in 
May  of  that  year.  His  widow  married  Lindsay  Carson  in  '50,  was  one  of  the 
cl.  for  the  Arroyo  Chico  rancho  '52,  and  still  lived  in  Sonoma  Co.  '80.  A  son, 
John  S.,  Jr,  was  born  in  Cr.l.  '48,  and  was  also  one  of  the  claimants.  Ho  went 
cast,  and  in '70-80  lived  in  Texas.  W.  (N.  L),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  W. 
(Richard),  1846,  sergt  Co.  C,  1st  U.S.  dr.-igoons  (v.  336),  341.  W.  (Robert), 
1844,  doubtful  name  of  a  man  who  came  with  his  family.  Ariz.  Hist.,  268. 
AV.  (Squire),  1843,  brother  of  John  S.  and  James,  v.  393-4,  400;  Co.  F,  Cal. 
Bat.  (v.  358);  died  at  the  Yuba  niiuos  '48;  yet  named  as  a  cl.  for  Arroyo  de 
la  Laguna  in  '52.  iii.  077.  W.  (8.  H.),  1848,  of  S.  H.  \V.  &  Co.  at  S.F.  v. 
<378.  W.  (Thomas),  1847,  sergt  Co.  D,  Morm.  Bat.  v.  477,  481;  perhaps  did 
not  come  to  Cal.  W.  (Wm),  1838,  Engl,  sailor  who  landed  at  S.  Diego,  iv. 
119;  in  chiirgc  of  Capt.  Fitch's  house  '40;  sub-Ind.  agent  at  S.  Luis  Rey  '48. 
V.  621-2;  claimant  for  Valle  de  las  Viejas  '52.  v.  019.  W.  (Wm  H.),  1847, 
Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Nyack,  N.Y.,  '74-84. 

Williamson  (Benj.),  1846,  Co.  B,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358),  enlisting  at  Mont. 
Nov.  \V.  (Daniel  or  David),  1846,  Co.  F,  ditto,  enlisting  at  S.  Juan  Oct.; 
at  S.  Jos(5  '48;  d.  in  '49.  ^wan.  W.  (James),  1826,  on  the  Uover.  W. 
(J.  C),  1838  (?),  nat.  of  Mass.,  said  to  have  come  via  N.  Mex.  in  '.38,  iv.  119, 
and,  returning,  to  have  started  in  '41  with  his  family,  killed  by  Ind.  on  the 
way.  Then  he  turned  Ind. -fighter;  was  with  Frdmont  in  '46  (?);  was  a  sharp- 
aiiooter  in  the  war  of  '61-5;  a  scout  under  Custer  later;  then  a  hunter  in 
(Jal.  known  as  Grizzly  Dan;  at  Oroville  '80.  >S'ac.  Union,  July  3,  '80.  How 
much  truth  there  may  be  in  all  this  I  do  not  know.  W.  (Thomas),  1833,  at 
Mont.  '33-4.  W.  (Thomas  D.),  1S47,  Co.  K,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Sta  Rosa 
'71-4;  d.  before  '80.       Willie  (Henry),  1847,  Co.  H,  ditto. 

Willis  (Ira),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.' Bat.  (v.  469);  later  in  Slitter's  service, 

found.  W.  (Otis  W.),  1847,  Co.  F, 
W.  (Wm),  1827  (?),  Englishman, 
owning  cattle  and  applying  for  land  at  S.  Jos6  in  '28.  ii.  595,  005;  iii. 
178,  In  '30  Wm  With  got  permission  to  keep  cattlo  at  Mt  Diablo,  ii.  002. 
As  Wilk  and  Villa  he  is  named  in  '31,  age  31,  with  wife  and  3  children. 
In  '41  Guillermo  Wil  is  named  in  the  S.  Jos«5  padron  as  an  Amer.,  age 
46,  wife  Maria  Ant.  Galindo,  child.  Guillermo  b.  '33,  Conccpciou  '28,  and 
Anastasio  '30.  There  is  also  a  Julian  Wil  named  as  a  militiaman  of  S.F.  in 
"M.  There  is  a  strange  lack  of  definite  information  about  this  Wm  Willis. 
W.  (W.  S.  S.),  1847,  known  as  Sidney  W.;  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469);  in 
Sutter's  employ  '47-8,  and  at  the  Coloma  mill  when  gold  w.as  discovered. 
Wilmot  (James),  1845,  perhaps  overl.  immig.  of  the  Grigsby-Ido  party,  iv. 
579;  named  at  Sutter's  fort  '46.  W.  (Lewis),  1846,  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358);  also 
Lewis  A.  W.,  sailor  on  the  Elizabeth  '48.  Wilmoth  (Geo.),  1845,  boatswain 
on  the  U.S.  Savannah.  Wilson,  1S45,  in  Sutter's  employ;  went  east  with 
Clyman  iu  '46.  v.  5'26.       W.,  1847,  at  S.F.  from  Hon.,  with  wife  and  2  chil- 


and  at  the  Coloma  mill  when  gold  was 
N.Y.Vol.    (v.  499);  at  S.  Aiuln's  '74. 


WILSON. 


777 


<lren,  on  the  Julia.  W.,  1847,  owner  of  land  at  Benicia.  W.,  1848,  at 
S.F.  from  Tahiti.  W.,  1848,  of  Hood  &  \V.,  carpenters  at  S.F.  v.  C84. 
W.  (A.),  18-24,  sailor  on  the  Rover.  W.  (Alfred  G.),  1847,  Co.  A,  Momi. 
Bat.  (v.  469);  at  Moab,  Utah,  '81.  W.  (Amariah),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lots. 
W.  (Alvin),  1840,  uat.  of  Conn.,  who  landed  from  Capt.  Hinckley's  vessel 
and  became  a  lumbernian  in  the  Sta  Crnz  district.  He  was  arrested  with  tlie 
other  foreigners,  but  not  exiled;  and  in  '42  signed  an  appeal  to  the  U.S.  govt. 
Ho  was  killed  by  Ind.  near  Gilroy  in  July '44.  W.  (B.),  1848,  at  Hon. 
from  S.F.,  on  the  Julian. 

Wilson  (Benj.  Davis),  1841,  known  in  Cal.  as  Benito,  nat.  of  Tenn.,  and 
immig.  of  the  Workman  party  from  N.  Mex.,  where  lie  had  resided  ifor  8 
years  as  trapper  and  trader,  iv.  277-9.  In  '43  he  purchased  the  Jnrupa 
rancho,  iv.  GSo,  and  from  this  frontier  station  in  the  following  years  engaged 
in  several  campaigns  against  hostile  Indians.  In  '45  ho  was  prominent  among 
the  southern  foreigners  who  served  against  Micheltorena.  iv.  49.'>,  504, 506-7. 
In  '46  ho  acted  as  juez  for  the  district  ranchos;  commanded  a  comp.  of  citizen 
riflemen  intended  to  resist  Castro;  was  in  com.  of  the  foreigners  at  the  Chino 
light;  and  after  the  U.S.  occupation  served  as  lieut  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  v.  50-1, 
265,312-14,360,025.  He  was  the  Ist  county  clerk  and  1st  mayor  of  Los 
Ang.;  Ind.  agent  in  '52,  taking  pride  in  having  been  the  1st  to  urge  the  set- 
tling of  tho  Ind.  on  reservations  at  the  old  missions;  cl.  for  S.  JoscS  de  Buenos 
Aires  rancho.  iv.  035;  and  was  state  senator  for  two  terms.  Don  Benito  was 
a  prosperous  ranchcro  and  fruit-raiser,  an  influential  and  respected  citizen. 
In  '77  ho  dictaced  for  my  use  his  Obwrvations  on  early  Cal.  events,  a  MS.  of 
considerable  value,  though  on  some  points  I  have  found  Wilson's  testimony 
less  accurato  than  I  had  deemed  it  at  first.  I  notice  that  a  copy,  left  with  the 
fa  nily  at  their  request,  has  been  consulted  by  some  of  the  county  history 
and  newspaper  men.  W.  died  at  his  rancho  of  Lake  Vineyard  in  '78,  at  the 
age  of  67,  leaving  a  widow — a  2d  wife,  the  Ist  having  been  Kamona,  daugh- 
ter of  Bernardo  Yorba,  married  in  '44 — and  3  daughters.  W.  (Charles), 
1848,  carpenter  at  8.  F.  W.  (Dorsey),  1847,  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  W.  (Henry), 
1847,  purser  on  tho  U.S.  Preble.  W.  (Henry  J.),  1847,  sergt  Co.  D,  N.Y. 
Vol.  V.  504.  W.  (James),  1824,  Engl,  trader  at  Slont.;  age  25  in  '29;  also 
at  Mont.  "30-3.  ii.  609.  W.  (James),  1844  (?),  Engl,  soldier,  veteran  of 
Waterloo,  said  to  have  come  to  Sta  Clara  and  to  have  died  in  '70.  v.  453. 
W.  (James),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y. Vol.  (v.  499). 

Wilson  (John),  1826,  Scotch  shipmaster  and  trader  on  the  roll  of  the  Soc. 
Cal.  I'ion.  as  having  arrived  in  April  '26,  and  who  in  '37  claimed  a  residence 
of  12  years;  tho  1st  original  record  being  '28,  when  he  was  master  of  tho 
Thou  Noivlan.  iii.  149.  In  '31-7  he  was  mr  of  the  Ajacucho;  of  the  Index 
•38-9,  '41-3;  of  tho  Fhj  '40;  of  the  Jiianitn  in  '44-5.  iii.  38i;  iv.  101,  104, 
560.  Before  '36  he  married  llamoiia  Carrillo  do  Pacheco,  and  from  that  time 
considered  Sta  B.  his  !i  'Uic;  naturalized  in  '37,  and  from  '39  to  '47  a  ))artner 
of  James  .Scott;  about  '41  cng.i!;i.d  in  otter-hunting.  In  '45  Capt.  W.  took 
some  part  in  the  troubk  .  with  Micheltorena.  iv.  498;  and  with  Scott  was  tho 
purchaser  of  the  S.  Luis  Oh.  estate.,  and  grantee  of  the  ranchos  Canada  del 
Chorro  and  Cafinda  de  los  Osos,  v.hero  ho  spent  tho  rest  of  his  life.  iv.  5.53, 
6.j5,  658-9;  v.  375,  558,  506.  Ho  died  in  '60  at  the  age  of  65,  leaving  a  widow, 
still  living  in  's5,  a  son  John  vho  settled  in  Englantl,  and  a  daughter.  There 
wero  few  of  tl.''}  old  pioneers  better  known  or  more  rerspected  than  Capt.  John 
Wilson.  W.  (John),  ISciO,  Amer.  tnippcr,  apjiarcntly  of  Jed.  Smith's  party, 
iii.  155,  190,  176.  Ment.  in '27-30;  on  Larkiii'a  books  '38-9;  in '41  permitted 
to  marry  Maria  F.  Mendoza  of  S.  Carlos.  W.  (John),  1837,  u'rantce  of 
Guilicos  rancho,  iSonoma,  for  which  he  was  cl.  in  53.  iii.  712;  iv.  I  IS;  ment. 
at  Sonoma  '43.  W.  (.John),  1811,  deserter  from  tho  U..S.  Ex.  Ex.  nt  N. 
Helv.  July.  W.  (.John).  1844,  owner  of  a  lighter  on  S.F.  bay;  perhaps  John 
of '37,  or  tlie  captain.  W,  (John\  1847,  wounded  at  tlie  S.  Gabriel  light. 
V.  395;  prob.  Joseph.  W.  (John),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  perhaps 
at  Stockton  '48-9.  W.  (J.  B.),  1847,  carpenter  at  Mont.  '47-8;  perhaps  the 
initials  were  E.  B.  or  O.  B.       W.  (John  E.),  1840,  on  rcil  of  Soo.  Cal. 


778 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Pion.;  nat.  of  Sweden;  d.  at  S.F.  '77,  age  G3.  W.  (John  Henry),  1826,  negro 
wlio  landed  from  a  whaler,  and  was  still  at  Los  Ang.  ''29  and  '37.  iii.  19ti. 
W.  (John  K.),  1845,  mid.  on  the  U.S.  Savannah  '45-7;  lieut,  and  later  capt., 
of  the  artill.  comp.  of  the  Cal.  Bat.  v.  3(''  434,  446;  in  '48  a  witness  at  Wash, 
on  the  Cal.  claims.       W.  (J.  T.),  1847,  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot. 

^Vilson  (Joseph),  1845,  asst-surg.  on  the  U.S.  Savannah  '45-7.  W. 
;  Joseph),  1846,  seaman  wounded  at  the  S.  Gabriel  fight  '47.  W.  (Joseph), 
1847,  purser  on  the  U.S.  Lexington.  W.  (Julian),  1828,  partner  of  Exter  in 
a  trapping  project,  iii.  172-3,  178;  named  in  the  Branciforto  padron  of  '28, 
wife  Josefa  Arbito  (?),  child  Maria,  ii.  627.  W.  (Lorenzo),  1830  (?),  brother 
of  Julian,  said  by  Vallejo  to  have  had  personal  encounters  with  Pliego  and 
Jos6  Castro.  \V.  (Mariano),  1846,  had  a  Cal.  claim  (v.  462).  W.  (Oliver 
C),  1840,  Co.  C,  Ist  U.S.  dragoons  (v.  330).  W.  (Robert),  1847,  Co.  G, 
N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Vallejo  '82.  W.  (Thomas),  1832,  at  Purfsima,  a 
farmer.  W.  (Thomas  A.),  1848,  overl.  immig.,  son  of  Wm  D.,  settler  in  S. 
Joaquin  Co.,  where  he  still  lived  with  a  family  in  '84.  W.  (VVm),  1822, 
Amer.  carpenter  at  Mont.  '29,  aged  27,  married;  also  at  Mont.  '34.  ii.  478. 
There  way  be  some  confusion  between  him  and  Wm  'Willis,' q.  v.  W. 
(Wm),  1847,  at  S.F.  from  Tahiti.  W.  (Wm  C),  1845  (?),  nat.  of  Tenn.  said 
to  have  come  from  Sonora  this  year;  a  well-known  horseman  who  died  at  S. 
Jos6  '82,  leaving  a  widow  and  son.  iv.  587.  W.  (Wm  D.),  1848,  nat.  of  Ky 
and  overl.  immig.  who  settled  on  the  Cosumnes,  where  ho  built  a  wire  bridjj-. 
He  was  rich  at  one  time,  but  lost  his  fortune  by  floods  and  other  misfortunes. 
He  died  near  Gilroy  in  '75  at  the  age  of  05,  leaving  a  widow  and  son.  Wilt 
(Jolm),  1847,  sergtCo.  B,  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  504;  d.  before  '82. 

Wimmer  (Peter  L.)  1840,  nat.  of  Ohio  and  overl.  immig.  with  his  wife, 
Elizabeth  J.  Bays.  He  may  have  .erved  in  the  Cal.  Bat.  (v.  358);  and  in  '47 
was  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot.  v.  085.  He  worked  for  Sutter  as  a  millwright  ia 
'47-8,  and  was  one  of  the  men  cmployeil  at  the  Colonia  mill  when  gold  was 
discoverctl,  being  perhaps  with  Marsliall  on  the  eventful  morning  when  'tliey' 
picked  up  the  1st  nugget.  At  any  rate,  Mrs  W.,  ranking  as  cook  and  laun- 
dress of  the  camp,  tested  that  nugget  by  boiling  it  in  iier  soap-kettle,  and  still 
claimed  to  have  it  in  lier  possession  in  '85.  After  the  discovery  the  family 
kept  a  boarding-house,  having  also  a  choic«  assortment  of  pigs.  A  child  was 
born  in  Aug.  '48;  in  '49  W.  went  to  Calaveras;  in  '55  he  had  10  children.  In 
'78-85  be  resided  in  Southern  Cal.  W.  (John  M. ),  1847  (?),  i)erhaps  a  brother 
of  Peter,  teamster  at  N.  lielv.  and  Coloma  '47-8.  G.  \V.  and  family  are  also 
ment.  in  tlie  N.  Netv.  Diary;  prob.  error. 

Winckley  (J.  F.),  1848,  passp.  from  Hon.  Winders  (John),  1847,  nat. 
of  Va;  d.  at  Stockton  '72,  ago  67.  Windmeyer  (Richard),  1847,  Co.  F, 
N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Wing,  1847,  mr  of  the  (Jbed  Mitchell,  v.  579;  on  tho 
Sanailahoc  '48.  Winkley,  1847,  at  S.F.  from  Or.  on  the  Henry;  at  Benicia. 
Winkworth  (Wm),  1836,  m-  of  t!io  Europa  '36-7.  iv.  103.  VVinn  (Dennis), 
1847,  Co.  A,  Morin.  Bat.  (v.  469);  laborer  at  Mont.  '48;  at  Richmond,  Utah, 
'81.  Winner  (Geo.  K.),  1846,  one  of  tho  Mormon  colony,  with  wife  and  6 
children,  v.  547;  owner  of  S.F.  lot  '47.  v.  679.  Winnie  (James),  1847, 
sergt  Co.  H,  N.Y.  Vol.  v.  rm-,  scrgt  of  S.  Jos6  guard  '48;  d.  before  '82. 
W.  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  carpenter  and  miner  in  Calaveras 
Co.  '48-56;  at  Portland,  Or.,  to  '74,  and  at  Oakland,  Cal.,  to  'So.  Winship, 
i848,  trader  in  the  mines  and  at  S.F.  W.  (Charles),  1850,  mr  of  the  Betsey. 
i,  546,  056.  W.  (Jonathan),  1806,  mr  of  tho  O'Vnin;  a  famous  trader  and 
smuggler  on  tho  coast  1800-12.  ii.  25,  39-40,  78-9,  82,  84-5,  92-4,  267,  633. 
W.  (Nathan),  1800,  brotherof  Jonathan,  mate  of  tho  O'Catn;  mr  of  the  .<4 /6o- 
tross  1807-12.  ii.  39,  82,  84,  92-5,  148,  199,  267,  296.  Winslow,  1848,  from 
Hon.  on  tho  Sarjadahoc.  Winter  (Jacob),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469); 
reiinl.  W.  (John  D.),  184S,  hotel-keeper  at  Coloma,  of  firm  W.  &  Cromwell, 
owning  an  interest  in  Sutter's  mill;  later  a  resid.  of  R.  Joaquin.  W.  (Wm 
H.),  1843(?),  nat.  of  Jw..  and  overl.  immig.  of  tho  Walker-Chilea  party,  iv. 
39;i-4,  400;  or  possibly  came  to  Or.  '43  and  to  Cal.  '44.  Ho  is  said  to  have 
gone  east  in  '45  and  returned  in  '49,  but  is  named  in  N.  Ilelv.  in  '47.     Ho 


WINTER— WOLFSKILL. 


779 


made  other  trips  east,  but  in  '53  settled  in  Cul.  with  his  family,  living  in 
Colusa  and  Lake  to  '.>.'>,  in  Napa  to  '71,  ani.1  in  Siiasta  nntil  his  death  in  '7'J  at 
the  age  of  CO,  leaving  5  sons,  one  of  them  a  lawyer  at  Napa.  W.,  1843,  mr 
of  the  whaler  Ana  Marin.  Fcternon. 

Wise  (Henry  A.).  1847,  lieut  on  the  U.S.  Iiideiiendence,  and  author  of  Los 
Orimfon,  pub.  in  N.Y.  '49,  in  which  his  experience  is  described,  v.  100.  I 
have  also  some  MS.  Xotei  on  Cal.  by  him,  but  cannot  say  how  or  when  they 
were  obtained.  W.  (Marion),  1845,  apparently  one  of  Fr«?mont's  men.  iv. 
583;  at  N.  Helv.  '46,  and  perhaps  one  of  the  Bears,  v.  110,  l"i8,  453;  a  wit- 
ness at  Wash,  in  Feb.  '48.  He  perished  in  Fremont's  cxped.  of  '48-9.  Wis- 
mon  (.John),  1840,  in  Hittell's  list.  Wisner  (Geo.),  1845,  carpenter  on  the 
U.S.  Portsmouth  '45-7;  owner  of  a  S.F.  lot.  v.  083.  Wissell  (Fred.),  1847, 
Co.  H,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Wiswell  (James),  1846,  a  doctor  who  became 
rich  and  went  east.  Jlittell.  Withrell  (Adolphus),  1846,  sailor  on  the  Dale. 
Wittam  (Isaac),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Wittmer  (Jacob),  1847, 
Swiss  in  Sutter's  employ  '47-8,  often  nanietl  in  the  N.  Helv.  Diary.  On  Feb. 
1 4,  '48,  he  arrived  at  the  fort  with  glowing  reports  from  the  gold  mines.  Wit- 
mar.sh  (Bonj.  II.),  1845,  Amer.  at  Mont.  Wittengstein  (David),  1847,  Co. 
F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518). 

Wodwarck,  1815,  mr  of  the  Lady.  ii.  307.  Wohler  (Herman),  1848, 
(Jernian  who  married  a  dauglitcr  of  Capt.  Cooper,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
legislature  of  '55.  He  lived  on  Mark  West  Creek,  and  later  at  Sonoma,  where 
ho  had  a  vineyard.  An  accomplishetl  musician,  famous  as  an  entertainer.  Ho 
died  in  '77.  Vohlgemouth  (Henry  J.),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  at 
S.F.  '82.  Wolcott,  1845(?),  d.  at  Hon.  '50;  said  to  have  lived  5  years  iu 
Ca'.;  prob.  '  Walcott.'  AN'olfc  (James),  IS'JO,  mate  of  the  Blonmm  "20-7.  iii. 
121.  W.  (John),  1847,  Co.  1),  N.Y.  Vol.  (v.  499);  trader  at  Mont.,  Stock- 
ton, and  iu  the  mines;  iu  N.Y.  '71-82.  Wolfmger,  1846,  Gennau  of  the 
Donner  party,  who  died  before  reaching  the  Sierra.  His  wife  survived  anil  was 
married  in  '47  at  Sutter's  fort  to  Geo.  Zinns.  v.  531-2,  531. 

Wolfskin  (John  II.),  1838,  nat.  of  Ky,  who  came  from  N.  Mex.,  after  some 
years  residence  in  Mex.  i^-.  117,  119.  After  working  for  several  years  for  his 
brother  Wm  in  tlie  south,  he  came  north  in  '42  and  settled  on  a  rancho  on 
I'utai'.  Creek — granted  to  Francisco  Guerrero  and  owned  by  Wm  Wolfskill. 
Here  ho  has  lived  down  to  '85,  his  name  rarely  appearing  in  any  early  records 
that  1  have  seen,  possibly  serving  with  the  Bears  and  Cal.  Bat.,  but  not 
tempted  away  from  his  rancho  anil  cattle  by  tiie  gold  excitement  of  '48-9. 
In  the  later  years  ho  has  been  one  of  tlic  bt'st  known  fruit-;;rowcrs  of  Yolo 
and  Solano,  a  man  of  wealth,  and  a  citizen  of  the  most  excellent  reputation, 
now  81  years  of  age.  Portrait  in  Yolo  Co.  //m/.,2G.  By  his  first  wife,  whose  name 
1  have  not  found,  ho  had  a  son,  Edward,  who  in  later  years  was  his  business 
iiumager.  In  '58  he  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Stephen  Cooper,  by  whom  ho 
liad  3  daughters  living  in  '80.  I  liave  a  brief  liioi.  Sketch  of  'Uncle  John,' 
taken  by  (J.  W.  Boggs  in  '83.  W.  (Sarchel),  18'38(?),  nat.  of  Mo.,  brotlier 
of  John  K  ,  who  may  have  come  from  N.  Mex. '38-41;  in  Solano  Co.  '80. 
'\  (Wm),  1831,  brother  of  John  R.,  nat.  of  Ky,  and  for  several  years  a  trap- 
per and  trader  in  N.  Mex.,  coming  to  Cal.  in  com.  of  a  trapping  party  by  a 
new  route,  iii  386,  405,  630;  iv.  263-1.  Ho  had  been  naturalized  in  N.  Mex. 
'30;  and  iu  Ca'.  for  several  years  was  engaged  in  liiinting  otter  on  the  coast, 
building  a  schooner  for  that  purpose,  iih  303,  393.  In  '36  ho  settled  at  Los 
Ang.  as  a  carpenter,  getting  a  lot,  being  named  as  one  of  thu  vigilantes,  giv- 
ing much  attention  to  the  raising  of  vines,  and  fnmi  '38  devoting  iiin)self 
wholly  to  the  vineyards  which  were  to  make  him  ricii  and  famous,  iv.  117. 
He  married  in  '41 ;  in  '42  bec.ime  the  owner  of  the  I'utali  Creek  rancho  occupied 
from  that  time  by  his  brother,  iv.  673;  in  '44  was  regidor  at  Los  Ang.  iv. 
633;  and  is  hardly  mentioned  in  tlie  political  troubles  of  '45-7  or  iu  public 
matters  of  later  years.  He  died  iu '66  at  the  age  of  OS,  leaving  an  enviablo 
reputation  as  an  honest,  enterprising,  generous,  unassuming,  intelligent  man. 
Ho  and  Louis  Vigncs  may  be  regarded  as  the  pioneers  of  California's  greatest 
industry,  the  production  of  wine  and  fruit.  His  wife  Magdalena,  daugiiter  of 


780 


PIONEER  JklEGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


Jos6  Ign.  Lugo,  died  in  '62;  a  daughter  Juana,  Mrs  Henry  D.  Barrows,  died 
in  '03,  aud  another  daughter  in  '55.  The  surviving  children  and  heirs  of  his 
large  estate  were  Joseph  W.  born  in  '44,  Luis,  Madelina  (wife  of  Matias 
Sabici),  and  Francisca,  apparently  Mrs  Cardwell.  VVm  had  li  brothers,  per- 
haps including  Sarchel,  who  came  after  '48.  Wolter  (Cliarlcs),  1833,  Ger- 
man mr  of  a  Mex.  vessel,  who  in  Dec.  obtained  a  certificate  of  Mcx.  citizen- 
ship, having  been  for  '2  years  a  citizen  of  Peru.  iii.  409.  It  is  not  unlikely  that 
he  visited  Cal,  before  '33.  He  was  j<ir  of  tlie  Leonor  '30-8,  of  the  Clara  or 
Clarita  '40-3,  of  the  Julia  '44-5,  and  of  El  Placer  '48.  iii.  383;  iv.  102,  104, 
403,  r)03-4;  V.  577.  Capt.  Wolter  married  an  Estrada,  settled  at  Mont.,  and 
was  cl.  for  tho  Toro  rancho.  iii.  079.  Ho  died  in  '50  at  the  ago  of  05. 

Wood,  1841,  with  Douglas,  iv.  212;  named  at  Sutter's  fort.  W.  1840, 
«t  Sutter's  fort  from  Or.  in  June.  v.  620.  W.,  1846,  mr  of  tho  Pandora,  v. 
579.  W.,  1847,  juryman  aud  constable  at  Sutter's  fort.  v.  542.  W.,  1848, 
in  the  mines;  discov.  of  Wood  Creek;  perhaps  the  man  who  came  from  Or, 
with  Capt.  Martin,  and  was  killed  by  Ind.  W.,  1848,  builder  at  Benicia. 
V.  673.  W.  (Geo.),  1831,  mr  of  the  Louisa,  iii.  383.  W.  (Geo.  T.),  1844, 
deserter  fi  o.n  tho  U.S.  Warren  at  S.P.,  who  lived  among  the  Ind.  of  Marin 
Co.  near'i  -"ril'-  •'v hero  Wood  Point  bears  his  name.  iv.  453.  The  cx-sailot 
became  aii    ■  orseman,  widely  known  as  Tom  Vaquero.  He  died  at  S. 

Rafael  in  '79.  (Henry),  1833,  Amer.  named  in  Larkin's  books  '33-7, 


known  as  the 


■n.*  iii.  409;  in  the  Or.  cattle  party  of  '37.  iv.  85;  served 


in  Cal.  Bat.  '40  (v.  358),  and  had  a  Cal.  claim  of  $.30  (v.  402);  owner  of  S.F. 
lot  '47;  a  carpenter  at  S.F.  '51-4;  perhaps  several  difTerent  men.       W.  (John), 

1847,  Co.  I,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Hanford,  Tulare  Co.,  '82.  W.  (Joseph), 
1845,  overl.  immig.  of  tho  Grigsby-ldo  party,  who  probably  returned  cast  in 
'40.  iv.  579;  but  may  have  been  one  of  the  Woods  named  at  Sutter's  fort  at 
the  beginning  of  this  paragraph.  W.  (0. 11.),  1848,  at  Hon.  from  Mont.; 
seems  to  have  married  a  daughter  of  W.  H.  Merrill  at  S.F.  W.  (Paul  D.), 
1840,  Co.  C,  1st  U.  S.  dragoons  (v.  .3.30).  W.  (Wm),  1840,  sup.  of  tho  Co- 
lumbia '40-1.  iv.  102-3,  564.  W.  (Wm),  1840,  Co.  E,  Cal.  Bat.,  enlisting 
at  Sutter's  fort  Oct.  (v.  358).  W.  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  C,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409). 
W.  (VVm  A.),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.S.  artill.  (v.  518).  W.  (Wm  Maxwell),  1844, 
fleet-surgeon  of  tho  Pacific  squadron  U.S.N.  '44-6,  who,  on  his  way  overland 
across  Mcx.  in  '40,  sent  to  Com.  Sloat  at  Mazatlan  news  of  the  outbreak  of 
war.  He  publislied  a  narrative  of  his  adventures  under  the  title  of  Wandering 
Sketchis.  iv.  452-3,  400,  479,  601. 

Woodard  (John),  1832,  witness  at  Mont.  Wooden  (John),  1843,  doubt- 
ful name  of  the  Cliilcs- Walker  immig.  party,  iv.  393-4.      Woodruff  ( Wilford), 

1848,  Mormon,  and  one  of  the  discov.  of  gold  at  Mormon  Isl.;  perhaps  'Wil- 
ford.' Woods  (Henry),  1838,  in  Sta  Clara;  perhaps  'Wood.'  W.  (Isaiah 
C),  1848,  nat.  of  Mc,  who  came  as  sup.  of  a  trader,  and  from  '49  was  promi- 
nent as  manager  of  Adams  &  Co. 'a  express  and  banking  business.  He  went 
cast  after  the  failure  of  that  aonip.  in  ^55;  among  other  enterprises  established 
an  overland  mail  from  Texas  to  S.  Diego;  served  as  commissary  of  transpor- 
tation in  the  war  of  '61-5;  and  rcttnnicd  to  Cal.  about  '68.  Ho  died  in  '80, 
leaving  a  widow  and  3  children.  W.  (John),  1848,  at  Sta  Cruz  '81.  Wood- 
sido  (Preston  K.),  1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  clerk  of  the  naval  agency 
at  Mont.  '48;  later  clerk  of  supreme  court.  In  '81  at  Tucson,  Ariz.  Wood- 
ward (E.),  1840,  steward  of  the  sclir  Cnlifornui.  W.  (Francis),  1847,  Co.  0, 
Morm.  liat.  (v.  409).  Wood  worth,  1847,  a  Mormon  in  Sutter's  employ  '47-8, 
teaming  between  tho  fort  and  mill.       W.  (John),  1834,  Engl,  at  Mont.  '.34-5. 

Woodworth  (Selim  E.),  1847,  nat.  of  N.Y.,  and  lieut  U.S.N.,  who  came 
overland  to  Or.  in  '46,  and  to  Cal.  in  the  winter  cf  '46-7,  taking  some  part  in 
an  exped.  for  the  relief  of  the  Donncr  party,  v.  539;  owning  S.F.  lots,  joining 
tho  Warrrn,  and  in  '48  acting  as  mrot  the  transport  Anita,  v.  570.  In  '49  ho 
resigned  his  commission,  engaged  in  trade  in  comp.  with  P.  A.  Roach,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  1st  state  sennto.  Later  he  became  a,  business  man  at  S. 
F.,  being  prominent  in  tiie  vigilance  com.  of  '51.  In  tho  war  of  '61-5  ho  re- 
joined the  navy,  reaching  the  rank  of  commodore,  resigning  about  '67,  and 


WOODWORTH-YAIiD. 


781 


-y 


residing  for  the  most  part  at  S.F.,  wlierc  he  died  in  '71,  at  the  age  of  5.% 
leaving  a  widow  and  5  children.  Portrait  in  Annah  of  S.F.  Woolard 
(Henry),  1847,  Co.  K,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  58  lashes  and  a  month  in  jail  at  S. 
Jos<S  '48  for  attempted  murder.  Wooldridge,  1846,  com.  of  the  Spy.  v.  580. 
VVooley  (Wm),  1847,  Co.  A,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  Campo  Seco  '71-8-.>. 
Wooster  (Charles  W.),  1847,  nat.  of  N.  Y.,  who  came  as  sup.  of  the  Coh/hIi'- 
racion,  having  been  admiral  in  the  Chilean  navy.  Ho  presided  at  the  1st 
thankxgiving  dinner  at  S.F.  '47,  being  owner  of  lots  here  and  at  Benicia.  v. 
646,  C7'2,  678.  Partner  of  Ward  and  Fourgeaud  in  the  Yuba  mines;  tlying  at 
Hock  farm  Aug.  '48. 

Worden  (John  L.),  1847,  lieut  on  the Soutfuimptoii.  W.  (Stephen),  1844, 
doubtful  name  of  an  Amer.  at  S.F.,  ago  25.  Work  (John),  1833,  a  trapper 
applying  for  supplies,  iii.  392.  Workman  (Andrew  J.),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm. 
Bat.  (v.  469);  at  Virgin  City,  Utah,  '82.  W.,  1809,  doubtful  record  of  a 
hunter,  ii.  89.  W.  (Oliver  G.),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  469);  reenl.;  at 
Salt  Lake  City  '82.  W.  (Wm),  1841,  nat.  of  England,  who  camo  from  N. 
Mex.  in  com.  of  an  immig.  party  with  his  family,  iv.  276-9,  637.  He  had 
lonT  been  n  trader  at  Taos,  and  at  the  time  of  his  coming  to  Cal.  was  some- 
what comp»  mised  in  the  eyes  of  the  Mex.  govt  by  his  supposed  connection 
with  Texan  poi.tical  or  revolutionary  schemes.  He  obtained,  with  John  llo- 
land,  the  Puente  rancho,  confirmed  in  '45.  iv.  331,  635;  was  a  leader  of  the 
foreigners  against  Micheltorena  in  '45.  iv.  495,  505;  took  some  part  in  '46-7 
in  thj  direction  of  preventing  warfare,  v.  50-1,  332-3,  387,  390;  and  was  the 
pure  laser  of  S.  Gabriel  mission,  v.  501,  627-9.  In  '52  Lo  was  el.  for  the  Cajon 
do  los  Negroa  and  La  Puente  ranches.  From  alior.i  '68  ho  was  a  banker  in 
comx)any  with  Temple  at  Los  Aug.,  and  in  Hi,  on  the  failure  of  the  bank,  ho 
committed  suicide,  at  the  age  of  70.  I  know  nothing  of  his  family,  except 
that  a  brother  David  died  at  La  Puente  in  '55.  Wort  (Geo.),  1847,  Co.  G, 
N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  d.  at  S.F.  '47.  Worth  (Caroline),  1848,  nat.  of  Ind., 
resid.  of  Sonoma  Co.  '74-7. 

Wrangell  (Baron  F.  von),  1 833,  gov.  of  the  Russian  colonies  in  Alaska,  at 
Ross  in  '33,  and  at  Mont  '35  on  his  way  to  Mex.  iv.  160-9.  See  also  Ilixt. 
Alaska.  Wright,  1845,  doubtful  member  of  the  Grigsby-Idc  party,  iv.  579. 
W.,  1847,  had  a  hospital  on  Cooper  St.,  Mont.  W.,  1848,  from  Hon.  on  tho 
Sarfodahoc.  W.,  1848,  at  Sta  Cruz,  buying  C.  C.  Smith's  interest  in  a  store, 
which  was  perhaps  in  the  mines.  W.,  1848,  partner  of  Dav.  Ray  in  tho 
Yuba  mines.      W.,  1848,  of  W.  &  Owen,  liquor  dealers  at  S.F.       VV.  (Chas), 

1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  409).  W.  (David),  1847,  carpenter  at  Mont.; 
cl.  in  '52  for  Roblar  de  la  Miseria  rancho.  iv.  673.  W.  (Harry),  1846,  Co. 
G,  Cal.  Bat.,  enlisting  at  S.  Jos6  Nov.  (v.  358).  W.  (J.),  1840,  passenger  on 
tho  Launanne  perhaps,  who  went  to  Hon.  iv.  104,  121.  W.  (Jonathan), 
1840,  at  Mont.  '74,  said  by  McPherson  to  have  come  this  year.       W.  (J.  H.), 

1848,  pas.sp.  from  Hon.  W.  (Phineas  R.),  1847,  sergt  Co.  A,  Morm.  Bat.  v. 
477.  W.  (Stephen  A.),  1847,  prob.  ovcrl.  immig.,  perhaps  of  '46;  at  Mont. 
'47-8,  of  W.  &  Dickenson,  lumber  dealers;  owner  of  S.F.  lot  '49.  v.  685;  and 
member  of  S.F.  council  '43;  later  a  banker  who  failed  and  went  to  Ariz,  be- 
fore '60.      W.  (Tiery),  1844  (?),  perhaps  one  of  Fremont's  men.  iv.  437. 

Wiimsen  (John),  1823,  appears  as  a  witness  at  Sta  B.;  prob.  a  sailor,  ii. 
495.  Wunderl  ch  (F.  H.),  1848  (?),  biog.  in  Eureka,  Humboldt  Times,  Juno 
25,  '79.  Wyboum  (Robert),  1847,  Co.  I,  N.  Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  in  Calaveras 
'71-4.  Wyfie  (John),  1847,  Co.  E,  ditto.  Wylis  (Richard),  1845,  doubtful 
name  of  an  overl.  immig.  iv.  578.  VVyman  (Gardner),  1847,  at  Mont. '47-8. 
W.  (Geo.  F.),  1844(?),  sent  by  Sutter  to  raise  recruits  for  the  Micheltorena 
campaign  in  Dec.  iv.  453,  480,  501;  often  named  in  tho  N.  Ilelo.  Diary '4o-8; 
His  wife,  ment.  in  '47,  was  America,  daughter  of  David  Kelsey,  still  living  in 
'85.  In  '78-84  W.  was  living  at  Spanishtown,  S.  Mateo  Co.,  and  in  news- 
paper sketches  and  county  histories  is  said  to  have  left  a  whaler  in  '30.  W. 
(T.W.),  1847,  capt.  on  tho  U.S.  Columhu.%  v.  577. 

Yamo  (Bias),  1806,  sailor  on  the  Peacock,  ii.  38.  Yanonalit,  Ind.  chief 
at  Sta  B.  1782.  i.  377.      Yard  (Edward  M.),  1840,  lieut  on  the  U.S.  Dale; 


782 


PIONEER  REGISTER  AND  INDEX. 


at  Trenton,  N..T.,  '78.  Yamnll  (Mordecai),  1847,  prof,  of  mathematics  on  th« 
Columbus.  Yates  (John),  1842,  Engl,  sailor  who  came  froni  Mazatlan  anil 
was  employed  by  Sutter  as  mr  of  his  launch,  iv.  229,  341.  In  '43  he  was  in 
some  trouble  at  Sonoma,  Sutter  furnishing  bail;  in  Nov.  '44  his  launch  was 
wrecked  at  Ross;  ho  is  named  in  the  N.  Ileh.  Diai-y  '45-7,  and  seems  to  have 
been  the  owner  of  land  in  the  Chico  region  '46-7,  having  also  a  Cal.  claim  of 
$50  (v.  402).  In  '51  he  went  to  the  Sandwich  Isl.,  where  ho  was  living  in  '72, 
in  wliich  year  ho  sent  me  his  Sketch  of  a  Journey  to  the.  Sacramento  Valley  in 
\},?,  including  a  narrative  of  earlier  adventures.  It  is  a  most  interesting^ and 
useful  MS.,  though  there  are  indications  that  the  valley  trip  may  have  ueen 
antedated  by  a  year  or  two.  Y,  (John  D.),  1847,  Co.  II,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499); 
in  '82  at  Albany,  N.Y. ;  a  printer.      Ybarra,  etc.,  see  'Ibarra,'  etc. 

Yeamans  (Edward),  1847,  Co.  E,  N.  Y.  Vol.  (v.  499).  Yellow  Serpent, 
Or.  Ind.  at  Sutter's  fort  '44-6.  v.  300-2.  Yems,  1817,  sailor  at  Sta  B. ,  doubt- 
ful name.  ii.  280.  Yergeens  (Fred.),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.  S.  artill.  (v.  518); 
living  in  '04.  Yetch  (August),  1847,  perhaps  of  N.  Y.  Vol.  under  another 
name.  Yim  (James),  1828,  Amer.  pilot  at  Mont.  '28-9,  age  23;  name  doubt- 
ful; prob.  'Jim.'  Yndarto  (J.  D.),  1845,  mr  of  the  Farici.  iv.  505.  Ynitia 
(Camilo),  grantee  of  Olompali  '43.  Yonkins  (VVm),  1847,  Co.  F,  3d  U.  S. 
artill.  (v.  528);  in  the  S.  Joso  hospital '04,  suffering  from  an  incurable  cancer. 

Yorba  (Antonio),  1709,  one  of  Fages'  original  Catalan  volunteers;  in  1777 
Corp.  of  the  S.  F.  comp.;  in  1782  corp.  of  the  Mont.  comp. ;  and  in  1789  of 
the  S.  Diego  comp.  In  1797  he  was  retired  as  invdlido  sergt;  and  in  1809-10 
grantee  of  the  Santiago  do  Sta  Ana  ranclio,  Los  Aug.,  whicli  ho  or  a  son  of 
tho  same  name  occupied  down  to  '30,  and  the  family  later,  i.  047,  063;  ii.  104, 
112,  172,  353,  605,  004;  iii.  034.  His  wife,  from  1782,  was  Maria  Josefa, 
dauglit^r  of  AHcrez  Grijalva;  and  tlic  cliildren  named  in  early  years  were 
Isabel  Maria,  Cecilia,  Ilaimunda  (who  married  J.  B.  Alvarado),  Francisca, 
and  Jos<3  Domingo  wlio  died  in  1790.  Y.  (Bernardo),  son  of  Antonio,  age  35 
in  '39,  aux.  alcalde  or  juez  de  campo  at  St  Ana  '33,  '30,  '40,  '44.  iii.  035-75 
iv.  033;  grantee  of  Canada  do  Sta  Ana  '34  and  of  Sierra  '40.  iii.  033;  v.  028. 
His  daughter  Ramona  married  B.  1).  Wilson.  Y.  (Isabel),  grantee  of 
Guadalasca  '40,  and  cl.  in  '52.  iii.  055.  Y.  (Jos(S  Ant.),  son  of  Antonio,  age 
27  iu  '39;  aux.  alcalde  and  juez  de  campo  at  Sta  Ana  Abajo  '30,  '40.  iii.  030- 
7;  in  '41  at  S.  Juan  Cap.  iv.  020,  028;  in  '47  rcgidor  at  Los  Ang.  v.  020. 
Y.  (Jos6  Domingo),  son  of  Josd  Ant.,  b.  at  S.  Diego  1795;  cl.  of  S.  Vicente 
CaQada  '52.  v.  ("^9.  Y.  (Ramon),  cl.  for  Las  Bolsas  '52.  iii.  633.  Y. 
(Teodosio),  son  of  Josd  Ant.,  age  22  in  '39,  aux.  alcalde  at  Sta  Ana  '30  and 
'47.  iii.  030;  v.  020;  a  prisoner  in  '38.  iii.  554-5;  grantee  of  Arroyo  Scco'40. 
iii.  711;  atS.  Juan  Cap.  '41.  iv.  020;  grantee  of  Lomas  do  Santiago  '40.  v. 
027.  Y.  (Tomda  Ant.),  son  of  Josd  Ant.,  age  55  in  '39,  supl.  of  tho  diputa- 
cion  '30,  '32.  iii.  50,  210-18;  aux.  alcalde  at  Sta  Ana  '31-'2,  '35.  iii.  635;  ment. 
in  '39,  '40,  '43.  iii.  589,  629,  637. 

Yorgens  (Joseph),  1828,  Amer.  trapper  of  Pattie's  party,  iii.  163,  168; 
ago  24  in  '29.  Either  Y.  and  Ferguson  were  tlie  same,  or  one  of  them  could 
not  have  belonged  to  this  party.  York,  1834,  Engl,  sailor,  ago  23,  in  a 
Mont.  list.  Y.  (John),  1845,  nat.  of  Tcnn.  and  overl.  immig.  of  the  Grigsby- 
Ide  party,  with  his  wife  Lucinda  Hudson  and  2  sons,  \Vm  E.  anil  David,  tho 
latter  being  apparently  born  on  tlie  trip.  iv.  579,  587.  He  settled  at  the  head 
of  Napa  Valley;  was  at  Sonoma  during  tlic  Bear  revolt;  went  to  the  mines  iu 
'48-9;  and  iu  '49-82  lived  on  his  farm  in  Napa.  There  were  0  surviving 
cliildren  in  '82,  including  tiiose  named  above.  Portrait  in  Napa  Co.  Hist.,  02. 
Y.  (Wm),  1840.  Co.  F,  Cal.  Bat.  v.  358;  at  S.  Jos<5  '48-50. 

Young,  1833,  at  S.  Diego  '33-4,  in  Ebbetts'  service,  called  capt.  Y., 
1047,  mr  of  tho  Com.  Stockton,  at  S.F.  and  Bodega,  v.  577.  Y.  (Alpheus), 
1847,  Co.  D,  N.Y.Vol.  (v.  499);  at  S.F.  '82.  Y.  (Charles  B.),  1847,  lieut 
Co.  A, ditto.  V.  603.  Y.  (Chas  D.),  1847,  musician,  ditto.  Y.  (Ewing),  1830, 
capt.  of  trappers,  who  camo  to  Cal.  from  N.  Mex.,  and  again  in  '31-2,  going 
to  Or.  in  '34,  returning  in  '37,  to  purchase  cattle,  and  dying  in  Or.  '41.  ii. 
000;  iii.  174-5,   180,  357,  387-8,  393-4,  410,  630;  iv.  85-7,  263-4;  see  also 


YOUXG-ZAMPAY. 


783 


of 


Hist.  Or.,  i.  OOetseq.  Y.  (Francis),  1837,  luirberman  in  the  Mont.  dist. 
'37-44.  iv.  118.  He  failed  in  business  '44;  and  tiothins  more  is  known  of  him 
unless  ho  was  with  Ford  at  Olompali  '46.  v.  16C.  Y.  (John',  1S44,  on  roll 
of  Soc.  (,"al.  Pion. ;  nat.  of  Scotland,  and  nephew  of  Capt.  John  Wilson;  per- 
haps did  not  come  from  Valparaiso  till  '45.  He  was  a  trader  and  mr  of  ves- 
sels on  the  coast;  and  later  superintendent  of  the  X.  Almaden  mine.  Died  at 
S.F.  'G4.  Y.  (Jonathan),  1847,  mid.  on  the  Columhu*.  Y.  (J.  E.),  1848, 
miner  at  Mormon  Isl.,  etc.;  later  a  farmer  in  Placer  To.  to  '08.  Y.  (Lewis 
or  Levi),  18.33,  mr  of  the  Eiiriqueta.  iii.  382.  Y.  (X.-ithant,  1847,  of  Morm. 
Bat.  (v.  469);  reiinl.  at  Los  Any.  Y.  (Horn*),  Mex.  citizen  at  X.  Helv.  Y. 
(Sam.  (J.),  1846,  nat.  of  Tcnn.,  and  overl.  immig.  with  hii  familj'.  v. 528-30. 
He  settled  as  a  farmer  at  Sta  Clara,  where  he  died  in  TS,  leaving  3  sons-- 
Leander  C.,  who  died  in  '82,  M.  D.,  at  S.  Jo9«5  '81,  and  K.  J.,  ditto. 

Yount  (George  C. ),  1831,  nat.  of  N.C.  who  came  as  a  traiii<er  in  Wolf- 
skill's  party  from  N.  Mex.  iii.  380,  405,  106,  363.  For  several  years  he  hnnted 
otter  cluefly  on  S.F.  bay  and  its  tributaries,  also  rriaking  «bin;;les  at  odd  jobs. 
His  name  appears  on  Larkin's  books  in  '33.  In  '35  he  wa*  baptize<l  at  S.  Rafael 
as  Joi'ge  Concepcion,  and  worked  for  Vallejo  at  Sonoma.  In  '30  he  obtained 
a  grant  of  the  Caymus  rancho  in  Xapa  Valley,  where  he  bnilt  u  cabin,  or 
block-house,  and  for  years  was  the  only  representative  of  the  gente  de  razon 
in  the  valley,  iii.  711;  iv.  117.  He  still  spent  mnch  of  his  time  in  hunting, 
and  had  many  encounters  with  the  Ind.,  though  by  his  long  exfierience  with 
the  natives,  his  fearless  character,  and  by  his  tact  in  forming  alliances  with 
the  strongest  rancherias,  he  managed  to  keep  al!  ander  gocol  control.  In  '43 
he  waa  grantee  of  the  La  Jota  rancho,  an  extension  of  Caj  mus,  iv.  67 1 ,  where 
he  soon  built  a  saw-mill,  having  also  a  flour-mill  on  his  place;  and  the  same 
year  he  was  joined  by  two  daughters  who  came  overland  with  Chiles,  the  lat- 
ter having  in  his  visit  of  '41  brought  news  from  the  family  and  l>een  commis- 
sioned to  bring  them.  iv.  393.  In  several  of  the  old  trapyxf-r's  experiences,  as 
related  by  him  and  embellished  by  others,  a  trace  of  laith  in  dreams  and 
omens  is  shown;  but  the  oft-repeated  story  that  a  dream  of  his  led  to  the  re- 
lief of  the  Donner  party  has  no  foundation  in  fact.  In  later  years  the  old 
pioneer  found  the  squatters  and  land-lawyers  somewhat  more  formidable  foej 
tlian  had  been  the  Ind.  and  grizzlies  of  earlier  times;  but  be  saved  a  portion 
of  his  land,  and  died  at  his  Napa  home — called  Yonntville  in  his  honor— in 
'65  at  the  age  of  71.  Portraits  in  Hesperian,  ii.;  A'a/xi  Co.  J/i/sf.,  54;  Mene- 
fee's  Sketch-book,  IGO.  Y.  (Lot  G.),  1844,  ranchero  nani<t:<l  in  Larkin's  papers; 
prob.  error  for  Geo.  C.      Youin  (Juan),  1846,  owner  of  S.F.  lot.  v.  684. 

Zabriskie  (Jerome),  1847,  Co.  B,  Morm.  Bat.  (v.  4G9);  reenl.;  in  Utah  '82. 
Zaldilmr  (Pedro),  1818,  deserter  from  Bouchard's  insurgents,  ii.  241.  Zal- 
videa  (Jos6  Maria),  1805,  Span,  friar  whose  missionary  senicc  was  chiefly  at 
S.  Gabriel  and  S.  Juan  Cap.  Ho  died  at  S.  Luis  Rey  in  '46.  Biog.  v.  020-1; 
ment.  ii.  48-50.  109,  114-15,  159-60,  352,  35.5-6,  394,  .>55,  567-8,  «55;  iii.  91, 
96,  102,  317,  358,  625,  627;  iv.  371,  422,  622-4.  Zamora  (Ignacio),  soldier 
at  the  Colorado  pueblos  1780-1;  killed  by  Ind.  i.  .159,  3»;2.  Z.  (Juan),  capt. 
appointed  for  Cal ;  did  not  come.  iii.  54.  Z.  (Mannel.»,  Mex.  soldier  of  tho 
Hidalgo  piquetc  at  Mont.  '30,  .ago  20.  Z.  (Xicanor),  sopl.  com.  de  polici'a  at 
Mont.  '30.  iii.  675.  Zamorano  (Agustin  Vicente),  1)^2.5,  Mex.  all6rez  who 
came  with  Echeandla;  nat.  of  Florida,  of  Spanish  parentage;  capt.  of  the 
Mont.  comp.  from  '31,  and  of  tho  .S.  Diego  comp.  from  ^15.  He  left  Cal.  in 
'.38,  but  retunicd  in  '42  as  lieut-col,  and  died  in  that  year  at  .S.  Diego.  He 
is  named  in  the  Mont,  padron  of  '36  as  'M  yeara  old,  wife  Luisa  Arguello, 
child.  Dolores  b.  '27  (married  J.  M.  Florcs),  Luis  '29,  (ifmzailo  "32,  Guadalupe 
'.33  (married  Henry  Dalton),  Josefa  '.34,  and  Agustin  "36.  An  Kulalia  is  also 
named  by  Hayes  as  having  married  Vicente  Estudillo.  (H  the  sons  I  have  no 
record.  Biog.  of  the  capt.  iii.  559-61;  ment.  ii.  54.3-4,  .>49,  O^lS,  G69,  670;  iii. 
1.3-14,  .33,  44,  47,  50,  61-2,  81,  84,  91,  99,  102,  20.>,  214,  22i>-:.'2.  239.  243,  347, 
,364,  441,  445,  463,  515-20, 533,  549,  556,  568-9,  608,  614,  069-71 ;  iv.  68,  290, 
408,  619;  v.  365.      Zampay,  chief  of  the  Yolo  Ind.  '36.  i*-.  7i 


784 


PIONEER  BEGISTER  AND  LVdeX. 


J^^Jnot  come  to  Cal.  t  437    H-<¥"%  ^8*4,  oneof  FrtmonS-n„^^-  <^->' 

charge  of  the  Lo^  An;  ^lu^^'-     ^°™"a  (FrSdsco)    isi'*"^  (Michael), 
the  S.Dieeo  comn    ^l-®°''*  "'""es.  iv.  630       7?1«?  '',1®'*^'  "^med  as  in 

Tucson    4Vrfeurcol«I8%^t"^*^''°^^^  ool'W/^^^viJSI.  lieutS 
old  presidio officpra    p.''''*  .^°^0.    He  was  one  of  /i,!  "  ^ter  capt.  at 

Los  Ang.  '39    ate  /«   '  ^^^'  ^^2.  653;  ii.  78       Z  Ip.^n^'  ^'~'  ^96.  398,  400 
End  OF  PioNKEB  Reoisteb. 


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